WORD FOR THIS POST:
Apprehensive : (adj) 1. uneasy or fearful about something that might happen: apprehensive for the safety of the mountain climbers.
I like the word for this post because I remember the day I learned what it means. I was watching "Full House". To me, the sound of the word defines its meaning. If this is weird, I agree, because I cannot think of another word that to me would be defined by its own sound.
So, JA Konrath is on hiatus. First, it's a well deserved hiatus.. Second - I will miss his posts. If you've never heard of him, visit his blog, his webpage and you'll see what I mean,. So much great advise for all kinds of writers - especially self published ones. Having said that, they will be accepting articles to compile an ebook of over 100 ebook authors writing about their personal publishing journey. What a great marketing idea. Joe Konrath is a wealth of information. I applaud him for committing himself to helping others, when he could be sitting on his behind, twirling his thumbs for a long, long time. Great inspiration with an understanding of a true writer.
I've started my writing, but because of the nature of the article, it cannot be finished until end of October, otherwise it would not be what I want it to be. A true journey. As soon as I have it, ready on October 31st, I'll send it in. I'm not even apprehensive about it. Wow, how far we've come! We'll see what happens. I'll keep you posted. Perhaps if I'm lucky my journey will be printed in an ebook. If I'm lucky. (yes the "lucky" is intended here for those who have read Joe's blogs)
Monday, October 10, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Pay it Forward!
WORD FOR THIS POST:
Surreptitious 1. obtained, done, made, etc., by stealth; secret or unauthorized; clandestine: a surreptitious glance
Check out the new page at the top bar or click on the button on the sidebar.
This is a great event where you can get to know many people and many wonderful blogs from all around the word! Tune in on October 14th to see my top three. It will be a hard pick because there are so many that have helped me!
The most awesome thing about the internet is the way we can all share information. The post should be up early in the morning that day, so click away! I surreptitiously noted that the more you network, the more people you meet. (ok, it was hard to use that one in the post!)
This is a Blog Hope, so sign up at the top and Happy Hopping!
Surreptitious 1. obtained, done, made, etc., by stealth; secret or unauthorized; clandestine: a surreptitious glance
Check out the new page at the top bar or click on the button on the sidebar.
This is a great event where you can get to know many people and many wonderful blogs from all around the word! Tune in on October 14th to see my top three. It will be a hard pick because there are so many that have helped me!
The most awesome thing about the internet is the way we can all share information. The post should be up early in the morning that day, so click away! I surreptitiously noted that the more you network, the more people you meet. (ok, it was hard to use that one in the post!)
This is a Blog Hope, so sign up at the top and Happy Hopping!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Insecurities...
WORD FOR THIS POST:
nebulous (adj) 1. hazy, vague, indistinct, or confused: a nebulous recollection of the meeting; a nebulous distinction between pride and conceit.
It's the first Wednesday of the month everyone; and it's my first 'insecurity' post. Where do I start? Number one: learning the ins and outs of blogger and making sure it's liked by those who view it and that I don't make errors when posting and adding pages to this site and making sure it fits well on other computer screens - need I go on.... BUT this is a smaller issue compared to my actual writing. So here it goes.
I don't want my first review to be a bad one.
I know I've let go of TWO HALVES - my first ya fiction/fantasy novel. Not many have read it, but I have gone through it way too much. So, after having promised myself to put it aside, I read it again. Now, I don't know if it's because I read it so many times, or perhaps of the ongoing learning, I am afraid others will not like the story (isn't this the most fearful thought any writer has), although I don't think my writing is nebulous.
To add to that, I'm resenting sending it in for a review, prior the release in November. What if the review is a bad one? I'm sure everyone gets bad reviews, but FIRST one? I have not received bad comments from anyone who has read it - yes constructive criticism which was great because after the correction it made the novel so much better - but not a review. So for now, that's my biggest insecurity - getting a bad review.
I've put my heart and soul into this novel. I want it to sell, I want it to do well, I want it to be loved! Yes I want that - why? So I can continue writing, because I need to write. When TWO HALVES began I wanted to write, but now, I need to write. I'm afraid a bad review (first one) would crush my little heart.
