Eva Pasco's Blog - Posts Tagged "adversity"
Adversity
'Cause you've got ADVERSITY
Walk, against ADVERSITY
Talk, through ADVERSITY
Smile, despite ADVERSITY
(My detour around “"Personality," a 1959 R&B/pop hit with music and lyrics by Harold Logan and Lloyd Price)
Apart from getting no major publishing deal with a cash advance, yet having to absorb the costs associated with self-publishing: professional editing services, formatting, and designing—an Indie author’s lack of direction for marketing one’s books is my greatest ADVERSITY. Yet, I seek to promote my recent launch, Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel, ‘An Enlightening Quiche,’ every single day on social media by sharing author interviews, posting recent reviews or awards, conducting giveaways, and procuring/publicizing book signing events (7 library signings and 1 at Barnes & Noble – January and February).
This week’s forays to overcome my adversity of obscurity:
01/09 - Author interview/giveaway conducted by Kester Nucum for LILbooKlovers:
http://tinyurl.com/zaet47l
01/12 - I submitted my novel for consideration of meriting an IPPY Award for the category of “Regional Fiction: North East.” One of the oldest, most established independent book awards in operation, the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs) are well known and respected in the book industry.
http://tinyurl.com/hel59ra
01/14 - I’m hosting a book signing event at Greenville Public Library in Greenville, Rhode Island.
http://tinyurl.com/h3o9ppw
Having prefaced this blog about ADVERSITY, I’ll wrap it up by including an excerpt on the subject, gleaned from an author interview conducted by Ty Findlay, and posted on Facebook 01/11:
What was your greatest adversity?
The first adversity affecting the writing process occurred during the drafting of my second novel which I had begun while awaiting publication of my debut novel. I’ll define this adversity as an “occupational hazard” of a newbie Indie author discovering I had to market and promote my first novel. So, having written three chapters for the second, I set the manuscript aside, fully intending to get back to it—soon!
Punching a time card in 2008, I began binge writing my way out of obscurity by adding dimension to the art of storytelling. Having grown up in the Sixties, I drew upon those experiences to compose my first Memoir, “A Mini Tribute” (to Twiggy), and submitted it for publication at ‘The Sixties Official Site.’ When the webmaster graciously invited me to write more, and offered to set up my own page there, I eagerly accepted and turned out a Memoir every week for approximately two years, totalling100. I then composed over two dozen “Retro 60s Flashbacks” to add to my repertoire at “The Sixties with Eva Pasco” page. Far out! Celebrating ten years on the web, earning the accolade, “Baby Boomer’s Top Choice Sixties Website,” I’m proud to be an integral part.
In conjunction with the setting of Rhode Island in my first novel as well as the second I had put aside—‘An Enlightening Quiche’—it inspired me to write ezine articles on glorifying my state’s classic foods, historic landmarks, tourist attractions, and cultural idiosyncrasies. Each essay posted for posterity at Authors Den is prefaced with “Rhode Read.”
Between all of this writing frenzy and marketing the first novel, the manuscript lay dormant.
However, I’ll define the greatest adversities coming around the bend as “life’s hairpin turns” elaborated on in the interview.
http://tinyurl.com/hstwm8v
Despite setbacks, every prospective author must heed their own biological clock for determining when to write the story they are destined to tell.
Walk, against ADVERSITY
Talk, through ADVERSITY
Smile, despite ADVERSITY
(My detour around “"Personality," a 1959 R&B/pop hit with music and lyrics by Harold Logan and Lloyd Price)
Apart from getting no major publishing deal with a cash advance, yet having to absorb the costs associated with self-publishing: professional editing services, formatting, and designing—an Indie author’s lack of direction for marketing one’s books is my greatest ADVERSITY. Yet, I seek to promote my recent launch, Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel, ‘An Enlightening Quiche,’ every single day on social media by sharing author interviews, posting recent reviews or awards, conducting giveaways, and procuring/publicizing book signing events (7 library signings and 1 at Barnes & Noble – January and February).
This week’s forays to overcome my adversity of obscurity:
01/09 - Author interview/giveaway conducted by Kester Nucum for LILbooKlovers:
http://tinyurl.com/zaet47l
01/12 - I submitted my novel for consideration of meriting an IPPY Award for the category of “Regional Fiction: North East.” One of the oldest, most established independent book awards in operation, the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs) are well known and respected in the book industry.
http://tinyurl.com/hel59ra
01/14 - I’m hosting a book signing event at Greenville Public Library in Greenville, Rhode Island.
http://tinyurl.com/h3o9ppw
Having prefaced this blog about ADVERSITY, I’ll wrap it up by including an excerpt on the subject, gleaned from an author interview conducted by Ty Findlay, and posted on Facebook 01/11:
What was your greatest adversity?
The first adversity affecting the writing process occurred during the drafting of my second novel which I had begun while awaiting publication of my debut novel. I’ll define this adversity as an “occupational hazard” of a newbie Indie author discovering I had to market and promote my first novel. So, having written three chapters for the second, I set the manuscript aside, fully intending to get back to it—soon!
