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Post by bill on Jul 3, 2017 3:16:59 GMT
Vetrix - I did a book siging at Faith and Life Bookstore in Newton yesterday. Very little traffic but I talked to one mom who bought two of each book, one for her son for Christmias. I'm at Susan's and plan to go to her local library tomorrow to see if they would carry my book or know of a local bookstore that might.
HTTS - I did most of lesson 7. I need to review to see if I have a little more left. I may do that tomorrow. Then on to chapter 8.
Flipper 4 - I started reading through my notes and previously written manuscript. I have around 28,000 words, much of which is thoughts and not actual story. I want to form a plan and outline this week so I can write another 30,000-35,000 words the rest of the month.
Millionaire - I have bits and pieces of a story I started a few years ago about a retired millionaire seeking a purpose in life - wealth, power, success have not fulfilled him. I thought it would be a good one to read and get input from my writing group (which meets monthly, but sometimes it's every other month). I'll write a chapter for each meeting, as I don't care how long it takes me to finish the story. I've struggled with what to read at group because when I read a chapter the next time I'm several chapters farther and they wouldn't be able to follow my storyline because they didn't know it. This way the group can go with me for the whole story.
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Post by Admin on Jul 3, 2017 3:43:20 GMT
That's a good idea. I'm struggling because I have so much going on and very little time in between the big stuff. I think life will calm down after Richard's visit but I know that I'll be preparing for coming back to Kansas. I have to get info sent to PNC bank so we can get a new loan through them and pay off the local bank so we won't have a monthly mortgage payment anymore. At least, we'll have a payment but it will come from the invested money at PNC.
I'm behind on yard work, behind on house work, and Joshua has a big deep sore that I'm trying to get healed up before he has to travel again. If I can't get it looking better by Wed. I'll call the doctor and see if there is anything more I can do for it. I can't believe he stays so calm and sweet when he has to be in agony.
Its hard being here when I want to be there but I know that my responsibilities have to be met and yes, I heard the irony in that statement. Bank statements will be emailed to you before Wed. And I'll talk to the bank before Wed. too. If I can figure out what day its open and which day is closed for holiday.
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Post by bill on Jul 11, 2017 0:12:55 GMT
Vetrix - Book signing at The Meeting House in Sedgwick. Sold three books. Slow, but they said they would have me back in the fall when it's busier. We'll do a release party for my next book.
HTTS - I did not work on it this week. I looked it over yesterday and there are still a couple of exercises with the assignment I want to do. Hopefully this week some time.
Flipper 4 - This is where the majority of my time is going. I'm working on it for Camp Nano. My goal is 35,000 words. I have some outlining to do along the way. I'm at 7,884 words so far.
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Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2017 1:49:31 GMT
I'm digging out from Richard and boys visit. We had such a good time. Cheered me up a lot. I'm cleaning house, getting Hank set up so he can be without me for a few weeks then I'm heading home.
Tomorrow morning I'm doing all the bookwork. I'll get the statements sent to you. I'll stop at the bank and see if I can get the statement coming directly to you or at least figure out a way for you to have access to it without having to go through me. I am bad at organizing. I'll forward the email I got from the lawyer. I'll also make sure that PNC gets their current info to the lawyer.
I'm taking Kay's story home with me. I really want it done and I think if I worked on it for three weeks I'd have it pulled together. I read her version and I'm not going to be able to use it as the story. I was hoping I could just use her voice and flesh it out. What it does for me is give me solid timeline of events. I'll have to look at the story through a different pov so there is continuity to the whole story.
I really want Cosmic Justice drafted, written, and live by Jan. 1st. Before I can start working on it I need to get Knock Knock to the editor. I've been putting it off and I think I know why. This series is based on paranormal phenomenon that deals with spirits that pass. I may be too close to this story at the moment. I can't let that stop me but it does explain why I'm not looking at it right now. Simply too close to the subject matter.
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Post by bill on Jul 18, 2017 3:00:21 GMT
Vetrix - Nothing new to report this week that I can think of. I have one more week of travel for work then hopefully I will slow down a bit and can focus on marketing for the fall.
