K.C. Kendricks's Blog, page 61
March 20, 2016
Some days...
March 20, 2016Some days you get the little epiphany that is actually helpful. I've been angsting over not finding the "perfect" cover stock to finish making all the covers for my books. Well, DUH.
They don't have to be perfect right off the bat. I'm in this for the long haul. There's no reason in the world I can't use a cover I think is just "okay" and then change it out when I spot better stock. Like what just happened with the new and upcoming Seducing Light cover. The first one was okay, but this second effort is much better. It fits my vision and captures the brooding essence of Nick Light even better than the professional cover.
I'm not at the mercy of anyone else now. If I don't care for the end product, I don't have to beg to get it changed. I won't have to hurt feelings by saying I don't like someone else's "artistic vision."
Wow. Gotta love those epiphanies no matter how long they take. (Even when they make you feel a bit, you know, slow on the uptake.)
KC
www.kckendricks.com
March 16, 2016
A few new book covers
March 16, 2016
The clock is ticking relentlessly on to March 31, 2016, and Amber Quill's final day. I'm not so much dismayed any longer. The seemingly overwhelming task of creating book covers to get my stories back out hasn't been as difficult as anticipated. I feel pretty good about what I'm going to be able to accomplish on April 1.
I could purchase the book covers AQP created but to my way of thinking they've already been paid for those - out of my sales. I see no need to pay for them a second time. If I'm going to spend money on covers, I'm going to buy cover guys for my own stable. I'm funny about paying for something twice.
There will be some work to do here at Between the Keys. After April 1, I'll need to backtrack and update covers and links. I did this once before, when Amber Quill moved to a new website. (I think that was an expense they didn't need to incur, but it wasn't my company.)
One growing dilemma is whether to take the Monday after Easter off or switch my day to the following Friday, which is April 1. That's probably the way to go given what there is to accomplish. I'll eventually get it all finished, but the sooner it's done and off my mind the better.
The 2016 A to Z Blogging Challenge begins April 1. I'm as organized as I can be until the first blog loads.
And of course there is Deuce. What a joy he is! You can check out his blog, Deuce's Day, here. I think every dog should have a blog, don't you?
Until then, here are a couple of the new covers.
KC http://www.kckendricks.com
The clock is ticking relentlessly on to March 31, 2016, and Amber Quill's final day. I'm not so much dismayed any longer. The seemingly overwhelming task of creating book covers to get my stories back out hasn't been as difficult as anticipated. I feel pretty good about what I'm going to be able to accomplish on April 1.
I could purchase the book covers AQP created but to my way of thinking they've already been paid for those - out of my sales. I see no need to pay for them a second time. If I'm going to spend money on covers, I'm going to buy cover guys for my own stable. I'm funny about paying for something twice.
There will be some work to do here at Between the Keys. After April 1, I'll need to backtrack and update covers and links. I did this once before, when Amber Quill moved to a new website. (I think that was an expense they didn't need to incur, but it wasn't my company.)
One growing dilemma is whether to take the Monday after Easter off or switch my day to the following Friday, which is April 1. That's probably the way to go given what there is to accomplish. I'll eventually get it all finished, but the sooner it's done and off my mind the better.
The 2016 A to Z Blogging Challenge begins April 1. I'm as organized as I can be until the first blog loads.
And of course there is Deuce. What a joy he is! You can check out his blog, Deuce's Day, here. I think every dog should have a blog, don't you?
Until then, here are a couple of the new covers.
KC http://www.kckendricks.com
March 6, 2016
The state of the State of the Writer
March 6, 2016
So far this year is not off to a stellar beginning. On January 2, 2016, Amber Quill Press announced it was ceasing operations. On January 20, my mother had back surgery and subsequently landed in a rehab unit and is still there. And let us not forget thirty inches of snow fell from the sky on top of my little corner of the world.
Soooooo.......
With Amber Quill Press closing, I've been busy behind the scenes to get my back list ready to re-release. I dabbled with an indie release, Hey, Joe, but I had no plans to pull my books from the publisher and go all the way indie. The plan was to continue with AQP and publish a few indie books along the way. It takes a lot of time to get a book ready to release and that's time away from writing new stories. The world turned so I've reconsidered that position.
