Wow, this past week and a half has been a wild one. A couple of weeks ago I began going through the little snippets of book ideas that I have been writing down for years, and found one that hit me like a herd of elephants. My mind, unable to shut down, took this idea and flew with it. Well, after three days, a plot for all three books of a trilogy, 6000 words of the first book written, stiff hands, one sore shoulder (from typing), and a playlist of songs, my exhausted mind finally crashed back to earth.
After taking a short breather, that included ice packs for my shoulder and Ibuprofen for my hands, I looked over what I had written. My first thought was, Holy smokes, I wrote that?, and then I realized that my passion for this book was evident in the words I was reading. I have never had an idea hit me this hard, as you would be able to tell by all of the books I stopped writing after the first chapter. And so, with my excitement still unabated, I have continued on with this book. I am so thrilled that I will one day get to share it with world (or at least anyone who wants to read it).
And, now, comes the honesty part. My 'social anxiety' is hitting an all time high. Yep, that dreaded self doubt in is trying to pull my ship of happiness back to its shores. But, I will say that Daniel and Ivy (my hero and heroine in Ravens Hollow) are helping me to fight the 'Dastardly Doubt.' And, I have made a promise to myself, and Daniel and Ivy, that I WILL NOT give up on this story.
So, in the weeks to come, I promise that I will get a synopsis posted, and a link to the song and video that has helped to keep me going through all of this.
P.S. One more thing I want to do, is to give a little shout out to author Jennifer Snyder. Jennifer, you will never know what you have done for me this week. But, if you ever read the previous postings on my blog, you might be able to guess. Thanks so much for being my friend on Twitter.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
I know that we are already 20 days into the new year, but I just had to get my new year's resolution put out here into cyber space. Maybe seeing it in print will help me keep it this year.
If you read my blog from yesterday, you will know that I have a very hard time in social situations. People may think that Twitter, Facebook, and blogging would be easier for a person like me since we aren't in the same room. But, it is just as difficult, since I am putting myself out there to be scrutinized. I have seen so many things on Twitter and Facebook that I have wanted to respond to and didn't, because I thought "why would anyone care what I have to say." Well, I care about what I have to say, and now I am going to say it. So, if you see me responding to something you have written, it is because I care about both what you and how I feel about it.
Okay, so back to the resolution part. I actually have three this year. The first is to work through my social anxiety and really put myself out there. The second is to finish my book. And, the third is to publish my book independently.
I am happy to say, that after only 20 days, I am still on track with all three. I actually posted some things on Twitter yesterday and responded to someone else's post. I finished the prologue and started chapter one of my book. And, I contacted someone about cover art, checked on ISBN numbers and did some research on ebook publishing. So, not bad for a chick like me.
The only drawback to any of my plans, are the physical limitations I go through on a daily basis. I guess I forgot to mention that even though I am young, I have severe arthritis in both of my thumbs. The pain involves the entire thumb and down into my wrist, and this is on BOTH of my hands. I have had two surgeries already and will need at least two more. This type of arthritis is not caused by age, but by the fact that I am double jointed and have always been able to do freaky things with my thumbs, so I wore them out faster than normal. Cool, huh?
So, from this day forward, my blogs are going to be about the progress I am making on my book, books I have read and the authors that wrote them, tidbits of my life, music, and any other fun things I can think of.
By the way, this is the little face that greets me every morning, begs to be in my lap all day, and makes me smile through all the tough times. Her name is Shelby.
If you read my blog from yesterday, you will know that I have a very hard time in social situations. People may think that Twitter, Facebook, and blogging would be easier for a person like me since we aren't in the same room. But, it is just as difficult, since I am putting myself out there to be scrutinized. I have seen so many things on Twitter and Facebook that I have wanted to respond to and didn't, because I thought "why would anyone care what I have to say." Well, I care about what I have to say, and now I am going to say it. So, if you see me responding to something you have written, it is because I care about both what you and how I feel about it.
Okay, so back to the resolution part. I actually have three this year. The first is to work through my social anxiety and really put myself out there. The second is to finish my book. And, the third is to publish my book independently.