Punching a time card in 2008, I began binge writing my way out of obscurity by adding dimension to the art of storytelling. Having grown up in the Sixties, I drew upon those experiences to compose my first Memoir, “A Mini Tribute” (to Twiggy), and submitted it for publication at ‘The Sixties Official Site.’ When the webmaster graciously invited me to write more, and offered to set up my own page there, I eagerly accepted and turned out a Memoir every week for approximately two years, totalling100. I then composed over two dozen “Retro 60s Flashbacks” to add to my repertoire at “The Sixties with Eva Pasco” page. Far out! Celebrating ten years on the web, earning the accolade, “Baby Boomer’s Top Choice Sixties Website,” I’m proud to be an integral part.
In conjunction with the setting of Rhode Island in my first novel as well as the second I had put aside—‘An Enlightening Quiche’—it inspired me to write ezine articles on glorifying my state’s classic foods, historic landmarks, tourist attractions, and cultural idiosyncrasies. Each essay posted for posterity at Authors Den is prefaced with “Rhode Read.”
Between all of this writing frenzy and marketing the first novel, the manuscript lay dormant.
However, I’ll define the greatest adversities coming around the bend as “life’s hairpin turns” elaborated on in the interview.
http://tinyurl.com/hstwm8v
Despite setbacks, every prospective author must heed their own biological clock for determining when to write the story they are destined to tell.
The Breakdown Lane
An Indie author who takes writing seriously, I devote time each day feeding the beasts of social media for the purpose of marketing my published works. It’s no secret, Indies must work hard to showcase their work in the hope of attracting potential readers, with no guarantee of a single sale for days or weeks at a time! Yet, the six award badges my Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel merited since its publication in September 2016, provide incentive for me to keep up the momentum…
…Until my role of caregiver took many hairpin turns, prompting me to pull over in the breakdown lane while I get my bearings for dealing with the new norm. As of April 8th, I’d taken a temporary leave of absence from social media except for maintaining my weekly blog, reading, reviewing, and editing. So I say!
If I’m too spent by the end of the day from physical exertion, the psychological hit, and mental anguish—all bets are off the table. Opening my novel document hasn’t even been a consideration due to the focus required. The remains of the day are usually devoted to anticipating and plotting the following day’s agenda before venturing into uncharted territory. And, crashing!
Meanwhile, I’m mindful of eating healthy and exercising to maintain my strength, stamina, and mental acumen. It’s become increasingly important for me to keep up with housework as a means of dispelling bouts of manic energy, and maintaining order in-house while losing my grip otherwise.
I long for the day when I’ll have just enough peace of mind to open my document and resume writing my next Contemporary from where I left off drafting chapter 6 a couple of weeks ago. That mentioned, I’ve got my eye on easing out of the breakdown lane to merge with traffic and continue the journey I’ve embarked on.
Best wishes to every Indie in triumphing over adversity.
The Reprieve
What are you priorities?
Leading up to the publication of my Contemporary, 'An Enlightening Quiche' (Sept. 2016), and thereafter, my blogs have pertained to my life as an Indie. Life with all of its ups and downs impacts a writer’s best intention to set aside a chunk of time each day to extract ideas from thin air and compose a story, sentence after sentence. Hence, it took me nearly 9 years to complete and publish the aforementioned second novel. If you’ve followed my two previous blogs, you’d know I’d been derailed yet again.
That was then, and this is now—a reprieve, however brief, for my role as caregiver during a lull in transitioning to the next phase. A firm believer in blessings in disguise, the recent setback prompted me to rethink, reassess, readjust, and refuel.
As a result, I’ve redefined my priorities:
I’m engaging in social media again on a limited basis—posting a minimal amount of ads to keep my books visible, sharing, and schmoozing. I’ve curtailed proverbially standing on my head to gain more recognition. My merit badges can speak for themselves! Consequently, I’ll be scarce at upcoming author events, preferring the solitude to write or read.
During my reprieve, I’ve thanked my lucky stars I never started up a newsletter or haven’t tried to figure out Facebook or Amazon ads. Though I’d like to increase book sales, I refuse to become a marketeer, throwing time and money away during the trial-and-error period. Kudos to those diligent in cracking the code and raking in the dough.
Most importantly, I’ve taken advantage of my reprieve to write, advancing along chapter 6 in my WIP without imposing word sanctions or time constraints. Although I’m an Indie author and proud of it, my priority is living large by enjoying the simple pleasures of life and pursuing favorite pastimes away from a desk. The upcoming summer season is too precious to squander.
Eva’s Byte #212: The Powers that Be
Whether conquering evil or overcoming adversity, superheroes in literature and on the big screen have one or more powers at their disposal.
Scratching the surface: invisibility; invincibility; super: strength, intelligence, speed, etc.; healing; teleportation; telekinesis; mind manipulation; mind reading; shape shifting.
A self-published author whose preferred writing genre is Contemporary Women’s fiction, my heroes are honed from ordinary women over forty. Through the trials and tribulations I put them through, they grapple with, confront, and overcome their personal dilemmas/demons to become empowered in making profound life changes for the better.
Not one super power, per se, among them.
