S.L. Pierce's Blog, page 10
May 10, 2011
Sleep Deprivation: Better Writing or Crazy Talk
Check out my guest blog today at Indie Authors Unite.
May 7, 2011
Sample Sunday May 8
Secrets:I went to the bedroom got a backpack from the closet and threw in enough stuff for a couple of days. Jack and I couldn't stay here and, these days, even the crappiest hotels required ID and money. I lay on the floor, stomach down, parallel to my side of the bed, reached under my nightstand, and pressed a hidden release button. The decorative piece on the front popped out and I pulled open the hidden drawer. Of course Jack didn't know about this. I'd hoped I would never need it. I removed a bundle of cash, some fake ID's and credit cards, and a small black zippered case. There was also an untraceable gun, but why use it when I had the killers? I put everything back the way it was and returned to the kitchen.I could see he was in a different position then when I left him. And the knife was teetering on the edge of the counter. God, what a stupid mistake. I was out of practice. "Oh, so close. It must be killing you that you almost had that knife," I said, squatting down next to him."You got your information. Just give me the knife," he said."Why would I do that?" I asked smiling. "So you can come back and finish the job?" I wonder what his last thought was before I shot him between the eyes.
Read the first two chapters of Secrets at http://piercebooks.com/. Secrets is available for 99 cents on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.
Read the first two chapters of Secrets at http://piercebooks.com/. Secrets is available for 99 cents on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.
A Perfect Writing Day
Perfect writing days are just like unicorns and pots of gold at the end of the rainbow, we've all heard of them but no one's actually had one.
My dream:
Wake up at 5:30 work out hard 1 hour, shower
Make kids great nutritional breakfast, get them off to school 8:30
Write for the next 6 hours with no writer's block and a neverending cup of hot coffee and coffee cake.
Get dinner started, get kids from bus 4pm
Do publicity stuff 1 hour till dinner
Interact with family till 7:30 kids bedtime
Half hour of publicity
Spouse and me time
Reality:
5:45 three year old taps my forehead to wake me and tell me he needs chocolate milk
6-8:30 continually tell kids (4 of them) to get ready, eat breakfast, do homework, while constantly breaking up fights and reheating my first cup of coffee
8:30 bring 4 year old to preschool
9:00 think about working out but run whatever stupid errands have to be done that day
11:30 back home feed 3 year old who doesn't go to any school yet
12:00 have 3 year old watch Thomas the train while I try to write
12:05 give up trying to write because 3 year old keeps interrupting
1:30 put 3 year old down for nap
1:40 start writing
2:00 people whose calls you didn't have time to answer earlier start calling. Ignore most but there's always one I have to take.
3:00 start writing
3:45 3 year old wakes up
4:00 get other kids from bus
4:30 pick up 3 year old from preschool
5:00 make dinner
5:30 put spouse in charge and start writing till 7:30 but unless I leave the house am usually interrupted several times.
7:30 kids to bed and spouse and me time because I'm too tired to think.
It's no wonder it takes a year to write a book!
What's your dream day vs reality?
My dream:
Wake up at 5:30 work out hard 1 hour, shower
Make kids great nutritional breakfast, get them off to school 8:30
Write for the next 6 hours with no writer's block and a neverending cup of hot coffee and coffee cake.
Get dinner started, get kids from bus 4pm
Do publicity stuff 1 hour till dinner
Interact with family till 7:30 kids bedtime
Half hour of publicity
Spouse and me time
Reality:
5:45 three year old taps my forehead to wake me and tell me he needs chocolate milk
6-8:30 continually tell kids (4 of them) to get ready, eat breakfast, do homework, while constantly breaking up fights and reheating my first cup of coffee
8:30 bring 4 year old to preschool
9:00 think about working out but run whatever stupid errands have to be done that day
11:30 back home feed 3 year old who doesn't go to any school yet
12:00 have 3 year old watch Thomas the train while I try to write
12:05 give up trying to write because 3 year old keeps interrupting
1:30 put 3 year old down for nap
1:40 start writing
2:00 people whose calls you didn't have time to answer earlier start calling. Ignore most but there's always one I have to take.
3:00 start writing
3:45 3 year old wakes up
4:00 get other kids from bus
4:30 pick up 3 year old from preschool
5:00 make dinner
5:30 put spouse in charge and start writing till 7:30 but unless I leave the house am usually interrupted several times.
7:30 kids to bed and spouse and me time because I'm too tired to think.
It's no wonder it takes a year to write a book!
What's your dream day vs reality?
May 6, 2011
What's short attention span literature?
