It takes a lot to write a novel, edit it and then self-publish it. I'm in the final stages of working on "The Chosen Must Fall." It is the first book in my Mall Demons Series. I published the prelude, "Death Speaks Loudest To Those Who Flee," in December 2011.
The part I'm stuck on is a new cover design. So, I'm in the midst of a crash course in graphic design. It includes learning how to use the software necessary to get the job done. Good times (not really).
This has delayed the publication of "The Chosen Must Fall," which I had originally scheduled for the end of January.
Well, just another chapter in the life of a self-publishing writer.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sometimes You Just Gotta Dance
This weekend I felt like I was 20 years old again. My wife and I went out for a night of dinner and dancing. We got a babysitter so that we could go out. Yes!
It was amazing. I realized over the last decade or so that I have been holding back. Do you know what I'm talking about? Before we had children, my wife and I used to know how to have fun. We were party animals. Then.... we were domesticated, so to speak. On Saturday, I didn't think of myself as a father. I thought of myself only as a man on a date with the most beautiful woman in the world.
She is by the way.
And the most amazing thing happened. We forgot about being a dad or a mom. We forgot about all that responsibility. We just had fun. We let loose. And it was awesome!!!! As a writer, this was a wonderful experience.
The more you experience, the more you can write about with authority. This weekend I experienced firsthand how a character can change. This is important if you want your protagonist to evolve through the story.
So... my advice is to live! Pay attention. And if you're in a rut in life, be brave enough to make a change. It will help your writing.
It was amazing. I realized over the last decade or so that I have been holding back. Do you know what I'm talking about? Before we had children, my wife and I used to know how to have fun. We were party animals. Then.... we were domesticated, so to speak. On Saturday, I didn't think of myself as a father. I thought of myself only as a man on a date with the most beautiful woman in the world.
She is by the way.
And the most amazing thing happened. We forgot about being a dad or a mom. We forgot about all that responsibility. We just had fun. We let loose. And it was awesome!!!! As a writer, this was a wonderful experience.
The more you experience, the more you can write about with authority. This weekend I experienced firsthand how a character can change. This is important if you want your protagonist to evolve through the story.
So... my advice is to live! Pay attention. And if you're in a rut in life, be brave enough to make a change. It will help your writing.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Read 50 Books in 2012
As I've shared here before, I have set a goal for myself: I will read 50 books in 2012. Some will say, "That's a lot!" Others might say, "That's all?!"
Well, it's my goal. I'm happy to report that I've put 9 books to bed so far. And my GoodReads.com profile shows that I'm currently reading seven more books. I'm ready to add two more books to the pile.
One is a work of fiction; the other is nonfiction. What have I learned so far?
I read fiction far slower than I do non-fiction. Doesn't that make sense? It does to me. When I'm reading a work of fiction, I scrutinize every decision the writer has made in telling a story. I don't know... Maybe I'm biased, but reading fiction should go slower.
OK... back to reading. I'm so excited!!!
Well, it's my goal. I'm happy to report that I've put 9 books to bed so far. And my GoodReads.com profile shows that I'm currently reading seven more books. I'm ready to add two more books to the pile.
One is a work of fiction; the other is nonfiction. What have I learned so far?
I read fiction far slower than I do non-fiction. Doesn't that make sense? It does to me. When I'm reading a work of fiction, I scrutinize every decision the writer has made in telling a story. I don't know... Maybe I'm biased, but reading fiction should go slower.
OK... back to reading. I'm so excited!!!
Flash Fiction Again! Do It In 100 Words
My creative writing club at school is venturing into flash fiction territory again. This time we're going to work on 100-word stories.
If you've never tried it, flash fiction (especially the 100-word variety) is a nice, as well as challenging, change. Think about it this way: you must wrap up an entire story in 100 words. I always tell my students that it's harder to write short than long.
Writing short is a great way to work on the elements of fiction. More on this tomorrow. Do you write flash fiction? If so, what have you learned from the experience? Has it helped with your longer works?
If you've never tried it, flash fiction (especially the 100-word variety) is a nice, as well as challenging, change. Think about it this way: you must wrap up an entire story in 100 words. I always tell my students that it's harder to write short than long.
Writing short is a great way to work on the elements of fiction. More on this tomorrow. Do you write flash fiction? If so, what have you learned from the experience? Has it helped with your longer works?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Reading, Or Writing?
So, I'm about a month and a half into my reading goal for the year. Read 50 books. Simple. I've digested five so far.
I read slowly, so it consumes a good chunk of my time - time that could be used for writing! There's my dilemma. I've been tossing it around in my head. I hear the voices kind of like the old Looney Tunes cartoons where the angel and devil appear on a character's shoulders.
"Do it!"
"Don't do it!"
I believe that my reading will pay off. I mean, seriously, if you're a writer who doesn't read, what's the point? Still, I have been battling with the nagging voice in my head that says I'm spending too much time on reading and not enough on writing.
Anyone else feel the same pull? Just wondering. OK, back to my Kindle...
I read slowly, so it consumes a good chunk of my time - time that could be used for writing! There's my dilemma. I've been tossing it around in my head. I hear the voices kind of like the old Looney Tunes cartoons where the angel and devil appear on a character's shoulders.
"Do it!"
"Don't do it!"
I believe that my reading will pay off. I mean, seriously, if you're a writer who doesn't read, what's the point? Still, I have been battling with the nagging voice in my head that says I'm spending too much time on reading and not enough on writing.
Anyone else feel the same pull? Just wondering. OK, back to my Kindle...
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Unexpected Sabbatical Is Over
So, I'm watching "Die Hard" right now. I think about it now... I realized this blog will not die without a hard fight. I feel old. This was when Bruce Willis had hair. Lol.
OK... So, let's get it all out in the open. I'm so glad to say that I'm able to write consistently again. Over the last few weeks I have gone through some illnesses that are finally running their course.
Much to do. I've released my prelude to the Mall Demons Series. Now, it's time to release the first novel in the series. Lot's of editing to do. I feel inspired. The kind of inspired that requires only 3 hours sleep after a full day of work. Time to rock.
OK... So, let's get it all out in the open. I'm so glad to say that I'm able to write consistently again. Over the last few weeks I have gone through some illnesses that are finally running their course.
Much to do. I've released my prelude to the Mall Demons Series. Now, it's time to release the first novel in the series. Lot's of editing to do. I feel inspired. The kind of inspired that requires only 3 hours sleep after a full day of work. Time to rock.
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