Eva Pasco's Blog - Posts Tagged "writing"
"Write" of Passage
Ever since I submitted the manuscript of my second novel for publication, I’ve been moonlighting by preparing for its debut. One of these ventures involves answering questions for prospective author interviews. I find the process of peeling away autobiographical layers of Eva cathartic as though I’m reclining on a couch while in the midst of an expensive psychoanalytical session with the clock ticking before my half hour is up. Pandering to an author’s alter ego, I interpret each question as a nod for me to babble and blab about my humble beginnings as a wordsmith. Mmhmm!
And, so, with little prompting, I’ve revisited my childhood and adolescence pertaining to my “write” of passage through those first forays of extracting pulp fiction from the enchanted forest of my wild imagination.
Previously revealed in my author bio at Authors Den and elsewhere, “under my mother's tutelage, I became a proficient typist by the age of nine and soon pounded chapter stories on my girly-pink Tom Thumb typewriter.”
What I’ve never revealed up until now are the stories I composed at the age of twelve. The very first one sprang to mind because of a malfunction in our doorbell which would ring sporadically by itself until my father dismantled the wiring and corrected the situation. Nevertheless, I drafted a chapter story on my typewriter in the genre of mystery—“The Mystery of the Midnight Doorbell” replete with dialog, secret codes, and a smuggling ring.
Hot to trot along the stubborn keys of a manual typewriter, I struck gold from mining a series of spy thrillers under the auspices of an agency I named I.N.T.R.I.G.U.E. Plucking the names of exotic countries from a map provided settings I knew nothing about. For me, it was all about the action, creating stereotype characters dripping dialogue in broken English, good triumphing over evil, and gadgetry.
Rivaling the espionage devices in ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,’ the popular TV series created in 1964 which my thrillers predate, I employed such ingenious gimmicks as a radio in the guise of screw back earrings, and a mini-camera concealed inside a carnation boutonniere. In hindsight, I wish I had invented the shoe phone before the likes of Maxwell Smart, Agent 86, who worked for CONTROL in ‘Get Smart,’ the comedy, spy-spoof series which first aired on television in 1965.
No surprise, all I wanted for Christmas at the age of twelve was a ream of typing paper to further my “write” of passage. My parents did better than that by placing a brand new, manual, Remington Rand typewriter for grownups under the tree for an aspiring young writer.
And, so, with little prompting, I’ve revisited my childhood and adolescence pertaining to my “write” of passage through those first forays of extracting pulp fiction from the enchanted forest of my wild imagination.
Previously revealed in my author bio at Authors Den and elsewhere, “under my mother's tutelage, I became a proficient typist by the age of nine and soon pounded chapter stories on my girly-pink Tom Thumb typewriter.”
What I’ve never revealed up until now are the stories I composed at the age of twelve. The very first one sprang to mind because of a malfunction in our doorbell which would ring sporadically by itself until my father dismantled the wiring and corrected the situation. Nevertheless, I drafted a chapter story on my typewriter in the genre of mystery—“The Mystery of the Midnight Doorbell” replete with dialog, secret codes, and a smuggling ring.
Hot to trot along the stubborn keys of a manual typewriter, I struck gold from mining a series of spy thrillers under the auspices of an agency I named I.N.T.R.I.G.U.E. Plucking the names of exotic countries from a map provided settings I knew nothing about. For me, it was all about the action, creating stereotype characters dripping dialogue in broken English, good triumphing over evil, and gadgetry.
Rivaling the espionage devices in ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,’ the popular TV series created in 1964 which my thrillers predate, I employed such ingenious gimmicks as a radio in the guise of screw back earrings, and a mini-camera concealed inside a carnation boutonniere. In hindsight, I wish I had invented the shoe phone before the likes of Maxwell Smart, Agent 86, who worked for CONTROL in ‘Get Smart,’ the comedy, spy-spoof series which first aired on television in 1965.
No surprise, all I wanted for Christmas at the age of twelve was a ream of typing paper to further my “write” of passage. My parents did better than that by placing a brand new, manual, Remington Rand typewriter for grownups under the tree for an aspiring young writer.
