R.L. Kiser's Blog
December 1, 2014
Singing the Praises of the VA
With all the talk and controversy lately about the Veterans Administration, trouble at the top, resignations, veterans waiting forever to get their benefits, it's nice to be able to say something positive.
I recently suffered a debilitating and excruciatingly painful double pelvic fracture from a bicycle accident and took an ambulance to the Reno VA. The care and attention I received there, from the ER to admission into the hospital, was top notch. Everyone there, maintenance, house keeping, nurses, assistants—night and day shifts, and doctors are very professional and caring. Even the food was good. You can't get that kind of service in a five star hotel.
I wanted ice cream in the middle of the evening—got it. Anyone that comes up with ice cream upon request is aces in my book. The medical care was exemplary. It was determined in sort order that I would need rehab care and that was arranged, all completely transparent to me, TKO (taken kare of). I was given a branny-spanking new wheel chair and goodies, like a leg lifter and a simple plastic and rope cord device for pulling on my socks. The evening of day five I was professionally transported to the Rosewood Rehabilitation facility for the next nineteen days.
Now, I know everyone has heard horror stories about nursing care facilities. I heard some while in Rosewood about other facilities. The Building is old, there's not a lot of maneuvering room for wheelchairs, but it's clean, the food is decent, and I was given good care and excellent physical therapy. It was a painful push but I was walking, parallel bars and walker, within a couple of days. Every day thereafter was less time in the wheelchair, more time with the walker, exercise machines, and stretching. The entire gambit of physical and occupational therapy was aptly covered. Physical dealing with recovery from the injury, ie. learning to walk again, occupational dealing with how do I take care of myself while dealing with the limitations of the injury. There's a reason why they are rated Reno's Five ***** Star rehab facility.
So it comes down to the fact that there is a lot of good out there. Just look at the Reno VA Hospital and Rosewood Rehab. We take care of our veterans.
I recently suffered a debilitating and excruciatingly painful double pelvic fracture from a bicycle accident and took an ambulance to the Reno VA. The care and attention I received there, from the ER to admission into the hospital, was top notch. Everyone there, maintenance, house keeping, nurses, assistants—night and day shifts, and doctors are very professional and caring. Even the food was good. You can't get that kind of service in a five star hotel.
I wanted ice cream in the middle of the evening—got it. Anyone that comes up with ice cream upon request is aces in my book. The medical care was exemplary. It was determined in sort order that I would need rehab care and that was arranged, all completely transparent to me, TKO (taken kare of). I was given a branny-spanking new wheel chair and goodies, like a leg lifter and a simple plastic and rope cord device for pulling on my socks. The evening of day five I was professionally transported to the Rosewood Rehabilitation facility for the next nineteen days.
Now, I know everyone has heard horror stories about nursing care facilities. I heard some while in Rosewood about other facilities. The Building is old, there's not a lot of maneuvering room for wheelchairs, but it's clean, the food is decent, and I was given good care and excellent physical therapy. It was a painful push but I was walking, parallel bars and walker, within a couple of days. Every day thereafter was less time in the wheelchair, more time with the walker, exercise machines, and stretching. The entire gambit of physical and occupational therapy was aptly covered. Physical dealing with recovery from the injury, ie. learning to walk again, occupational dealing with how do I take care of myself while dealing with the limitations of the injury. There's a reason why they are rated Reno's Five ***** Star rehab facility.
So it comes down to the fact that there is a lot of good out there. Just look at the Reno VA Hospital and Rosewood Rehab. We take care of our veterans.
October 30, 2014
Ain't modern technology wunnerful!
I suppose the correct way to state this would be "Life is as complicated as we make it." I have this fully functional Blackberry style phone with itty bitty monkey-finger buttons. I can cover eight buttons with my index finger (yes, they are that small -or- my hands are that big). It was only $10 from Tracfone, and there's a reason they had it reduced from $40. Everyone wants a touch screen phone—including me.
I found one on the Tracfone site (has to be Tracfone in order to support Safelink, my Obama phone), so I ordered it. Got here in three days. I left a note on my door in case I wasn't here when FedEx arrived. And, of course, I wasn't (they're too damned efficient, most deliveries never arrive before noon). But it required my direct signature, my neighbor couldn't sign for it. The complications begin.
On to the FedEx web site. Registration successful. I want to re-schedule delivery, but no. That requires another registration with about nine security questions. Which of these phone numbers were you associated with—702 blah blah. Didn't remember any of them so I answered None of the Above. Eeeee! I answered all the other questions, but how the hell am I supposed to remember a phone number from a state I left 44 years ago?! After several unsuccessful attempts it locked me out. I bet whoever programmed this used to work for the federal g'munt. They used to do the same thing but finally wised up and changed the questions because no one could gain access. I had to drive (as in automobile-couldn't find the pedals) quite a ways and hunt for the FedEx building. You'd think it'd be easy to find. Uh-huh, for any normal person (ahem). Finally picked up the box way after dark. But wait—it gets better!
Assembled the phone, went to the Tracfone site—more complications. The site would not accept half my inputs. Did they use the same web programmer as FedEx? So I used the 800#. Now the fun begins. They have 4 menus, each about 7½ days long. After 7 yawns and 3 butt scratches I was finally able to speak to a live person (foreign, of course). I wouldn't know how to act if a phone tech person didn't speak with an accent. I kin help you, Meester Rawzul.
Started the xfer of service from one phone to the other, several holds, and the line went Pffft! I was using Google Phone (computer w/headset) so I wasn't worried about batteries or minute charges. Redialed, played the "tag, you're not it" menu game again, got a different tech, "Okey Mister Kiz-ur...", and completed the process.
Part B of "But wait—it gets better!" One of the reasons I originally bought the monkey-finger phone was that it has a full QWERTY keyboard (small tho it may be). The new phone has a touch key pad, three and four letters to a key—two touches for I, three touches for R, select the style T9, Abc, etc. And it takes about 5 touches to get the correct letter if you make a mistake (very sensitive screen). Complicated menu selections (well, it's new) and that damned voice! Every selection the phone is talking to me. I couldn't find out how to shut that voice off! So I played menu phone tag again. Here's part A of "wait—it gets better". This phone is not compatible with Safelink. Oh, Crap! Frustration mounts. A few of the phones (the more expensive ones) stated "not compatible with Safelink". That's why I chose the one I did—it did not state that. One would assume, therefore, it is compatible.