Tempered by tragic circumstances, their powers that be, in the guise of resolve and resilience, push them toward the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
Oftentimes, they’re worse for wear. Because—that’s life!
From 'An Enlightening Quiche,' chapter 28:
Lindsay: The turn of events forced Shantae to look at herself in a harsh light and attempt to redress her regrets through self-repudiation and repentance. By the same token, Colette’s terms of departure compelled Estelle to examine her irrational motives for disallowing a friendship. It also justified a truce between Estelle and Augusta, two embittered friends torn apart by the ravages of adultery for the purpose of plotting a funeral, acclimating them to reconcile rather than remain estranged.
*By the powers that be, unassuming heroes rise above the ashes from inner strength tempered by the harshness of life.
Eva’s Byte #256: That One Saving Grace
For the times they are a-changin' (Bob Dylan)
Under siege during these changin’ times, it’s more important than ever to embrace one saving grace.
Throughout the COVID – 19 global pandemic, our life situation changes daily!
Most of us have been reduced to foraging for basic necessities by hoofing it in sneakers on the ground and/or searching online. The psychological and economic devastations in themselves provide plenty of fodder for writers of Sci-Fi or Dystopian literature.
One consistency amidst these constantly changin’ times—truth is stranger than fiction:
Trying to survive as best we can by stockpiling essentials for the inevitable mandate of sheltering-in-place—the scarcity of toilet paper has increased our anxiety—3-ply. Guilty as charged! Oh…but, the unmitigated joy in being able to replenish—a saving grace!
As for my own personal saving grace during these changin’ times—flowers.
They’re still plentiful in the florist section of the supermarket, an oasis in the surrounding desert of empty shelves. Carnations are my favorite. I’m in the habit of picking up a bunch every week without fail. Arranged in vases, I enjoy their beauty in my dining room and entryway. Nature’s bounty has been especially comforting during self-isolation.
As the number of those infected with the virus keeps escalating in my state, it will no longer be feasible for anyone to hoof it on foot to forage for staples, let alone, one saving grace that makes a profound difference during these changin’ times.
If you’ve read this far, thank you! Stay safe and be well.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
Under siege during these changin’ times, it’s more important than ever to embrace one saving grace.
Throughout the COVID – 19 global pandemic, our life situation changes daily!
Most of us have been reduced to foraging for basic necessities by hoofing it in sneakers on the ground and/or searching online. The psychological and economic devastations in themselves provide plenty of fodder for writers of Sci-Fi or Dystopian literature.
One consistency amidst these constantly changin’ times—truth is stranger than fiction:
Trying to survive as best we can by stockpiling essentials for the inevitable mandate of sheltering-in-place—the scarcity of toilet paper has increased our anxiety—3-ply. Guilty as charged! Oh…but, the unmitigated joy in being able to replenish—a saving grace!
As for my own personal saving grace during these changin’ times—flowers.
They’re still plentiful in the florist section of the supermarket, an oasis in the surrounding desert of empty shelves. Carnations are my favorite. I’m in the habit of picking up a bunch every week without fail. Arranged in vases, I enjoy their beauty in my dining room and entryway. Nature’s bounty has been especially comforting during self-isolation.
As the number of those infected with the virus keeps escalating in my state, it will no longer be feasible for anyone to hoof it on foot to forage for staples, let alone, one saving grace that makes a profound difference during these changin’ times.
If you’ve read this far, thank you! Stay safe and be well.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
Eva’s Byte #428 – Hob-Knobbing
Since the humidity in my New England state has ranged anywhere from 70 – 90+ per cent, the air feels downright soupy. For one who prefers the bay breeze wafting through my windows, discomfort has prompted me to switch on the AC units in my office and living room.
The old jalopy of a model in the living room requires hob-knobbing to select various modes. Wouldn’t you know, during the still of the night, it took all I could do to hob the knob to “high” with no recourse for other options. With luck, I was able to hob the knob to “off”. At any rate, I could always pull the plug if I had to.
Mind you, maintenance had serviced the unit in Spring by removing the screen and giving the entire shebang a thorough vacuuming and cleaning. Still, the jalopy tended to spew dirt resembling volcanic ash when in use.
My hob-knobbing dysfunction proved to be a blessing in disguise because I now have a new unit operative by either a remote or touchscreen navigation.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m hobnobbing along the draft of chapter 37 (672 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*In the face of adversity, may each of us keep our cool.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
The old jalopy of a model in the living room requires hob-knobbing to select various modes. Wouldn’t you know, during the still of the night, it took all I could do to hob the knob to “high” with no recourse for other options. With luck, I was able to hob the knob to “off”. At any rate, I could always pull the plug if I had to.
Mind you, maintenance had serviced the unit in Spring by removing the screen and giving the entire shebang a thorough vacuuming and cleaning. Still, the jalopy tended to spew dirt resembling volcanic ash when in use.
My hob-knobbing dysfunction proved to be a blessing in disguise because I now have a new unit operative by either a remote or touchscreen navigation.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m hobnobbing along the draft of chapter 37 (672 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*In the face of adversity, may each of us keep our cool.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
