Nicole MacDonald's Blog, page 17
June 20, 2011
Dazed and confused… But excited!
As I've mentioned on other posts The Arrival is free on Smashwords and I've been bugging Amazon to make it free there as well. Which I discovered on Saturday they had - cue clapping and excited squeals when I saw 40 copies had been downloaded.Come Monday (NZ time ;p) and I'm at +7400 downloads…No that's not a misprint.According to my book page I'm now ranked #17 in the Amazon free e-books list.
The butterflies in my stomach swirl madly every time I cautiously open my Kindle account. Then I just stare at the numbers, have the odd urge to giggle (in a suitable maniacal tone, naturally) and then toddle off to Glenn's room to inform him of the increase.As he is currently in the throes of man-flu his enthusiasm is rather abated. So I rang mum and did the excited squeal.. And got a response not unlike the mother on Despicable Me - 'eh'.Apparently numbers mean nothing to my family unless they are on a cheque. Remind me next time one of them does something really big in their world to with-hold on the enthusiasm. Okay that's all the 'poor me' moment I get ;p
I'm so excited! I really don't understand how this happened especially as the percentage of buyers hasn't increased. The percentage is at the bottom of the book's page and says something like '67% of those that review this page buy this item'Which means people are actually reading the blurb and considering whether or not they want to read it. And that's fantastic! I did wonder if it were just everyone madly hitting 'buy' on the newest shiny cover on the list, but that percentage would suggest otherwise.So if you've wanted to read The Arrival and like to do it via Amazon - check out the link in my signature and grab a copy. I don't know how long the 'free' status will last so get it while it's hot I guess ;p
My other exciting news is I got feedback from one of my main critiquers on the first half of Awakening. She loved it! So now of course I feel I need to go find a much harder ass critiquer *grin*. Yes there is sections that need to be re-written and of course editing etc etc but this time I feel so much closer to the end product than I was with the first draft of The Arrival. And according to my critiquer I'm right! Which is a lovely feeling.Okay back to writing and apologies for the kinda scrambled sounding post. I am sooo tired at the moment thanks to a certain male. Seriously for someone who's dying he's bloody noisy about it! All I can say is thank goodness he managed to get through our anniversary night well (even with the midnight walk to a pharmacy) cause otherwise I might be more than tempted to do him a favor and put him out of his misery *lol*. Ahh lack of sleep makes me grouchy.. notice? ;pTake care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
P.s - just got my first 2 star review on Amazon and had to laugh. Reviewer tells me I need to seriously edit cause the POV changes are confusing and bad.. tempted to say it's an IQ test ;p yeah I'm still grouchy!! This is what happens when you DON'T read the sample or reviews...
June 16, 2011
Friday funnies and our ten year anniversary!
Just got back from a lovely night out with Glenn to celebrate our ten year anniversary. And just saying that makes me feel eons older *grin* oh well. It was a night in a flash hotel and dinner at Logan Brown, Wellingtons premier restaurant. As with every thing that you plan to be 'really special' we had a couple of hiccups (including a midnight walk to a petrol station for serious painkillers as Glenn has a monster sore throat..) but it was still fantastic and strangely enough it feels as though we went on an actual long holiday. Weird how that happens sometimes? The hotel was incredible (yay for the special vouchers on Grab One) and the meal divine *swoon*. Then this morning we pottered around having a swim/sauna/spa and then the extravagant breakfast that was part of the hotel deal. Sooo good : )
And on with the Friday funnies!
I love this one cause Otis looks just like this and I always call him my little lion ;p
Yep... the dentist really is scary ..
Monty Python for those wondering ;p
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
And on with the Friday funnies!
I love this one cause Otis looks just like this and I always call him my little lion ;p
Yep... the dentist really is scary ..
Monty Python for those wondering ;pTake care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
June 15, 2011
Wednesday Review - At the end of the world
You know, the book cover I've had in my side bar for yonks ;p I finally read it now that I have my shiny new kindle *swoon*. Okay so I gave this book 3 stars and here is the review I posted on Amazon. I may have wrote it at a certain time of the month when I'm a little, shall we say... brisk? That said I wouldn't retract anything. This is what I promised, honest reviews giving my opinion (just gonna stress that word
opinion
- before someone lynch's me).
