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Post by Admin on May 8, 2017 22:18:18 GMT
Just know that bouts of depression and doubt seem to be the price we pay for having a creative mind. I see it across the board with anybody who writes, or paints, or sculpts. I saw it in Jacob and Aryn when Jack and Rhonda were talking about how much of a perfectionist they were where they would rather destroy something than have it seen if it didn't meet their own idea of good. At least I can release my work even if its not as good as I think it can be. I am not reaching for perfection but rather trying to become visible. To reach out and touch others no matter how small my reach is. I dream big dreams, but I settle for walking my journey one step at a time. I will get as far, or farther, and with far less pain than somebody who takes the giant leaps before realizing they don't have their wing feathers yet.
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Post by bill on May 17, 2017 2:30:31 GMT
Vetrix - I can't think of anything I did this week. I have a contact I need to get ahold of but I'm too busy. Next week I'll be in the office and will have my evenings back. I need to call her then.
Mystery - I finished the revision and have a friend reading it to see how the mystery holds up. I know the manuscript still needs a lot of work but I want to find out where that piece of it is before I proceed further. It will be a while before I get back to it - no hurry.
Earth (this is Flipper, book 2) - I am going through Holly's 7-day crash-revision workshop. I did the first day last week and am going to look at the next section. I have a friend who's almost done beta reading so I don't want to get ahead of myself and end up repeating steps, so I'm not sure when I'll really get into it, but my goal is to publish this book in late fall.
HTTS - I went through the first week's lesson last week. I've really been aware at how inadequate my writing is. I don't know what to expect out of the class but hope it will help me improve. Plus I need to learn how to speed up my processes so I can accomplish more of what I want.
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Post by Admin on May 17, 2017 3:23:23 GMT
I need to lay out Kay's story. I don't know why I'm hesitant to work on it. I don't know if its because it's not my story and I'm afraid I won't do it justice or if its because its not my story and I feel outside of it. I can't put it off much longer.
The artwork is going well. I'm playing with charcoal and conte crayons and graphite. Trying to strengthen my drawing and visual skills.
I need to help Joshua rewrite his picture book. Its way too easy to slack off with Kathy on vacation. I don't have somebody checking in on me every afternoon. That, and I think I needed some down time. My last 5 months have been really busy and stressful.
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Post by bill on May 28, 2017 14:47:25 GMT
I'm regrouping. I haven't accomplished much the last month. I've kept up with my column for the paper but not much else. We are at Susan's for the weekend, then I think this week I can get back to a semi-regular schedule...I hope.
Vetrix - I set up a table at Yates Center Day's. I sold four copies each of Vetrix and Before Vetrix and five copies of Trapped On A Cloud. I have a book signing at the Newton Public Library on June 19 and at Faith & Life Bookstore on July 1, in Newton. I also have a contact in Sedgwick I need to contact next week.
Aneeka - I got the formatting back this morning. I'll try to get it uploaded to Createspace and order the proof copy today.
HTTS - I'm in the middle of lesson three (How to generate ideas on a deadline), which goes well with the challenge on Holly's site I joined to write a flash fiction this week. We'll see what I can come up with. Once I get past Friday and the flash fiction I'll move on to lesson 4.
Flipper 4 (I don't have a name yet) - I have 10,000 - 20,000 words on it. I have a couple of spreadsheets and some notes. I want to take a week and focus on it, putting together an outline and game plan for writing it. I have the itch to do some writing (I've mostly revised for months now) and this is the next story I want to tell. As soon as I have a normal looking week with a good portion of free time available I want to do this.
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Post by Admin on May 28, 2017 15:51:50 GMT
You have a huge amount going. Way more than I do. I have one more picture I have to get done before we head for Kansas. JPete's prize from the last reunion. I better have it ready for this reunion.
I'm still trying to figure out what to do about Knock Knock. I might send it off to 4 more agents so I can feel like its doing something while I'm off having fun.