Tomato or Tomahto? (The Writer’s Great Divide)
Pyjamas or pyjahmas
Saspiralla or saspirella
Oysters or ersters
(From “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” a song written by George Gerswhin and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film ‘Shall We Dance’)
An apropos lead-in for the last stretch of an 8-yr. journey to conceive and complete ‘An Enlightening Quiche’ (562 pages) in the genre of Women’s Fiction COMING SOON:
"It takes an heirloom quiche recipe and a baking rivalry between two bosom buddies to decipher and enlighten the past, reconcile irreversible mishaps in the present, and redefine the future by embarking along paths in uncharted territory plotted with noble intentions honed through self-sacrifice."
Rounding the bend to the finish line this weekend, I’m currently reorganizing and reviewing my corrections list for the electronic galley proof, rendering decisions over the realm of picayune peccadillos pertaining to the use of hyphens in compound adjectives, and in general.
For example: heartrending or heart-rending
Merriam-Webster: heartrending vs. Collins: heart-rending
Further research on the subject of hyphens led me to Grammar-Monster.com:
In the US, your readers will be more lenient. The US ruling is: Use a hyphen if it eliminates ambiguity or helps your reader, else don't bother. If you're unsure, use hyphens. You won't be marked down for using hyphens.
Tomato or tomahto, I will weigh the evidence and exercise my best judgment as I did when composing the story. Of utmost importance to this writer is my connection with the reader through the story elements, sentence clarity, realistic dialog, and imagery.
On the subject of “hypens” – goodbye! Or, is it good-bye?
Rule of thumb, when unsure don’t procrastinate—hyphenate!
Saspiralla or saspirella
Oysters or ersters
(From “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” a song written by George Gerswhin and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film ‘Shall We Dance’)
An apropos lead-in for the last stretch of an 8-yr. journey to conceive and complete ‘An Enlightening Quiche’ (562 pages) in the genre of Women’s Fiction COMING SOON:
"It takes an heirloom quiche recipe and a baking rivalry between two bosom buddies to decipher and enlighten the past, reconcile irreversible mishaps in the present, and redefine the future by embarking along paths in uncharted territory plotted with noble intentions honed through self-sacrifice."
Rounding the bend to the finish line this weekend, I’m currently reorganizing and reviewing my corrections list for the electronic galley proof, rendering decisions over the realm of picayune peccadillos pertaining to the use of hyphens in compound adjectives, and in general.
For example: heartrending or heart-rending
Merriam-Webster: heartrending vs. Collins: heart-rending
Further research on the subject of hyphens led me to Grammar-Monster.com:
In the US, your readers will be more lenient. The US ruling is: Use a hyphen if it eliminates ambiguity or helps your reader, else don't bother. If you're unsure, use hyphens. You won't be marked down for using hyphens.
Tomato or tomahto, I will weigh the evidence and exercise my best judgment as I did when composing the story. Of utmost importance to this writer is my connection with the reader through the story elements, sentence clarity, realistic dialog, and imagery.
On the subject of “hypens” – goodbye! Or, is it good-bye?
Rule of thumb, when unsure don’t procrastinate—hyphenate!
Truth of the Matter (A Writer’s Confession)
(Lyrics from “If We’re Honest” - 2014, by singer/ song writer Francesca Battistelli):
Truth is harder than a lie
The dark seems safer than the light
And everyone has a heart that loves to hide
But, I shall confide …
Truth of the matter:
I used to be a voracious book reader. Ever since I was a toddler and my mother sat me on her lap to read aloud to me, I had become hooked on books. Looking back to third grade, I recall signing out Frank Baum’s 'Wizard of Oz' from the library several weeks in a row so I could skip, skip, skip to my lou along the yellow brick road over and over again, even if the wizard failed to live up to my expectations. In junior high, I’d already embraced the heady novels of 'Jane Eyre,' 'Rebecca,' 'Gone with the Wind,' and 'The Time Machine.'
As an adult, I remember staying up past midnight, having fallen under the spell of Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, a United States writer who pioneered the historical romance genre with the 1972 publication of her novel 'The Flame and the Flower.'
Moving forward, my reading preference detoured to true crime novels. For the longest time I adhered to a steady diet of Stephen King’s novels of contemporary horror and supernatural fiction.
Truth of the matter:
I literally stopped reading for enjoyment in 2007 after finishing 'Blue Shoe' by Ann Lamott, a beloved author of mine who incidentally happens to share my birthday. You see, by then I had retired from teaching. Undergoing a midlife renaissance, I itched to revive my dormant flair for writing. Ann Lamott tapped into my creative reservoir by encouraging me to spin my own cocoon in the genre of Women’s Fiction.
