Lissa Dobbs's Blog: Shadow Walkers of Grevared, page 21

To Heck with Professional

[image error]Yeah, I said it.

I know. I know. We should be professional in everything we do. I got that memo years ago. But, come on, professional websites are BORING. Especially when they’re about an author and his/her books. When I visit author sites, I want something fun. I want to feel like I’m visiting a part of the author’s world. I want maps and history and quizzes and… You get the point.

As a book nerd, I love libraries and studying, so I designed the site as if you were looking at a table in Grevared. Clicking on the items takes you to different pages, and those pages that would be the inside of books were left as parchment. I’m hoping to add some of the other elements I love in other sites, like quizzes, etc., soon, but these take time to create, and I haven’t gotten there yet.

When it comes to my writing, I’m a bit of a ‘do it mytelf’, as my son used to say, kind of person. I want my own personality and vision to be in all of it, even if that means it isn’t perfect. I want to learn new things and practice new skills instead of hiring out the job. Would I get more sales if I had a professional cover designer? Probably. But the covers come from me, and they very much go with the books. Could I hire a designer for some detailed cover image that looks like it came from the Sistine Chapel? Sure. *shrug* But where’s the fun in that? It’s more fun to put some gumdrops in a bowl, take the picture, then see what you can do with it.

The whole point of the writing journey, at least for me, is to learn and explore, to try new things, and to get these stories that ramble around in my head out and living their own lives. It’s a way for me to de-stress from everyday life and live in a world of magic and wonder, something we’ve forgotten how to do in the modern world.

So, to heck with professionalism. I like my imperfect website and my simplistic cover designs. I had fun making them, and that’s all anyone can really ask from a project.

Best wishes!

http://www.lissadobbs.com

And many thanks to the good people at Pixabay, who have images us less talented people can use.

Thank You! – New Review

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Something is killing the folks indeed in Black Crystal. This is one of the best stories I have read over the course of this winter. Timothy Hawkins, Eleanor Hestenfield, and Justin Harper are Shadow Walkers who arrive in Black Crystal to deal with the deaths that have been occurring there. What they don’t know is that the secret awaiting them is one that will change their lives forever. I will give no spoilers, but when the truth is unveiled, it will blow your mind, as it did mine. When I found out the secret, I was so very surprised. I must admit, I never saw it coming. I loved the writing style of the author and the way she told the story pulled me in from the very start and held me on the edge of my seat to the very end. The story was paced great and the words flowed without a hiccup. The plot was well written. I love her vision and creation of the Shadow Walkers that molded the story and birthed into being a new idea of warriors. The ending couldn’t have been tied up better. You don’t want to miss this story! Lissa Dobbs is an outstanding author and I can’t wait to read her other works. I am a fan!

 

http://www.lissadobbs.com

 

Writing Update – The Journey of Gwennyth Grimsbane

[image error]Well, I’ve started off the new year fairly well, I think. I’ve gotten my website redesigned, and I’ve gone for fun rather than ‘professional’. (More on that later.) I’ve also added an Editorial Services page to the site, something I should’ve done a long time ago. I mean, I’ve got the skills and the education; I really should be using them.

Now, I’m working on the first revision of The Journey of Gwennyth Grimsbane. Finishing this one is going to take longer than I’d thought because my brilliant self added another character into the mix. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but it means rewriting more scenes. I think, in the end, it’ll be a better story for it.

I’m a little torn on Gwennyth herself, though. She’s a strong and intelligent wizard, but she’s also super whiny. She doesn’t seem to want to step up the way I’d like her to, and I’m about to the point of giving her something to really cry about. You’d think with all she has to go through that it would dawn on her to suck it up, but she just can’t seem to get there. It’s funny, sometimes, how the characters take on a life of their own, and there’s nothing the author can do about it. Grrrr.

Vonner, on the other hand, is coming along nicely. He still has his whiny moments, but he’s growing up. I’m kind of proud of him.