Vetrix 4 - I'm doing Camp Nano. I've written about 17,000 words. My goal is 35,000 so I'm slightly behind. But I'm close enough I feel like I'm in good shape. A lot of my writing is notes and thoughts for the story. I like the way it's going and will have a very rough draft when finished, but one I'll be excited about.
HTTS - I still need to finish lesson 7. It will take a little time for me to slow down and give it some thought, and with my work schedule and focus on writing Vetrix 4 I haven't had a chance. I'm fine if I don't get this done for another couple of weeks.
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Post by Admin on Jul 18, 2017 12:21:19 GMT
I'm heading for Kansas tomorrow. Nyla is with Kathy until tomorrow so I'm not needed until Thursday morning. I'm taking Kay's story with me. it's holding up everything else. I'm also taking some artwork home with me. I have two that need finished and Nyla wants me to do one for her. It's colored pencil work so I can sit with it in the evenings and just color. Its relaxing and I can do it while watching TV or visiting with others. Its busy work, not really art, but it increases my skill with the pencils which will help me with illustrations later on.
I'm so wanting life to smooth out and let me be normal for awhile. I can't remember the last time I've had normal. I want structure, and a schedule, and life to be a canoe ride rather than extreme sports. I don't know what to expect when I see Kathy. I'm hoping I'm encouraged but my imagination is wild and its showing me scenarios that I don't want to see. I'm just hoping God will work in me strong enough that I handle whatever comes with grace.
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Post by bill on Jul 19, 2017 3:12:50 GMT
I think your time with Kathy will do you good! Even at her weakest she is such a strong person. I hope you have a safe trip!
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Post by bill on Jul 24, 2017 3:56:10 GMT
Vetrix 4 - I'm at 26,823 words for camp nano (goal of 35,000), which puts me at 50,514 for Vetrix 4. I'm right on schedule to hit my goal, but it's been a grinder every day. This week I'll have 3 hours communte each day for work, and tomorrow's Blakes birthday. It will be a challenge to finish off, but I'm determined to do it. It's a rough draft, but I like a lot of my ideas and it should be fun to revise whenever I get back to it
Vetrix - I'll have a booth set up at Smithville Christian Family Day in Smithville, Missouri on Saturday. I'm excited because I'll get a lot of foot traffic and have a chance to meet people and hopefully develop some new interest. Maybe even make contacts for future opportunities!
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Post by Admin on Jul 28, 2017 11:09:33 GMT
Haven't had time to work on anything. Kathy is not doing very well. She's not eating. They have identified the infection as e-coli. I'm thinking about asking the lawyer for an extension.
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Post by bill on Aug 7, 2017 1:31:42 GMT
Wow! Life has been crazy and I haven't even been on here in forever. I've been writing though.
Vetrix 4 - I finished Camp Nano in July with 35,305 words (my goal was 35,000) written, most of which was Vetrix 4. I now have a complete, very rough draft - and lots of ideas. I like the story and look forward to revising it, probably a year from now.
Vetrix - I went to Smithville Christian Family Day. Sold 4 books. Lots of advertising and meeting people. I'll keep grinding away. One reader at a time, right? I'll have a booth set up next Saturday for Old Settler's Days. I hope to visit with a lot of people. whether I sell any books the exposure will be great.
HTTS - I finished chapter 7. Next up is eight and I will work on it whenever I have some convenient time. I'll do HTTS the next couple of months whenever it works out. It won't be a priority for me until later in the fall.
Earth - Next up on my docket is Earth. I should get the manusript back from the editor this week. I'll read through his notes and make a revision plan. This will be my top priority until it is complete. I want to get it out as soon in the fall as I can but won't set a date until I have a good idea what I need to do to revise it. I'm on no one's time schedule but my own.
Hodgepodge of Poetry - I've put together the poems I've written. Worked on and off on this for close to a year. It's ready to go and I'm checking with Cat to see if she can format it. It's not a large book and the only reason I want to publish it is so my kids will have access to it whenever they choose. I'll make it available for sale but won't push it or spend anything on advertising. I don't care if anyone reads it - it's for Sydney and Blake.