Consequently, I tap into significant issues affecting the lives of ordinary/ extraordinary, flawed women who grapple with, confront, and overcome their personal dilemmas to become empowered in making profound life changes for the better. Secrets, idiosyncrasies, and sardonic humor prevail throughout my writing: 'Underlying Notes' (2007) and 'An Enlightening Quiche' (Coming Soon).
Truth of the matter:
Then, as now, and futuristically, all of my spare time will be devoted to conducting research, along with marketing and promoting on social media which involves the etiquette of reading and commenting on what other scribes and bibliophiles present on a daily basis. That mentioned, I also intend to write short pieces in the category of Memoir. Therefore, I am not keen on opening a book at the end of the day.
Truth of the matter:
I can no longer relax with a book, especially in the genre I write. Because of constantly critiquing my own work, I’ve developed a third eye for subconsciously editing what others have written despite realizing I am far from perfect. I also do not want to become unduly influenced by the author’s voice or storylines.
Truth of the matter:
When I do unwind, I sift through my pile of crossword puzzle books, and usually opt for those which present a challenge. While those who write books advising writers what to do often prescribe genre “reading” to develop one’s creative acumen through aspiration or emulation, I disagree. Writers are born with a special gift God gave us to heed our inner voice, mandating we must wield it at our own expense so someone else can curl up with a good book—preferably one of ours!
Truth is harder than a lie
The dark seems safer than the light
And everyone has a heart that loves to hide
But, I shall confide …
Truth of the matter:
I used to be a voracious book reader. Ever since I was a toddler and my mother sat me on her lap to read aloud to me, I had become hooked on books. Looking back to third grade, I recall signing out Frank Baum’s 'Wizard of Oz' from the library several weeks in a row so I could skip, skip, skip to my lou along the yellow brick road over and over again, even if the wizard failed to live up to my expectations. In junior high, I’d already embraced the heady novels of 'Jane Eyre,' 'Rebecca,' 'Gone with the Wind,' and 'The Time Machine.'
As an adult, I remember staying up past midnight, having fallen under the spell of Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, a United States writer who pioneered the historical romance genre with the 1972 publication of her novel 'The Flame and the Flower.'
Moving forward, my reading preference detoured to true crime novels. For the longest time I adhered to a steady diet of Stephen King’s novels of contemporary horror and supernatural fiction.
Truth of the matter:
I literally stopped reading for enjoyment in 2007 after finishing 'Blue Shoe' by Ann Lamott, a beloved author of mine who incidentally happens to share my birthday. You see, by then I had retired from teaching. Undergoing a midlife renaissance, I itched to revive my dormant flair for writing. Ann Lamott tapped into my creative reservoir by encouraging me to spin my own cocoon in the genre of Women’s Fiction.
Consequently, I tap into significant issues affecting the lives of ordinary/ extraordinary, flawed women who grapple with, confront, and overcome their personal dilemmas to become empowered in making profound life changes for the better. Secrets, idiosyncrasies, and sardonic humor prevail throughout my writing: 'Underlying Notes' (2007) and 'An Enlightening Quiche' (Coming Soon).
Truth of the matter:
Then, as now, and futuristically, all of my spare time will be devoted to conducting research, along with marketing and promoting on social media which involves the etiquette of reading and commenting on what other scribes and bibliophiles present on a daily basis. That mentioned, I also intend to write short pieces in the category of Memoir. Therefore, I am not keen on opening a book at the end of the day.
Truth of the matter:
I can no longer relax with a book, especially in the genre I write. Because of constantly critiquing my own work, I’ve developed a third eye for subconsciously editing what others have written despite realizing I am far from perfect. I also do not want to become unduly influenced by the author’s voice or storylines.
Truth of the matter:
When I do unwind, I sift through my pile of crossword puzzle books, and usually opt for those which present a challenge. While those who write books advising writers what to do often prescribe genre “reading” to develop one’s creative acumen through aspiration or emulation, I disagree. Writers are born with a special gift God gave us to heed our inner voice, mandating we must wield it at our own expense so someone else can curl up with a good book—preferably one of ours!