I searched through the phone plans, I can't afford any of them. Solution: return the phone. "Please hold the line while I transfer you to the returns department." Arrrgh!
During each of the menu tags I'm required to "say or enter" my phone number. And each tech asks me for my phone number. I will never, ever forget this phone number. It's deeply etched in my brain—forever! I finally got a ticket number (11 digits) and a rather lengthy return address in Indiana (does anyone really live in Indiana?). By this time I went several menus deep in the new phone and shut the voice off, but now it doesn't matter because I'm returning the phone. Disheartened and frustrated I took the battery out of the phone, packed it up and let out a heavy sigh.
Part C of "But wait—it gets better!" The next morning I tried to send a text on the monkey-finger phone only to discover Invalid SIM. What the furk! Oh joy, time to play menu tag again. Apparently as soon as I tried to xfer service the old SIM was cancelled. For some reason once that's done they cannot reactivate it. We'll have to send you a new SIM, Mr. Kiss-her. It'll take 7-10 days. I've gone through this process before, ain't modern technology wunnerful? So while we're playing the please hold game (on the Google phone via computer) I'm on the web site and discovered a touch screen phone that is compatible with Safelink. And the tech had me look at an even better one (for the same $$ I spent on the now returned phone). And he swore it has a full QWERTY keyboard display, scouts honor, my you cut my tongue out if it's not (well, I made that last part up). So now the complicated process and long ticket numbers and "how to" process of reactivating a new SIM are obsolete, just like that! I'll receive the new phone in 3 days FedEx (oh, here we go again). Meanwhile I'm without a phone entirely, lost in the void, all alone, up the creek without a paddle, stranded. Oh, wait, I hardly ever make phone calls and receive about the same amount. Never mind.
(To be updated when the new phone arrives and complications ensue.)
Thursday Day 10 Update -or-
Why can't I just get a phone without complications?
Thursday, a week later FedEx shows up with a tiny package—the new SIM card. Huh? Okay, I'll play along. I called, only now I have a direct line & 6 digit code so the menu game is short. Got the old monkey-finger button phone back in operation. Huzzah!
On Friday FedEx delivered the phone. Pretty slick, all touch-screeny. The tech (bless her foreign heart) was quite helpful; I was assured the 247 phone number would be transferred, no problem (yeah, right!), might take a couple of hours. Soon the phone is operational, I'm having a good time entering old data into the new phone using the touchy-feely screen.
Sunday I discovered the 440 phone number in the phone is not my 247 phone number. Called again (they sure have a lot of different, foreign techs, but they speak passable Engrish) and it took the tech a while to figure out that the phone number had been transferred to the phone I sent back. Of course. He fiddled with his computer and said it would take 2 hours to 2 business days to get the 247 phone number transferred. Uh-huh, sure.
Wednesday, 3 business days later—menu tag, you're it. The number is still not my number, the one I have propagated on about 30 web sites, in friend's phones, and printed on business cards. I've been cussing people out for not retuning my calls and have missed a couple of important calls. I insisted on speaking to a supervisor. It's amazing how these tech get around that. We discovered that the phone number was transferred to the phone I sent back, meaning that SIM has that number. They have to send me a new SIM for the new phone. It's a good thing my hair is cut short or I'd have pulled it all out by now. Why didn't the girl on Friday or that clown on Sunday know this? I'm going to cost them a fortune in SIMs (there's no charge to me for the itty-bitty SIM card). "I'm checking, sir. Please stay on the line, sir." Time marches on. He has attached a note to the case so that when the new SIM arrives and I call in to have it activated it will carry my number.
I'm actually believing we might get this done—the call in menu voice pops up, press 1 for English, enter your ticket number, go jump off a cliff. Lost the tech. Called back, "May I have the number you're calling about?" Ah, c'mon. Just let me talk to the guy I was almost finished with. "There are several call centers, sir" "Oh, crap!" and I hung up. Didn't I say, "To be updated when the new phone arrives and complications ensue?" I knew, I just knew.
So now I have to wait anywhere from 3 days to Armageddon for the SIM to arrive, then play this activation game all over again. Whatever happened to pay phones?
To be updated when the new SIM arrives and complications ensue—again.
Friday Day 18 Update:
Didn't I tell ya'? Further complications ensue and they are:
These techs are under-trained, can't handle complicated situations, and never let you speak to a supervisor.
So they have to send me a new SIM card for the New Phone with my Old Number. Fine! Get it done. I only have to wait forever for it to arrive. However, I was Iron Clad Guaranteed that the New Phone would continue to work with the 440 number until the SIM arrived and I called it in. S u r e . . .
Friday the phone displays Unregistered SIM (heavy sigh). So I decided, "I'm not frustrated enough, lemme call and get really aggravated." The tech (she spoke unaccented English) simply wouldn't get the point. "We have to register the SIM in the system, sir." Uh, what about the Iron Clad Guarantee the other tech made that the New Phone would continue to work until I received the SIM and called it in? "I understand, sir, but we have to register the new SIM in the system…." Clueless! Yeah, fine, register the damned thing after I call it in! " I understand, sir, but we have to register the new SIM in the system…" Arrrgh! I shouted, "I'll never buy another TracFone as long as I live!" and hung up. They should change their name to Frustration Я Us.
In Summary;
The phone I purchased did not say, "Not compatible with Safelink" on the website. Other Andriod phones did, so I didn't consider them. No where on the site does it say, "Andriod phones are not compatible with Safelink". No Where! This whole complicated business could have been avoided if the webmaster was on the stick and posted the proper information.
___Tracfone dropped the ball.
When I called to active the phone they should have checked to make sure it would work before unregistering the SIM on the old phone. That's basically a no-brainer. They didn't (poor training). They also should have told me it wouldn't work before completing the call. They didn't (poor training—again).
