Stephanie Erickson's Blog, page 11
January 10, 2013
Moving ahead
Yesterday my sales dipped a little, and have had a slow start today, but I'm hoping it's just a fluke of the market. Simply a sign of the post holiday slump, and not a result of all the negative reviews I've gotten in the last week.
In the mean time, I'm working on getting back in the swing of things! Went to both writer's groups this week (whew, I'm pooped!), and even got some writing done on Jimmy Jean. I'm also working on entering The Blackout in Amazon's 2012 Breakthrough Novel contest, so I'm putting my entry together for that. As well as writing The Cure.
I've decided that one needs a little more thought and imagination. It takes place about 100 years in the future, and I need to really think about the world the main character lives in.
Anyway, a lot going on!
What I'm reading: Right now, I'm reading Pure by Julianna Baggott. It's really good so far. I can't get over how different it is. It's what's inspired me to be more imaginative with The Cure. I'm only about 100 pages into it, and can't wait to
In the mean time, I'm working on getting back in the swing of things! Went to both writer's groups this week (whew, I'm pooped!), and even got some writing done on Jimmy Jean. I'm also working on entering The Blackout in Amazon's 2012 Breakthrough Novel contest, so I'm putting my entry together for that. As well as writing The Cure.
I've decided that one needs a little more thought and imagination. It takes place about 100 years in the future, and I need to really think about the world the main character lives in.
Anyway, a lot going on!
What I'm reading: Right now, I'm reading Pure by Julianna Baggott. It's really good so far. I can't get over how different it is. It's what's inspired me to be more imaginative with The Cure. I'm only about 100 pages into it, and can't wait to
January 8, 2013
It's been awhile!
Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Mine was crazy busy but fun! Lots and lots going on! My book has sold about 2,800 copies to date, and that's amazing!
I've also attracted some rather harsh reviews lately and am not sure how to deal with it. Ideally, I'd get some of you who actually liked the book to leave a review and balance, but alas, I can't force you. ;-) Toss in being 7 months pregnant and hormonal, and the non constructive criticism isn't terribly well received. Plenty of people have told me to just ignore them, or don't read the negative ones or whatever. Which is fine, and sound advice. But I'm very type A and need to do something to feel like I'm affecting change. So, I spent the morning querying legitimate book reviewers and begging them to leave a constructive review. I don't mind if it's not 5 stars (although I kinda would love it if it was), but just something constructive and not simply declaring the book's a "POS." So far, I have 1 reviewer lined up, and one that said to get back with them in a few months. Here's hoping it helps.
If any of you have suggestions for reviewers that might be interested, please don't hesitate to drop me a line! I can use all the help I can get!
On the plus side, my Goodreads reviews are quite positive! I have a 4.38 star average on there, which I think is awesome! Wish I could transfer some of those reviews over to Amazon!
Jimmy Jean and The Cure
So, here's where I'm at with the Jimmy Jean short story: I got it back from the editor over the weekend, and I'm doing a total rewrite. As much as I hate doing that, she had some excellent suggestions, and to work them in it was just easier to start over. So, I'm behind on all my word count goals as a result, but I am making progress. I'm working tomorrow and Thursday, but I'm hoping for a very productive weekend, writing wise.
That's about it for now! Happy reading/writing everyone!
I've also attracted some rather harsh reviews lately and am not sure how to deal with it. Ideally, I'd get some of you who actually liked the book to leave a review and balance, but alas, I can't force you. ;-) Toss in being 7 months pregnant and hormonal, and the non constructive criticism isn't terribly well received. Plenty of people have told me to just ignore them, or don't read the negative ones or whatever. Which is fine, and sound advice. But I'm very type A and need to do something to feel like I'm affecting change. So, I spent the morning querying legitimate book reviewers and begging them to leave a constructive review. I don't mind if it's not 5 stars (although I kinda would love it if it was), but just something constructive and not simply declaring the book's a "POS." So far, I have 1 reviewer lined up, and one that said to get back with them in a few months. Here's hoping it helps.
If any of you have suggestions for reviewers that might be interested, please don't hesitate to drop me a line! I can use all the help I can get!
On the plus side, my Goodreads reviews are quite positive! I have a 4.38 star average on there, which I think is awesome! Wish I could transfer some of those reviews over to Amazon!
Jimmy Jean and The Cure
So, here's where I'm at with the Jimmy Jean short story: I got it back from the editor over the weekend, and I'm doing a total rewrite. As much as I hate doing that, she had some excellent suggestions, and to work them in it was just easier to start over. So, I'm behind on all my word count goals as a result, but I am making progress. I'm working tomorrow and Thursday, but I'm hoping for a very productive weekend, writing wise.
That's about it for now! Happy reading/writing everyone!
December 20, 2012
What are you doing for your last day on Earth?