At the end of the world - By Mark MacPherson
3 stars
Technically speaking this book had all the makings of something I was going to love. Mayan history, a kiwi lead (hey there's only 4 million of us - we gotta stick together ;p) and an exciting mystery. Unfortunately I found it incredibly lifeless. The author is very descriptive to his own detriment. Too often things in the book were described at least three times over. The main character I had no real feeling for or interest in and reading the story ended up feeling like a trial. I still believe with a decent amount of re-working this book could be good, but it read like the author hasn't yet discovered his voice and because of that, I as a reader just wasn't caught by the story.
So finally, a Wednesday review!! And pop by next Wednesday for my very first author interview *oooo* exciting stuff : )
Take care all! Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
At the end of the world - By Mark MacPherson
3 stars
Technically speaking this book had all the makings of something I was going to love. Mayan history, a kiwi lead (hey there's only 4 million of us - we gotta stick together ;p) and an exciting mystery. Unfortunately I found it incredibly lifeless. The author is very descriptive to his own detriment. Too often things in the book were described at least three times over. The main character I had no real feeling for or interest in and reading the story ended up feeling like a trial. I still believe with a decent amount of re-working this book could be good, but it read like the author hasn't yet discovered his voice and because of that, I as a reader just wasn't caught by the story.
So finally, a Wednesday review!! And pop by next Wednesday for my very first author interview *oooo* exciting stuff : )
Take care all! Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
June 14, 2011
Ooo Amazon Author page!
Yeah lets not mention how long THAT took to figure out *grin* I actually hadn't clicked that I didn't have one yet. So now I do and I'm just working on making it real phurreetttyy ;p Have a peek and hit the like button - I'd be very grateful! Nicole MacDonald Author Page
I guess it's about time for a book progress update? Well I'm 3/4 of the way through book two and I just re-read what I've written so far and had that utterly glorious feeling of victory *swoon*. Though as any other writers out there will know this is currently the 'I'm wearing rose-tinted glasses' stage of my first draft. This stage is vital to finishing a book. Even though I know in a months time I'll be passing through the 'OMG I'm an appalling author, I can't write for sh!t' stage. Ahhh the memories *grin*
It's weird isn't it? Loving and loathing something SO much. I know I have to pass through those stages and it's bringing all the other stages back too as I think about it so I've decided to create my list of stages. For the self-published author.
Stage 1 - Rose tinted glasses.
This is when the idea is fresh, beautiful and damn exciting. It sings through your head and you walk down the street often in a daze cause you really are in your own world.
Stage 2 - Invincible
You have completed your first draft. Naturally it is the most wonderful thing anyone ever beheld and will of course be THE next best-seller even capable of leaving Twilight/Harry Potter/Stephen King in the dust (you get my drift). If this is your very first complete manuscript you very likely send it off to anywhere between 10-100 agents in quick succession.
Stage 3 - Oh f#ck
About a month after you've been extolling the virtues of your pride and joy you re-read it. And experience the awful sinking sensation.. It's not as good as you first thought... and there are errors.. LOTS OF THEM. You promptly sink into the pit of self-loathing.
Stage 4 - Re-writing
The rose-tinted glasses are long gone and the serious hard work begins.
Stage 5 - The critiques
You've re-written it maybe once or twice. You think you've made major improvements. You haven't. In sweeps the honest, brutal critique. You read it, cry, scowl, shake your fist at the e-mail and its contents then turn the computer off and go sulk in your room.
Stage 6 - Realisation
The critique was rather bang on. It smarts and you hate to admit it, but you can admit it. This is the first sign of improvement.
Stage 7 - The SERIOUS re-write
This can potentially mean you re-write the entire freaking manuscript. But, this time, you find the more you re-write, the more you can recognise the improvements. The major improvements. Suddenly re-writing begins to almost feel like stage one. Because you can see your writing improving before you.
Stage 8 - Approval
Your manuscript gets the nod from your hard-ass critiquers. You read the e-mail, turn the computer off and go cry in relief on your bed.