___Tracfone dropped the ball.
When I called again because the old phone said Unregistered SIM and they decided to send me a new SIM, they should have known the number had been xferred to the returned phone and undone that. They didn't (poor training—poor training).
___Tracfone dropped the ball.
When I called to activate the new phone they should have known the 247 number was attached to the returned phone. I was told the 247 number would be activated on the new phone. They didn't—It wasn't (poor training—in spades).
___Tracfone dropped the ball.
When I called about the 440 number and was and was told I'd be sent a new SIM with the 247 number attached—and told the 440 number would continue to work until I received the new SIM and called it in, they should have known. They didn't (poor training—times 5).
___Tracfone dropped the ball.
So, my dear friends, the bottom line is;
N e v e r___b u y___a___T r a c f o n e !
Monday Day 21 Update:
Okay, so maybe I was a little hasty in saying . n e v e r . I received the new-new SIM card and the phone is finally working—with the proper 247 phone number. It took 21 days (three weeks) to just get a cheap cell phone working. It's not even a smart phone (but I'll bet it has more memory than me). If it weren't for the fact that other than the cost of the phone ($40) the service is free (Obama phone—otherwise I couldn't afford cell phone service) I would have thrown it against the wall long ago. Lemme see, do I want a phone I use occasionally, mostly for emergencies, or do I want to eat. That's a no-brainer.
So call me, already! I have a working phone.
I found one on the Tracfone site (has to be Tracfone in order to support Safelink, my Obama phone), so I ordered it. Got here in three days. I left a note on my door in case I wasn't here when FedEx arrived. And, of course, I wasn't (they're too damned efficient, most deliveries never arrive before noon). But it required my direct signature, my neighbor couldn't sign for it. The complications begin.
On to the FedEx web site. Registration successful. I want to re-schedule delivery, but no. That requires another registration with about nine security questions. Which of these phone numbers were you associated with—702 blah blah. Didn't remember any of them so I answered None of the Above. Eeeee! I answered all the other questions, but how the hell am I supposed to remember a phone number from a state I left 44 years ago?! After several unsuccessful attempts it locked me out. I bet whoever programmed this used to work for the federal g'munt. They used to do the same thing but finally wised up and changed the questions because no one could gain access. I had to drive (as in automobile-couldn't find the pedals) quite a ways and hunt for the FedEx building. You'd think it'd be easy to find. Uh-huh, for any normal person (ahem). Finally picked up the box way after dark. But wait—it gets better!
Assembled the phone, went to the Tracfone site—more complications. The site would not accept half my inputs. Did they use the same web programmer as FedEx? So I used the 800#. Now the fun begins. They have 4 menus, each about 7½ days long. After 7 yawns and 3 butt scratches I was finally able to speak to a live person (foreign, of course). I wouldn't know how to act if a phone tech person didn't speak with an accent. I kin help you, Meester Rawzul.
Started the xfer of service from one phone to the other, several holds, and the line went Pffft! I was using Google Phone (computer w/headset) so I wasn't worried about batteries or minute charges. Redialed, played the "tag, you're not it" menu game again, got a different tech, "Okey Mister Kiz-ur...", and completed the process.
Part B of "But wait—it gets better!" One of the reasons I originally bought the monkey-finger phone was that it has a full QWERTY keyboard (small tho it may be). The new phone has a touch key pad, three and four letters to a key—two touches for I, three touches for R, select the style T9, Abc, etc. And it takes about 5 touches to get the correct letter if you make a mistake (very sensitive screen). Complicated menu selections (well, it's new) and that damned voice! Every selection the phone is talking to me. I couldn't find out how to shut that voice off! So I played menu phone tag again. Here's part A of "wait—it gets better". This phone is not compatible with Safelink. Oh, Crap! Frustration mounts. A few of the phones (the more expensive ones) stated "not compatible with Safelink". That's why I chose the one I did—it did not state that. One would assume, therefore, it is compatible.
I searched through the phone plans, I can't afford any of them. Solution: return the phone. "Please hold the line while I transfer you to the returns department." Arrrgh!
During each of the menu tags I'm required to "say or enter" my phone number. And each tech asks me for my phone number. I will never, ever forget this phone number. It's deeply etched in my brain—forever! I finally got a ticket number (11 digits) and a rather lengthy return address in Indiana (does anyone really live in Indiana?). By this time I went several menus deep in the new phone and shut the voice off, but now it doesn't matter because I'm returning the phone. Disheartened and frustrated I took the battery out of the phone, packed it up and let out a heavy sigh.
Part C of "But wait—it gets better!" The next morning I tried to send a text on the monkey-finger phone only to discover Invalid SIM. What the furk! Oh joy, time to play menu tag again. Apparently as soon as I tried to xfer service the old SIM was cancelled. For some reason once that's done they cannot reactivate it. We'll have to send you a new SIM, Mr. Kiss-her. It'll take 7-10 days. I've gone through this process before, ain't modern technology wunnerful? So while we're playing the please hold game (on the Google phone via computer) I'm on the web site and discovered a touch screen phone that is compatible with Safelink. And the tech had me look at an even better one (for the same $$ I spent on the now returned phone). And he swore it has a full QWERTY keyboard display, scouts honor, my you cut my tongue out if it's not (well, I made that last part up). So now the complicated process and long ticket numbers and "how to" process of reactivating a new SIM are obsolete, just like that! I'll receive the new phone in 3 days FedEx (oh, here we go again). Meanwhile I'm without a phone entirely, lost in the void, all alone, up the creek without a paddle, stranded. Oh, wait, I hardly ever make phone calls and receive about the same amount. Never mind.
(To be updated when the new phone arrives and complications ensue.)
Thursday Day 10 Update -or-
Why can't I just get a phone without complications?
Thursday, a week later FedEx shows up with a tiny package—the new SIM card. Huh? Okay, I'll play along. I called, only now I have a direct line & 6 digit code so the menu game is short. Got the old monkey-finger button phone back in operation. Huzzah!
