Things I’m looking forward to after Eliana-Who-Sees-Us is released.
Cleaning out files, folders, sticky notes, alternate versions, and small scraps of paper that say “what if ___happens?”
Or do I need them for “deleted scenes” posts? Oh no – hoarding alert!
Cleaning my index card scenes off the bulletin board. I plan to do it on July 15th – “Release Day.”
Cleaning files off the computer.
Writing more and faster on my next novel. I’m less than halfway through currently. I had considered a spring release, but decided to go easy on myself. I’ll wait till I’m done with the first draft before setting the publication date.
Start meditating again. My husband says, “Yes, please.” Am I stressed lately? Yes, I am!
Looking forward to “releasing” my bulletin board outline of Eliana-Who-Sees-Us.
Final edits are underway on Eliana-Who-Sees-Us. I will be so happy to be finished with the publishing process so I can put more time and energy into writing again!
People who dream of “writing a novel someday” have no idea of all that is involved, but I guess it’s that way with most of our lives and livelihoods. I have friends that I still can’t explain what their job is, just what field it’s in. And maybe it’s best if we don’t know everything that’s going to be expected of us before we commit to something or we might never do it. Parenthood, marriage, even friendship . . . see your favorite rom-com or buddy action movie for details!
I’m learning that success is not a place, but every step leading to your idea of a place.
On Saturday, I sent off two proof copies of Eliana-Who-Sees-Us along with a marketing plan, bio, photo, etc. to a book festival I hope to take part in later this year. Fingers crossed that I get in!
I had planned to do plain white covers on the proofs – also known as “ARCs,” for advanced reader copies. Books are typically sent out to get reviews even before the final edit and book cover design, and a generic cover is normal, I’m told. I tried to get a quote from a printer just walking distance from my office, both to skip waiting for mailing, and to support a local business. But after asking for the page count, they never responded back to me. Well, then, harrumph. So I ordered copies from Amazon. They did not have a plain white cover choice. I got something mostly plain, and hoped that the festival readers don’t think it’s my idea of a YA urban fantasy cover.
Not pretty, but it’s cool to see it in printed form.
I want to think of it as my baby, but it’s a bit ugly. And truthfully, it’s not done. The editor has the manuscript and the designer has the real cover underway. Let’s call it an ultrasound of my soon-to-be-born book.
The best thing about applying to the book festival is that it has pushed me to do things I would not have done this thoroughly otherwise. I had some ideas about publicity or advertising, but I did not write out a Marketing Plan until it was required of me. Even if I don’t make it in, I’m learning how to do all of this and will be better prepared for my next book (not a sequel), which I plan to release sometime next year.
“Build it, and he will come.” It’s one of those lines that went above and beyond the movie it was from. (“Let it go” is another, but we’ll save that for a future post.)
I just wanted to watch birds outside my dining room window, so I put birdseed out. A few birds became regulars. One hot day last year, I put water on the porch in the lid from a large peanut container. The birds loved it. The squirrel came on extra-hot days. A feral cat drank from it once in a while. The one toad sat in it occasionally. I tried putting a big bowl of water out, because I think it’s cute when birds splash around in bird baths or puddles – but there were no takers, so I brought it back in.
This year, after multiple toads started lining up to take turns soaking in the little dish of water, I finally found a wide, flat casserole lid that would hold about one-half inch of water across its length. So now it’s the toads’ hot tub by night and the birds’ water dish by day. (I do clean it frequently — just in case you’re worried about the birds and the toad-butt flavored water!)
The toads have a soak in the evening before they go hunting. Three others were nearby.
The birds still wouldn’t “bathe” in it though. A few days ago I impulse-bought an actual bird bath with a solar-powered fountain. No takers on that yet, but finally, today, a baby sparrow splashed in the porch dish.
If you want something, build and prepare for it, and then wait. Just focus on enjoying what you do have in the meantime.