Check out my guest blog today at Lili Tufel's site. It's entitled What's short attention span literature?
lilitufel.blogspot.com
lilitufel.blogspot.com
May 4, 2011
My Experiences With Paid Publicity
I have decided to try some paid publicity and I'm going to share my results here for those interested. It comes up often on FB writing sites and it seems no one has a good answer. I am fortunate in that I have a little money to play with so maybe in doing this, I can help someone else who has a very limited budget. And sell some books. Just FYI, my genre is thriller/mystery.
In March I sold 64 books.
The first thing I tried is/was a click add on GoodReads. I put in a max of $5/day and a $25 maximum. I bid 0.25 per click. The first couple of days, two clicks. So I changed the add but still no more clicks. After a day I increased the per click bid to 0.35. Still no more clicks. I just changed it to .75 and am waiting to see those results.
I have also paid for a book tour with NUTURE Book Tour. I won't post the price because it varies, I'm sure, with what you get and specials, etc. It runs June 13-17. My book sells for 0.99 cents and it will take quite a few books to break even. But over time it will and part of the point, for me, is to help generate interest in my writing in time for my new book coming out in June (hopefully).
So tune in, and I will keep you posted.
Also, if you leave a comment you will have a chance to win my ebook. Giveaway ends Friday May 6, 9am.
In March I sold 64 books.
The first thing I tried is/was a click add on GoodReads. I put in a max of $5/day and a $25 maximum. I bid 0.25 per click. The first couple of days, two clicks. So I changed the add but still no more clicks. After a day I increased the per click bid to 0.35. Still no more clicks. I just changed it to .75 and am waiting to see those results.
I have also paid for a book tour with NUTURE Book Tour. I won't post the price because it varies, I'm sure, with what you get and specials, etc. It runs June 13-17. My book sells for 0.99 cents and it will take quite a few books to break even. But over time it will and part of the point, for me, is to help generate interest in my writing in time for my new book coming out in June (hopefully).
So tune in, and I will keep you posted.
Also, if you leave a comment you will have a chance to win my ebook. Giveaway ends Friday May 6, 9am.
Guest Blog
Check out my Interview here on Indie Book Blogs!
May 2, 2011
Book Giveaway and Rerun Monday
I have decided to make today a 'rerun' day. I'm going to post links to my most popular blogs. In addition, I am giving away two copies of my books. The winner can choose The Hate, my two gritty short stories (my personal favorite) or Secrets, a fast paced mystery thriller with a kick ass heroine (my first so always a special place in my heart). The winner can choose which one they want.
How to win? Just leave a comment on any of the posts this week and a winner will be chosen at random on Friday at 9 am. The catch? Your comment must actually be relevant to the post. No random letters, please.
Thanks everyone and enjoy.
You want how much for a paperback?
I Hate Writing I Love Having Written
Sample Sunday April 24
Sample Sunday May 1
It made me laugh so I stole it
How to win? Just leave a comment on any of the posts this week and a winner will be chosen at random on Friday at 9 am. The catch? Your comment must actually be relevant to the post. No random letters, please.
Thanks everyone and enjoy.
You want how much for a paperback?
I Hate Writing I Love Having Written
Sample Sunday April 24
Sample Sunday May 1
It made me laugh so I stole it
May 1, 2011
#SampleSunday May 1
From Secrets:
I bought a ticket for whatever movie was about to start. It didn't matter since I wasn't staying. I was tempted to get popcorn. No matter what my intentions are when I go to the movies, I always end up getting popcorn. The smell is usually irresistible. Instead I got a big bag of M&M's. I'd missed dinner and I needed something I could take with me easily. All business now, I walked into the theater and took a seat near the back. Though it had been a popular place once, it had become run down in the last few years. Stained carpet in the lobby, wallpaper peeling in a few spots. A musty smell mixed with burned popcorn. It was a shame, since the building itself was so beautiful. Mike came in a minute later eating popcorn and sat next to me. I waited until the lights went down and the previews started. There was no 'hello, how have you been?' No hugging or tears. Neither of us were the touchy feely type. Mike knew I would only have contacted him for something serious."I need all the information on the last deposit into this account," I whispered, handing him a piece of paper."Good choice," he said indicating the screen with a fistful of popcorn. "I've been wanting to see this.""Someone is trying to kill me.""From the -" he started and turned to look at me."No," I interrupted. "I don't know who or why yet." "I guess I'm not staying for the movie," he sighed."How fast can you get this?" "Depends on how tough the security is." "Should be a lot easier than you're used to. I don't think this person knew what he was getting into," I smiled."How did you get that account information?" Mike asked.I kept my eyes on the screen. "I asked him for it and he told me." "Uh huh," he smiled. "Feels good, doesn't it?""Don't start. I'm out and I'm staying out.""Whatever. How do I contact you?""My number is on the same paper." I had written down the number for the prepaid cell phone. "Is there butter on that popcorn?" I asked."What do you think?"I grabbed a handful, then got up and left.Now the hard part. I had just killed a man and dumped his body but considered my next task the hard part. I had to call Jack. Sweet, innocent Jack, who knew nothing of my past. I had to call and explain what was going on, and that meant telling him everything.