On Friday FedEx delivered the phone. Pretty slick, all touch-screeny. The tech (bless her foreign heart) was quite helpful; I was assured the 247 phone number would be transferred, no problem (yeah, right!), might take a couple of hours. Soon the phone is operational, I'm having a good time entering old data into the new phone using the touchy-feely screen.
Sunday I discovered the 440 phone number in the phone is not my 247 phone number. Called again (they sure have a lot of different, foreign techs, but they speak passable Engrish) and it took the tech a while to figure out that the phone number had been transferred to the phone I sent back. Of course. He fiddled with his computer and said it would take 2 hours to 2 business days to get the 247 phone number transferred. Uh-huh, sure.
Wednesday, 3 business days later—menu tag, you're it. The number is still not my number, the one I have propagated on about 30 web sites, in friend's phones, and printed on business cards. I've been cussing people out for not retuning my calls and have missed a couple of important calls. I insisted on speaking to a supervisor. It's amazing how these tech get around that. We discovered that the phone number was transferred to the phone I sent back, meaning that SIM has that number. They have to send me a new SIM for the new phone. It's a good thing my hair is cut short or I'd have pulled it all out by now. Why didn't the girl on Friday or that clown on Sunday know this? I'm going to cost them a fortune in SIMs (there's no charge to me for the itty-bitty SIM card). "I'm checking, sir. Please stay on the line, sir." Time marches on. He has attached a note to the case so that when the new SIM arrives and I call in to have it activated it will carry my number.
I'm actually believing we might get this done—the call in menu voice pops up, press 1 for English, enter your ticket number, go jump off a cliff. Lost the tech. Called back, "May I have the number you're calling about?" Ah, c'mon. Just let me talk to the guy I was almost finished with. "There are several call centers, sir" "Oh, crap!" and I hung up. Didn't I say, "To be updated when the new phone arrives and complications ensue?" I knew, I just knew.
So now I have to wait anywhere from 3 days to Armageddon for the SIM to arrive, then play this activation game all over again. Whatever happened to pay phones?
To be updated when the new SIM arrives and complications ensue—again.
Friday Day 18 Update:
Didn't I tell ya'? Further complications ensue and they are:
These techs are under-trained, can't handle complicated situations, and never let you speak to a supervisor.
So they have to send me a new SIM card for the New Phone with my Old Number. Fine! Get it done. I only have to wait forever for it to arrive. However, I was Iron Clad Guaranteed that the New Phone would continue to work with the 440 number until the SIM arrived and I called it in. S u r e . . .
Friday the phone displays Unregistered SIM (heavy sigh). So I decided, "I'm not frustrated enough, lemme call and get really aggravated." The tech (she spoke unaccented English) simply wouldn't get the point. "We have to register the SIM in the system, sir." Uh, what about the Iron Clad Guarantee the other tech made that the New Phone would continue to work until I received the SIM and called it in? "I understand, sir, but we have to register the new SIM in the system…." Clueless! Yeah, fine, register the damned thing after I call it in! " I understand, sir, but we have to register the new SIM in the system…" Arrrgh! I shouted, "I'll never buy another TracFone as long as I live!" and hung up. They should change their name to Frustration Я Us.
In Summary;
The phone I purchased did not say, "Not compatible with Safelink" on the website. Other Andriod phones did, so I didn't consider them. No where on the site does it say, "Andriod phones are not compatible with Safelink". No Where! This whole complicated business could have been avoided if the webmaster was on the stick and posted the proper information.
___Tracfone dropped the ball.
When I called to active the phone they should have checked to make sure it would work before unregistering the SIM on the old phone. That's basically a no-brainer. They didn't (poor training). They also should have told me it wouldn't work before completing the call. They didn't (poor training—again).
___Tracfone dropped the ball.
When I called again because the old phone said Unregistered SIM and they decided to send me a new SIM, they should have known the number had been xferred to the returned phone and undone that. They didn't (poor training—poor training).
___Tracfone dropped the ball.
When I called to activate the new phone they should have known the 247 number was attached to the returned phone. I was told the 247 number would be activated on the new phone. They didn't—It wasn't (poor training—in spades).
___Tracfone dropped the ball.
When I called about the 440 number and was and was told I'd be sent a new SIM with the 247 number attached—and told the 440 number would continue to work until I received the new SIM and called it in, they should have known. They didn't (poor training—times 5).
___Tracfone dropped the ball.
So, my dear friends, the bottom line is;
N e v e r___b u y___a___T r a c f o n e !
Monday Day 21 Update:
Okay, so maybe I was a little hasty in saying . n e v e r . I received the new-new SIM card and the phone is finally working—with the proper 247 phone number. It took 21 days (three weeks) to just get a cheap cell phone working. It's not even a smart phone (but I'll bet it has more memory than me). If it weren't for the fact that other than the cost of the phone ($40) the service is free (Obama phone—otherwise I couldn't afford cell phone service) I would have thrown it against the wall long ago. Lemme see, do I want a phone I use occasionally, mostly for emergencies, or do I want to eat. That's a no-brainer.
So call me, already! I have a working phone.
October 18, 2014
Edit - edit - edit!
Ever since grade school (way back in the olden days) I've had a way with words. I breezed through Language and composition, struggled through math. Over the years I've honed that to include formatting, editing, and proofing, which I tend to do a lot of as I'm writing (Thank Goodness for spell-check).
Probably the most important part of writing (other than good content and flow) is editing, with proofing following a close second. If a story doesn't flow well, is full of grammatical errors and typos, it's not a good story no matter the content. So many self-published books miss the mark by being poorly edited. However, editing can be an expensive proposition.
I edit my own works for several reasons.
1. Starving artist syndrome. I have a budget of $1.27.
2. I've seen shoddy work people have charged as much as $1000 for and I can do better half-asleep.
3. Did I mention lack of funds?
However, no matter how careful you are, or how many times you go over a manuscript, you're going to miss something. You can look at the same mistake over and over and not see it as a mistake, because you're used to it. Human nature.