Stage 9 - Editing & Proofing
The next bane of your existence and you try to lure anyone and everyone into help. You get the odd urge to go to hospital to visit patients who are bed bound.. and make them edit/proof your book.
C'mon!?! What else were they going to do?? They're in traction for SIX MONTHS. Seriously, you were doing them a favour.. ;p
Stage 10 - Formatting
OMG it was invented purely to drive writers mad. Seriously the Tradition Publishing houses must have a foot in this some where and are making it this hard to stop you from proceeding. You turn into the mad writer reading every article you can find on HTML and formatting for e-books. Nothing works as it was promised and your 'Release date' looms.
Stage 11 - It's done.
It's done. It's published. You see it on Amazon/Smashwords/Barnes & Noble and suddenly get the desperate urge to rip it off because it might not be perfect. You spend the next two weeks sleeping little and watching your sales like a hawk.
Bleahhhhh.. Okay that's all I can manage for tonight. There are my thoughts on the stages. Anyone else want to chip in? Do you agree or disagree with any of them? I'd love to hear your thoughts : ) And please pop by my Amazon author page and like it.
Take care all!
Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
I guess it's about time for a book progress update? Well I'm 3/4 of the way through book two and I just re-read what I've written so far and had that utterly glorious feeling of victory *swoon*. Though as any other writers out there will know this is currently the 'I'm wearing rose-tinted glasses' stage of my first draft. This stage is vital to finishing a book. Even though I know in a months time I'll be passing through the 'OMG I'm an appalling author, I can't write for sh!t' stage. Ahhh the memories *grin*
It's weird isn't it? Loving and loathing something SO much. I know I have to pass through those stages and it's bringing all the other stages back too as I think about it so I've decided to create my list of stages. For the self-published author.
Stage 1 - Rose tinted glasses.
This is when the idea is fresh, beautiful and damn exciting. It sings through your head and you walk down the street often in a daze cause you really are in your own world.
Stage 2 - Invincible
You have completed your first draft. Naturally it is the most wonderful thing anyone ever beheld and will of course be THE next best-seller even capable of leaving Twilight/Harry Potter/Stephen King in the dust (you get my drift). If this is your very first complete manuscript you very likely send it off to anywhere between 10-100 agents in quick succession.
Stage 3 - Oh f#ck
About a month after you've been extolling the virtues of your pride and joy you re-read it. And experience the awful sinking sensation.. It's not as good as you first thought... and there are errors.. LOTS OF THEM. You promptly sink into the pit of self-loathing.
Stage 4 - Re-writing
The rose-tinted glasses are long gone and the serious hard work begins.
Stage 5 - The critiques
You've re-written it maybe once or twice. You think you've made major improvements. You haven't. In sweeps the honest, brutal critique. You read it, cry, scowl, shake your fist at the e-mail and its contents then turn the computer off and go sulk in your room.
Stage 6 - Realisation
The critique was rather bang on. It smarts and you hate to admit it, but you can admit it. This is the first sign of improvement.
Stage 7 - The SERIOUS re-write
This can potentially mean you re-write the entire freaking manuscript. But, this time, you find the more you re-write, the more you can recognise the improvements. The major improvements. Suddenly re-writing begins to almost feel like stage one. Because you can see your writing improving before you.
Stage 8 - Approval
Your manuscript gets the nod from your hard-ass critiquers. You read the e-mail, turn the computer off and go cry in relief on your bed.
Stage 9 - Editing & Proofing
The next bane of your existence and you try to lure anyone and everyone into help. You get the odd urge to go to hospital to visit patients who are bed bound.. and make them edit/proof your book.
C'mon!?! What else were they going to do?? They're in traction for SIX MONTHS. Seriously, you were doing them a favour.. ;p
Stage 10 - Formatting
OMG it was invented purely to drive writers mad. Seriously the Tradition Publishing houses must have a foot in this some where and are making it this hard to stop you from proceeding. You turn into the mad writer reading every article you can find on HTML and formatting for e-books. Nothing works as it was promised and your 'Release date' looms.
Stage 11 - It's done.