I think my only way to get over it is to set a goal: I will send TWO HALVES out for a review by October 11, 2011. I'll let you know how that went.... ... in the meantime, back to re-reading.
Happy Hopping!
nebulous (adj) 1. hazy, vague, indistinct, or confused: a nebulous recollection of the meeting; a nebulous distinction between pride and conceit.
It's the first Wednesday of the month everyone; and it's my first 'insecurity' post. Where do I start? Number one: learning the ins and outs of blogger and making sure it's liked by those who view it and that I don't make errors when posting and adding pages to this site and making sure it fits well on other computer screens - need I go on.... BUT this is a smaller issue compared to my actual writing. So here it goes.
I don't want my first review to be a bad one.
I know I've let go of TWO HALVES - my first ya fiction/fantasy novel. Not many have read it, but I have gone through it way too much. So, after having promised myself to put it aside, I read it again. Now, I don't know if it's because I read it so many times, or perhaps of the ongoing learning, I am afraid others will not like the story (isn't this the most fearful thought any writer has), although I don't think my writing is nebulous.
To add to that, I'm resenting sending it in for a review, prior the release in November. What if the review is a bad one? I'm sure everyone gets bad reviews, but FIRST one? I have not received bad comments from anyone who has read it - yes constructive criticism which was great because after the correction it made the novel so much better - but not a review. So for now, that's my biggest insecurity - getting a bad review.
I've put my heart and soul into this novel. I want it to sell, I want it to do well, I want it to be loved! Yes I want that - why? So I can continue writing, because I need to write. When TWO HALVES began I wanted to write, but now, I need to write. I'm afraid a bad review (first one) would crush my little heart.
I think my only way to get over it is to set a goal: I will send TWO HALVES out for a review by October 11, 2011. I'll let you know how that went.... ... in the meantime, back to re-reading.
Happy Hopping!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
BLOG HOP for Insecure Writer's Work Group
Alex, thanks for the comment. I'm so happy you did, because your blog rocks! I've joined the Blog Hop so tomorrow, first Wednesday of the month I will spill some writing insecurities. For all other bloggers, check out his link below as well as the list on the bottom right of blog hoppers :) Happy Hopping
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Marketing Plans...
Since I don't post daily, WORD OF THE DAY will now be changed to: WORD FOR THIS POST - just makes more sense... ... and to make it more fun, I will try to use the word within the post.
WORD FOR THIS POST:
goad (n): 1. a stick with a pointed or electrically charged end, for driving cattle, oxen, etc.; prod 2. anything that pricks, wounds, or urges on like such a stick; stimulus.
This is straight out of the Webster's Dictionary. It's funny, because I opened the dictionary, pointed to a word and there it was! Just the item my characters in TWO HALVES use, except I didn't call it a goad, I called it a stick with an orange glowing end. Learning every day.
Back to the post, I found a very interesting site yesterday which discusses the importance of a marketing plan to promote a book. Figures, for the life of me I cannot find the site right now, but got the message. Plan, plan and plan. Know what's next and how you will promote your book. Whether you have an agent, or go the indie route (that's self-publishing, or individual publishing), you need a marketing plan!
Found it! http://allindiepublishing.com/ Amazing what few sips of coffee can do! This is a great site for anyone who plans to publish anything.
So, step one for me, get my cover done for TWO HALVES. I know I've sent out my queries, but if all fails and I get rejected by everyone (the author featured on another site got 175 rejections before deciding to self-publish AND was successful- extremely successful) I have to have a plan B and self-publishing is it!
Following the cover I need to get my novel reviewed and have some ideas for that as well. Create the buzz! (which hopefully is not a hum) Before the end of the week I'll post my blurb I'd like to put on the back cover of TWO HALVES.
I'll keep you posted, but my goal so far is to have the e-book version up and running by beginning of November. That should be enough time for those I queried to respond. Sorry, can't commit to a firm date because this month is looking pretty busy in my full-time job (which is a good thing too).
WORD FOR THIS POST:
goad (n): 1. a stick with a pointed or electrically charged end, for driving cattle, oxen, etc.; prod 2. anything that pricks, wounds, or urges on like such a stick; stimulus.