So, what's the solution? I'm taking about editing and proofing (the grudge work). Get a different pair of eyes on it. Critique groups, an author friend-or-someone who understands writing (and all that involves). Even a friend or good acquaintance you trust not to steal your work. Let your dog read it. All that effort you put into creating and writing needs a fresh pair of eyes on it or all that effort is for naught.
Don't be in a hurry to publish. It's essential that you, as an author, take the time to get your work properly edited and proofed. Granted, I've seen professional works with a typo or two, they happen. But try your best to eliminate as many as possible.
I did use typos and a few grammatical errors (like wich instead of witch) as an incentive to sell my longest work (The Twelve Tablets). I spent such a large amount of time on this 365 page monster writing, editing, proofing, re-editing, re-proofing, that I exhausted my patience, got in a hurry, and published (ebook & POD paperback). Then the errors were discovered (sigh). So I put out a blurb, "Find the errors and win a free copy of one of my other books". Uh, well, it didn't occur to me that potential readers might not want a book published by an author that would purposely leave an errored book published. Erk! Didn't work out too well, but then I didn't leave it up like that for very long.
Self-publishing has been inundated with new authors. I'm in competition with about 2 million others and getting my works noticed on a budget of $1.27 is difficult at best. Those that have read my books liked them and some have been so kind as to write honest reviews. Some are four stars, some are five. All have positive things to say.
Through it all the one most important element is and has been editing. Edit-edit-edit 'til your blue inna' face. Then give it to someone else to edit. Then re-edit it yourself. Eventually it will become polished enough to publish. Whew! Hard work, this self-publishing.
Probably the most important part of writing (other than good content and flow) is editing, with proofing following a close second. If a story doesn't flow well, is full of grammatical errors and typos, it's not a good story no matter the content. So many self-published books miss the mark by being poorly edited. However, editing can be an expensive proposition.
I edit my own works for several reasons.
1. Starving artist syndrome. I have a budget of $1.27.
2. I've seen shoddy work people have charged as much as $1000 for and I can do better half-asleep.
3. Did I mention lack of funds?
However, no matter how careful you are, or how many times you go over a manuscript, you're going to miss something. You can look at the same mistake over and over and not see it as a mistake, because you're used to it. Human nature.
So, what's the solution? I'm taking about editing and proofing (the grudge work). Get a different pair of eyes on it. Critique groups, an author friend-or-someone who understands writing (and all that involves). Even a friend or good acquaintance you trust not to steal your work. Let your dog read it. All that effort you put into creating and writing needs a fresh pair of eyes on it or all that effort is for naught.
Don't be in a hurry to publish. It's essential that you, as an author, take the time to get your work properly edited and proofed. Granted, I've seen professional works with a typo or two, they happen. But try your best to eliminate as many as possible.
I did use typos and a few grammatical errors (like wich instead of witch) as an incentive to sell my longest work (The Twelve Tablets). I spent such a large amount of time on this 365 page monster writing, editing, proofing, re-editing, re-proofing, that I exhausted my patience, got in a hurry, and published (ebook & POD paperback). Then the errors were discovered (sigh). So I put out a blurb, "Find the errors and win a free copy of one of my other books". Uh, well, it didn't occur to me that potential readers might not want a book published by an author that would purposely leave an errored book published. Erk! Didn't work out too well, but then I didn't leave it up like that for very long.
Self-publishing has been inundated with new authors. I'm in competition with about 2 million others and getting my works noticed on a budget of $1.27 is difficult at best. Those that have read my books liked them and some have been so kind as to write honest reviews. Some are four stars, some are five. All have positive things to say.
Through it all the one most important element is and has been editing. Edit-edit-edit 'til your blue inna' face. Then give it to someone else to edit. Then re-edit it yourself. Eventually it will become polished enough to publish. Whew! Hard work, this self-publishing.
October 4, 2014
25% Discount
I've offered several of my novels as Goodreads Giveaways. Congrats to the winners. But for those that didn't win, and for Goodreads members in general, I'm offering a 25% discount for either the e-books (average price $2.24) or the paperbacks (average price $5.99) delivered directly by mail to your door. The offer on e-books is for a limited time through Feb 28·15.
The e-books are from Smashwords, available in multiple formats (Kindle, Nook/Ipad, Sony Reader, Palm Reader, PDF, and plain text).
In case you don't have an e-reader there are links on my website (or click the following links) to free e-readers for PC, Mac, and portable devices for both .mobi (Amazon) and .epub (Adobe).
If you'd like to take advantage of this 25% discount just click on the links below.
Crystal Fire
(e-book), enter code DR52H
—or—
Paperback , code XTQ5YTCK
The Last Battle
(e-book), enter code EC66H
—or—
Paperback , code XTQ5YTCK
The Twelve Tablets
(e-book), enter code KS96S
—or—
Paperback , code XTQ5YTCK
The Prophecy of Tara
(e-book), enter code JS89E
—or—
Paperback , code XTQ5YTCK
Exile-A SciFi Adventure
(e-book), enter code PP95Q
—or—
Paperback , code XTQ5YTCK
Chicago Chase
(e-book), enter code FV64B
—or—
Paperback , code XTQ5YTCK
The e-books are from Smashwords, available in multiple formats (Kindle, Nook/Ipad, Sony Reader, Palm Reader, PDF, and plain text).
In case you don't have an e-reader there are links on my website (or click the following links) to free e-readers for PC, Mac, and portable devices for both .mobi (Amazon) and .epub (Adobe).
If you'd like to take advantage of this 25% discount just click on the links below.
Crystal Fire
(e-book), enter code DR52H—or—
Paperback , code XTQ5YTCK
The Last Battle
(e-book), enter code EC66H—or—
Paperback , code XTQ5YTCK
The Twelve Tablets
(e-book), enter code KS96S—or—
Paperback , code XTQ5YTCK
The Prophecy of Tara
(e-book), enter code JS89E—or—
Paperback , code XTQ5YTCK
Exile-A SciFi Adventure
(e-book), enter code PP95Q—or—
Paperback , code XTQ5YTCK
Chicago Chase
(e-book), enter code FV64B—or—
Paperback , code XTQ5YTCK
July 25, 2013
What is Success?