A Rhode Island State of Mind
Some folks like to get away
Take a holiday from the neighborhood
Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood
But I'm takin' a cruise along the Blackstone River line
I'm in a Rhode Island state of mind
(Twisted out of context: Lyrics to Billy Joel’s, “New York State of Mind,” from his
‘Turnstile’ album, 1976)
For the most part, this native Rhode Islander’s state of mind has resided in the setting for my upcoming Women’s Fiction novel, ‘An Enlightening Quiche.’ Underway with efforts to promote my book, I’ve begun posting daily “Behind-the-Scene” notes on my Facebook Author Page pertaining to northern Rhode Island’s geographic entities, notable landmarks, historic references, and French-Canadian regional cuisine which are interwoven throughout the story.
Thus far:
No. 1 – Fabricating my fictitious mill, “Brulé Bookbinding Co.,” I envisioned it by the minor Falls of the Blackstone River as its historical predecessor, “American Tourister Luggage,” now “Highland Falls”—a condo complex. I researched the founding of Albion, Rhode Island and the construction of the mill, substituting facts with fiction.
No. 2 – In construing the day-to-day operations of Brulé Bookbinding Co., I resurrected memories from my own college summer employment at Sidney-Higgins Bookbinding Co. which I vividly describe in my latest Memoir—“In a Bind!” http://tinyurl.com/zo2tyub
No. 3 – A longtime resident of Lincoln, Rhode Island, I loosely based my fictitious, French-Canadian mill town of Beauchemins on the village of Manville where I taught, infusing its charm, warmth, and folksiness.
No. 4 - I’m heading to Woonsocket’s Castle Luncheonette, famous for its French-Canadian “dynamite”! Read my previously published essay on this explosive subject which relates to the novel, “Rhode Read: Northern RI’s Dynamite!” http://tinyurl.com/zpxrlny
Occasionally, I detour from my Rhode Island state of mind to read and comment on what other writers from all over the world have posted at Authors Den. Out of admiration and respect for the kindred authors on my Friends list at Facebook, I’ve their shared posts on my wall.
Now, to quench my thirsty state of mind in this high heat and humidity, I’ll “Stop at the Sign of the Lemon”—“Rhode Read: Del’s Lemonade – a RI Original!” http://tinyurl.com/hc7vt9a
Take a holiday from the neighborhood
Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood
But I'm takin' a cruise along the Blackstone River line
I'm in a Rhode Island state of mind
(Twisted out of context: Lyrics to Billy Joel’s, “New York State of Mind,” from his
‘Turnstile’ album, 1976)
For the most part, this native Rhode Islander’s state of mind has resided in the setting for my upcoming Women’s Fiction novel, ‘An Enlightening Quiche.’ Underway with efforts to promote my book, I’ve begun posting daily “Behind-the-Scene” notes on my Facebook Author Page pertaining to northern Rhode Island’s geographic entities, notable landmarks, historic references, and French-Canadian regional cuisine which are interwoven throughout the story.
Thus far:
No. 1 – Fabricating my fictitious mill, “Brulé Bookbinding Co.,” I envisioned it by the minor Falls of the Blackstone River as its historical predecessor, “American Tourister Luggage,” now “Highland Falls”—a condo complex. I researched the founding of Albion, Rhode Island and the construction of the mill, substituting facts with fiction.
No. 2 – In construing the day-to-day operations of Brulé Bookbinding Co., I resurrected memories from my own college summer employment at Sidney-Higgins Bookbinding Co. which I vividly describe in my latest Memoir—“In a Bind!” http://tinyurl.com/zo2tyub
No. 3 – A longtime resident of Lincoln, Rhode Island, I loosely based my fictitious, French-Canadian mill town of Beauchemins on the village of Manville where I taught, infusing its charm, warmth, and folksiness.
No. 4 - I’m heading to Woonsocket’s Castle Luncheonette, famous for its French-Canadian “dynamite”! Read my previously published essay on this explosive subject which relates to the novel, “Rhode Read: Northern RI’s Dynamite!” http://tinyurl.com/zpxrlny
Occasionally, I detour from my Rhode Island state of mind to read and comment on what other writers from all over the world have posted at Authors Den. Out of admiration and respect for the kindred authors on my Friends list at Facebook, I’ve their shared posts on my wall.
Now, to quench my thirsty state of mind in this high heat and humidity, I’ll “Stop at the Sign of the Lemon”—“Rhode Read: Del’s Lemonade – a RI Original!” http://tinyurl.com/hc7vt9a
The WRITE Decision
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Which is the WRITE way for me to go?