I knew I was "top heavy" at Amber Quill. It's my own fault I now have over forty books to prepare. The good news is, it's going very well. The bad news is I've noticed how much changed from 2008 to 2015. Perhaps those authors who went indie five years ago saw the fractures sooner.
Photoshop is not the easiest software to learn. Thank heavens for the tutorials on YouTube. Having someone point and click to SHOW me where the command button is located really helps. Once the pieces of knowledge began to make sense, making covers became an enjoyable creative endeavor.
The 2016 A to Z Blogging Challenge begins on April 1. I've decided to participate again this year but it may be the last time. Some things simply run their course with people.
But there are a few bright spots on my horizon. Fly By Night, the fifth installment in the Sundown saga, is set to release April 1, 2016. It's already up for pre-order at a few places and I'll have that process completed by the twenty-fifth of this month. Another new story, SABRE, is about finished. I need to get my fingers in gear and write the ending. I anticipate getting the actual writing of new material back on track as soon as the back list is ready to go.
Deuce will be coming home on March 10! I've got puppy *stuff* all over the house in preparation for his arrival. The only question mark is the puppy day bed in my office. The cat likes it and that's all there is to that tune. What the cat wants, the cat gets. I'm moving that item to the sunroom and getting Deuce something the cat might find less appealing.
Time was, everyone in my family was a bowler. I'm now the last holdout. I can still roll the ball pretty good, some nights. Had a great series - 226-199-234 = 659. I was pleased with that.
And that's the state of the State of the Writer.
KC Kendricks
http://www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
So far this year is not off to a stellar beginning. On January 2, 2016, Amber Quill Press announced it was ceasing operations. On January 20, my mother had back surgery and subsequently landed in a rehab unit and is still there. And let us not forget thirty inches of snow fell from the sky on top of my little corner of the world.
Soooooo.......
With Amber Quill Press closing, I've been busy behind the scenes to get my back list ready to re-release. I dabbled with an indie release, Hey, Joe, but I had no plans to pull my books from the publisher and go all the way indie. The plan was to continue with AQP and publish a few indie books along the way. It takes a lot of time to get a book ready to release and that's time away from writing new stories. The world turned so I've reconsidered that position.
I knew I was "top heavy" at Amber Quill. It's my own fault I now have over forty books to prepare. The good news is, it's going very well. The bad news is I've noticed how much changed from 2008 to 2015. Perhaps those authors who went indie five years ago saw the fractures sooner.
Photoshop is not the easiest software to learn. Thank heavens for the tutorials on YouTube. Having someone point and click to SHOW me where the command button is located really helps. Once the pieces of knowledge began to make sense, making covers became an enjoyable creative endeavor. The 2016 A to Z Blogging Challenge begins on April 1. I've decided to participate again this year but it may be the last time. Some things simply run their course with people.
But there are a few bright spots on my horizon. Fly By Night, the fifth installment in the Sundown saga, is set to release April 1, 2016. It's already up for pre-order at a few places and I'll have that process completed by the twenty-fifth of this month. Another new story, SABRE, is about finished. I need to get my fingers in gear and write the ending. I anticipate getting the actual writing of new material back on track as soon as the back list is ready to go.
Deuce will be coming home on March 10! I've got puppy *stuff* all over the house in preparation for his arrival. The only question mark is the puppy day bed in my office. The cat likes it and that's all there is to that tune. What the cat wants, the cat gets. I'm moving that item to the sunroom and getting Deuce something the cat might find less appealing.
Time was, everyone in my family was a bowler. I'm now the last holdout. I can still roll the ball pretty good, some nights. Had a great series - 226-199-234 = 659. I was pleased with that.
And that's the state of the State of the Writer.
KC Kendricks
http://www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
March 1, 2016
IWSG- Confession is Good for the Soul - and a Laugh
March 2, 2016The Insecure Writer’s Support Group http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
This month I thought I’d lighten up. The days are getting warmer. The daffs are breaking ground along with crocus and tulips. Spring is going to be here soon. So let’s shove aside our insecurities for a day.
I have a confession to make.
Once upon a time I had an editor who highlighted every occurrence of the word “that” in every manuscript I contracted with that publisher. I’m sure she had editing software do this because…well, I won’t be bitchy. Let’s just say she had a few quirks.
I know all about the word “that.” I agree it gets overused. What I do not agree with is any editor insisting it come out of character dialogue. I don’t agree with an editor changing character dialogue as a general rule, period. My rule is “my characters talk my way.”