This is straight out of the Webster's Dictionary. It's funny, because I opened the dictionary, pointed to a word and there it was! Just the item my characters in TWO HALVES use, except I didn't call it a goad, I called it a stick with an orange glowing end. Learning every day.
Back to the post, I found a very interesting site yesterday which discusses the importance of a marketing plan to promote a book. Figures, for the life of me I cannot find the site right now, but got the message. Plan, plan and plan. Know what's next and how you will promote your book. Whether you have an agent, or go the indie route (that's self-publishing, or individual publishing), you need a marketing plan!
Found it! http://allindiepublishing.com/ Amazing what few sips of coffee can do! This is a great site for anyone who plans to publish anything.
So, step one for me, get my cover done for TWO HALVES. I know I've sent out my queries, but if all fails and I get rejected by everyone (the author featured on another site got 175 rejections before deciding to self-publish AND was successful- extremely successful) I have to have a plan B and self-publishing is it!
Following the cover I need to get my novel reviewed and have some ideas for that as well. Create the buzz! (which hopefully is not a hum) Before the end of the week I'll post my blurb I'd like to put on the back cover of TWO HALVES.
I'll keep you posted, but my goal so far is to have the e-book version up and running by beginning of November. That should be enough time for those I queried to respond. Sorry, can't commit to a firm date because this month is looking pretty busy in my full-time job (which is a good thing too).
Saturday, October 1, 2011
I let go...
WORD OF THE DAY:
Incredulous: (adj) not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
I just noticed reading through my last blog I called myself a writer. Wow! I didn't think I would do that for a while, or until I was published, but I really do feel now like a writer. After all, I write. Right? (chuckle)
So, I finally sent out my query letters. Yay - I let go. How does it feel? Honestly, before I sent the first one, I thought I'd throw up. After I sent it, there was relief as if I'd swallowed a packet of gravol (I did not do that so do not worry!). The butterfly sensation you get in your stomach turned into an elephant stampede (I used that in my new novel). It's a good feeling letting go. Now I'm happy (yes, the nerves are still there) but if you don't try, you won't know. I'm sure I'm not the first nor the last to be in this situation. I truly believe that someone will fall in love with TWO HALVES - there's just no other way.
Having said that, there's a possibility I'll get a request for my manuscript (picture me on my knees). Yes, I know my odds, but I did work hard, so maybe my slim odds are a little better, by a fraction. My gut says yes. Which means, I'm back at re-reading the manuscript, looking for any other typos, errors. I'm second guessing. I'm halfway through - have not found anything yet. So perhaps, that gut feeling is a good feeling after all.
Now it's time to wait... and wait... and wait...
That will be me for the next four to six weeks as I start receiving the replies. Some may be sooner...
In the meantime, I'm going through the manuscript for the last time. Then back to writing. No, I'm not crazy, just in love with writing...
Incredulous: (adj) not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
I just noticed reading through my last blog I called myself a writer. Wow! I didn't think I would do that for a while, or until I was published, but I really do feel now like a writer. After all, I write. Right? (chuckle)
So, I finally sent out my query letters. Yay - I let go. How does it feel? Honestly, before I sent the first one, I thought I'd throw up. After I sent it, there was relief as if I'd swallowed a packet of gravol (I did not do that so do not worry!). The butterfly sensation you get in your stomach turned into an elephant stampede (I used that in my new novel). It's a good feeling letting go. Now I'm happy (yes, the nerves are still there) but if you don't try, you won't know. I'm sure I'm not the first nor the last to be in this situation. I truly believe that someone will fall in love with TWO HALVES - there's just no other way.
Having said that, there's a possibility I'll get a request for my manuscript (picture me on my knees). Yes, I know my odds, but I did work hard, so maybe my slim odds are a little better, by a fraction. My gut says yes. Which means, I'm back at re-reading the manuscript, looking for any other typos, errors. I'm second guessing. I'm halfway through - have not found anything yet. So perhaps, that gut feeling is a good feeling after all.
Now it's time to wait... and wait... and wait...
That will be me for the next four to six weeks as I start receiving the replies. Some may be sooner...
In the meantime, I'm going through the manuscript for the last time. Then back to writing. No, I'm not crazy, just in love with writing...
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