Having submitted the second electronic galley proof for my upcoming Women’s Fiction novel to my publisher, I anxiously await the final proof—forthcoming in a matter of days. While moonlighting many a night by the light o’ the moon, I’ve been pondering important decisions as to marketing and promoting ‘An Enlightening Quiche.’ Several judgement calls later, I hope I’ve made the WRITE decisions.
One such quandary for me: To go or forego Amazon’s KDP Select, whereby in exchange for giving Amazon exclusive 90-day use of your digital content, you receive 5 days of your choosing to make your digital content free, while getting paid for your eBook loaned through the Amazon Prime library—roughly $2.50 per lend.
That seemingly would cast a bright light on the program, especially if you price your digitally formatted book at $.99.
Now, casting dark shadows over the deal when making the WRITE decision for me:
1. I intend to price my Kindle Edition at $3.99, so $2.50 is less than what I’d earn from a 70 % royalty—assuming I’ll sell some!
2. You can’t offer your Kindle Edition anywhere else, paid or free, during the 90 days it’s enrolled in KDP Select. Not the worst deterrent for me, a virtually unknown indie author.
The real deal breakers for me?
Those who snare a book for FREE may just add it to their TBR list and never get to it in the slush pile of freebies.
Those who scoop up my eBook may not comprise my target market, so my book may not appeal to them. Uh oh! That portends lousy reviews based on reading preference. I’d rather take my chances with those who make a conscious decision to purchase my book.
The FREE feed frenzy for each 90-day KDP Select round has the potential to make it much harder to sell my book at its more-than-fair price of $3.99 for a 562-page novel when I’m not enrolled.
$3.99 for the Kindle Edition of a novel where the characters are sure to dwell within the reader’s heart long after the last page has been turned, sounds like a great deal to me, no matter how you slice a quiche!
Which is the WRITE way for me to go?
Having submitted the second electronic galley proof for my upcoming Women’s Fiction novel to my publisher, I anxiously await the final proof—forthcoming in a matter of days. While moonlighting many a night by the light o’ the moon, I’ve been pondering important decisions as to marketing and promoting ‘An Enlightening Quiche.’ Several judgement calls later, I hope I’ve made the WRITE decisions.
One such quandary for me: To go or forego Amazon’s KDP Select, whereby in exchange for giving Amazon exclusive 90-day use of your digital content, you receive 5 days of your choosing to make your digital content free, while getting paid for your eBook loaned through the Amazon Prime library—roughly $2.50 per lend.
That seemingly would cast a bright light on the program, especially if you price your digitally formatted book at $.99.
Now, casting dark shadows over the deal when making the WRITE decision for me:
1. I intend to price my Kindle Edition at $3.99, so $2.50 is less than what I’d earn from a 70 % royalty—assuming I’ll sell some!
2. You can’t offer your Kindle Edition anywhere else, paid or free, during the 90 days it’s enrolled in KDP Select. Not the worst deterrent for me, a virtually unknown indie author.
The real deal breakers for me?
Those who snare a book for FREE may just add it to their TBR list and never get to it in the slush pile of freebies.
Those who scoop up my eBook may not comprise my target market, so my book may not appeal to them. Uh oh! That portends lousy reviews based on reading preference. I’d rather take my chances with those who make a conscious decision to purchase my book.
The FREE feed frenzy for each 90-day KDP Select round has the potential to make it much harder to sell my book at its more-than-fair price of $3.99 for a 562-page novel when I’m not enrolled.
$3.99 for the Kindle Edition of a novel where the characters are sure to dwell within the reader’s heart long after the last page has been turned, sounds like a great deal to me, no matter how you slice a quiche!
One Step Further along the WRITE Direction
Having previously alluded to the 8-plus-year journey of writing my second novel in the genre of Women’s Fiction, I’m one step further along the WRITE direction in 2016:
March 31st - Submitted AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE for publication.
May 13th – Received the first electronic galley proof to read, revise, and edit.
May 31st - Submitted the first proof along with an accompanying master correction list of 93 edits.
June 24th - Received the second electronic galley proof to pour through.
June 27th – Submitted the second proof along with an accompanying master correction list of 9 edits.
July 27th – Received the third electronic galley proof, and thus far, have come across 5 minor “hyphen” bugaboos.
Mind you, all of my edits are minor and more than likely unnoticeable.
Yet, to the exclusion of much else, I intend to hunker down until I read the entire document with the magnifying lens of an editor’s third eye. Far from perfect, I’m undaunted in affecting the obsessive compulsiveness of Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth, exorcising my pangs of conscience:
“Out, damn'd spot! Out, I say!”