Hahaha. I couldn't help myself. Well, let's see. What's going on here in Blackoutville in the last hours before the end of the Mayan calendar? Didn't do much writing today, but I did go back and polish what I did on Tuesday so I feel better about that at least. I think I feel good about moving forward with my word count at this point.
Sales have been slower than they were last week, but still very respectable. I'm posting links and trying to keep people buying the book. Hopefully it helps! Certainly won't hurt! I guess I just wasn't expecting a slow down in sales until after Christmas. So it has me nervous that the post Christmas slump will be worse than originally anticipated. Let's hope I'm overreacting.
We'll see how much work I get done tomorrow! I'm expecting a busy day. Got some work to do, my 1 hour glucose test, and hopefully we'll be going to get a new car! Fingers crossed!
Sales have been slower than they were last week, but still very respectable. I'm posting links and trying to keep people buying the book. Hopefully it helps! Certainly won't hurt! I guess I just wasn't expecting a slow down in sales until after Christmas. So it has me nervous that the post Christmas slump will be worse than originally anticipated. Let's hope I'm overreacting.
We'll see how much work I get done tomorrow! I'm expecting a busy day. Got some work to do, my 1 hour glucose test, and hopefully we'll be going to get a new car! Fingers crossed!
December 19, 2012
Groan
Ok, this has been a tough week so far. Just busy and stressful. I fear my writing has suffered, although I haven't read the work I've done yet. Kindof scared to. I'm honestly considering just taking a deep, cleansing breath and taking at least today off, possibly the rest of the week.
Yesterday I didn't do a blog in favor of trying to make my word count, which I did, however I'm not sure I did it well. Today I'm feeling like I need to step back. I am a very emotional writer, and while I've been able to push through my pregnancy hormones and write, I'm feeling a little maxed out right now.
In other news, my sales are hopefully leveling off, and not plummeting. I'm still averaging above 50 sales per day, which is awesome! But, it's been dropping all week. So, I'm seriously hoping it doesn't dip any further! I need to get my short story off to the editor. That might help draw attention to it.
What I'm Reading: I've been reading The Violets of March by Sarah Jio. So far, it's pretty good. An easy read with a little romance and mystery sprinkled in. I'm about 40% into it, and my favorite character is Bee, followed closely by her best friend. Is it bad that my favorite character isn't the main character?
Yesterday I didn't do a blog in favor of trying to make my word count, which I did, however I'm not sure I did it well. Today I'm feeling like I need to step back. I am a very emotional writer, and while I've been able to push through my pregnancy hormones and write, I'm feeling a little maxed out right now.
In other news, my sales are hopefully leveling off, and not plummeting. I'm still averaging above 50 sales per day, which is awesome! But, it's been dropping all week. So, I'm seriously hoping it doesn't dip any further! I need to get my short story off to the editor. That might help draw attention to it.
What I'm Reading: I've been reading The Violets of March by Sarah Jio. So far, it's pretty good. An easy read with a little romance and mystery sprinkled in. I'm about 40% into it, and my favorite character is Bee, followed closely by her best friend. Is it bad that my favorite character isn't the main character?
December 17, 2012
1,000 Sales!
Rolled over the 1,000 sale mark over the weekend! WOO! I read an article before I published The Blackout that said 5,000 was respectable, 10,000 was good and 15,000 was when you'd start to get real attention/respect. So, we'll see how she holds up!
This weekend we had our writer's group Christmas party, and had a blast! It was so fun to hang out with them, meet their better halves, and celebrate!
I also finished Arcadia's Gift. I found it ended rather abruptly, which is funny because that's the biggest complaint I've gotten about The Blackout. However, this story didn't really have a complete bell curve in my opinion. It's leaning to heavily on the fact that there will be a sequel and you will read it. That being said, it had an excellent hook at the beginning, and for 99 cents, was genuinely entertaining. I'd say when the sequel comes out, buy them both at the same time so you could get a more finished story.
Today's Agenda: Try to make my word count. Distractions abound today so we'll see how it goes!! :-)
This weekend we had our writer's group Christmas party, and had a blast! It was so fun to hang out with them, meet their better halves, and celebrate!
I also finished Arcadia's Gift. I found it ended rather abruptly, which is funny because that's the biggest complaint I've gotten about The Blackout. However, this story didn't really have a complete bell curve in my opinion. It's leaning to heavily on the fact that there will be a sequel and you will read it. That being said, it had an excellent hook at the beginning, and for 99 cents, was genuinely entertaining. I'd say when the sequel comes out, buy them both at the same time so you could get a more finished story.
Today's Agenda: Try to make my word count. Distractions abound today so we'll see how it goes!! :-)
December 14, 2012
My First 1 Star Review...
Today I got my very first 1 star review. I think what irked me the most about it is that it's totally invalid. I was accused of having bad grammar for using words like gimmie and gonna within dialogue, as well being an "eight grader." First of all, gimmie and gonna are vocabulary words, not grammatical issues. And, I'm not sure what an "eight grader" is, but I certainly don't go around criticizing the way people form their eights. I also had a return on the book today, and I really hope it was just a coincidence, and not that jerk getting his $2.99 back. Hopefully that review won't impact my ranking too badly!
