Writer Wednesday:Lesson Learned Check Those Attachments.

In July I had a lot going on! I was in Tennessee visiting family and taking care of responsibilities that require my attention there every summer. It truly wasn't like I was lounging or vacationing in the least. I had my two high maintenance daughters the diva and the victim with me. To top it all off my Internet ability was like when the cell phones first came out and people walked around holding out there phone. Like I said not a vacation.


However, within the mist of that trip I released Glazier in eBook form. I was beyond ecstatic. There were a couple of reviewers I have relationships with who I immediately sent a pdf to. For a split second I stopped and thought did I send the right copy? Then frankly forgot about it.

Fast forward three weeks later. After the return home and the sudden move where I had a pack unpack 48 hour turn around. I get my first review. She mentions errors. Ding Ding Ding. Yep you bet ya. I sent the wrong copy. And now my second review where I sent the wrong copy. Apologies ladies. I'll be sure to check those attachments from now on.

Here's the latest review for Glazier from Paranormal Opinion

"This book has a lot of writing errors, but the story is incredible. It's wonderfully unique and intriguing. It's a paranormal story – but it's not your usual vampires or shape-shifters. There is plenty of sexual tension, even though the relationship doesn't get very heated."

Writer Wednesday: To Miss a Manuscript

After being on vacation for two weeks and away from my latest WIP Eternal Witch, the sequel to Familial Witch, I didn't realize how much I missed it! Is that even possible? If I wasn't an author I'd be considered clinically insane. But luckily I am an author. Shew...that was a close one. The loony bin has been trying to get me for years.

But why is it OK to miss a manuscript or to even mourn one? I've read authors who wrote novels that were never published that sigh in interviews and dab at unshed tears over they fact that their beloved characters will never be seen. Then others rejoice over the fact sometimes years later they are able to get a contract and publish their beloved long ago buried ms.

So back to my Eternal Witch...I think it's the characters and their story. It's all up in my head and needs to get out. I'm so close to finishing that first initial draft and I NEED to get it out. I'm scared I'm going to forget something or suffer an accident causing amnesia and their story will never be finished. EEK!!

I think I may be having a bit of my smartypantsdiva moment. You think? So to my critique partner's bitter delight I'm about to load her up with a whole flipping MS.

What about you? Ever missed a WIP, MS or perhaps characters from a series you love?

Writer Wednesday: Blogs on Kindle...I'm there are you?

So I recently found out that blogs subscriptions can be set up via your Kindle. I know right, AWESOME! I was thinking wow this is great my Kindle goes everywhere with me and if not my it then my Kindle app on my iPhone. Yeah you have to pay a little fee but that's for the convenience. Here Kindle explains it best....

Kindle blogs are fully downloaded onto your Kindle so you can read them even when you're not wirelessly connected. And unlike RSS readers which often only provide headlines, blogs on Kindle give you full text content and images, and are updated wirelessly throughout the day.

So I immediately go a hunting for my favorite blogs. The disappointment set in no one I already subscribe to was on there. Oh the agony...then a thought occurred. (imagine the Grinch grin here) What if I added my blog then shamelessly plug it encouraging my other friends I love to follow to do it as well? And so here's today's post.

Now for the shameless plugging....



 PSS... As soon as you set yours up come back and let me know so I can subscribe. I'm so excited to find a way to keep up with blogs now!!!

Writer Wednesday: A Belle’s Roots

While this isn’t really a “writer post” per say it does refer to my platform as an author. I’m visiting in my home state of TN and it’s been over two years since I moved from here. While I’ve moved 46 times in my 29 years there has been one constant…a tiny two-bedroom house at the end of a dirt lane off Old Black Top Rd. Granny and Paw Paws….

 

No matter where I lived or how chaotic my life became from infancy, adolescence to adulthood my grandparents house is and has been a constant place of stability. Although there have been a couple remodels over the years the feel is much the same. I learned to swish a ball on a rusty backboardless hoop. The inspiration for the Peony flower living birthmark on Aisleen in Familial Witch came from this little place. Every May since I’ve been born three bushes at the front left of the house grow from strong roots and produce the most beautiful white and pink Peonies. The fragrance is something that I always associate with home. In addition, every fall my grandfather mows the bushes all the way down in his lifelong battle to rid the yard of these flower bushes that have a talent for thriving. 


It's from similar roots that create the stock that I'm made of... A grandmother with a lineage going back to presidents and a grandfather with a soldier in most generations. But really its the simplicity of country living, hard work and love that nurtured this Belle.

Stay tuned for the next installment where I reveal a childhood addiction and nickname.

Writer Wednesday: Don't let boundaries become roadblocks.