How does one measure success? Is it sales, or overcoming adversity to get to the point where you're published and can actually have some sales? At the risk of alienating potential readers I'm going to tell my story.
I found myself in a situation where I had lots of time on my hands. I've always known I had a talent for writing since I started scribbling science fiction at age 14. I wish I had those scribbles now. So I utilized that time to give vent to that creative talent. Years before I was fascinated by a writer named Robert Aspirin, who wrote Myth Conceptions, Another Fine Myth, and many others. I was inspired by an anthology he edited and published written by some of his followers. He wrote scifi-fantasy, I wrote a western.
What!?
Yeah, strange, huh? I have no idea why a western, I didn't even read them. The idea for Educated Injun
came to me and flowed out of the pencil onto the paper. It's a good Detective/Lawman story set in the late 1800s with really interesting characters. Actually, it was fun to write. A second one,
Chicago Chase, followed that introducing a new rascally character and I'm working on the third, How Do You Steal A Tree.
With all that "time on my hands" came the time to read. I devoured most of the books in the Sword & Sorcery Fantasy series Forgotten Realms, Ed Greenwood and R.A. Salvatore being the primary authors. I wrote a magical fantasy concentrating on character development. That's what make for a good story to me, characters you like, characters you love, characters you love to hate. Another fun story, different genre.
The working title was Fantasy One. When it came time to name it I agonized over it for weeks. Then it finally dawned on me, make the title about the book. Yeah, right, in two or three words. Well, the story is about The Crystal, and at one point it's on fire.
Crystal Fire. Duh! Some smart you are, pal. It's currently on it's sixth (and finally professional) cover. Good story, good characters, but there were a lot of question left unanswered. (Do you like the cover?)
Hey! Book two,
The Last Battle. In the timeline it takes place prior to book one, but it sets up a big time adventure for book three,
The Twelve Tablets. Book three is a lot more complicated, 365 printed pages, and seriously taxed my editing-proofing abilities. So there it is, the Tales of the Crystal Trilogy. Fini! Whew!
Getting Crystal Fire published was a major pain in the posterior. Being new to self-publishing I went to a (so called) professional self-publishing company. That turned out to be a $1000 lesson in frustration. Every time I blinked they wanted $150 for this, $75 for that, and you can't get there from here. While waiting (and waiting - and waiting) for them to publish my book I learned how to do it myself on Amazon, Createspace, and Smashwords. I finally gave up on that company, chocked the (now) $1200 up to experience, and published it myself with a different ISBN on Createspace.
A big part of this process was just surviving to the point where I could go from handwritten pages, some in pencil, some in felt tipped pen, some in ink, to a word processor. In case you're wondering where I had all that "time on my hands", I was in prison under a questionable Nevada conviction. I had 12 years to write and was lucky to have a pencil to write with. Please, sir, may I have another.
It took a while to do all this. It wasn't the most conducive environment for creativity. I wrote
Exile about a space traveler in 1600s Japan. My first efforts at age 14 were Science Fiction. But I wasn't satisfied with the length so I added 30,000 words and it turned out to be quite an adventure. To one reviewer it seemed like two separate stories with the same characters, but it works.
I was released with nothing more than the clothes on my back and a heavy cardboard box full of manuscripts. No money, nowhere to go, no nothing! Thankfully our illustrious government decided to do something right. They instituted a grant and per diem program to eliminate (yeah, right) homelessness for American Veterans. I got into a veterans transitional living program at Vitality Vets in Reno. So at least I had a place to rest my head and plenty of food. I was eligible for Social Security so I used that to buy a computer and internet connection, WORDed the manuscripts, edited-proofed-formatted-uploaded-and published. Thank you Amazon and Mark Coker (Smashwords).
I've since published a fourth Sword & Sorcery Mystical Fantasy,
The Prophecy of Tara, and following the advice of fellow authors in the Createspace community, wrote erotica
Bizarre Stories under a pseudonym aimed at quick sales (yeah, right).
So here's the success part. I'm still working on promotion, the hardest part of self-publishing. I've had a few sales, only one print book (the erotica, sigh) and close to 200 eBook sales. Not very many compared to some. But I consider this entire venture a success in that I went from being slammed in a 12 x 14 cell and all the adversity that entails to publishing eight books. I overcame one obstacle after another and did it. Success.
Whadda' ya' think?
I found myself in a situation where I had lots of time on my hands. I've always known I had a talent for writing since I started scribbling science fiction at age 14. I wish I had those scribbles now. So I utilized that time to give vent to that creative talent. Years before I was fascinated by a writer named Robert Aspirin, who wrote Myth Conceptions, Another Fine Myth, and many others. I was inspired by an anthology he edited and published written by some of his followers. He wrote scifi-fantasy, I wrote a western.
What!?
Yeah, strange, huh? I have no idea why a western, I didn't even read them. The idea for Educated Injun
came to me and flowed out of the pencil onto the paper. It's a good Detective/Lawman story set in the late 1800s with really interesting characters. Actually, it was fun to write. A second one,
Chicago Chase, followed that introducing a new rascally character and I'm working on the third, How Do You Steal A Tree.With all that "time on my hands" came the time to read. I devoured most of the books in the Sword & Sorcery Fantasy series Forgotten Realms, Ed Greenwood and R.A. Salvatore being the primary authors. I wrote a magical fantasy concentrating on character development. That's what make for a good story to me, characters you like, characters you love, characters you love to hate. Another fun story, different genre.
The working title was Fantasy One. When it came time to name it I agonized over it for weeks. Then it finally dawned on me, make the title about the book. Yeah, right, in two or three words. Well, the story is about The Crystal, and at one point it's on fire.
