Kim Vermaak's Blog, page 2

Do we really want things to change?

Do we really want things to change?

When times are bad, we crave, wish, and pray for a change. A change for the better. But change always comes at a cost. That cost is letting go of what we know and that can be painful for many people.

Perhaps it is because I am adopted and spent some time in a home of safety that stability and setting down roots is a primary need for me. Every time I moved, I swore that this would be the last move. And yet, I feel very much like a member of one of the nomadic tribes. A bit like the movie Chocolat, a 2000 romantic comedy-drama film based on the 1999 novel Chocolat by the English author, Joanne Harris. The main character Vianne Rocher, played by Juliette Binochean expert chocolatier and her six-year-old daughter Anouk (Victoire Thivisol), drift across Europe following the north wind.

But there are some changes that must happen and when we look back at our lives, we find that some of our greatest growth as humans have come in times of change. This past week I changed my book covers. I did not go on a whim; I completed a cover design crit course and looked at some other authors in my genre. The primary change was the background and the colours of the fonts. I tested it ona group of about 100 authors before making the change. The ebook links on Amazon have already changed over and we are working on the paperback version for printed copies.

Change is a common theme in my books as well. In Book 1 Nadine’s family relocate because after a fire-breathing dragon that destroyed their village, the King’s spies located where Nadine is from and he is coming to her. Nadine did not sign on to be a Dragon Whisperer and to fight evil. That was not part of her dreams for the future. But becoming a person of influence requires change. And ultimately her life and the lives of those around her are the better for the change.

I hope that this week, you will find the courage to change areas in your life that will bring you closer to living a life of more significance.

Are we there yet?

 If you have children you know those dreaded words “Are we there yet?” In my case, as I am home schooling, I also dread the words, “Is the food ready yet?” I use this continuing theme to help my little ones, aged 8 and 6, to work on their time telling skills. So they have to come and tell me where the big hand and the little hand are on the clock. This tactic only marginally assists me in getting some peace and I feel more like a caterer than an author. 

But I have to admit I feel the same way about my third book. Whenever I see my editor has made another comment or suggestion I think, “Really, are we not done yet?”

I still need to get the ISBN number and complete the cover. But I am stuck on the title and that influences all the other bits and pieces. 

Then the big thing that we are currently debating is that there are two “parts” in the book that initially seem like two different stories, but that link up in the end. Someone suggested putting a break in the book “PART 1” and “PART 2” to show the distinction between the two elements of the book. 

What do you think? I would love some feedback to see if you find this helpful in other books.  I am not yet sold on the idea because I don’t feel like it is my style. But I am open to suggestions.

I suppose this challenge of “Are we there yet?” lies in the mind of both my villains, King Radolf and Nadine. King Radolf has been waiting quite some time to raise a dragon army, and he even has a spymaster and a turned Dragon Whisperer helping him. But that army just does not seem to form and they still don’t have an egg and Nadine keeps on interfering with his plans.

Nadine just wants to find the eggs, rebuild the dragon societies and get on with her life. But time and time again, there is King Radolf and his desires for world domination. I am sure in her darker days, she may be thinking, “Can’t someone just go and assassinate this king already?” I am sure some of my readers are asking, “Why can’t the dragons just go burn him up?” Well if that happened, I guess there would be no book 4 and I am not yet ready to let the series go. So my readers and Nadine will have to put up with King Radolf for a while longer. 

Having said that, I hope you are well and that you are “getting there” with whatever projects you have on the go in your life.

How do you push through when there are disruptions?

 This past weekend we moved. It was probably not the most dramatic move we have ever made, because it was from an upstairs unit to a downstairs unit. Although my teen was extremely helpful in the move, she had a rather critical spirit about the new spot. It certainly is smaller and aesthetically. It needs some work before we can really call it home. 

While we are still in sifting and sorting mode, all of our furniture is in the correct places. Most of our paintings and family photos are up and I believe that within a week, we will have found a place for most of our belongings. Moving does not mean that I can allow myself to be distracted when fulfilling my goals. Rather, I have to guard my writing and editing time as it is precious. This takes some self discipline, and I have to turn a blind eye to a few piles of things that still have to be sorted.

