Jennifer Crusie's Blog, page 53

Happiness is Getting Something Done

I am happy this week because we kicked publishing to the curb and took things into our own hands. I am not good with waiting, especially waiting with no end date (and welcome to publishing). So I’m watching Bob practice a skill I don’t have while working on a skill I do have (copy editing) and I’m a happy camper.

What made you happy this week?

Let’s Try This Again: Universal Links

Bob just sent me this:

I do have universal links for the books:
Lavender’s Blue: https://books2read.com/u/mVDlNl
Rest In Pink: https://books2read.com/u/mqNaGQ
One in Vermillion: https://books2read.com/u/m0WdkA

As you can probably tell, I’m hopeless at self-publishing, which is why I have Bob. Well, one of the reasons I have Bob. OTOH, I am aces at rewriting, which is why I’m doing that while he handles . . . whatever.

I think he fixed the glitches in the non-US Amazon listings, too. The man has had a rough two days, so thank you, Bob.

State of the Collaboration, June 9, 2023

So we got an offer on Lavender’s Blue, with a pub date of Fall, 2024. Bob and I looked at each other over the Internet and shook our heads. So we’re going to self-pub because we can have Lavender out at the end of July, Pink at the end of August, Vermillion at the end of September. Preorders are up now and people are actually preordering it, which boggles my mind because we didn’t tell anybody we were putting up preorders. Unless Bob did. You’re the first people I’ve told (of course). So now I can go back to moving and finishing Rocky Start. Also my internet is screwed up–time to move!–so if I’m erratic coming in here, that’s why. One damn thing after another.

But at least the Liz series is finally moving toward publication. Publishing is slow.

Lavender’s Blue, out on July 25, 2023.

ETA: Bob says they will be available in hardcover, trade, and paperback.

This is a Good Book Thursday, June 8, 2023

I’m writing that Viking funeral for Rocky Start and resting my brain with Aaronovitch’s Lies Sleeping.

What are you resting (or challenging) your brain with?

Working Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Bob and I are getting close to the end of a first draft of Rocky Start. This one took longer than Lavender because we started from scratch, it took me forever to get the character of Rose even close to right, and then a ton of stuff happened to both of us and slowed us way down. Plus there was the usual bickering. But we can see the end in sight. Of course the end of the first draft is just the beginning of the rewrite so . . .

How’d your work go this week?

Happiness is Restaurant WiFi

My wifi is screwed up, which means my life is in chaos. VERY grateful for restaurants with free wifi. And they have food, too.

What made you happy this week?

This is a Good Book Thursday, June 1, 2023

Welp, it’s summer so time to begin summer reading. That’s actually a leftover from when I was a kid in summer reading programs, which were pretty much redundant for me since I read constantly, the original four-eyed kid who spent all her time at the library. Thank god for libraries. In my definition, summer reading is anything I feel like reading. So pretty much the same as winter reading. This week it was Aaronovitch rereads and a Rosalind James newbie. And a lot of Rocky Start because we are closing in on the end of the first draft so I’m rewriting obsessively. Bob is being patient; he just wants a finished first draft. But first I have to fix this scene . . .

What’s your summer reading looking like?

Working Wednesday, May 31, 2023

I had a whole list of things to be done by June 1, and none of them are going to get done. I’d be depressed about that but the sun is shining and it was a random deadline, nothing is actually due, and I had way too much on that list. So I’ve decided my new deadline is July 1 because . . . uh, I think I’m going to give up on deadlines and just work.

What are you working on this week?

Happiness is Fleeting; Be Content

The Washington Post had an essay on happiness and why it’s not a goal: Happiness is an emotion, not a state of being. I’m not sure I agree with this, I’ve definitely been happy as a state of being many times, but I get the idea: emotions come and go, satisfaction tends to hang around if you work on achieving it. Fulfillment is the goal.

According to Gregory Brown, the essayist, “Fulfillment is a state of being. It is achieved when you accept who you are, make the most of what you have and are optimistic about the future.” Probably because you feel fairly sure you can keep what you have which, let’s face it, is not that guaranteed in these times. But there is a bright side to fulfillment, a side effect if you will. According to the essay, it often brings you moments of happiness.

How were you fulfilled this week?

This is a Good Book Thursday, May 25, 2023

First, this is Wear the Lilac and Carry the Towel day in honor of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams. All together now, DON’T PANIC.

Second, Emily came home last night, yowling at the back door. I don’t know where she’s been for three days, but I should probably have her tested for STDS. Very happy to have her home, very.

Third, it’s Good Book Thursday and I’m rereading Pratchett because, well, it’s Wear the Lilac Day.

Fourth, what are you reading?