Joshua is doing really good with Kathy. He's adding skills. She got a new school book for him and throwing new stuff at him. I want to start taping his sessions in hopes of getting a weekly one or two minute clip I can upload to youtube. I have the new microphone and I want to start podcasting. I want to have at least six or seven ready to go before I go online with them. I plan on posting one a month. so if I have six or seven done, and uploaded to a schedule, I might be able to keep up with it.
One more way to gain visibility and hopefully make sales. Knock Knock could go live in six weeks if I'd just get off my rear and clean it up, send it to editor, and get it published. I just hate to not give it a shot at the traditional market. Somehow, I either have to go viral with a podcast or video, or find a better marketing venue.
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Post by bill on Jun 4, 2017 17:52:45 GMT
Aneeka - I received the proof copy and read through it, marking about a dozen mistakes. I sent them to Cat this morning and she's going to reformat later this week. Then it should be ready to go live!
Vetrix - Halstead had their city-wide garage sale yesterday. I set up my table next to the convenient store and hung up my banners. I had very little foot traffic but a lot of cars drove by. I didn't sell any books (which I suspected would be the case), but I hope the advertising and exposure I got from the experience will pay off. Who knows? Next year, though, I'll try to set up in a residencital area to get some foot traffic.
I have a contact at a cafe in Sedgwick (a small town ten miles from Halstead). I hope to get a book signing there.
Earth - I hope to get back to revising this in a few days. I want to get it to an editor soon. I think I'll try the one Holly recommends, if he's available and interested.
HTTS - I'm half-way through lesson 4. I hope to finish in a day or two (it won't take me long if I can get a couple of hours with it). My dad is still here and I don't know how long he's sticking around. Makes it hard to plan.
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Post by Admin on Jun 5, 2017 11:57:53 GMT
I'm trying to get everything ready to go to Kansas so I get the hard to plan part. Kathy got hit with hard news last week. She has a tumor on her tailbone and will have to do radiation. It scares her and she's in pain. So, that upset us. I just want her to have time to have some joy in her life. She just wants to be happy for a little while. I can't quite wrap my head around things so I misdirect. I do things that distract me and keep my mind from dwelling. Which means art and getting better at art will help Joshua in the long run.
I'm struggling with my own goals. I'm getting tired of the struggle but I'm not ready to say 'done' yet. It would be very easy for me to slide from writing to art but in the long run I don't think I can get as much income from art as I potentially can from writing. I just wish I knew if I'm really as competitive skillwise as I think I am. I have nothing to weigh myself against, if that makes any kind of sense. I think I'm as creative and professional as anybody out there but to continually fall short on every single thing I've ever tried is extremely discouraging.
And I know money isn't the 'prize' but having something coming in that I earn would feel satisfying. And I know that what I give to the family is priceless, it still doesn't feel like anything special simply because I can't feel the reward. And I do know that the family would suffer if I wasn't doing what I do. I wish I could verbalize the frustration. Just the very fact that I can't make anyone understand the emotional impact on me is frustrating.
I sort of feel like the little child who picks a weed and holds it out to the world. Its a pretty weed, but holds no value to anybody but me. It ends up crumpled and trampled and the little child in me weeps.
Sorry, I'll quit rambling. I'm so impressed with your entrepreneurial skills. Your mind grabs hold of the marketing problem like a bulldog with a bone. I'm having more fun watching you. In many ways, our brains work alike. I take a problem and think it out, make a plan of action, and then leap. I'm also keeping an eye on Sydney. I think she's going to be something special. I see it in Jacob, too. That creative gene that has focus. Man, I wish I'd had focus when I was twenty.
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Post by bill on Jun 5, 2017 16:58:43 GMT
Feel free to vent here anytime. I understand. I sat on Main Street on Saturday for 5 1/2 hours and didn't sell a book. I didn't really expect to, but still hoped. I just hope the exposure helps in the future. No way of knowing. I think authors like us are going to have to grind it out to make a go of it. And even then there's no guarantee. I don't know if I'm doing anyone any good, but I get obsessed about something and I can't let it go. So I'm in this for the long haul. I can still see many potential paths to success so I'll keep going as long as there's a possibility.