Anyway, after about twenty-five manuscripts, I got well and truly fucking tired of her software doing the editing for her. I was looking for a name for a character and that’s when I found it. THATCHER. Oh, my God. T-h-a-t-cher. Thatcher. Naturally, his love interest continually called him by his last name. Thatcher.
When the edit came to me, not one instance of the word “that” was flagged with a yellow highlight.
And THAT, boys and girls, is how to break your editor of a bad habit.
KC Kendricks http://www.kckendricks.com http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
February 27, 2016
Greenbrier Smokey Deuce
February 27, 2016
Meet Deuce! He'll be coming home the week of March 7th.
Meet Deuce! He'll be coming home the week of March 7th.
February 25, 2016
Mother Nature is having way too much fun this week
February 25, 2016
I’m anxious to be outside. Looking out my office window I see many small branches that have fallen from the trees in nature’s annual winter pruning. We’ll gather them up for a nice, warm bonfire some chilly Saturday morning. It may sound like hard work, but it’s not. I enjoy caring for this small piece of our planet I’ve been blessed with.
Aside from anticipating yard work, I’ve been grumbling and mumbling about the February weather. Or at least I was until yesterday evening. February has been dull and dreary, for the most part. Cold, too. Yesterday morning I woke to a coating of ice on my windshield. By afternoon, we had a rainstorm complete with lightning (but I never heard any thunder).
But while Mother Nature often uses February to keep us mortals in line, sometimes she can relent and give us a glimpse of what lies ahead. After the deluge yesterday, a beautiful double rainbow appeared. I was driving and couldn’t get a photo, so I snagged one off the internet to share here.
Even without a personal photo, I’ll remember this rainbow, and the promise of spring given to us at the close of a very wet and chilly February day.
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Hey, Joe
Available at All Romance eBooks, Amazon, and other online book sellers.
I’m anxious to be outside. Looking out my office window I see many small branches that have fallen from the trees in nature’s annual winter pruning. We’ll gather them up for a nice, warm bonfire some chilly Saturday morning. It may sound like hard work, but it’s not. I enjoy caring for this small piece of our planet I’ve been blessed with.
Aside from anticipating yard work, I’ve been grumbling and mumbling about the February weather. Or at least I was until yesterday evening. February has been dull and dreary, for the most part. Cold, too. Yesterday morning I woke to a coating of ice on my windshield. By afternoon, we had a rainstorm complete with lightning (but I never heard any thunder).
But while Mother Nature often uses February to keep us mortals in line, sometimes she can relent and give us a glimpse of what lies ahead. After the deluge yesterday, a beautiful double rainbow appeared. I was driving and couldn’t get a photo, so I snagged one off the internet to share here.
Even without a personal photo, I’ll remember this rainbow, and the promise of spring given to us at the close of a very wet and chilly February day.
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Hey, Joe
Available at All Romance eBooks, Amazon, and other online book sellers.
February 16, 2016
It's coming...soon... The 2016 A to Z Challenge!
February 16, 2016
Just up! The A to Z Challenge badges are posted so I went and snagged them all - letters A to Z and the main badge. I'm getting ready. Are you?
KC www.kckendricks.com www.twitter.com/kckendricks www.facebook.com/kckendricks
Just up! The A to Z Challenge badges are posted so I went and snagged them all - letters A to Z and the main badge. I'm getting ready. Are you?
KC www.kckendricks.com www.twitter.com/kckendricks www.facebook.com/kckendricks
February 12, 2016
The Ghost Wore Denim
February 13, 2016
Having a ghost in the background might be an odd choice for Valentine's Day weekend, but here we are. I think anytime two people meet and fall in love is special. It's their very own Valentine's Day.
So here are seven sexy paragraphs from The Ghost Wore Denim for this My Sexy Saturday.
* * *
“No.” He gave me a lazy grin and pressed his knee a little harder against my leg. “Just something I learned from my high school history teacher and never forgot.”
“I imagine it also holds true in your job as a police officer. Especially when you’re dealing with conflicting witness statements.”
“You got that right. Half a dozen witnesses can result in half a dozen different stories.”
The lights dimmed and the speakers buzzed a split second before the music started. It was an old classic—soft, sultry and aimed at getting those interested, in the mood for a little closer contact. “You like to dance?” Colin inquired.
“Depends who’s doing the asking.”