It's done. It's published. You see it on Amazon/Smashwords/Barnes & Noble and suddenly get the desperate urge to rip it off because it might not be perfect. You spend the next two weeks sleeping little and watching your sales like a hawk.
Bleahhhhh.. Okay that's all I can manage for tonight. There are my thoughts on the stages. Anyone else want to chip in? Do you agree or disagree with any of them? I'd love to hear your thoughts : ) And please pop by my Amazon author page and like it.
Take care all!
Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
June 13, 2011
Character Monday. Meet Elena - yes that's Kim Kardashian.
Okay just to clarify, I didn't know who Kim Kardashian was when I first spotted a picture of her and did the excited squeal 'That's Elena!!'She's been my choice for her since I spotted that pic though I will say I did a double take the first time I heard her speak on television (we were watching America's Next Top Model and she was a guest judge in the petite series). Probably because Elena in my mind has a deeper more melodic voice - not too much deeper mind, but we are talking about a Sorceress who is anywhere from 300-3000 years old (really must work that out at some stage…). Elena always had a 'princess jasmine' look in my mind, that's why Kim worked perfectly. Of course Elena has lovely blue eyes hence the altered pic below. So let me introduce you to Elena.
Elena is the matriarch of the Mestarn line and has two younger siblings, a brother and sister. Her siblings are in other realms studying. The Mestarn line is exceptionally gifted and all those born to it are known as Sorcerers due to the power they wield. Any being on Sytas can be born gifted and the Mestarns (and DeNagas for that matter) can use their energy pretty much as they like. The longer they live the stronger they become and they can even absorb other gifted being's energy if they choose to do so.It's the extreme talents of these two families, the Mestarns and the DeNagas, that has resulted in the massive wars on Sytas.The DeNagas want to control Sytas and the Mestarns won't let them. So the DeNagas want to wipe the Mestarns out. The theory now being, locate the Elementals, drain them of their unique gifts and blast every trace of the Mestarns from the planet.Subtle, no? *grin*Elena cannot leave the castle to fight the last of the DeNagas (also known as Jenviet, a psycho blonde) as it breaches the treaty her family has with the Royal family. Her siblings are too young to help and due to some extreme measures she had to take a couple of decades ago, Elena isn't physically capable of challenging Jenviet head on.The Arrival of the Elementals in Elion is rapidly bringing the final climax of this millennia old family feud to a conclusion. And all Elena can do now, is train the girls to the best of her ability and hope like hell it works.Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
Elena is the matriarch of the Mestarn line and has two younger siblings, a brother and sister. Her siblings are in other realms studying. The Mestarn line is exceptionally gifted and all those born to it are known as Sorcerers due to the power they wield. Any being on Sytas can be born gifted and the Mestarns (and DeNagas for that matter) can use their energy pretty much as they like. The longer they live the stronger they become and they can even absorb other gifted being's energy if they choose to do so.It's the extreme talents of these two families, the Mestarns and the DeNagas, that has resulted in the massive wars on Sytas.The DeNagas want to control Sytas and the Mestarns won't let them. So the DeNagas want to wipe the Mestarns out. The theory now being, locate the Elementals, drain them of their unique gifts and blast every trace of the Mestarns from the planet.Subtle, no? *grin*Elena cannot leave the castle to fight the last of the DeNagas (also known as Jenviet, a psycho blonde) as it breaches the treaty her family has with the Royal family. Her siblings are too young to help and due to some extreme measures she had to take a couple of decades ago, Elena isn't physically capable of challenging Jenviet head on.The Arrival of the Elementals in Elion is rapidly bringing the final climax of this millennia old family feud to a conclusion. And all Elena can do now, is train the girls to the best of her ability and hope like hell it works.Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
June 11, 2011
An adjustment to Wednesday's! Exciting stuff *grin*
Wednesday's I originally decided (in my blog schedule) would be for reviews of Indie books. But due to time restraints and a lack of kindle this proved a little problematic for me. Now I have my kindle (WOOOO!! I <3 my kindle) I can get back into the reviews but I know I won't be able to do one a week. Not when I want to get Awakening, book two of The BirthRight Trilogy, out for December. So! After all the lovely people who've asked me for interviews on their blogs, I want to return the favour. Which means Wednesday's will now be a mix of reviews or interviews depending on my time restraints *grin*
This coming week will be the review of The End of the World (finally got around to it) and then the following Wednesday my first interview. I do have a list of authors I will be asking first but if you are an Indie author (or small press author) wanting to get your name out there, I'm going to provide a link where you can contact me. I'd love to hear from you! And as we all know us bloggers love to meet new authors : )
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords 
This coming week will be the review of The End of the World (finally got around to it) and then the following Wednesday my first interview. I do have a list of authors I will be asking first but if you are an Indie author (or small press author) wanting to get your name out there, I'm going to provide a link where you can contact me. I'd love to hear from you! And as we all know us bloggers love to meet new authors : )
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
June 9, 2011
Friday funnies! Funny/cute etc pictures
The fun pics to make you smile : ) Happy Friday and have a great weekend all : )Take care all!
Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
June 7, 2011
The Arrival… OF MY KINDLE!!
*swoon* Isn't it the most beautiful thing ever? I'm so in love with it *grin* It arrived today in these neat beautiful parcels as I was chatting to my dad on the phone. He opted to let me go at that stage possibly due to the high pitched excited squealing..(sorry dad!). And then I got to lovingly unwrap my most precious. And then freeze on the Wellington Waterfront where we have free wifi as I synched the device with my Amazon account. I honestly didn't notice my fingers were numb from the cold till it was time to leave. It is absolutely everything I hoped it would be and now I'll be transferring my small amount of pocket money each week to my Amazon account so I can make a damn good attempt at filling the thing up.
I had a surprise waiting for me when I got home yesterday - my very first cheque from Amazon!! So for the first four months The Arrival has been up I've made $125.00. Which I think equates to roughly 300 books (with my price switching and all that). So that will go toward the cover for Awakening. It's a strange feeling to receive it. But good! Otherwise sales are ticking along and I'm sticking with the Smashwords price of $0.00. It's resulted in 100 downloads so far (A wet & wild night is nearly at 1000 downloads) and hopefully some of those will be genuine readers who'll want to read books two and three. Actually I came home from our chaotic weekend to a new fan's comment on my facebook page for The BirthRight Trilogy and that was really lovely. So onwards with getting the first draft for book two complete and hopefully the next cheque will have a few more zeros - oh that'd be nice!Take care all!
Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
I had a surprise waiting for me when I got home yesterday - my very first cheque from Amazon!! So for the first four months The Arrival has been up I've made $125.00. Which I think equates to roughly 300 books (with my price switching and all that). So that will go toward the cover for Awakening. It's a strange feeling to receive it. But good! Otherwise sales are ticking along and I'm sticking with the Smashwords price of $0.00. It's resulted in 100 downloads so far (A wet & wild night is nearly at 1000 downloads) and hopefully some of those will be genuine readers who'll want to read books two and three. Actually I came home from our chaotic weekend to a new fan's comment on my facebook page for The BirthRight Trilogy and that was really lovely. So onwards with getting the first draft for book two complete and hopefully the next cheque will have a few more zeros - oh that'd be nice!Take care all! Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
Breathlessly waiting! And a time of reflection
Today is Tuesday in NZ and we've just had our Queens Birthday long weekend. I went bush with Sian, Sandra, Andrew, Catherine and Audrey as well as the dogs Sable and Otis. Now if you've read my book I'm sure those names are making your eyebrows quirk ;p Yes Sian and Sandra are whom the characters Sian and Kassie (Kassandra) are based on and I also borrowed Sandra's daughters names for my main character Catherine and her beloved dog (based on my fur baby Sable) Audrey. And no it wasn't in anyway meant as degrading when I used Audi's name for the dog, she has quite a similar personality to Sable in real life (excessive, lovable, FAST, boundless energy and utterly loyal) so it worked nicely. Also I was getting quite a few names that began with S so Sable wouldn't have worked (and that's the reason it's Kassie not Sandra, in the first draft it was actually Sandra). And Andrew is Sandra's lovely husband.