March 31st - Submitted AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE for publication.
May 13th – Received the first electronic galley proof to read, revise, and edit.
May 31st - Submitted the first proof along with an accompanying master correction list of 93 edits.
June 24th - Received the second electronic galley proof to pour through.
June 27th – Submitted the second proof along with an accompanying master correction list of 9 edits.
July 27th – Received the third electronic galley proof, and thus far, have come across 5 minor “hyphen” bugaboos.
Mind you, all of my edits are minor and more than likely unnoticeable.
Yet, to the exclusion of much else, I intend to hunker down until I read the entire document with the magnifying lens of an editor’s third eye. Far from perfect, I’m undaunted in affecting the obsessive compulsiveness of Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth, exorcising my pangs of conscience:
“Out, damn'd spot! Out, I say!”
My WRITE Instinct
Itsy bitsy teenie weenie like a skimpy yellow polka dot bikini!
A writer with the proclivity to parlay 562words into my upcoming Women’s Fiction novel, AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE, I’ve put my shoe on the other foot when it comes to marketing and promoting. Let me invoke the KISS method – Keep it Skimpy, Stupid!
According to “Attention Span Statistics”- http://www.statisticbrain.com/attenti...
The average attention span is 8.25 seconds.
The percentage of words read on an average 593-word web page is 28%
Point of Fact: I put much thought into creating engaging daily posts for my Facebook Author Page. Checking Insights for 08/02, my post had a 306-reach with only 13 post clicks and 23 reactions.
By and large, no one gives a rat’s patootie!
Hopefully, potential readers will be more responsive when my novel is published and I’m able to conduct a Book Launch Giveaway Event. When I actually begin the process of promoting at pertinent sites, I’ll practice the KISS method. And, you can be sure my official book trailer will be scantily clad of words.
Citing the 8.25-second rule in exercising my penchant for brutal honesty:
I rarely read stories or articles posted at Authors Den exhibiting words crammed together without paragraphing due to a formatting issue. I am not keen on scrolling through literature with miles and miles of words. Therefore, I will never post Chapter 1 of AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE in its 17-page entirety. Nor do I expect to post it in segments either. If what I’ve alluded to thus far hasn’t interested anyone by now, so be it.
While I highly respect kindred authors in my social circles at Facebook, I shy away from watching any author interview videos I’ve noticed are twenty minutes or more in length, no matter how revealing. On the other hand, I enjoy perusing question & answer interviews because one can ingest them in under five minutes.
Yet, I won’t pander to anyone’s attention deficit by churning trending “shorts” in the guise of novels. I intend to follow my WRITE instinct when acquainting the public with my upcoming release because most people, like myself, don’t care to drown in a sea of words.
A writer with the proclivity to parlay 562words into my upcoming Women’s Fiction novel, AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE, I’ve put my shoe on the other foot when it comes to marketing and promoting. Let me invoke the KISS method – Keep it Skimpy, Stupid!
According to “Attention Span Statistics”- http://www.statisticbrain.com/attenti...
The average attention span is 8.25 seconds.
The percentage of words read on an average 593-word web page is 28%
Point of Fact: I put much thought into creating engaging daily posts for my Facebook Author Page. Checking Insights for 08/02, my post had a 306-reach with only 13 post clicks and 23 reactions.
By and large, no one gives a rat’s patootie!
Hopefully, potential readers will be more responsive when my novel is published and I’m able to conduct a Book Launch Giveaway Event. When I actually begin the process of promoting at pertinent sites, I’ll practice the KISS method. And, you can be sure my official book trailer will be scantily clad of words.
Citing the 8.25-second rule in exercising my penchant for brutal honesty:
I rarely read stories or articles posted at Authors Den exhibiting words crammed together without paragraphing due to a formatting issue. I am not keen on scrolling through literature with miles and miles of words. Therefore, I will never post Chapter 1 of AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE in its 17-page entirety. Nor do I expect to post it in segments either. If what I’ve alluded to thus far hasn’t interested anyone by now, so be it.
While I highly respect kindred authors in my social circles at Facebook, I shy away from watching any author interview videos I’ve noticed are twenty minutes or more in length, no matter how revealing. On the other hand, I enjoy perusing question & answer interviews because one can ingest them in under five minutes.
