Maria Ellis's Blog, page 2

“Dating and Awkward…” – Bugburbia Cartoon Caption Contest Winner – November 2013

Congratulations to Dale Stout, who is the winner of the November 2013 edition of our Cartoon Caption Contest! He is one funny bug!

Dating and awkward…

How much should you price your self-published book?

This article was published in September. I’ve found it recently on the PBS website and I think it is very, very interesting. Not only does it discuss the “free vs. low price” dilemma but it also showcases one of my favorite success stories in self-publishing: Hugh Howey.

This week’s cartoon on Bugburbia: “Negotiation Techniques”

Negotiation techniques

Cartoon Caption Contest on Bugburbia – Win a “One Funny Bug” Seal

Cartoon caption contest November 2013

How to plan an anniversary dinner date

(This cartoon appeared today on my comic strip website, Bugburbia)

How to get an anniversary dinner date

Tried and Tested: A “Traditional” Author Goes Indie

I’ve run into this very interesting article about an author who started her career traditionally with a few very reputable publishing houses. She has fairly recently decided to switch to independent publishing. I love that she discusses the pros and the cons – including the fact that there is a perception that self-publishing is for amateurs. I also love that she shares her process for bringing a book into a store.

It may not be feasible for many of us to invest large amounts of money into hiring an editor, doing 4-5 rounds of rewrites that way, hiring a cover designer, a publicist and other professionals. But I think it’s a great list of things we might want to learn how to do.

Learning about Twitter – The Care and Feeding of Hashtags

A very good article from the Huffington Post about the power of the hashtag. I am a Twitter newbie. I didn’t know. This is very, very useful.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/12/small-business-hashtag_n_3991246.html

The Golden Proportions

[Design 101 Course with iVersity]

Homework #17

“Make a simple notebook according to the golden proportions. Then, post a beautiful picture of it.”

I don’t care, call me stupid: I hate math. I freak out when I see formulas. The Wikipedia page about the golden ratio gave me shivers. But I found something else that explained an easy method to get a “golden rectangle”.

So I did that, out of a regular sheet of paper, then I followed the instructions and created a very small notebook.

On the cover I did another golden rectangle and decorated it with geometric shapes. Interesting exercise… for me.

[image error]

Home made notebook

A love affair with notebooks

[Design 101 Course with iVersity]

Homework #16

“Share 2 images of your favourite notebooks with us (with a short caption explaining why you like them so much.”

ON NOTEBOOKS

I love regular notebooks that I can find at any stationery shop. Sometimes I buy them in grocery stores too, or discount shops. I like them cheap because if they are expensive I find myself holding back from doodles, scribbles or other “unimportant” things, for fear of “ruining” them. I know it’s silly, but I do that.

With cheap notebooks I can write whatever crosses my mind that seems like an interesting idea. I can sketch – badly – and go as crazy as I want.

I rush to write down ideas for the books I’m working on at any given moment. I also must write down bits of dialogue for my comic strip, as well as images for it and ideas for funny gags. I’ve made the mistake in the past of thinking that an idea is strong enough to last a few hours in my head. But they don’t, even if they are fabulous. They are a bit like dreams… if I don’t record them, they disappear quickly.

I like the wire-bound notebooks because they seem more solid. And if I want to tear a page, it doesn’t show.

Also, I like them small enough to fit in my purse. My purse is pretty big but they have to be light too because I don’t like carrying heavy things around.

I am including two sample pages. Sometimes I add post-it notes that I scribble ideas on.

I never leave home without a notebook and at home it is very close to me at all times. I also have a pencil case with a range of pencils, an eraser, ink pens and a pencil sharpener. That also goes with me wherever I go.

Almost a year ago I received a fancy notebook from my niece. I love it. It’s a bit bulky and heavy, but I could still use it. It’s just that… it’s too nice and pretty and I just can’t bring myself to make a mess in it. And, of course, it has sentimental value so I don’t want to “be done with it some day”. Maybe its time will come. For now it’s sitting in a drawer.

[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]

Bugburbia: Real estate dilemma

This will appear tomorrow on Bugburbia, my online comic strip.

[image error]

Real estate dilemma