There’s the potential here for this story to be at least two books, but I haven’t decided if I want to go that route or if I would rather use the information in another book. I would like all of my books to be connected in some way, for it to be a cohesive story across the age groups. That may be a bit ambitious, though.

We’ll see what happens.

Best wishes!

http://www.lissadobbs.com

 

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Editorial Services

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New project for a new year. I think it’s time I finally started using my skills.

http://www.lissadobbs.com/editorialservices

Help Wanted: Apply Within

All of you know that ask for article submissions many times during the year. I also ask for authors to send teasers for Teaser Tuesday. Here’s what I’d like to do for 2017: Tuesday’s Tales: Inspira…

Source: Help Wanted: Apply Within

Thoughts on the New Year

[image error]New Thoughts for the New Year

The presents were opened, the ham eaten, and Santa came for the last time – my youngest graduates this year.

 

Christmas Day has always been one day I was free to write. Once Santa had come, the presents were opened, and the ham eaten, everyone else was always occupied with their new gifts, so I had a while to sit in peace. I’ve always used the time to reflect on the previous year and turn my thoughts to the year ahead. This year was no different, and I spent the day looking back over my writing and marketing plan and trying to figure out what I needed to do to be successful in 2017. Truth be told, I have absolutely no idea.

Well, that’s not entirely true. I know I let fear keep me from promoting my writing the way I should. I know that I let my work hours keep me from attending workshops and conferences that would help me improve my writing and make the connections I need to make. I realize that, and I think it’s time to do something about it. I also realized that I let myself become exhausted and discouraged and that it won’t work to let that continue.

[image error]I have several book ideas for this year. I’ve finished the first revision of The Journey of Gwennyth Grimsbane, and I’m working on completing a story that predates Wolf in the Shadow. At two o’clock Christmas morning, I got an idea for the fourth book of The Chronicles of Ethan Grimley III, so I’m hoping to get started on that one soon. I’ve also decided that I’ve made excuses for ‘the novel that never ends’ long enough, and I need to get on with getting it finished. Most of the book is written, but there are a few scenes that need to be added and a few more that need to be rewritten. Then, of course, there’s the revision and editing process. Regardless, this one needs to take priority this year.

[image error]I’d also like to redesign my website and make it look more like the Shadow Walker Guild Hall, at least as far as my meager skills can accomplish it. Feel free to chime in with opinions on that one. I’d also be interested in hearing your thoughts on what you’d like to see here.

So, plans made. I know what needs to be done. Now I just need to figure out how to get it all done in the time I have. But I can do this. I have my trusty planner and Galadriel, and the two of us will make it happen.

What are your goals for 2017? I’d love to hear from you.

Best wishes!

Lissa Dobbs

To Change or Leave Alone?

I’ve been thinking about what to do with my website in the new year. There’s a part of me that wants to make some changes on it, make it more ‘fun’, I guess. But there’s another part of me that likes it being more straight-forward, even if no one else likes the style of it.

This is where I get frustrated. It’d be cool if I could have it both ways, but I’m not sure I could pull that off. My web design skills are almost non-existent, and so are my graphics skills, but, still, it’s fun to play with it sometimes.

[image error]Here’s an idea of what I was thinking about going to. The idea is to label the doors with things like ‘student lounge’, ‘shadow walker lounge’, ‘library’, etc. and have them lead to a page with a similar layout that went to short stories, printable activities for kids, and links to the books.

As it stands right now, the background is simple parchment with pictures ‘taped’ to it. It’s labelled and obvious, but it’s not a lot of fun.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes!

Lissa Dobbs

http://www.lissadobbs.com

ALL SoTaR ebooks are FREE Christmas Day ONLY!! (from MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME)

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Birthday/Un-Birthday etc etc On this lovely (potentially stormy) morning I give to you the gift of an entire world. Not just any world… MY world, crafte…

Source: ALL SoTaR ebooks are FREE Christmas Day ONLY!! (from MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME)

Merry Christmas!

[image error]Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate the holiday. Have a wonderful day with family and friends!

Best wishes!

Lissa Dobbs

http://www.lissadobbs.com