In other news, I made excellent progress on The Cure yesterday! Nearly got caught up for the slower days earlier this week! I'm hoping to be totally caught up by the end of the day so I can start fresh next week!
Have a great weekend everyone! Don't forget to buy The Blackout and leave legitimate reviews, lol!
In other news, I made excellent progress on The Cure yesterday! Nearly got caught up for the slower days earlier this week! I'm hoping to be totally caught up by the end of the day so I can start fresh next week!
Have a great weekend everyone! Don't forget to buy The Blackout and leave legitimate reviews, lol!
December 13, 2012
I WILL Make My Word Count Goals Today!
Ok, so two days in a row I've missed my word count goals, but NOT TODAY! I'm gonna buckle down as soon as I'm done here!
Sales were a little slower yesterday than the day before, but still steller! I sure hope the trend continues!
I missed both writer's groups this week because of appointments and work. Hopefully I can get back into the swing next week!
What I'm Reading: I'm still working on Arcadia's Gift. I have about a week to finish and post my review. I am enjoying it so far, it's just...one of the characters had hemophilia and died. So, I'm wondering if this is really the best time for me to be reading it, lol!
Today's Agenda: WRITE! Oh, and stalk my book sales as per usual.
Sales were a little slower yesterday than the day before, but still steller! I sure hope the trend continues!
I missed both writer's groups this week because of appointments and work. Hopefully I can get back into the swing next week!
What I'm Reading: I'm still working on Arcadia's Gift. I have about a week to finish and post my review. I am enjoying it so far, it's just...one of the characters had hemophilia and died. So, I'm wondering if this is really the best time for me to be reading it, lol!
Today's Agenda: WRITE! Oh, and stalk my book sales as per usual.
December 12, 2012
Happy Birthday to The Blackout!
Hooray! The Blackout has been out for a month! I've made 753 sales so far!!! It's doing so good, and all I can say is thank you, and keep it up! :-)
Well, as predicted yesterday was less than productive. Today I'm supposed to have some training to do, so that'll be a distraction. Additionally my check engine light came on last night, so I need to deal with that today, but hopefully I can do some writing at some point!
Todays Agenda: Minimum - make WC goals! Max - make up for yesterday's losses!!
Well, as predicted yesterday was less than productive. Today I'm supposed to have some training to do, so that'll be a distraction. Additionally my check engine light came on last night, so I need to deal with that today, but hopefully I can do some writing at some point!
Todays Agenda: Minimum - make WC goals! Max - make up for yesterday's losses!!
December 11, 2012
A Little Sluggish Today
Man! I feel like a total slug today! Maybe it's the cloudy/wet weather. It's making me just want to sit on the couch and read. I'm totally unmotivated to make my word count!
Yesterday was so hectic, and I actually came pretty close to my goal (within 150 words). However, I'm not confident they were all good words, haha.
It was also another great sales day! My ranking keeps climbing, and now I'm in the 1,500s! I'm positively thrilled!
What I'm Reading: I finished Cinder a few days ago. What an excellent read! I highly recommend it!! Now I'm on to Arcadia's Gift. It's good so far. Only about 14% into it, but it's definitely got a good hook right from the beginning. Will keep you posted!
Todays Agenda: MUST find motivation to make word count goals! Days like today separ
Yesterday was so hectic, and I actually came pretty close to my goal (within 150 words). However, I'm not confident they were all good words, haha.
It was also another great sales day! My ranking keeps climbing, and now I'm in the 1,500s! I'm positively thrilled!
What I'm Reading: I finished Cinder a few days ago. What an excellent read! I highly recommend it!! Now I'm on to Arcadia's Gift. It's good so far. Only about 14% into it, but it's definitely got a good hook right from the beginning. Will keep you posted!
Todays Agenda: MUST find motivation to make word count goals! Days like today separ
December 10, 2012
Manic Monday!
Whew! Talk about a busy day today! Had a lot of design stuff to do today, so I still haven't had time to get my word count goal done, and am just now getting to my blog! But, it's only 5 o'clock, so I should still have time for what's left! :-)
It was an awesome weekend for sales! Over 100 sales between Saturday and Sunday alone.
I have a busy week ahead of me, so I'm going to try really hard to stick to my word count goals! This'll give me an idea of how much I can handle once the baby is born!
What's left of Today's Agenda: 1,000 words on The Cure! Read!
Don't forget to leave your reviews of The Blackout!
It was an awesome weekend for sales! Over 100 sales between Saturday and Sunday alone.
I have a busy week ahead of me, so I'm going to try really hard to stick to my word count goals! This'll give me an idea of how much I can handle once the baby is born!
What's left of Today's Agenda: 1,000 words on The Cure! Read!
Don't forget to leave your reviews of The Blackout!