Observing from the outside it seems you have a lot more passion for art. I think you have the gift and ideas to succeed as an author, but it seems you're lacking commitment/focus - at least on the level you probably need. Again, that's just my observation from afar.
I'm watching Sydney struggle with the same thing right now. I think she's having trouble getting traction writing her story. She's a much better writer than I am but she lacks the discipline. I hope she figures it out and buckles down. I think she could go far.
I'm making up my marketing plan as I go. If an opportunity presents itself I'm going to do it if able. I just don't know what else to do. Thank you for the comments. Rhonda made similar ones when I was in Colorado. It doesn't feel like I'm making progress but it's nice to hear that others see something happening. I hope you're right.
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Post by Admin on Jun 5, 2017 22:21:24 GMT
My method was to try whatever came to me to try and then analyze the data from the experience. If it gave me something back I kept it on my list. If it bombed I moved on. I didn't pursue art because it was what Joshua did. I couldn't bring myself to do something that came easily to me when he fought so hard and his work had a spark that I couldn't attain.
I felt guilty whipping out a finished painting in a day, or two days, when it took him months to complete one. It felt unfair and I was afraid I'd cause him some sort of pain. I know its silly but I could not compete with my son. I had intended to go to school for commercial art. It was what I was enrolling in when Dad passed away. I was all set to go back to college, room with Marti, and finally go after a life I dreamed of. But when Dad died, Mom needed me and I gave up college. it didn't occur to me that I could help Mom and still get trained.
Writing is what got me through the boredom of the County Treasurers office. I jotted stories down on little three inch scrap paper, banded them together with rubber bands and took them home. It was a way to pass the time. I wrote all my adult life to unstress. It was never my intention to publish.
I didn't get serious about writing until Hank was diagnosed with cancer. It was a skill I thought I could master and get good enough to be competitive. I love writing. I had trouble learning how to finish a project. I'm much better at coming up with bits and pieces of character. Not so good at plotting to give the characters something to do. I learned. Fear has a way of being an intense motivator.
It never dawned on me that Joshua would want to write. And maybe my journey was always about paving the way for him. I know what he has to do. The skills he needs to master. Maybe its time for me to be the back up for his writing and step forward with the art.
Art has always come easy to me. I absorb it like air. I never thought I had talent because I thought everybody did what I do. Pick up a pencil, look at a subject, and reproduce it. I've done it since I was four years old. I think I have the potential to be a really good artist. I don't know if I have the want-to to do it professionally. I'm not sure what I want anymore. I'm getting very stressed and tired. I'll recover, just don't like losing the time it takes to do so.
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Post by bill on Jun 12, 2017 3:40:36 GMT
Aneeka - got the formatting done, proof approved, and books ordered. I need to finish up the ebook on Amazon and I'll be done, I think.
Vetrix - I have books signings on June 19 and July 1 in Newton. I e-mailed a lady in Sedgwick but haven't heard back from her. I need to follow up this week - If I can remember!
Earth - I've started the write-in revision process in Holly's crash revision course. I think I can get the revisions I want done by the end of the month then off to an editor. I have one beta reader still reading, but if she doesn't get me her input before the end of the month I'll just consider her input along with the editor's when I get that back.
HTTS - I finished lesson four and hope to do lesson 5 this week. Lesson 5 and work on revising Earth.
Mystery - I had a friend volunteer to beta read it for me. It's so hard to get good input. She said nice things and didn't give me any useful information for changing the story, and I know it still needs work. It's on the table for now until I decide what I want to do next and when I want to fit it in.
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Post by Admin on Jun 12, 2017 10:21:43 GMT
That's why I don't use beta readers any more. I found they slowed me down. I go right to the editor. I haven't gotten any writing done. Mostly art. I did pack Kay's story to take with me. It should have been written and printed by now. Huge load of guilt. I'll pull together a plan and see if I can corner someone from Texas to sit down with me and finalize what they actually want done with it. If I can make a list then come home and do it, then maybe I can get back on track. I don't want to give up writing. I just need to figure out how to fit both in. Other people work two jobs. I don't see why I can't. I'm trying to figure out how to get more room at home. Hank wants a deck on the back. I'm pushing for a three season porch. If I had a three season porch, it would give me safe storage space for all the art supplies and a place to work where I could spread out a little bit. I'm tired of living in clutter.