Read the first two Chapters http://piercebooks.com/
Visit my website http://piercebooks.com/
I bought a ticket for whatever movie was about to start. It didn't matter since I wasn't staying. I was tempted to get popcorn. No matter what my intentions are when I go to the movies, I always end up getting popcorn. The smell is usually irresistible. Instead I got a big bag of M&M's. I'd missed dinner and I needed something I could take with me easily. All business now, I walked into the theater and took a seat near the back. Though it had been a popular place once, it had become run down in the last few years. Stained carpet in the lobby, wallpaper peeling in a few spots. A musty smell mixed with burned popcorn. It was a shame, since the building itself was so beautiful. Mike came in a minute later eating popcorn and sat next to me. I waited until the lights went down and the previews started. There was no 'hello, how have you been?' No hugging or tears. Neither of us were the touchy feely type. Mike knew I would only have contacted him for something serious."I need all the information on the last deposit into this account," I whispered, handing him a piece of paper."Good choice," he said indicating the screen with a fistful of popcorn. "I've been wanting to see this.""Someone is trying to kill me.""From the -" he started and turned to look at me."No," I interrupted. "I don't know who or why yet." "I guess I'm not staying for the movie," he sighed."How fast can you get this?" "Depends on how tough the security is." "Should be a lot easier than you're used to. I don't think this person knew what he was getting into," I smiled."How did you get that account information?" Mike asked.I kept my eyes on the screen. "I asked him for it and he told me." "Uh huh," he smiled. "Feels good, doesn't it?""Don't start. I'm out and I'm staying out.""Whatever. How do I contact you?""My number is on the same paper." I had written down the number for the prepaid cell phone. "Is there butter on that popcorn?" I asked."What do you think?"I grabbed a handful, then got up and left.Now the hard part. I had just killed a man and dumped his body but considered my next task the hard part. I had to call Jack. Sweet, innocent Jack, who knew nothing of my past. I had to call and explain what was going on, and that meant telling him everything.
Read the first two Chapters http://piercebooks.com/
Visit my website http://piercebooks.com/
April 29, 2011
I Hate Writing I Love Having Written
Today I have a guest blogger - Barbra. I found Barbra on Twitter when her bio phrase caught my attention. "I hate writing, I love having written" It struck me because it's exactly how I feel but have been to afraid to admit. I immediately tweeted Barbra and asked her to please be a guest blogger on this subject. Here is what she wrote:
Love and Hate: A Relationship with WritingBarbra L. W.
The witty Dorothy Parker quipped, "I hate writing, I love having written." She, like all writers understood that writing is hard work. Writers have to practice everyday, EVERYDAY, to perfect their talent. For me finding the time to practice my craft proves to be quite a challenge.
For one thing, I am a true procrastinator. I will put anything off till tomorrow. "After all tomorrow is another day," so says Mitchell's protagonist, Scarlet O'hara. To add to my "I'll do it tomorrow" list, I hate the tedium of writing. I hate trying to get the words just right. I hate it when a story shifts and I feel like I have to start over. I hate trying to come up with ideas. I hate when none of the thirty-five ideas I've come up with are any good. I could go on for hours expounding on the things I hate about writing.
So, now, you may ask, "Why do you write?" The answer is simple. I love what I write. The love/hate relationship a writer has with their creativity is conflicting. In order to feel the jubilation of a well-written chapter or a tantalizing tale, one must push through the laborious task of writing. Like most of us with the ambition to become successful writers, I have attached a dream to my efforts. For me, the dream is parties with fancy cocktails and witty people. The red carpet gala when my novel is made into a blockbuster movie or the Diablo Cody Oscar speech moment. The reality is that to get there, you have to WORK and work is a four-letter word that is hard to avoid.
