Tag: authors

Out With The Old…

New Nook!
New Nook!

Changes!

In one month we:

  • downsized to a condo.
  • became empty nesters.
  • I had rotator cuff surgery.

One of the perks has been “letting go” of my office and Mac G4 for the nook and iMac (pictured.) My only regret is that we didn’t do this sooner!

Learning Curve

I wear a sling 24/7, and since I’m not left-handed, life has slowed down. Add to that trying to learn new software and there are days I feel I’m not progressing at all. But I am, just at a snail’s pace. Too bad I’m a hare!

Writing 

I’ve always been a Microsoft Word guy but I’m rethinking this choice. I’m not about to shell out huge bucks for Office when all I want is Word so I may just opt to use Pages that comes on the Mac. From dabbling with it, I think it will do everything I need. Which gets me to my question…

What do you use?

I’m Getting a New Look!

A friend recently asked me, “So how do you re-release your book?”

It was a great question, so I thought I’d take time this morning to explain.

First, per my new publisher’s recommendation, I re-visited Tears of Min Brock.  I edited it to make it read and flow faster, sprinkled in some description, and added a bit more expressiveness with the characters.  I finished this portion last week and now the publisher and editor are going through it.  Once done, they’ll pass it back for me to tweak.  I love the fact that I get the opportunity to make my writing (and storytelling) even better.

Next, we’ll meet to discuss the cover.  Now to be honest, I like what I currently have, so it’s difficult for me to “see” anything else.  But I’m going to the meeting with an open mind and hoping to catch the vision.  After all, this is to discuss the plan for all four books, all of which are written (but unedited.)

After that, it’s in the hands of the publisher and I do the most difficult of tasks.

I wait.

I’m hoping we’ll have this turned around by end of summer, maybe sooner.  But I know how life can bog down the most prudent of plans.

So there you go!

I’m excited to get a new look and hope you will be too!

 

Starting Over Again…

I thought this sunset photo from our recent family vacation is fitting for today’s post.

You see, I’m changing publishers, so it’s the end of one day with the anticipation to the start of a new one.

So if you’re a fan or even curious what this means, here’s a quick overview of what’s in store.

Editing.  My new publisher “encouraged” me to go through Tears of Min Brock and do some re-writing.  At first, I was a bit put off by this, not because I think it’s perfect, but because, well, it’s already out in the market.  So while on vacation, I took some time to look inside.  I now see this as an exciting opportunity (that many authors don’t get!) to make the book shine even more.

Now if you’re already a fan, you may be freaking out, thinking: “You’re changing the story?!?!”

Well, no, the story & characters will stay as is, but my writing style will not.  I’m making the book flow & read much easier while at the same time maintaining the epic details I need to convey.  I’m keeping key quotes and phrases, but tweaking dialogue and adding emotional depth.  In fact, I’m finding that the bulk of what I’m revising is in about the first 80 pages, which makes sense because there’s so much backstory I’m trying to interject (i.e., the Dark War, the Oracles, the Only, the whispers, relationships, oppressed society, etc.)

Yes, it’s a lot of work, but I’m very energized by this.  Very energized!

Once I’m done, I’ll send this to the publisher and they’ll rake through it until we’re convinced we have it where we like it.  The goal is to have this published ASAP while at the same time, getting Book II ready to be released (hopefully!) 3 months later.

And since I have the other books done, this delay actually puts the series back on track, so to speak, in allowing me to connect with readers while building momentum.

So there’s the scoop.  Feel free to comment or email me with any questions/suggestions you may have, and I hope you’re as excited as I am!

 

Are you one of these?

Courtesy Microsoft

Maybe you’re already aware.  Maybe your friends have said, “That’s you!”  Maybe you’re like so many who avoid self-analysis at all cost.

No matter which category you fall into, I’m here to help you find, discover, and embrace the truth of who you are!

So, in the spirit of Jeff Foxworthy: “You may be an author if you…”

Walk into a bookstore, see the amassed talent and mumble, “I suck!”

Walk into a bookstore, see the amassed talent and mumble, “They suck!”

Eavesdrop on a spicy conversation to get some “nuggets” for your story’s upcoming dialogue.

Consider your Christmas letter proof that you’re published.

Love replying to every email in order to sharpen your writing skills.

Get excited when your teacher states, “Write about what you did for the summer.”

Think C-Span’s Book TV is exciting to watch.

These are but a few indicators that you may be an author. 

Have any to share?

 

New Baby!

Photo courtesy of Microsoft

Right now, my friends and family are FREAKING OUT!  “They’re PREGNANT?”  “He’s in his fifties!  How’s that even possible?”

Rest assured, folks, that the “new baby” is merely allegorical.  As a writer, I’m always striving to grow, and one way I do this is by increasing my vocabulary.  So when I discover a new word, for me, it’s like having a new baby (only without the stinky diapers, 3 A.M. feedings, and subsequent college tuition.)

If you’re still reading this, then I have to assume you’re a writer since everyone else thought:  “Oh, this isn’t about a baby…”  “Oh, it’s not about sex…”

So let’s continue…

Recently, I uncovered a plethora of gems in a fantasy I was reading and added them to my Excel vocab worksheet.  Geeky?  Yep!  But I’ll be the first to admit where I’m weakest (vocab/grammar) and need to improve.  Plus, with the spreadsheet nearby while I write, I have a handy tool and resource at my fingertips.  If not, I tend to use the same tired word or phrasing, which is boring, and if I’m bored, my reader has to be too.

So when I discover a new word, especially one that sums up several words, I get excited.  Honest, I really do!  And you can bet your booty I’ll have these new tots dressed and ready to go, anxious to insert them in a page and watch them help my story grow up. The trick, of course, is to not be the obnoxious parent who shows off baby all the time!

So what tricks of the trade do you use?

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