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Post by bill on Jun 13, 2017 0:58:11 GMT
I may start skipping the beta readers stage. I can see how a good one would be invaluable, but I've yet to find one.
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Post by bill on Jun 19, 2017 2:43:34 GMT
Aneeka - Got the e-book loaded on Amazon and received the printed copies. I need to put up links on Facebook and my website this week.
HTTS - I completed lesson 5 last week and plan to do lesson 6 this week.
Vetrix - Blake and I have a book signing at the Newton Public Library tomorrow evening. Last week I scheduled a book signing in Sedgwich for July 8. This week I work in McPherson and am going to visit a bookstore there about carrying my book.
Earth - I have a couple of scenes to write this week, and review to make sure I have everything done for this current revision process. My goal is to have it ready for an editor by July 1.
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Post by Admin on Jun 19, 2017 22:43:14 GMT
Josh and I are off the road. Will be home tomorrow. I have a major housecleaning that needs done before Richard and boys come to visit. I have new paintings I want to start. Joshua needs to complete his rewrite. I need to get Knock Knock query out to 4 more agents. I'll tweak the query since it didn't generate a request. While its making the rounds I'll get Kay's story put in order. It won't take long to write it. Its so short I can probably get it written in 2 weeks. Then I'll send it to Cory and have him look it over and help me figure out what, exactly, the family wants to do with it.
Once Kay's story is out of the way, and Knock Knock is either requested, or sent to the editor, I'll fill out my scene cards for Cosmic Justice. I want it published in 2017. Once it's done, marketing should get interesting because it will be a complete series. Next book after Cosmic Justice is the new character and this one I will write with a traditional market in mind. I think Lucky Donovan will be my break out character.
This takes me through to Jan. 1st.
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Post by bill on Jun 25, 2017 22:48:09 GMT
It's been a while since I felt like I accomplished more during a week than I set out to. I need one of those every once-in-a-while. This was the week!
Vetrix - I had a book signing on Monday at the Newton Public Library. Twenty-two in attendance and I sold 6 books I think. There was a small article in the Newton paper this weekend announcing my book signing at Faith and Life bookstore next Saturday.
I visited the owner of The Bookshelf in McPherson about my and Mom's books. She is now carrying all four books in her store and I have an autograph party scheduled for December. She'll do radio and newspaper advertising for it and if I provide her with bookmarks to hand out with the date and time she will give them to each customer the month before. The funny thing is if everything goes as planned I should have Earth published by the time I do the autograph party.
I also applied and got accepted to be a vendor at Smithville Christian Family Day. It's an all day event (about 45 miles north of Susan) that features a different musical artist every hour for eleven hours. I'll have a lot of foot traffic at the event!
My goal is to get one thing accomplished each week with marketing the books. I want to make contacts with teachers/school librarians, hoping to get some opportunities in the fall.
Earth - My goal was to finish my revision by the end of the month but I finished today. I sent it off Silver Jay editing (Holly's recommended editor). I thought I would give him a try. I haven't heard back as to timing, but I'm in no hurry.
HTTS - I completed lesson 6 this week. Lesson 7 for next week.
Flipper, book 4 - I don't have a name for this one yet. I have 10,000-15,000 words written. My goal was to plot it out the first week of July and write the story the remainder of the month. I joined a cabin of Holly's students at Camp Nanowrimo. I need to think through if there's any other small projects I want to do this week, but I may start on Flipper 4 early. I hope to have the rough draft done by the end of July so I can work on my final revision of Earth in August.
After Earth and Flipper four (and of course the story I'm working on with HTTS), I haven't decided if I want to work on the mystery, Flipper 3 (Zentron), or my ghost story next. I have a couple of months to let my muse play around and help me decide.
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