Crystal Fire. Duh! Some smart you are, pal. It's currently on it's sixth (and finally professional) cover. Good story, good characters, but there were a lot of question left unanswered. (Do you like the cover?)Hey! Book two,
The Last Battle. In the timeline it takes place prior to book one, but it sets up a big time adventure for book three,
The Twelve Tablets. Book three is a lot more complicated, 365 printed pages, and seriously taxed my editing-proofing abilities. So there it is, the Tales of the Crystal Trilogy. Fini! Whew!Getting Crystal Fire published was a major pain in the posterior. Being new to self-publishing I went to a (so called) professional self-publishing company. That turned out to be a $1000 lesson in frustration. Every time I blinked they wanted $150 for this, $75 for that, and you can't get there from here. While waiting (and waiting - and waiting) for them to publish my book I learned how to do it myself on Amazon, Createspace, and Smashwords. I finally gave up on that company, chocked the (now) $1200 up to experience, and published it myself with a different ISBN on Createspace.
A big part of this process was just surviving to the point where I could go from handwritten pages, some in pencil, some in felt tipped pen, some in ink, to a word processor. In case you're wondering where I had all that "time on my hands", I was in prison under a questionable Nevada conviction. I had 12 years to write and was lucky to have a pencil to write with. Please, sir, may I have another.
It took a while to do all this. It wasn't the most conducive environment for creativity. I wrote
Exile about a space traveler in 1600s Japan. My first efforts at age 14 were Science Fiction. But I wasn't satisfied with the length so I added 30,000 words and it turned out to be quite an adventure. To one reviewer it seemed like two separate stories with the same characters, but it works.I was released with nothing more than the clothes on my back and a heavy cardboard box full of manuscripts. No money, nowhere to go, no nothing! Thankfully our illustrious government decided to do something right. They instituted a grant and per diem program to eliminate (yeah, right) homelessness for American Veterans. I got into a veterans transitional living program at Vitality Vets in Reno. So at least I had a place to rest my head and plenty of food. I was eligible for Social Security so I used that to buy a computer and internet connection, WORDed the manuscripts, edited-proofed-formatted-uploaded-and published. Thank you Amazon and Mark Coker (Smashwords).
I've since published a fourth Sword & Sorcery Mystical Fantasy,
The Prophecy of Tara, and following the advice of fellow authors in the Createspace community, wrote erotica
Bizarre Stories under a pseudonym aimed at quick sales (yeah, right).So here's the success part. I'm still working on promotion, the hardest part of self-publishing. I've had a few sales, only one print book (the erotica, sigh) and close to 200 eBook sales. Not very many compared to some. But I consider this entire venture a success in that I went from being slammed in a 12 x 14 cell and all the adversity that entails to publishing eight books. I overcame one obstacle after another and did it. Success.
Whadda' ya' think?
February 6, 2013
Le Blog
...Blog-blog-blog. We used to say blah-blah-blah. My, how times have changed. I came from the pre-internet daze (no, that's not a typo) of BBSes (computer clubs) with posts and chat and pix. I remember when I got my first 2400 baud modem, I was estatic. And 14.4kb was only for the elite when it hit the market.
...In the early days of 1993 when the internet was first becoming commercial high speed meant a 56k modem or a hardwired university connection. In '92 there were about 200 web pages (mostly from CERN, the high energy physics lab in Switzerland) and by mid-'93 over 2 million. The rest is history.
...I became a techie of the age. I did my own (limited) graphics and built my own web sites by hand. The big dawg on the block was Netscape, which came from Mozaic (University of Ill, Champagne), created by Andreesen, better known as Mozilla. That was before Bill Gates decided he wanted to own the internet.
...I left the arena in mid-2000 and was gone for 12 years. That was before CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), HTML5, Google, My Space, Facebook, Twitter, and Firefox. I'm a dinasauor. In the 12 years I forgot almost everything I knew about HTML and computers. It hasn't taken me long to get most of my computer skills back but HTML still eludes me. Beside, I've concentrated on a new career, that of Author-Publisher.
...Why did you go away for 12 years, you may well ask? And I reply, "Well, I could tell you, but then I'd have to wipe your memory!" The future lies before us ("lies" being the operative word). But if it's on the internet it has to be true, right? And where did you hear that? - On the Internet. [insert heavy sigh emoticon here]
...When I was 14 I started writing Science Fiction and if I do say so myself it was quite good (for a 14 year old). Wish I still had what I wrote. It's long gone. During those 12 years I had occasion (occasion being plenty of time and the inclination) to write. I loved the stories of Robert Aspirin - Myth Conceptions, Another Fine Myth, etc. He set out some guidelines, fathered and caused to be published an anthology by young authors. It inspired me to write.
...Now, here's the bizarre part. I wrote a Western - Educated Injun. Robert Aspirin has nothing to do with westerns. He writes fantasies. I wrote a western. Thank you, Bob.
...I have no idea why a western, I didn't even read them. But the muse struck and all those words flowed onto the page. Some was in pencil, some in felt tipped pen, and later on a real, honest to goodness ink pen. What I wouldn't have given for a word processor. Hallaluya!
...Flash forward to mid-2012. I have 9 manuscripts, only three are typed up (an ancient technology called a typewriter), 3 are in hand printed paper and ink. 3 more are "in process", partially completed.
...Step one: Buy computer equipment and scan the typed documents into Word. Easier said than done. Tons o' editing. But much better than having to type all 'em wurds.
...Step two: Purchase Speak n' Spell (technically Dragon Naturally Speaking V12) and get the others from paper to Word. Problem: reading my own hand printing! And it takes Dragon a while to learn my un-accented patios. I spent 2/3 of the time making corrections. But still faster than hand typing.
...Step Three: Learn how to overcome the frustration of publishing online for both eBooks and print editions. That daunting task lying before me sent me running to a professional self-publishing company. I made all the changes they asked for and submitted the final draft. While waiting (and waiting) I learned how to publish myself. First for Kindle, then ePub. I learned about ISBN and the advantages of same. I learned formatting and re-formatting and re-editing and re-proofing and how not to be overcome by frustration in having to read your own work over and over again. Postings in the Amazon community and the Smashwords Style Guide helped with formatting. eBooks are just not right without the proper formatting. Print books too but it's a lot different.
...I had to put myself in an "outside-self" frame of mind. I didn't have the wherewithal to hire an editor or proofreader. I had to wear all those hats. It's frustrating and time consuming. I read somewhere the worst thing you can do is be in a hurry to publish. Take the time to edit and proof and get it write (write, get it?)