It makes me think about two of my characters who had to move in books 1 and 2. Nadine and her entire family had to move after book 1. It is not as if they had much of a choice. The Dragon Thief recognised Nadine and that meant that King Radolf would find out where they were. Those of you who read my prequel Novella, A Mother’s Warning probably have realised by now that King Radolf is not a man to be trifled with. A less drama filled, but still important move was Elizabeth, the Medicine Woman. She originally lived closer to Holly Hill Cave, but after Lady Christine summoned her to help with a rather unusual problem, she set up her rooms in Lord Logan’s lands. What made these two moves very different was that Nadine’s family was under threat. However, Elizabeth had no enemies. She chose to move, and many of her loyal patients followed her. Forced decisions feel a lot different to empowered choices. But whether forced or voluntary, the show must go on as they say. So I will be forging ahead regardless of the piles of clothes around me or the painting of shelves that I must do. I hope that by next week’s newsletter, I will be happy to report that I have fully settled in.

www.kimvermaak.com

Time to work on my goals

 

This month I am working more aggressively on my over-all goals. I love writing. In fact, since May last year, I have completed 45 newsletters. All with bits of what I am up to, what new books there are out there, and snippets of my novels. But now it is time to up my game. I want to be a full-time writer. In fact, there is a scholarship that I want to apply for, but that requires up to 75 reviews on Amazon, just for me to apply.

Being a full-time writer means I must consistently sell enough books to support a family of seven. I have included my elderly parents in the mix. It is an enormous responsibility, and I need new skills to make that happen and hence the application for the scholarship.

If you have read my books and qualify as an Amazon reviewer, please head over to Amazon to give me a review. I need 75 of which 10 must be a 5 star review. I average at about 4.3 across all the platforms and one on seven reviews will give me a 5 star review. Which if you are percentage type of person, 14% of my reviewers will give me a 5 star review? I feel very intelligent by doing that calculation. :-)

Every single review counts, so know that you have the power to help me reach my goal.

Here are the links for the books.

The Last of the silver Wings:

The Fire Within the Storm:

I am feeling a lot like Lady Christine in my book series, where I must build a team of unique individuals to help me overcome my enemy. In A mother’s Warning, I share some of Lady Christine’s back Story so that readers can see why she is so afraid of King Radolf. Sometimes our fears stop us from achieving our purpose. But there comes a time to fight back and claim what we were born to do. I hope you will be part of my team to help bring in reviews or recommend the books to get others to review.

Have you ever had people in your life who just don’t seem to learn lessons?

 

I admit I wrote most of Book 3 during lockdown. It was a troublesome time with me having to learn how to home school and deal with lots of conflicting expectations. So it does not surprise me that my characters seem to be all over the place with some of them resistant to lessons they need to learn.

After my editor started going through the first draft, she pointed out some of these characters who seem to stray off and doing their own thing without sticking to the mission. So now I have to ask myself some tough questions. Are these behaviours a reflection of my mind as I have persevered through the “stop start” feel of 2020? Or are these reflections of the characters’ journeys?

It means I have to do some serious reflection on the suggested rewrite from my editor. As authors, we want independent creative expression and feedback is something that makes us stop and reevaluate our position. It is not a natural process for an author because feedback seems a lot of like criticism and often authors have a knee jerk reaction to criticisms. In fact, I think many people have an instinct to kick back at criticism. In fact, it is a fear that stops many people who dream of being authors of stopping in the initial stages. But it it a skill that we must learn to master.

To find the balance between what is relevant feedback that will improve the quality for the read and what is a subjective opinion is something we all have to strive for. I have developed an internal checklist for responding to feedback that has helped me keep sane and keep improving at the same time. You don’t have to be an author to do this. I often tell my children, don’t listen to HOW the person is giving you feedback, maybe they are just in a foul mood. Rather listed to WHAT they are saying. If there is truth in it and if it can help you grow and improve, then take note and see how you can implement the changes.

WHAT AM I WRITING AT THE MOMENT

I am stuck in rewrites for book 3. I suspect that will take the better part of February. After that I need to send the book to my advance readers team and then I can restart work on book 4. At the launch of book 2, I offered avid fans an opportunity to get into book 4 and one of my fans sent through $136 contribution to the book publishing process that got her a place in book 4. Usually this kind of transaction would go through my Patreon account, but as I know the fan fairly well, she went direct.