Even now, I sit here fingertips at the ready. Eager to write something profound, I'm charged with electricity. But, then, the drier buzzes. The energy dissipates. While folding laundry, I start to daydream and procrastination hits. An hour later, I have to shut off the email, twitter, Facebook, or other medium keeping me distracted from my writing and responsibilities. And while I can push other responsibilities aside, my beautiful daughter will not wait until I finish my next paragraph for her afternoon snack. Which leads to the procrastinator's favorite saying, "I'll finish that short story later; I need to", you fill in the blank. At the end of the day, sacrifices are made for writing.Without the work, I don't get to see how my story will end. I wait till the house is quiet and with six cups of coffee coursing through my veins I write. I write with purpose and conviction. When the last line has been written, it will be the most rewarding feeling. I will love having written. I will love every word that has been typed. I will love every character I have created, as I love my own child. The euphoria of its completion will wash away all the hate that once covered me from head to toe.
Still awash in the glow of my love for the completed work I will inevitably sit down in my writing space and go through the whole love/hate process again. So will you. Bio:
"When I take a picture I immediately make up a story for it. When I'm working on a story I look for scenes to photograph that represent it. My passions are so intertwined it is hard for me to do one without the other."
You can see her photos and scribbling's on her blog http://puddwonphoto.tumblr.com/
Love and Hate: A Relationship with WritingBarbra L. W.
The witty Dorothy Parker quipped, "I hate writing, I love having written." She, like all writers understood that writing is hard work. Writers have to practice everyday, EVERYDAY, to perfect their talent. For me finding the time to practice my craft proves to be quite a challenge.
For one thing, I am a true procrastinator. I will put anything off till tomorrow. "After all tomorrow is another day," so says Mitchell's protagonist, Scarlet O'hara. To add to my "I'll do it tomorrow" list, I hate the tedium of writing. I hate trying to get the words just right. I hate it when a story shifts and I feel like I have to start over. I hate trying to come up with ideas. I hate when none of the thirty-five ideas I've come up with are any good. I could go on for hours expounding on the things I hate about writing.
So, now, you may ask, "Why do you write?" The answer is simple. I love what I write. The love/hate relationship a writer has with their creativity is conflicting. In order to feel the jubilation of a well-written chapter or a tantalizing tale, one must push through the laborious task of writing. Like most of us with the ambition to become successful writers, I have attached a dream to my efforts. For me, the dream is parties with fancy cocktails and witty people. The red carpet gala when my novel is made into a blockbuster movie or the Diablo Cody Oscar speech moment. The reality is that to get there, you have to WORK and work is a four-letter word that is hard to avoid.
Even now, I sit here fingertips at the ready. Eager to write something profound, I'm charged with electricity. But, then, the drier buzzes. The energy dissipates. While folding laundry, I start to daydream and procrastination hits. An hour later, I have to shut off the email, twitter, Facebook, or other medium keeping me distracted from my writing and responsibilities. And while I can push other responsibilities aside, my beautiful daughter will not wait until I finish my next paragraph for her afternoon snack. Which leads to the procrastinator's favorite saying, "I'll finish that short story later; I need to", you fill in the blank. At the end of the day, sacrifices are made for writing.Without the work, I don't get to see how my story will end. I wait till the house is quiet and with six cups of coffee coursing through my veins I write. I write with purpose and conviction. When the last line has been written, it will be the most rewarding feeling. I will love having written. I will love every word that has been typed. I will love every character I have created, as I love my own child. The euphoria of its completion will wash away all the hate that once covered me from head to toe.
Still awash in the glow of my love for the completed work I will inevitably sit down in my writing space and go through the whole love/hate process again. So will you. Bio:
"When I take a picture I immediately make up a story for it. When I'm working on a story I look for scenes to photograph that represent it. My passions are so intertwined it is hard for me to do one without the other."
You can see her photos and scribbling's on her blog http://puddwonphoto.tumblr.com/
April 27, 2011
You want how much for a paperback?!
I know there has been a lot of discussion of ebook vs hardback vs paperback pricing so I'm not going to get into that today. What I am going to vent about is the 'new' paperback. What is with the change in size of the paperback and then charging 9.99 for it? Or even worse, I noticed yesterday, yet another size and a 14.99 price tag. Are you serious? Fifteen dollars for a paperback?!I discussed a topic similar to this with several people last year when the price of gas went up. Yes companies are entitled to make a profit. That's the point of having a company – making money (except nonprofits of course who just help people). But there is a difference between profit and gouging. Gas companies get away with it because we need gas. But publishers? Be serious. Why would I pay 10-15 for a paperback book? I can find any even semi popular book for a few dollars used.
If someone can make sense of this, please, help me.
If someone can make sense of this, please, help me.