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Post by Admin on Aug 7, 2017 2:40:27 GMT
I'm pretty much doing nothing but surviving. Lots of travel, lots of lost sleep. Love the time with family but wish it was happier circumstances. I'm home for a few days. Wanted to be close to Bill as he gets his health issue fixed. He will have surgery in the morning at 10am. Josh and I will be over there. Nothing we can do but stay close and pray. I wanted him to know the family is with him even if our numbers are spread out right now. Kathy is still with us but her time is short. She is sleeping and hospice is giving her pain meds every 2 hours. She has handled all of this with such grace and beauty. I am in awe of her spirit.
I work on art. It keeps my hands busy and my mind occupied. I have writing going through my mind but it zips by with such speed that I cannot capture it and hope it will come back when I need it. I'm really weary of no schedule. Trying hard to just walk in faith.
I think you are incredible. Your drive and energy leaves me in the dust. I have a very strong feeling that this path you are on is going to bring you many surprises and gifts. It feels good, the energy coming from you.
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Post by bill on Aug 8, 2017 0:48:17 GMT
Thank you for the kind words! I don't know where my path leads, but I am locked in and don't think I could turn it off if I wanted. I wish I knew better how to enjoy and savor the journey. That's part of my continued learning process.
My drive is my strength. My weaknesses are my writing ability and my lack of marketing knowledge and experience. I guess we'll see what wins out - my strengths or weaknesses.
I got an invitation from the Wichita Public Library to join their 2nd annual Local Authors Day in September. And they agreed to carry my books. I keep plugging along.
I haven't heard any news on Bill. I hope he's doing well and continue to pray for him.
All you can do right now is survive. The time will come when you can return to writing, when you HAVE to return. But now is not that time. Give yourself grace and take it one day at a time.
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Post by Admin on Aug 8, 2017 2:49:32 GMT
Bill is good. He came through the surgery fine. Jacquie told him about Kathy this afternoon. We did not want to tell him before his surgery. He was dealing with enough stress. I'll head back to Kansas on Wed. That's the plan, anyway.
Wichita Public Library is huge. That's a big step in the right direction. The thing about lack of knowledge and experience is: everything you do fixes that. You gain knowledge, you grow in experience. You will never again be as unsure of yourself as you were when you started. It's inevitable. Writing is the best teacher. You will learn, grow, and life itself will be the teacher that allows your writing to grow as well. The hardest thing to learn, for me anyway, is to be honest in your writing. You are baring your soul, or should be. Holding yourself open to the world is so incredibly vulnerable. It's like putting your heart on the bulls eye and telling everybody to shoot at it.
I always felt like the writing was more a calling for me than a career. I did not ask for it. It came to me. I wrote to save my sanity. Then I wrote to entertain myself and Jacob. Then I became frightened enough that it became an even bigger hope for me. I don't have a lot of options and so far, the writing is nowhere near close to paying even one bill. But it's still necessary for me to do. I need time for JOshua to learn how to put his words out. We've lost our teacher. I know God has a plan but I'm not sure what the next step is.
Joshua is dealing with grief. Its the first time I"ve seen him struggle emotionally. He truly loved Kathy and she literally handed him the world. I know he's feeling her loss deeply. I'm going to have to find a way for him to realize that his journey is nowhere near over.
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Post by bill on Aug 8, 2017 3:26:44 GMT
Thank you for the update on Bill. So glad he's doing well! I'll keep Josh in my prayers.
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Post by bill on Aug 14, 2017 1:10:11 GMT
Earth - I got my manuscript back from the editor. He had more good things to say than I expected. I'm going through his comments and making notes at the changes I want to make. I don't think it's going to be as much work as I expected, which makes me excited and optimistic about getting it published this fall! My focus will be to finish reading notes and making a revision plan. Then getting started revising this week.
Vetrix - I set up a booth at Old Settler's Days. I handed out a ton of bookmarks and had several people recognize me (as I should since this is where I live). I sold one book. It was to a kid who had checked it out of the library and loved the book.
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