It has been a fun journey as I have chatted to other people who have stayed with her for periods of time, to find aspects of her personality that she does not readily share so that I can write her as more interesting character. Not that these are bad or offensive parts of her personality, rather they are related to her daily habits that outsiders won’t know about. I offered her opportunity to be a good or a bad character, and we opted for a mischievous character. I am itching to get this section written, but as fans are waiting for book 3, I have to curb my impulses and get on with the rewrites for book 3. 

What are you willing to sacrifice?

What are you wanting to achieve this year?

They say there is a no such thing as a free lunch. I believe this is true. With everything you want to achieve, there is a cost. Sometimes that cost is time, sometimes it is money or relationships. I had to sacrifice a lot of time in order to write the Chronicles of Nadine. As I was writing part time, I got up at 03H00 every morning to carve out some time to write.

Not much has changed. Since the start of the pandemic, I have to home school two children as well, so in order to work on the book series, I need to get up early. I changed my Television viewing material. Instead of watching the series that I used to, I watch documentaries of medieval times on YouTube. I swapped watching my Tinyhouse shows to researching medieval weapons.

My daughter said I was part-time author physically but full time emotionally. I had to give up some relationships. People who could not understand my journey or who tried to dissuade me from following my dream.

Sometimes you feel you have to give up too much, but then you realise that giving up things frees you into having a better life. My closest friends remained loyal, even though they were a bit confused by my shift. But new people came into my life. People who did not mind me talking for hours on end about my  book journey. People who will share encouragement and resources with me. I am so grateful for all the special new people in my life because they have helped me to get this far. I am now so blessed to share my learnings with other new authors.

In the Chronicles of Nadine, Nadine lost her home. After book 1, she realized she could never go back. She struggled against her purpose and destiny, and she lost a dear friend. But new people came into her life, people who understood the struggles she needed to go through. People who will stand by her despite her frustration and when she lashed out at them. What I have found is that it does not sway people who are purpose driven when we act a little brattish. And yes, as adult we can be brats as well. Purpose driven people do not let our moods sway their commitment. They wait it out until you are ready to take the next step. I am so glad that my character has these kinds of people in her life and my wish for you, is that you find your tribe as well.

To celebrate all the authors who have blessed me with their insights and wisdom along the way, I am doing a BUMPER share of new books, review copies and freebies. So scroll down and click on the banners that you like. Remember that if you get a free book, please leave a review, it really helps authors.

Click here to see my Amazon Profile

www.kimvermaak.com

Standing in the Storm

 

Have you ever had one of those days where you don’t know how to carry on?

A time where you feel so overwhelmed by responsibilities that the weight of it suffocated you?

If you have lived long enough, you know everything changes, just like the tides of the ocean.

I grew up in a coastal area and some of my happiest times were at the beach jumping up as the waves pushed us forward. The ocean can be a refreshing and fun friend, but also a raging enemy in times of storms. Many years ago I had a nightmare of a wave that seemed as large as a three story building. I was about to run and way, when I heard a voice telling me to shelter myself but remain where I was. The only thing I had was a tabletop. Well, as you know these things just appear in dreams in a way that makes perfect sense. As the waves thundered over the door, I sat with my eyes closed and waited for it to pass over me. 

The scene had a familiarity to it. When I was just a child, my friends and I were playing on a buried log at the seaside. I looked up to find all my friends running in the opposite direction. I had failed to see the oncoming wave and there was no time to run away. The wave crashed over me. In my terror I clung to that tree stump and the wave did its worst and snuck back to the ocean and although shaken, I was safe.

There is a lot to be said for standing in the storm. While we can run and take shelter, there are some lessons that we only learn when standing in the storm. I learned the best lessons about myself when I stand in life's storms. I realise that to overcome I have to find my anchor. For each of us, our anchor is different. In the Chronicles of Nadine, Nadine’s anchor is her family. For Lady Christine, her anchor became her unborn child. Hiding from destiny may seem like a logical choice if survival is your sole purpose. As soon as you realise your decisions have a ripple effect, you see past what confines you. Lady Christine was King Frederick's only remaining heir, but her child’s inheritance would be lost if she remained in the shadows.  

