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Post by bill on Oct 30, 2017 1:08:08 GMT
Earth - I received one proofreading copy today and the other is on it's way. I hope to have it finished and sent to Cat by the end of the week!
A World Amongst - I'm making notes and an outline. Nano starts on Wednesday.
Vetrix - I send a couple of letters to the Roswell superintendent and assistant. I hope they'll let me come talk, or at least put my books in the libraries/classrooms.
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Post by Admin on Oct 30, 2017 2:57:34 GMT
That would be so cool if you got to do something in Roswell. I am tired. Joshua is better today. I have hopes of him being over whatever it was he had in time to travel on Tuesday. I'm praying I don't get it. I'm dosing myself tonight and going to bed.
None of the things I planned have happened. I'm letting God handle things for awhile until I get back home.
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Post by bill on Nov 13, 2017 4:07:02 GMT
Earth - I have the manuscript and cover sent to Cat. She said it would be December before she could get to it, so I'll be patient. I've made my peace with it. I'll try to crank up the excitement for the book going into the new year.
Vetrix - My next book signing event is Dec in Newton. Blake and I went to Comic Con in Wichita yesterday. I spoke with a few authors. I learned there are lots of cons around the state and I want to check into them. This could open up a whole new group of potential readers.
A World Amongst - I'm right on track with NaNo at 19,001 words. I have this week off work. I have a lot of other stuff I also need to get done, but I expect to be ahead of my word count by the end of the week.
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Post by bill on Nov 20, 2017 3:31:33 GMT
A World Amongst - I'm a bit ahead of schedule at 33,933 Words. I'm starting to think I won't be done with the story by the end of November. That's okay, but I'll need to decide whether to press on into December until I finsih the complete rough draft or table it and finish another time. I have a preliminary schedule drafted for 2018 and would like to have this book finished (revised and edited) by the end of the year so I can shop it.
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Post by Admin on Nov 20, 2017 14:06:37 GMT
I try to do the thing that I can get done fastest (listen to what I say and not what I do because I'm getting very little done). But, logically, the more prolific you can be, the faster you can reach a tip over point into making enough to pay the bills. I'm so torn right now. I have stories flowing through my head like water. I am word-oriented but my home is so chaotic right now that I'm not getting a whole lot done. Traditionally, the holiday season slows down everything.
The next week looks good for weather so I'm crossing my fingers they builders can get the room enclosed and the siding done on the house. If all the outside work gets done then I won't worry about winter hitting early. My biggest fear is that we'll get socked in by bad weather and I won't get my room before spring. I need the winter months to be productive. To have an actual space where Josh and I can go, close the door if we have to, and have actual office hours.
I will most likely have to go back to the timer. In our early days when I was home schooling him, I used a one hour for him, one hour for me, to get fair time for each of us. In an odd kind of way, our paths have split but they are parallel so even when we split the time we are both progressing forward on the same projects.
I really do need to hire someone to help me with the house. I do so much better when my home is orderly. It keeps us all calmer and happier.
I need Knock Knock done. The book is written. It needs to be edited. I'm stalled on inputting the old ms. into a clean copy. I can have a clean copy in about two weeks if I just have work hours in place.
Joshua has his book written. He needs to edit a few spots, then write a log line, a book proposal, a series proposal (which he might not need but should have). We need a couple of illustrations just to show how we picture the characters. I'm learning how to use ink because I like the pen and ink with watercolor washes technique. Don't know if its what I'll use but I would like to have it in my wheel house.
I've ordered a few more books on illustration and children's books as well as some art books on ink techniques. I have some cartoons blipping around in my head that I'd like to try drawing. More and more I need to learn how to put down pictures from my mind and not rely completely on photo references. That will stretch me as an artist and make my work more marketable. I'm still trying to do things outside my comfort zone.
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Post by bill on Nov 27, 2017 3:29:14 GMT
It's exciting to see the pictures of your work studio going up! I hope the weather cooperates and it's done in a timely manner.
A World Amongst - I'm at 44,198 words for Nano, a few hundred ahead of schedule, but I have to work all week so I'll be pushing to finish. Of course it's all a mess, but it's exciting to have that much done on it (I'm not at over 72,000 words for the story, including what I had previously done). I'm sure once I'm ready to hit it again I'll be able to add quite a bit to it - 20,000 + words I'm sure. The last section I'm working on now I didn't have a good vision for so I'm writing the parts I see now and will have to fill in the story later, so should be able to add quite a bit. That's for the latter part of next year, though.
