C.C. Bolick's Blog, page 3
April 10, 2017
Update on Leftover Girl Series
First, I want to apologize for waiting so long to give this update. I've been overloaded lately at work, plus I've spent nights and weekends hammering out book # 3, Prison of Lies.
Sometimes when I write, I literally have to turn the world off. Does anyone else feel this way?
Prison of Lies is finished - it's currently with my editor and I'm awaiting her thoughts. I'm excited about this book since it digs deep into the reasons why Jes is so important. She'll be forced to make decisions she's never imagined.
Cutting it close on time, you say? Maybe. I really want to release this book on April 30th, but only if it's ready. My guess is there will be no pre-orders on this one. I've set a tight schedule for myself and that includes releasing books # 4 and 5 by the end of September.
The short timeline is my fault. Originally, I planned for 4 books in this series. When I say planned, I mean I knew how each book would start and end. What I didn't know at the time was book # 3 would become 3 and 4.
Okay, the anxiety is kicking in. Let me stop and take a deep breath.
I'd planned to write book # 3 as a split POV between Jes and Pade, but there was too much to cover and it didn't flow well. So, book # 3 is all Jes and book # 4 tells Pade's side of the story.
The biggest issues I've had are 1) time management (bet you never guessed this one between the job and the family) and 2) finding the right person to make the covers.
The cover issue is a tough one for me.
I DO NOT WANT TO MAKE MY COVERS!
Why? Because details in writing and details in pictures are not the same for me. Hard to explain, but I want those who pick my books over millions of others to have the best cover possible.
Anyone reading this knows I'll never make money off my books. What I want is something different. I want to wake up proud that I spent my time creating a book someone out there enjoys. Even if it's only one someone.
So, back to the cover issue. I've had to find another artist, but I believe she will do an outstanding job. At book #3, making a cover got tough. I decided to go ahead and get the last 3 covers made now so they will fit together. Hopefully, someone out there can appreciate how hard this is.
Definitely not a feat for stock pictures.
Sometimes when I write, I literally have to turn the world off. Does anyone else feel this way?
Prison of Lies is finished - it's currently with my editor and I'm awaiting her thoughts. I'm excited about this book since it digs deep into the reasons why Jes is so important. She'll be forced to make decisions she's never imagined.
Cutting it close on time, you say? Maybe. I really want to release this book on April 30th, but only if it's ready. My guess is there will be no pre-orders on this one. I've set a tight schedule for myself and that includes releasing books # 4 and 5 by the end of September.
The short timeline is my fault. Originally, I planned for 4 books in this series. When I say planned, I mean I knew how each book would start and end. What I didn't know at the time was book # 3 would become 3 and 4.
Okay, the anxiety is kicking in. Let me stop and take a deep breath.
I'd planned to write book # 3 as a split POV between Jes and Pade, but there was too much to cover and it didn't flow well. So, book # 3 is all Jes and book # 4 tells Pade's side of the story.
The biggest issues I've had are 1) time management (bet you never guessed this one between the job and the family) and 2) finding the right person to make the covers.
The cover issue is a tough one for me.
I DO NOT WANT TO MAKE MY COVERS!
Why? Because details in writing and details in pictures are not the same for me. Hard to explain, but I want those who pick my books over millions of others to have the best cover possible.
Anyone reading this knows I'll never make money off my books. What I want is something different. I want to wake up proud that I spent my time creating a book someone out there enjoys. Even if it's only one someone.
So, back to the cover issue. I've had to find another artist, but I believe she will do an outstanding job. At book #3, making a cover got tough. I decided to go ahead and get the last 3 covers made now so they will fit together. Hopefully, someone out there can appreciate how hard this is.
Definitely not a feat for stock pictures.
January 24, 2017
Release Day for Secrets Return
Secrets Return
Wow, has this been a crazy day. Since Secrets Return was the first book I set up for pre-order, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Looks like everything worked out okay. (I hope!!!)
The release of this book was an experiment for me. As of last night, only a handful of people had read this book. Only one blogger received a copy, and who knows if she'll feel inclined to write a review. I hope so, but I'd never expect that of someone.
For weeks, I shaped and reshaped the words until I felt they painted the picture I saw in my mind. The way this book makes me feel - I can only hope other people feel the same way. Again, I'd never expect. Only hope. Don't know if I was successful, but I decided to follow that old saying 'write what you like.'
Secrets Return is definitely my favorite of the two.
What was different about this release was the lack of advertising. I did some ads last week when Leftover Girl was listed as a free download for three days, ending in thousands of downloads. Yeah, it surprised me too. The real question is - did anyone out there (other than me) like this story enough to read a second book? Turns out, there was at least one person.
Don't take this the wrong way, because I think advertising is vital to selling books. Problem is, at this point I'm more interested in finishing books 3 and 4 than I am promoting the first two. Bad move? Maybe. My heart is really in finishing this series and later this year I'll boost those promo efforts. Right now I'm going to sit back and write. And keep writing.
Maybe you'll like the first two books and tell a friend. Maybe you won't. The main take-away here is I plan to do this writing thing for many years to come. I've got so many stories to tell. Hopefully at least one will be for you.
Wow, has this been a crazy day. Since Secrets Return was the first book I set up for pre-order, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Looks like everything worked out okay. (I hope!!!)
The release of this book was an experiment for me. As of last night, only a handful of people had read this book. Only one blogger received a copy, and who knows if she'll feel inclined to write a review. I hope so, but I'd never expect that of someone.
For weeks, I shaped and reshaped the words until I felt they painted the picture I saw in my mind. The way this book makes me feel - I can only hope other people feel the same way. Again, I'd never expect. Only hope. Don't know if I was successful, but I decided to follow that old saying 'write what you like.'
Secrets Return is definitely my favorite of the two.
What was different about this release was the lack of advertising. I did some ads last week when Leftover Girl was listed as a free download for three days, ending in thousands of downloads. Yeah, it surprised me too. The real question is - did anyone out there (other than me) like this story enough to read a second book? Turns out, there was at least one person.
Don't take this the wrong way, because I think advertising is vital to selling books. Problem is, at this point I'm more interested in finishing books 3 and 4 than I am promoting the first two. Bad move? Maybe. My heart is really in finishing this series and later this year I'll boost those promo efforts. Right now I'm going to sit back and write. And keep writing.
Maybe you'll like the first two books and tell a friend. Maybe you won't. The main take-away here is I plan to do this writing thing for many years to come. I've got so many stories to tell. Hopefully at least one will be for you.
November 30, 2016
Secrets Return Coming Soon
Book 2 in the Leftover Girl series is coming in January. Go to www.ccbolick.com if you'd like to check out the new cover. Please let me know what you think.