What storm are you facing now? What is your anchor? What can keep you moving forward?

Is this a same as, same as year?

Does 2021 feel a little like Deja vu for you? Some challenges we had from 2020 have carried through to this year. But I have to admit that being in lockdown brought a fresh perspective to me. I used to feel a little guilty that I was robbing myself of income producing hours and that my children would suffer for it. However, I came to realise that while I do not wish to have a repeat of last year, I could write without the guilt that I used to carry. That was so liberating for me.

Established authors who created courses for authors released some of their material for free, and I grabbed on with both hands, so I could create better stories for my readers. While I can not minimise the sorrow and suffering that so many people had, I am grateful for what I have gained in that time. I learned more about my craft and the publishing process. While I am convinced that my computer was an original issue in Noah’s arc, I still completed the first draft of book 3 on it in 2020. This year I started a Patreon account, where fans can support my writing process, and I released a few “sneak peaks” into my process in creating my medieval world.

This challenge to find purpose and progress in challenging times has always interested me. I found courage in the books I read when I was younger. It is why I write about characters who have to face serious challenges and overcome their perceptions of what is happening around them. In book 1, I wrote about Dorothea, Nadine’s mother, who tried to keep faith and hope alive in the tunnels. When you know there is no food, water or light and desperate people will attack you for whatever provisions you have, these are pretty desperate times.

For this year, I hope that you will find hope to push through whatever challenges you may be facing. 

Can you really just get over it?

 

Have you ever met someone who has told you to “just get over it?” 

Sometimes this is easier said than done. We all face our own challenges. No one set of people has the same circumstances, but sometimes journeying with others who are facing challenges and who overcome them can encourage us. 

I know that when I was a teenager; I found my courage through books. I did not find courage through people overcoming small trials, rather I found courage when reading about people who overcame massive trials. 

My mother used to tell me that if we all threw our problems in a hat, we would probably want to take our own troubles back out again when we compared our problems to others. While I do not believe that it is true in all circumstances, I know that no one can fully understand my personal trials. However, I can learn of people who have overcome similar trials or can bring a fresh perspective to me.

This week I released my Novella. This Prequel Novella deals with the nastier side of King Radolf that we only hint at in books 1 and 2, of my medieval fantasy book series, the Chronicles of Nadine. My decision to write this book was because I had a couple of readers who commented about Lady Christine being fearful of King Radolf. While some people wonder why I have a Novella that is far more intense than books 1 and 2, it is because life is not always pretty and the best success stories come from overcoming severe trials.

Ultimately, these books are the type of gift that I got when I read books as a younger person. I found courage through them. But we can not fully appreciate what courage really looks like unless we understand the back story within which characters find themselves.

Those who subscribe to my newsletter can get a free copy of the Novella.

Click here to subscribe

Stepping into change

It feels like we have had at least three quarters of the years dedicated to lock down. While we have had more freedom in my part of the world in the last few months, there have been some changes that have been long lasting. Many people have become more fearful, and that is difficult to remedy.

This Christmas I wanted to invite someone I know who was alone for Christmas, but then I realised we have to restrict ourselves to just family. It is one of the many sad realities of living in a decade where there is a virus of this magnitude. My husband is 63 and in a higher risk category (because of age), which meant that I had to ask myself what would happen to my children if something were to happen to their father. That kind of distancing fear annoys me, because too many people were alone for Christmas.

In my new Novella, A Mother’s warning, readers get to learn about Lady’s Christine’s mother Queen Isabella. King Radolf trapped Queen Isabella, manipulated her and silenced her until she had to make a devastating choice to help her daughter.

Those of you who read book 1 and 2, know that Lady Christine did not use her freedom in how her parents intended. Rather, she remained hidden and forfeited her destiny. When Nadine lost the dagger, it forced Lady Christine to reveal her identity. Can you imagine the fear she must have felt, knowing King Radolf the way that she did. But isn’t life just like that? Sometimes, the things we fear the most are the very things that force us to step into our destiny.