...Still waiting for book one.
...I spoke and typed and edited and proofed and re-edited and re-proofed and had friends proof when I could. I published 5 eBooks and print editions (through CreateSpace). I made my own covers, and re-made them later when I became more profeceint at graphics. One of the main reasons for going with the professional company was they provide a professional book cover and web site. Upon their recommendation I purchased two domain names @ $80. I later found out I could have a domain name and web site with unlimited traffic with the company in Taipai I used to deal with for $30. (Heavy sigh).
...Still waiting for book one.
...Cruising the authors communities blogs (Amazon, Goodreads, others) is a great way to get an education. I confirmed what I suspected about the attraction of book covers. I remade my fantasy covers. I had to upload the book cover to the publishing company because their artist couldn't come up with a proper cover. So what did I spend $995 for?
...Still waiting for book one.
...Marketing is the hardest part of writing and publishing a book. Writing takes self-discipline. Sit down and do it! Apply the KISS principle - Keep It Simple Stupid! Marketing is a whole different animal and not one within my bailiwick (isn't that a neat word, bailiwick?). But I'm learning, slowly but surely.
...Wow! I've put off writing a blog because I thought I didn't have anything to say. That's a whole lot of wurds fur not having anything to say. I should be in congress.
-- R.L. Kiser - Reno, Nevada - Feb 6, 2013
...In the early days of 1993 when the internet was first becoming commercial high speed meant a 56k modem or a hardwired university connection. In '92 there were about 200 web pages (mostly from CERN, the high energy physics lab in Switzerland) and by mid-'93 over 2 million. The rest is history.
...I became a techie of the age. I did my own (limited) graphics and built my own web sites by hand. The big dawg on the block was Netscape, which came from Mozaic (University of Ill, Champagne), created by Andreesen, better known as Mozilla. That was before Bill Gates decided he wanted to own the internet.
...I left the arena in mid-2000 and was gone for 12 years. That was before CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), HTML5, Google, My Space, Facebook, Twitter, and Firefox. I'm a dinasauor. In the 12 years I forgot almost everything I knew about HTML and computers. It hasn't taken me long to get most of my computer skills back but HTML still eludes me. Beside, I've concentrated on a new career, that of Author-Publisher.
...Why did you go away for 12 years, you may well ask? And I reply, "Well, I could tell you, but then I'd have to wipe your memory!" The future lies before us ("lies" being the operative word). But if it's on the internet it has to be true, right? And where did you hear that? - On the Internet. [insert heavy sigh emoticon here]
...When I was 14 I started writing Science Fiction and if I do say so myself it was quite good (for a 14 year old). Wish I still had what I wrote. It's long gone. During those 12 years I had occasion (occasion being plenty of time and the inclination) to write. I loved the stories of Robert Aspirin - Myth Conceptions, Another Fine Myth, etc. He set out some guidelines, fathered and caused to be published an anthology by young authors. It inspired me to write.
...Now, here's the bizarre part. I wrote a Western - Educated Injun. Robert Aspirin has nothing to do with westerns. He writes fantasies. I wrote a western. Thank you, Bob.
...I have no idea why a western, I didn't even read them. But the muse struck and all those words flowed onto the page. Some was in pencil, some in felt tipped pen, and later on a real, honest to goodness ink pen. What I wouldn't have given for a word processor. Hallaluya!
...Flash forward to mid-2012. I have 9 manuscripts, only three are typed up (an ancient technology called a typewriter), 3 are in hand printed paper and ink. 3 more are "in process", partially completed.
...Step one: Buy computer equipment and scan the typed documents into Word. Easier said than done. Tons o' editing. But much better than having to type all 'em wurds.
...Step two: Purchase Speak n' Spell (technically Dragon Naturally Speaking V12) and get the others from paper to Word. Problem: reading my own hand printing! And it takes Dragon a while to learn my un-accented patios. I spent 2/3 of the time making corrections. But still faster than hand typing.
...Step Three: Learn how to overcome the frustration of publishing online for both eBooks and print editions. That daunting task lying before me sent me running to a professional self-publishing company. I made all the changes they asked for and submitted the final draft. While waiting (and waiting) I learned how to publish myself. First for Kindle, then ePub. I learned about ISBN and the advantages of same. I learned formatting and re-formatting and re-editing and re-proofing and how not to be overcome by frustration in having to read your own work over and over again. Postings in the Amazon community and the Smashwords Style Guide helped with formatting. eBooks are just not right without the proper formatting. Print books too but it's a lot different.
...I had to put myself in an "outside-self" frame of mind. I didn't have the wherewithal to hire an editor or proofreader. I had to wear all those hats. It's frustrating and time consuming. I read somewhere the worst thing you can do is be in a hurry to publish. Take the time to edit and proof and get it write (write, get it?)
...Still waiting for book one.
...I spoke and typed and edited and proofed and re-edited and re-proofed and had friends proof when I could. I published 5 eBooks and print editions (through CreateSpace). I made my own covers, and re-made them later when I became more profeceint at graphics. One of the main reasons for going with the professional company was they provide a professional book cover and web site. Upon their recommendation I purchased two domain names @ $80. I later found out I could have a domain name and web site with unlimited traffic with the company in Taipai I used to deal with for $30. (Heavy sigh).
...Still waiting for book one.
...Cruising the authors communities blogs (Amazon, Goodreads, others) is a great way to get an education. I confirmed what I suspected about the attraction of book covers. I remade my fantasy covers. I had to upload the book cover to the publishing company because their artist couldn't come up with a proper cover. So what did I spend $995 for?
...Still waiting for book one.
...Marketing is the hardest part of writing and publishing a book. Writing takes self-discipline. Sit down and do it! Apply the KISS principle - Keep It Simple Stupid! Marketing is a whole different animal and not one within my bailiwick (isn't that a neat word, bailiwick?). But I'm learning, slowly but surely.
...Wow! I've put off writing a blog because I thought I didn't have anything to say. That's a whole lot of wurds fur not having anything to say. I should be in congress.
-- R.L. Kiser - Reno, Nevada - Feb 6, 2013