Yet, I won’t pander to anyone’s attention deficit by churning trending “shorts” in the guise of novels. I intend to follow my WRITE instinct when acquainting the public with my upcoming release because most people, like myself, don’t care to drown in a sea of words.
My Morning WRIT-ual
Awaiting the final proof of my second Women’s Fiction novel-in-progress to approve, you might think I’m earnestly drafting the third, considering it took me 9-plus years to get AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE underway. On the contrary, it’s not how I roll. For the next year, at the very least, my primary focus will entail that of tirelessly marketing and promoting my upcoming novel through various venues, and trying my darndest to interest a filmmaker in adapting it into an indie production. During this interim, I will continue to further along my Memoirs, Blogs, and the occasional essay relevant to my native state of Rhode Island.
Pre-publication, I’ve established a daily morning WRIT-ual strictly adhered to for “the importance of being earnest,” barring unforeseen emergencies or priorities demanding immediate attention.
4:00 or 4:30 – 6:00A.M. – Rise and shine! Switch on the computer and allow it to boot while I scoop out the litter tray. Primed for me to navigate the Internet, I then begin my WRIT-ualistic morning Tour of Duty:
First – Authors Den. I check my click stats pertaining to my latest posts—in particular, my blogs. To my delight, they usually accrue more than 200 hits by the end of the week when I’m ready to post the next one. While at the Den, I update my bio on a daily basis by mentioning a literary pursuit. Then, I peruse the latest “Stories” and “Articles,” select one or two that strike my fancy to read, and leave a comment.
Second – It’s on to my Facebook Author Page where I update my status as it relates to my upcoming novel. Then, it’s onward to my Personal Page where I share that same update and upload a related post which incorporates a previously published memoir, essay, or blog.
Third – Interact at my groups, peruse and schmooze the Home Page, share author posts.
Fourth – Make a brief Goodreads appearance where I edit my bio by updating it with my status for the day. Next, I’ll check the topic threads at my groups which may or may not prompt me to investigate and/or leave a comment.
Fifth – Answer personal emails from the previous day.
Sixth – Check email notifications connected with Facebook Posts I’ve interacted with.
6:00 – 6:30 A.M. – It’s time to exercise. Rolling out the mat, I’ll manage abdominal crunches, a few Pilate’s moves to tone the core, weight lifting, and a run on an elliptical trainer.
By 7:00 – 7:15 A.M., I’m ready for whatever lies in store. During the course of the day, I’ll carve time to write my “shorts” and prep my daily Facebook Posts. This constitutes an endeavor of much thought in crafting them because my sole purpose is to engage, and eventually entice potential readers into purchasing my book when it is available.
Here is a previously published post uploaded to my Facebook Personal Page on July 23rd:
In conjunction with today’s Behind-the-Scene Note for my upcoming Women’s Fiction novel where I disclose my bartending research, step inside the local dive which inspired the bar in AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE via one of my previously published Blogs, “Raising the Bar” (Excerpt – Ch. 14, included): http://tinyurl.com/htxdeoz
Pre-publication, I’ve established a daily morning WRIT-ual strictly adhered to for “the importance of being earnest,” barring unforeseen emergencies or priorities demanding immediate attention.
4:00 or 4:30 – 6:00A.M. – Rise and shine! Switch on the computer and allow it to boot while I scoop out the litter tray. Primed for me to navigate the Internet, I then begin my WRIT-ualistic morning Tour of Duty:
First – Authors Den. I check my click stats pertaining to my latest posts—in particular, my blogs. To my delight, they usually accrue more than 200 hits by the end of the week when I’m ready to post the next one. While at the Den, I update my bio on a daily basis by mentioning a literary pursuit. Then, I peruse the latest “Stories” and “Articles,” select one or two that strike my fancy to read, and leave a comment.
Second – It’s on to my Facebook Author Page where I update my status as it relates to my upcoming novel. Then, it’s onward to my Personal Page where I share that same update and upload a related post which incorporates a previously published memoir, essay, or blog.
Third – Interact at my groups, peruse and schmooze the Home Page, share author posts.
Fourth – Make a brief Goodreads appearance where I edit my bio by updating it with my status for the day. Next, I’ll check the topic threads at my groups which may or may not prompt me to investigate and/or leave a comment.
Fifth – Answer personal emails from the previous day.
Sixth – Check email notifications connected with Facebook Posts I’ve interacted with.
6:00 – 6:30 A.M. – It’s time to exercise. Rolling out the mat, I’ll manage abdominal crunches, a few Pilate’s moves to tone the core, weight lifting, and a run on an elliptical trainer.