“Me.” He pushed back his chair, got to his feet and reached for my hand. “You’ll like it. I promise.”
The moment we stepped onto the floor and Colin positioned me firmly against his body, any doubts I may have had as to his intentions were made crystal clear. He wanted me and the feeling was one-hundred-percent mutual. He was right. This was exactly what I liked. And when his lips brushed mine and I felt his arousal pressing hard against me. I liked it enough to reconsider my position on taking things slow and easy.
The Ghost Wore Denim
Available now at http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2044-The-Ghost-Wore-Denim.aspx
This title is going out of print for awhile, so get your copy now!
KC Kendricks
http://www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Having a ghost in the background might be an odd choice for Valentine's Day weekend, but here we are. I think anytime two people meet and fall in love is special. It's their very own Valentine's Day.
So here are seven sexy paragraphs from The Ghost Wore Denim for this My Sexy Saturday.
* * *
“No.” He gave me a lazy grin and pressed his knee a little harder against my leg. “Just something I learned from my high school history teacher and never forgot.”
“I imagine it also holds true in your job as a police officer. Especially when you’re dealing with conflicting witness statements.”
“You got that right. Half a dozen witnesses can result in half a dozen different stories.”
The lights dimmed and the speakers buzzed a split second before the music started. It was an old classic—soft, sultry and aimed at getting those interested, in the mood for a little closer contact. “You like to dance?” Colin inquired.
“Depends who’s doing the asking.”
“Me.” He pushed back his chair, got to his feet and reached for my hand. “You’ll like it. I promise.”
The moment we stepped onto the floor and Colin positioned me firmly against his body, any doubts I may have had as to his intentions were made crystal clear. He wanted me and the feeling was one-hundred-percent mutual. He was right. This was exactly what I liked. And when his lips brushed mine and I felt his arousal pressing hard against me. I liked it enough to reconsider my position on taking things slow and easy.
The Ghost Wore Denim
Available now at http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2044-The-Ghost-Wore-Denim.aspx
This title is going out of print for awhile, so get your copy now!
KC Kendricks
http://www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
February 7, 2016
The Kendricks 700
February 7, 2016
Seven hundred blog posts.
I suppose hitting 700 could be considered a milestone of sorts. I don't really know. I knew it was coming and just like those other numbers with the zeros, I wondered what profound bit of blogging wisdom I could share. Hmmm.
Wisdom is a fleeting thing. One day you have it and the next it's gone. My world is in transition mode. So many things I thought were clear are now muddied through no actions of my own.
My mother will need increasing care, as will my stepfather. I've dithered about early retirement and now I may not have a choice. The publishing industry is going down in flames and the Phoenix rising from the ashes is the indie author.
Wisdom? I have none.
What I do have is a willful determination to keep going. Progress may not be fast, or even steady, but each step forward is a victory. So forward I go. For me, giving up and/or resting on my laurels are not options.
Like so many days, there is much to do and not enough minutes to accomplish it all. Like so many days, I need to pick and choose where my time and energy are spent. Maybe blogging isn't the best choice, but the 700th blog post wouldn't wait.
My thanks to all of you for coming along for the ride. Where are we going next? Stay tuned. We can figure it out together.
KC
http://www.kckendricks.com
February 6, 2016
A new little boy
February 6, 2016
I think I have a line on a puppy. I don't want to jinx it, but I'm beyond thrilled! He's about three weeks old and I can't even meet him in person until he's six weeks. We can't bring him home until March.
March is good. We got Jett in March and it worked out perfectly for us. March gives me time to get puppy supplies and toys.
The thing is, I may not last that long! Look at those paws! That little scrunchy face!
This is like computer dating. I'm in love and he hasn't even licked me yet!
KC
http://www.kckendricks.com
PS. You know he's going to end up the hero in a book, don't you?
I think I have a line on a puppy. I don't want to jinx it, but I'm beyond thrilled! He's about three weeks old and I can't even meet him in person until he's six weeks. We can't bring him home until March.
March is good. We got Jett in March and it worked out perfectly for us. March gives me time to get puppy supplies and toys.
The thing is, I may not last that long! Look at those paws! That little scrunchy face!
This is like computer dating. I'm in love and he hasn't even licked me yet!
KC
http://www.kckendricks.com
PS. You know he's going to end up the hero in a book, don't you?
