Writing: Finding the Time

One of the most frequent questions I receive since I have become a publisher author is, "when do you have time to write?"  I must admit, this question brings me several mixed emotions.  At times, I feel it is an authentic question and people want to learn how to make more time in their lives to write.  At other times, I feel it what they are really asking is, "what are you ignoring in your life in order to write?"  So, after much thought, I have come up with two great responses:

1.  When you do something you love, you make the time.  I mainly write late at night.  I occasionally will write during the day on the weekend between all of my other activities.  I have a laptop my dad gave me and my intent was to write during lunch at my day job.  Unfortunately, it is difficult for me to take a lunch at my job so this has yet to pan out.  It seems like a great idea, but just doesn't happen.  I don't have a writing schedule and I don't write everyday.  I am in no hurry to get my books done.  I just let it flow.  I don't put any pressure on myself because then it wouldn't be fun.

2. I gave up reading and watching television.  People don't seem to like this response as much.  I didn't realize exactly how much time I spent watching television in the evenings.  On average, I watched 1-2 hours a night.  Instead of watching television, I usually spend that time writing or promoting my book.  The reward is far greater than what I received from the television.  Please don't get me wrong, I am not advocating for anyone to give up television.  It just worked for me.  I also stopped reading.  I did this mainly so I won't be influenced by another writer's style.  I want my works to reflect me 100%.  This includes my jargon and own version of slang.

There you have it!  There is no magical potion or extra time given to authors (wouldn't that be fabulous).  We are all given the same amount of time in life.  If you want to find more time, look at how you are spending your current allotment and challenge yourself to try something different.  I guarantee that you will be pleased with the results!

Writing a Book: Designing a Cover

There were so many surprises for me when I published my first book.  One of the biggest was when my publisher asked for my cover.  Yikes!  I am a writer, not an artist.  (Trust me on that one.  I don't have an eye for fashion, colors or anything artistic.  I like things in nature, but that is about it.)  So, luckily for me, my brother has an eye for graphic design and a knack for Photoshop.  Somehow, we found the perfect picture, he designed the lettering and we were in business. It took only a few days and it was like 'Shazam!'  The cover was great!  It all worked together.  It fit the story.  Everyone was happy.

Now, we are on to Book Two in the series.  I am thinking how the cover will be a piece of cake.  I know what I am doing.  It will be a snap.  WRONG!!!!!!  The cover has given me grief, frustration and more grief.  I have sent away for a few proofs of the paperback.  I finished my final edit of the interior and I am still not done with the cover.  Where did I go wrong?  I can tell you!  , I didn't map out what I wanted the cover to say before I began the cover.  The first one fell into my lap; which has to be rare.  What I will do for the next one is as follows:

1. Map out the plot of my book and early on begin the cover work.  I won't wait until the end.
2. Outline what I want the cover's 'message' to be.  Is it fun and sexy? Distant and thought provoking?  Bold and dramatic?
3.  I will find themes from my first two covers that I want to carry over.  What do my first two covers have in common?  For me, they both have women, body parts, no faces, sexy, and bright/bold colors.
4. I will begin looking earlier at pictures.  My goal will be to have the third cover done, wording and all, before I am done with the interior of Book Three. 

One final note on the cover...EVERYONE HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION.  The more you show your draft cover ideas, the more everyone will like and dislike different versions.  Just know this going into it.  Don't let their constructive criticism deter you.  It is YOUR cover.  (For the most part, your publisher has the final say, but you get my drift).  And you will know when you know.  If you don't, then hire someone and live with what they decide.  I am sure my brother will sell his services.  Just keep in mind, it won't look like my covers.  I have him copyrighted for those.  lol!

Have FUN!!!!

Okay, so I am posting all these things about writing a book.  I have forgotten one of the key elements: have fun!  Being an aspiring writer takes a ton of effort!  There are a lot of late nights.  Your book looms on you like a virus at times and a ray of sunshine at others.  So, here I am on a Sunday night.  I could be doing a final, final, final (times 10,000) edit of Book Two.  I could be working on the cover (again).  I could be researching....blah, blah, blah.  You get the idea.  Instead, I stumbled across a poem I wrote a few years ago.  It wasn't quite right.  So, I worked on that for a little tonight.  It is all creativity.  Most of all, I had fun!!!!!  So on that note, here it is!

The House
Parallel lines of old growth trees mesh together,
unable to separate themselves from the other.
A grand rod iron gate announces
man’s perceived ownership of land.
No man owns land; land owns man.

Two tattered barns
battered by the sun, wind and rain
stand guard.
Over what, we do not know.

Majestic oaks dot the landscape.
Mountains surround the land,
casting sun shadows to usher in the evening.

Meadows bursting full of dry grass
sway and dance in the breeze.
creating a living carpet.

Someone peers out
the upper story window,
breathing in the beauty
with a heart full of gratitude
to experience this richness called life.