Earth - Cat has my manuscript and I'm waiting on her. It won't be for another week or two, and I agreed to that when I sent it to her.
When the Time is Right - EJ has it at Silver Jay. I excpted it back this week. I hope to take his input and make what changes I want during December. I'm curious to what he'll have to say. I'll see what I think it will take to finish the story to my satisfaction before I decide what to do with it.
I have books signings Dec 2, 9, and 16. Two of those were scheduled months ago and the third one is Halstead's Christman party. I've been holding off until Earth is ready to make contacts for further book signings. But now that it is near December and the book should be out before Christmas I want to make some phone calls and see if I can start scheduling for 2018. I want to see if I can build any moment now that I have two books in a series with book three scheduled for August/September of 2018.
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Post by bill on Dec 4, 2017 3:21:31 GMT
A World Amongst - I finished Nano just over 50,000 words. I was happy just to hit the mark with everything else going on. I think that gives me about 77,000 words for this story (which is kind of three continuous stories). I'll revise it (probably next fall) and see where it ends before deciding what to do with it. My goal is to have it ready-ish by 2019 so I can take it to PPWC and beging shopping it around. I definitely want to shoot for an agent and give the traditional route as good a shot as I can.
Earth - I received the fromatted files from Cat today! I uploaded to Createspace and am waiting for their review. Finally can see the end of getting this book published. Now I'll start working on setting up book signings.
When the Time is Right - I got my edit back on Friday. I've read just a little, but already have some ideas of how I need to improve and that might add some words. I plan to spend the next two months (I hope I can get it done in that time - need to) revising. If I can get enough added to it (and maybe even if I don't) I'll try to start shopping around.
Marketing - I sold three books at the book signing yesterday. I have book signings each of the next two weeks. Hopefully I'll have copies of Earth by the last one. I'm going to start making contacts for more book signings.
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Post by Admin on Dec 4, 2017 4:36:02 GMT
Your drive is inspiring. I always have trouble during the holiday season. November and December I always lose focus. Too much to do and not enough me to get it all done.
The room is progressing. I think in about 2 weeks I should have functional space but then comes the shifting of the house. Where everything gets moved from one place to another. I expect that to take several weeks too.
I'm going to try and get all my xmas stuff out the door in the next week. At some point, I need to get Joshua something for xmas. Hank and I got stuff for the Ranger so we already got our gifts although I always make sure Hank has something to open.
I need Knock Knock done. That has to be a priority. I need to talk to the Crumrines to see if they want me to put Kay's book out. I will if they are still motivated to do it. That has to happen before i write the last book in the Cosmic trilogy. Then I want to concentrate on Lucky's stories unless Knock Knock does well. If it sells well, I have to work book 2 in somewhere. There are 4 in the series.
Joshua needs to work on his picture book. It's all there. He just needs to write the proposals, the log line, and gather all the things needed for his presentation package. I need to get him registered for the conference but I want to wait until after xmas. Just don't have time to deal with it right now.
Life is busy but its good busy. I'm thrilled you are promoting, and selling. Those face to face meetings with fan and potential fans can't be underestimated. You just never know when the one person you need to meet is there.
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Post by bill on Dec 11, 2017 0:14:11 GMT
Earth - I received the proof copy. There are some minor mistakes, most of which I would overlook, but in chapter 1 I missed a scene break. It's a bit confusing and I would hate to lose a reader in the first chapter. So I'm going to have Cat make the change and redo the book. It will delay my release but I think it's worth it. I already ordered 25 copies so I'll sell those as is until the change is made.
When the Time is Right - I'm reading through the editor's comments and making notes as to what I want to revise. I hope to finish the process by the end of next week and make a plan for revising.
Marketing - I had a book signing yesterday. Sold four book, the same amount as last week. I have another one in McPerson next Saturday. I thought I would have more scheduled for next year by now. I need to get busy with that. Make a few contacts this week.
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Post by Admin on Dec 11, 2017 1:06:55 GMT
I ordered a book from Amazon on ways to make money on art. The more streams of income I can establish, the better. I'm sure there are areas I haven't even thought of. If the room passes its inspection next week, I think he'll have it finished in a week. The siding came in and he picked it up and its stored in the barn until he can find time to put it on. Hopefully, we'll get a break in the weather. Shouldn't take more than a day or two to do the siding.