When I write a novel I do it first and foremost for myself. The first draft is a truly free experience for me. However, there comes a point where you have to have some boundaries in place. I like to think of them as fences that guide the novel on the write path never allowing it to far off the course it needs to be on.

Writer Wednesday: As An Author I Where Many Hats

Today I'll discuss (really I'm just gonna rant) that if authors want to make money, build a platform, or be successful in this industry they have to do more than WRITE.













Here is a list of some of the things I do in this industry.

Disclaimer: I also am a mother, wife, friend, smartypantsdiva, sister, basically if it's female and sassy I've tried it or I'm doing it.

• I'm an author first and foremost. With two digital shorts out Caffe' Seduzione and Familial Witch already out and getting amazing reviews I now have the wonderful opportunity to follow those stories up with sequels in novel form. I've also contributed to two anthologys with some other wonderful authors entitled Blood Bound and Intrigue. I'm finishing up final edits of my novel Glazier that releases at the end of May and writing the sequel to Cafe' Seduzione entitled, A Mafia Seduzione.
• I'm an editor. Every author will spend more time editing than writing. There's a great quote and I'm sorry I don't know who said it but here it is "There's no great writer only great rewriters."
• I'm an advertiser. I handle not only my own linkedin, Twitter and Facebook accounts I contribute to the Twitter and Facebook accounts of Astraea Press one of my publishers.
• I am a blogger. I write and manage my own blog as well as one of my publishers Astraea Press.
• I am a book reviewer. I review books, interview and feature authors and novels on my blog. And because I just love hats I am now a reviewer for Romancing the Book as well.
• Finally I am a supporter of other authors. I help my fellow Astraea Press authors and people that I now know on facebook and twitter. 

It's so much more than being an author. So those are my hats...what else do you do?

Writer Wednesday: The Use Of Social Media and Multiple Postings

Yes I am on social media a lot. I get asked this question often. " Why do you post the same thing multiple times a day?" The easiest answer is it's my job and it's how I market what I do. My platform as an author, i.e. my blog, books that I have released, other blogs, articles or people in the industry that I think have valid and insightful info I will post and re post frequently. (Although sorry about that double posts within like 2 minutes of each other. I was made aware of that and I think I have it turned off now.) So with this post I hope to offer some ideas and also explain the reason behind not only multiple post but the timing of those posts.

Writer Wednesday: Guest Blogging Etiquette

 So I've been blogging for a year now and guest blogging for just as long. In my experience I have found there are some expectations of manners that people think but have never put out there that I can find. They are all perfectly acceptable but sometimes we get so busy we don't even think of them. Here are my list of Guest Blogging Etiquette Expectations to practice. FYI I learned these the hard way...as in I was the rude one sometimes.

Debut Novels and Release Dates...As The Date Changes So Are The Days of Our Novels.

Wow I'm actually blogging about my debut novel and the fact that it's release date is being pushed back two months from March to May is on my mind. Now ya'll throttle down clean up the computer screen from all the liquid you spit on it when you read these totally shocking, ghastly words.

(Keep the towel cause you won't like what I'm going to say next.)

It was my choice. (Ducts for cover behind her desk)
Why after three years of edits, rewrites, tears, three pairs of Nike's from all the miles walked to the Glazier playlists on the iPhone you ask. And I will answer. So again I tell you to throttle down and read on...

• Busy: In the last year I have gone from a wanna be unpublished author to a published author with a budding fan base and their expectations, expected to maintain and build a marketing platform via Facebook, Twitter and a blog. (I love every minute of it!) On top of that I review other books, interview other authors, write guest posts for other blogs, as well as taking on a role with in my publishing house (Astraea Press) and a small collaborative roll with a good friends publishing house. (StoneHouse Ink) (Loving every minute of that as well!) Along with my other familial duties I simply don't have the need time to devote to Glazier to prep it by a March deadline.
  
• Timing: I actually think that having it release closer to a summer release date is better since people read more on vacations and such. A May release also enables me to give it the proper focus needed to put my best out there. Since this is my debut novel I want it to be breathtaking and slightly addictive.
• Patience: I have waited three years to publish this particular novel. I can wait a few more weeks. Taking the time to do Glazier right is providing me with much needed plotting and planning time to get the sequel Venim ready. (shut your mouth your drooling.)

• The Gut: Honestly it all boiled down to the  feeling that March didn't feel right. Once I talked with my editor she agreed and things just fell into place. If I had any advice to new authors go with the gut. Always!

So my precious Glazier will release in May. Thanks to all my supporters and exercise just a little bit more patience.

Have any of you ever had to do the wise thing and wait for something you really wanted?