I am happy to say, that after only 20 days, I am still on track with all three. I actually posted some things on Twitter yesterday and responded to someone else's post. I finished the prologue and started chapter one of my book. And, I contacted someone about cover art, checked on ISBN numbers and did some research on ebook publishing. So, not bad for a chick like me.
The only drawback to any of my plans, are the physical limitations I go through on a daily basis. I guess I forgot to mention that even though I am young, I have severe arthritis in both of my thumbs. The pain involves the entire thumb and down into my wrist, and this is on BOTH of my hands. I have had two surgeries already and will need at least two more. This type of arthritis is not caused by age, but by the fact that I am double jointed and have always been able to do freaky things with my thumbs, so I wore them out faster than normal. Cool, huh?
So, from this day forward, my blogs are going to be about the progress I am making on my book, books I have read and the authors that wrote them, tidbits of my life, music, and any other fun things I can think of.
By the way, this is the little face that greets me every morning, begs to be in my lap all day, and makes me smile through all the tough times. Her name is Shelby.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
TIME TO LET MY HAIR DOWN!!!
One of the reasons I started this blog was to try and pull myself out of the hole I dug for myself a long time ago. It is not easy for my to put myself out in to the world socially. Unless, there is liquor involved, and then I'm quite the social butterfly. =D
But, after reading what little I have wrote, I realized I am still living in my hidey-hole. I have always been the type of person who does for others, and never myself. My happiness comes from those around me who are happy. I celebrate their joys, and never my own. I don't enjoy going to parties, weddings, or any other social gatherings. So, I don't live, I just exist. I'm the wallflower in this party called life.
Well, have you figured it out yet?? Yep, it's called social anxiety. So, now that you know my little secret, it's time to make a change. Time to let my hair down and open myself up to the world and let them know I am here.
It's sad to say that this thing has kept me from doing so many things over the years, and writing is one of them. Oh, I have written many things. But, they were always reserved and diffident. The sad part is that the few times I actually put myself into something, the feedback was phenomenal. I have been told by a few teachers and professors that I needed to be a writer. Can't get much better than that, right? Well, the draw back to acting on such a thing would be the rejections I would receive from publishers. I just could not even think about putting myself through that. (did you catch that? I never even thought about acceptance, only rejection) But, the world has opened up for indie authors and I am going to live in that world.
Okay, there is so much more I could tell you, but enough of the sad junk. Time to tip my world on its axis and let the storm in.
So, if you are reading this I just want to say "WELCOME TO MY NEW WORLD AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE RIDE."
It's time to kick the tires, and light the fires!! Woo Hoo!! I'm...I'm...I'm...crap I forgot to put the gas in. Oh, well, I guess I'll walk instead of fly.
P.S. The people that I have actually let in to know the real me would tell you that that last line is really me. I love to "try" and be funny, and sometimes I succeed.
But, after reading what little I have wrote, I realized I am still living in my hidey-hole. I have always been the type of person who does for others, and never myself. My happiness comes from those around me who are happy. I celebrate their joys, and never my own. I don't enjoy going to parties, weddings, or any other social gatherings. So, I don't live, I just exist. I'm the wallflower in this party called life.
Well, have you figured it out yet?? Yep, it's called social anxiety. So, now that you know my little secret, it's time to make a change. Time to let my hair down and open myself up to the world and let them know I am here.
It's sad to say that this thing has kept me from doing so many things over the years, and writing is one of them. Oh, I have written many things. But, they were always reserved and diffident. The sad part is that the few times I actually put myself into something, the feedback was phenomenal. I have been told by a few teachers and professors that I needed to be a writer. Can't get much better than that, right? Well, the draw back to acting on such a thing would be the rejections I would receive from publishers. I just could not even think about putting myself through that. (did you catch that? I never even thought about acceptance, only rejection) But, the world has opened up for indie authors and I am going to live in that world.
Okay, there is so much more I could tell you, but enough of the sad junk. Time to tip my world on its axis and let the storm in.
So, if you are reading this I just want to say "WELCOME TO MY NEW WORLD AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE RIDE."