Once the room is functional, I intend Joshua and me to have a major discussion on our goals. He'll have the tobii so he can answer questions and I won't have to guess what he's thinking. I want specific, do-able goals. I want to establish work hours and stick to them. I want to know how much time Josh wants to devote to art and how much to writing. I need to do that for me, too.
I want multiple streams of income, even if those streams are small. Steady is better than big. I want to write down the goals. I updated the ourhomestudio website today. And I intend to document Joshua's journey this year. I want to show people how difficult, as well as interesting, it is for a non-verbal adult to work toward independence. I think its a great story and one I want to share. It will keep the website active, and contain human interest. I hope that translates into sales.
I need to energize my writing website and keep it active. I can't ignore those websites any longer. I need to funnel everything to the website. I need a solid mailing list. I need to come up with incentives for people signing up and I need to do a regular newsletter. I'd like quarterly. 4 times a year seems enough and I don't have time to do any more often than that.
I want to create a cartoon and share that online. Something humorous but also pithy. Nyla has been coming up with some zingers. I told her to start writing them down. I bet she won't remember but I'll keep nudging her. She's so witty. If I can show her a way to use her talent, I think she'd love doing it. I can produce it if she can create it.
I'll post more as my ideas become concrete. In 2018 I want the dreams that Joshua and I have had for so long to become a reality. I'm going to put some effort into mapping out small changes that will pay off.
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Post by bill on Dec 18, 2017 4:04:07 GMT
Earth - It's done and out! Earth is not available on Amazon. I ordered copies for myself. As soon as I get them I'll take a couple of copies to Halstead Middle School so they can review. I think they'll have me back to speak to the students. I need to find more inroads like that one.
When the Time is Right - I finished reading through the editor's notes. I have a couple of pages of notes now. My next step is to read through my notes and make a revision plan, then get to work. My dream is to have the revision done by the end of January with several thousand words added to the story. We'll see. If I need to take longer I will either work until I'm done, or finish my next project and come back to this one. I want to have a polished version for PPWC.
Marketing - I had a book siging at The Bookshelf in McPherson on Saturday with two other authors. I sold two books. There wasn't much traffic, which kind of surprised us. The owner talked about having me back around father's day, so we'll see. She has three copies of my books and also of Mom's on consignment. She has had for several months but none have sold. But at least they're available.
I have two book signings set up for January. I need to try to do one or two a month, if I can, I think. I keep coming up with opportunities without spending much time searching. I wonder what I could come up with if I spent a little focused effort. I have some ideas but haven't take the time. Maybe I will soon.
I always thought it would be fun to do a comic strip. I think you should run with that one. I don't know if it's a good business move or not, but it sounds like a fun project.
Let's keep dreaming...
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Post by Admin on Dec 18, 2017 4:30:01 GMT
Dreams are free and who knows when the timing is right. I picture it like fishing. I keep baiting the hook and tossing it in and watching the bobbers. When one jiggles, I pay attention and when it goes under I try to set the hook. 2017 was a lost year for me. I knew our time with Kathy was short and I didn't want to miss one minute of time with her. Joshua was working with her and that was a priority. Now, I feel ready to attack 2018 with a lot more energy than I've had in a long time. Partly its the room addition. I've wanted this space for so long and it feels right and good.
I saw the post about Earth and shared it. Will it be available on Amazon? If so, when. If not, what is your reasoning? I'm curious. Always curious how other people work through ideas and plans.
I still want Knock Knock done and I'm working on the clean ms again. Christmas is slowing me down. Next week, after xmas, my time will be better managed.
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Post by bill on Dec 18, 2017 12:57:22 GMT
The link on Facebook goes to Amazon, where Earth can be ordered. Christmas is slowing me down too, but it's only a week away, then life can resume as normal.
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Post by Admin on Dec 18, 2017 13:48:12 GMT
I forgot to ask you if you've joined Kansas Writers Assoc. yet. If I remember right the meetings are in the Wichita area. But most of all you may get notifications of venues around Kansas that you can do signings at. Don't forget that Emporia has a big one in June. If you're interested in getting in to that one, I'll try to find out the info. It's the same time every year. Marti went one year but it was the same weekend as our family reunion and I opted for family time. It didn't seem difficult to get in to it. And I don't think there was much of a fee to get a space.
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Post by bill on Dec 19, 2017 3:24:16 GMT
I have not joined KWA. I haven't taken the time to look into it, but I should put that on my to-do list! And yes, I'm definitely interested in the signing in Emporia!
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