(this really doesn't showcase the height difference - but trust me, it's there ;p)
All six of us plus the two big dogs crammed into our wee cabin and had a fabulous time. My throat is now killing me and I suspect it's due to me speaking more (and singing…) than I have in the last 6 months combined *lol* and that's with been on the phones at work!! Wow those girls can chatter. I did have a laugh on Saturday when Sandra's clan arrived. Sian was already in the house and wandered over to peek out the window at the girls. She hadn't seen them since my birthday last year. Anyhoo I'm getting some gear ready and Sian races back into the kitchen with wide eyes and hisses at me, 'OMG, they're HUGE!'I nod, bemused, as I've repeatedly told Glenn and Sian that the girls have grown lots but it looks like they thought I was exaggerating.'No, no,' Sian shakes her head at me, as though I don't understand, 'Catherine is talking to the dogs over the fence. She's on TIPTOE!'Now our fence is taller than me and I'm 5.5 and Cat is all of 13 years old. I had to laugh at Sian's astonishment (and Glenn's when he reiterated the point to the two of us before the clan entered in the same shocked tones). It's all made more amusing because of course Sandra just scrapes in at five foot and her younger daughter is already a few centimeters taller than her (at eleven..). Apparently there are some TALL genes on Andrew's side.So yeah our cabin was jammed full with us and the dogs but we had a great time and the dogs have been pretty much comatose since arriving home yesterday. It's good to see them so worn out!
On the weekend I had the pleasure of critiquing a fellow bloggers work, something I always enjoy but don't always have the time for. Of course, in the middle of no where, with no electricity, it's the best place in the world to read and ponder writing. The piece I read had some intriguing concepts but like most first/second drafts needs some development in those ideas and it made me think back to my first and second draft…I remember the utter joy and sense of achievement at finishing my first book. A feeling which will never get tiring I'm sure *grin* I also remember the first critiques, and how much they STUNG!
Not that people were mean but when they can't see the image that you thought you were portraying so clearly, it's a little devastating. I know now, looking back that it wasn't until I finally let go of certain thoughts, that my re-writes improved. What were those thoughts? Silly things like 'Oh my gosh, what if my grandmother reads this!?! I don't want to give her a heart attack!' and 'eck I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to write that '. Until I let go of those, my writing didn't really improve. But a couple of fabulous (and by fabulous I mean harshly honest) critiques slapped me back into order. And re-write number 8 was a full 200 pages re-written thanks to those critiques. Looking back now (re-reading The Arrival) a tiny portion of me would re-write it as darker. But I think that's more due to where book two and three are heading. The larger portion (rational voice, if you will) knows that the first book needs to be as light as it is. It's essentially the 'honeymoon' book. Book two is the beginning of the major spanner in the works and Book three is fixing that major spanner.. and that's as many spoilers as you're gonna get out of me there *grin*.
So critiquing this friend's work brought all those thoughts up. Especially when part of you hesitates at giving such honest thoughts.. this is however part n parcel of developing your craft as a writer. If everyone told you your work was fabulous when it really could do with improvement would you thank them in the long run? I wouldn't. The truth hurts for sure, but I personally would much rather my beta-readers and critique buddies whip my butt into shape prior to me releasing my work and really embarrassing myself, especially when the public are SO harsh on Indie authors.