It's time to kick the tires, and light the fires!! Woo Hoo!! I'm...I'm...I'm...crap I forgot to put the gas in. Oh, well, I guess I'll walk instead of fly.
P.S. The people that I have actually let in to know the real me would tell you that that last line is really me. I love to "try" and be funny, and sometimes I succeed.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
WHAT I LOVE AND HATE ABOUT INDIE BOOKS!
I discovered Indie (self published) books a little over a year ago, after being forced into an early retirement and had fewer funds for the more expensive traditionally published ebooks. Since then I have purchased over 100 Indie books and have fell completely in love with the them and the authors who write them.
I feel that indie authors take more of a leap of faith, by self publishing their works, than they do by sending it into a publisher to be scrutinized by people looking for the next best seller. They are also able to publish books that do not conform to the current hysteria or the most popular flavor of the month. I know, some do, but they also take that flavor and add something new to it.
So, the things that I love about indie books, and their authors, is the courage they display by being themselves. They have forged a new horizon for the rest of us writers who have sat back in silent terror of the big publishing houses and their pile of rejection form letters.
What I hate most about indie books are the the bad feedback they get from some of their readers. Most of the bad feedback I have read is directed more at the few grammatical errors found in the book, rather than the story. Yes, I have read a few books (very few) where the grammar was terrible and it did take away from the story. But, what the readers need to understand is that these books do not go through a tradional editing format. They are usually edited by friends, family, fans, or volunteers. And, hey, I can easily see the editor getting so caught up in the story that they forget to do the editing.
So, to all readers out there, please give indie authors a break and see what is really in front of you. What you have in your hands is a piece of art that a brave artist has created to bring enjoyment to your life. Nothing in life is perfect. Flaws are what brings beauty to a fabulous piece of art. If you don't believe me, look at paintings by Picasso. They are one big, beautiful mess.
Okay, I just had to get that off my chest. I will hopefully be joining the ranks of indie authors during the next year and I wanted to let them know how much inspiration they have already brought to my life. You are the most courageous, brilliant, and talented people. You have given me something that no one else has ever been able to give me. HOPE!!
P.S. For all readers and reviewers out there, please quit comparing every book to "Twilight". Stephenie Meyer did not set the precedence on young adult/paranormal books or vampires. They both have actually been around for quite some time. She just helped to bring this genre back into the limelight.
I feel that indie authors take more of a leap of faith, by self publishing their works, than they do by sending it into a publisher to be scrutinized by people looking for the next best seller. They are also able to publish books that do not conform to the current hysteria or the most popular flavor of the month. I know, some do, but they also take that flavor and add something new to it.
So, the things that I love about indie books, and their authors, is the courage they display by being themselves. They have forged a new horizon for the rest of us writers who have sat back in silent terror of the big publishing houses and their pile of rejection form letters.
What I hate most about indie books are the the bad feedback they get from some of their readers. Most of the bad feedback I have read is directed more at the few grammatical errors found in the book, rather than the story. Yes, I have read a few books (very few) where the grammar was terrible and it did take away from the story. But, what the readers need to understand is that these books do not go through a tradional editing format. They are usually edited by friends, family, fans, or volunteers. And, hey, I can easily see the editor getting so caught up in the story that they forget to do the editing.
So, to all readers out there, please give indie authors a break and see what is really in front of you. What you have in your hands is a piece of art that a brave artist has created to bring enjoyment to your life. Nothing in life is perfect. Flaws are what brings beauty to a fabulous piece of art. If you don't believe me, look at paintings by Picasso. They are one big, beautiful mess.
Okay, I just had to get that off my chest. I will hopefully be joining the ranks of indie authors during the next year and I wanted to let them know how much inspiration they have already brought to my life. You are the most courageous, brilliant, and talented people. You have given me something that no one else has ever been able to give me. HOPE!!
P.S. For all readers and reviewers out there, please quit comparing every book to "Twilight". Stephenie Meyer did not set the precedence on young adult/paranormal books or vampires. They both have actually been around for quite some time. She just helped to bring this genre back into the limelight.
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