By 7:00 – 7:15 A.M., I’m ready for whatever lies in store. During the course of the day, I’ll carve time to write my “shorts” and prep my daily Facebook Posts. This constitutes an endeavor of much thought in crafting them because my sole purpose is to engage, and eventually entice potential readers into purchasing my book when it is available.
Here is a previously published post uploaded to my Facebook Personal Page on July 23rd:
In conjunction with today’s Behind-the-Scene Note for my upcoming Women’s Fiction novel where I disclose my bartending research, step inside the local dive which inspired the bar in AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE via one of my previously published Blogs, “Raising the Bar” (Excerpt – Ch. 14, included): http://tinyurl.com/htxdeoz
My Last WRITES
Ave mundi spes Maria, ave mitis, ave pia, ave plena gratia--the reverberating Latin lyrics from a Gregorian chant accompany my adieu as I conduct the third and last read-through of the final eProof for my upcoming Women’s Fiction novel, ,An Enlightening Quiche.'
A perfectionist who has never claimed holier-than-thou status, “My Last WRITES” is a euphemistic blog title at this stage of production. Meaning, any picayune peccadillo pertaining to punctuation or hyphenation will remain intact posthumously for all eternity. Even though I’ve unearthed a case scenario for a comma being neither here nor there, I will not hold up publication for two weeks just because I’d feel better if the correction team removed a comma after “plaid” in this sentence:
I placed all of my eggs in one basket, ultimately basing my decision on an opinion rendered by the man clad in a plaid, flannel shirt.
Anticipating the final send-off, and a waiting period of approximately four weeks for eBook and Print conversions, I’ll soon send out an open invitation on social media asking for a few volunteers to read the PDF file and write a review ready for posting at Amazon on the date of my book release.
Meantime, in support of kindred indie authors, I’m reading and reviewing books written by those I’ve befriended or interact with in my groups at Facebook. Likewise, I’m hitting the “like” button, commenting, and even better—sharing posts on my wall to celebrate a cover reveal, new release, author interview, book review, giveaway, or other milestone event.
To all other indie authors immersed in the proofing process, may you minister the last WRITES through pragmatic editing short of overkill.
A perfectionist who has never claimed holier-than-thou status, “My Last WRITES” is a euphemistic blog title at this stage of production. Meaning, any picayune peccadillo pertaining to punctuation or hyphenation will remain intact posthumously for all eternity. Even though I’ve unearthed a case scenario for a comma being neither here nor there, I will not hold up publication for two weeks just because I’d feel better if the correction team removed a comma after “plaid” in this sentence:
I placed all of my eggs in one basket, ultimately basing my decision on an opinion rendered by the man clad in a plaid, flannel shirt.
Anticipating the final send-off, and a waiting period of approximately four weeks for eBook and Print conversions, I’ll soon send out an open invitation on social media asking for a few volunteers to read the PDF file and write a review ready for posting at Amazon on the date of my book release.
Meantime, in support of kindred indie authors, I’m reading and reviewing books written by those I’ve befriended or interact with in my groups at Facebook. Likewise, I’m hitting the “like” button, commenting, and even better—sharing posts on my wall to celebrate a cover reveal, new release, author interview, book review, giveaway, or other milestone event.
To all other indie authors immersed in the proofing process, may you minister the last WRITES through pragmatic editing short of overkill.
So, What Gives?
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
(“Something’s Gotta Give” – words and song by Johnny Mercer; 1954)
Not easy for those who wear the crown of “Indie Author”!
Write. Proofread and Edit. Synopsis. Cover Design. Market and Promote. Shoulder Responsibilities. Juggle Lemons.
With no option to dodge responsibilities, or those proverbial lemons hurled our way, something’s gotta give.
For me, it’s reading.
Ever since I got back in the saddle after falling out of it for eight-nine years, I’ve made a commitment to read and review books written by fellow Indies. However, since I’ve stepped up my writing game, my pleasure reading has fallen by the wayside.
For my own sanity…
Having just finished writing a novella for an upcoming anthology, I’ve decided to moonlight for the month of December by not tackling any in-depth writing project. I’ll wait until January of 2018 to begin working on my next full-length novel.
In the meantime, I intend to step up my reading in an attempt to make a dent in my TBR pile.
I’ll consider this one of my New Year’s resolutions.