And what am I breathlessly waiting for? MY KINDLE!!! Yes that's right I've finally ordered one! When the kiwi dollar was high last week I jumped at the chance and have saved myself around fifty dollars (and the dollar dropped about two hours after I hit the buy button - wooo! Totally aced it timing wise ;p). I can follow the tracking information and I know it's somewhere between Auckland and Wellington. I'm practically chewing my nails off here, I want it in my hot little hands already!! Look at all these exclamation marks ;p do you get the sense of urgency yet *grin*I'm getting the basic kindle (no 3g) with a burgundy lighted cover. Did you know the light in the cover actually runs off the Kindle's battery? I didn't. So it means you don't have to worry about replacing batteries etc which is awesome! It's the most effective way to distract me from my sore throat at the moment and of course couriers keep turning up with parcels but none for me as of yet *mooch*
Patience is a virtue.. right? ; p
Take care all! Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
(this really doesn't showcase the height difference - but trust me, it's there ;p)All six of us plus the two big dogs crammed into our wee cabin and had a fabulous time. My throat is now killing me and I suspect it's due to me speaking more (and singing…) than I have in the last 6 months combined *lol* and that's with been on the phones at work!! Wow those girls can chatter. I did have a laugh on Saturday when Sandra's clan arrived. Sian was already in the house and wandered over to peek out the window at the girls. She hadn't seen them since my birthday last year. Anyhoo I'm getting some gear ready and Sian races back into the kitchen with wide eyes and hisses at me, 'OMG, they're HUGE!'I nod, bemused, as I've repeatedly told Glenn and Sian that the girls have grown lots but it looks like they thought I was exaggerating.'No, no,' Sian shakes her head at me, as though I don't understand, 'Catherine is talking to the dogs over the fence. She's on TIPTOE!'Now our fence is taller than me and I'm 5.5 and Cat is all of 13 years old. I had to laugh at Sian's astonishment (and Glenn's when he reiterated the point to the two of us before the clan entered in the same shocked tones). It's all made more amusing because of course Sandra just scrapes in at five foot and her younger daughter is already a few centimeters taller than her (at eleven..). Apparently there are some TALL genes on Andrew's side.So yeah our cabin was jammed full with us and the dogs but we had a great time and the dogs have been pretty much comatose since arriving home yesterday. It's good to see them so worn out!
On the weekend I had the pleasure of critiquing a fellow bloggers work, something I always enjoy but don't always have the time for. Of course, in the middle of no where, with no electricity, it's the best place in the world to read and ponder writing. The piece I read had some intriguing concepts but like most first/second drafts needs some development in those ideas and it made me think back to my first and second draft…I remember the utter joy and sense of achievement at finishing my first book. A feeling which will never get tiring I'm sure *grin* I also remember the first critiques, and how much they STUNG!
Not that people were mean but when they can't see the image that you thought you were portraying so clearly, it's a little devastating. I know now, looking back that it wasn't until I finally let go of certain thoughts, that my re-writes improved. What were those thoughts? Silly things like 'Oh my gosh, what if my grandmother reads this!?! I don't want to give her a heart attack!' and 'eck I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to write that '. Until I let go of those, my writing didn't really improve. But a couple of fabulous (and by fabulous I mean harshly honest) critiques slapped me back into order. And re-write number 8 was a full 200 pages re-written thanks to those critiques. Looking back now (re-reading The Arrival) a tiny portion of me would re-write it as darker. But I think that's more due to where book two and three are heading. The larger portion (rational voice, if you will) knows that the first book needs to be as light as it is. It's essentially the 'honeymoon' book. Book two is the beginning of the major spanner in the works and Book three is fixing that major spanner.. and that's as many spoilers as you're gonna get out of me there *grin*.
So critiquing this friend's work brought all those thoughts up. Especially when part of you hesitates at giving such honest thoughts.. this is however part n parcel of developing your craft as a writer. If everyone told you your work was fabulous when it really could do with improvement would you thank them in the long run? I wouldn't. The truth hurts for sure, but I personally would much rather my beta-readers and critique buddies whip my butt into shape prior to me releasing my work and really embarrassing myself, especially when the public are SO harsh on Indie authors.
And what am I breathlessly waiting for? MY KINDLE!!! Yes that's right I've finally ordered one! When the kiwi dollar was high last week I jumped at the chance and have saved myself around fifty dollars (and the dollar dropped about two hours after I hit the buy button - wooo! Totally aced it timing wise ;p). I can follow the tracking information and I know it's somewhere between Auckland and Wellington. I'm practically chewing my nails off here, I want it in my hot little hands already!! Look at all these exclamation marks ;p do you get the sense of urgency yet *grin*I'm getting the basic kindle (no 3g) with a burgundy lighted cover. Did you know the light in the cover actually runs off the Kindle's battery? I didn't. So it means you don't have to worry about replacing batteries etc which is awesome! It's the most effective way to distract me from my sore throat at the moment and of course couriers keep turning up with parcels but none for me as of yet *mooch*
Patience is a virtue.. right? ; p
Take care all! Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