 

Interviewing with a Newspaper

I had my first official interview regarding 47 Destinies: Book One last week.  It was exciting.  I've been so wrapped up in Book Two that at first I had a hard time remembering my plot line from Book One.  Once I refreshed my memory, I had a great time.  For those of you wondering what type of questions are asked, here are a few of the details:

*Date published
*Publisher
*Setting
*Plot line
*Main characters
*History with writing
*How long it took to write
*Where to purchase
*Contact information
*Head shot

A few things I learned from this interview:
*I need to be better prepared with all of the book information
*I am going to get a professional headshot
*I will find out important details like when the article may be published
*I will have book signing dates available

Overall, I did good.  The article came out today in the Georgetown Gazette.  Yippee.  It's my first of hopefully many to come!

Writing a Book: The Edit Phase

Ewww.  As you can see, I don't like to edit.  Well, by the time I have reached the point of doing a 'final edit'.  I have already gone through many versions.  There is the first version in my head, then an outline, first draft, second draft, re-writes, third draft....the list could go on forever, but I don't want you to think I actually track all these versions.  I don't.  Well, I kind of do. 

One of the best hints I tell new writers is to be aware of version control.  There is nothing worse than attempting to figure out which version is the most current.  I label all of my versions in one easy to understand format.  For example, for Book Two my system is Grace.draft.12.16.12.  If I am doing a ton of important versions in one day, I even add the time at the end.  You might think I am obsessive, but I guarantee if you have ever been confused about versions you understand.  Drafts are important.  I have gone back to my drafts to add something back in that I have taken out.  You never know what you might need.  I save all of my drafts in a folder titled 'Draft'.  None of this is rocket science, it is just my method.

I also save it on one portable drive.  I occasionally save a version to my laptop in case I lose the portable drive.  However, I only make edits to the portable drive.  The other versions are merely for backup purposes.  Sometimes near the end, I also email it to myself.  Am I paranoid?  Yes.

For Book Two, I cut down on the number of pre-readers.  In fact, there were only two.  One read to ensure that the character's actions stayed true to their personalities.  The other reader did the main edits.  I stink at commas, 'which' versus 'that', and several other issues.  My editor, who likes to remain nameless, is amazing at all of my weaknesses and more!  After I got the bulk of the story done, I also had one 'fan' read it for content.  Was it good?  Did it flow?  Will people like it?  They helped me answer these important questions.

Currently, I am in the re-reading phase.  I will have a proof done in a week or so of the paperback.  I will read that over and over again.  Then I will read it again.  :)  After, I will send it to my publisher.  And, that is it! 

The edit process in a nut shell.  Crazy, eh?

Writing a Book: It's a Wrap!

I am at the end of Book 2 in my 47 Destinies series.  There are only 2 more chapters to write.  I am stunned.  How did I get here?  And now what?  Coming to the end of a novel is a strange experience.  As the author, you are excited to be near the end.  You have been working close with the characters for several months.  You think about your plot all day long; sometimes at the strangest times and places.  Then one day, you wake up and realize you are almost done.  If you are like me, you may wonder, how did that happen?  Am I really near the end?  Have I chosen the best ending?  Is it good enough?  Is it long enough?  Is it too long?  Of course, then the dreaded editing phase begins. (More on that later.) 

After getting through all the paranoia, then the euphoria begins.  I'm almost done!  I want people to read this!  It's good!    I can't wait to hear what people think.  It is an amazing experience.

So here I am, I have two chapters to go.  Well, enough talking about it.  I need to go finish!

Writing and Chewing

I came to the realization last night while I was writing that I like to chew on things while I am deep in thought.  Anyone that works with me or lives with me, knows that I chew on pens and pencils.  I especially like to chew the top of a pen cap.  Weird, I know.  I also LOVE popcorn, but don't like to chew gum.  So, as I was creating Chapter 8 in Book Two last night, I was very deep in thought.  There were several different angles I could take on a scene and I was thinking about the best option.  When I was in that thought provoking moment, I looked all around for a pen, pencil or anything to chew.  I remembered I purchased some chips from Costco so I grabbed those from the kitchen.  I returned to the scene, chewed and it was all good.

Why in the world am I telling you this?  For several reasons:
1. Writing can reveal things about yourself that you never knew.  They can be small revelations or large ones.  Bottom line: it is a chance to get better acquainted with the one person that will be with you the rest of your life-YOU.  Writing opens up closed areas of your mind.  Try it, you will see.

2. I have cracked a habit that has perplexed me for years.  I was way worse about chewing pencils when I worked at the CCC.  It drove my staff nuts; especially when I accidently chewed up their pencils.  (Huge apology to my CCC staff.)  Was my brain more challenged at the CCC than my current job?  Or have I grown mentally?  These questions I won't be able to answer, but it is fun to think about it.

3.  If I am ever writing one of my novels at your house, please keep all of your pencils and pens away from me.  Consider this your one and only warning.