Liz Lee's Blog, page 10
May 12, 2014
Revising, Reviews and Beta Readers
Revising, revising, revising. That's the story of my life these days. I have four books in different stages of revision. My goal is to have three ready to go within a month. That means WORK. The fourth is a true rough draft. Crappy first draft. There's magic in there but a whole bunch of Oh Man What Was I Thinking?!? in there, too.
It's funny how many times you can go through a manuscript and find new things wrong with each revision turn. That's why I wrote four drafts and revised throughout. I need fresh eyes and a fresh perspective.
When I'm done revising, I send to beta readers. If they see issues, they let me know, and I revise again. Then it's off to a proof reader and one more set of edits.
This is the system I've come up with after a handful of published books. It works for me. I wish I could come up with a faster system!
I actually love the revision process. It's fun to flesh out characters and make sure the plot pieces fit together. When I first started, I thought a draft, a revised draft and edit and publish was the answer. For some people it is. Not for me. It took my beta readers to help me see that. YAY BETA READERS!!! I love you.
If you're interested in being a beta reader, sign up for my newsletter and I'll have a link in the newsletter to a document you can fill out when I have a spot open. Same thing goes for review copy requests. Or you can just comment here and I'll send you the link.
<3
It's funny how many times you can go through a manuscript and find new things wrong with each revision turn. That's why I wrote four drafts and revised throughout. I need fresh eyes and a fresh perspective.
When I'm done revising, I send to beta readers. If they see issues, they let me know, and I revise again. Then it's off to a proof reader and one more set of edits.
This is the system I've come up with after a handful of published books. It works for me. I wish I could come up with a faster system!
I actually love the revision process. It's fun to flesh out characters and make sure the plot pieces fit together. When I first started, I thought a draft, a revised draft and edit and publish was the answer. For some people it is. Not for me. It took my beta readers to help me see that. YAY BETA READERS!!! I love you.
If you're interested in being a beta reader, sign up for my newsletter and I'll have a link in the newsletter to a document you can fill out when I have a spot open. Same thing goes for review copy requests. Or you can just comment here and I'll send you the link.
<3
May 11, 2014
Quest for Self-Publishing Answers
When I say I've been writing...
I mean I've been writing. A ton. I have three Liz Lee books almost ready to go. I'm waiting until they're all done so there won't be a log between books again. I have a Mary Beth Lee book, the third (YA Paranormal) Sharlene Gallagher book, ready too.
I don't know if I'm doing this right or not. I guess I'll see.
I feel torn. Like I should post the books as soon as they're done no matter what. But then I feel like it's a LONG wait time between books for readers. I could have gone through my backlist and cleaned up some old books. I don't know.
It's so strange. It's like I get in this mindset of I need to do more, write more, publish more because author YXZ is. I know that's not the way to do this, but it's tough not to sometimes.
The one thing I know for sure is I've had a blast writing the the books that will release over the next few months. It's fun to see these stories come to life.
It's fun to write every day. It's fun to find the perfect soundtrack for the stories and to push the conflicts and to challenge myself to do better every day.
It's also fun to reconnect with writers. I can't wait to see what happens over the next few months. How will sales pan out? I ask myself that constantly. I sell around 100 books a month right now. And I do that without advertising. I don't want to spend time advertising when I work long hours. I want to write in my off time.
Should I offer audio on everything?
I belong to two loops that say yes. They say I should offer the books in every format possible everywhere. I don't know. I'm torn. My first books were KDP Select. They've sold the most.
Should I focus on social media? I LOVE twitter. My @marybethleeybnp profile is far more active. But I can't stand reading constant book ads on twitter. I think I've clicked on one and bought a book. One. In four years. Or however long I've had an account.
Should I do contests? Do I need a street team? What about blog hops? Do I need a DBA? I read a GREAT book, The Naked Truth About Self Publishing. It answers a lot of these questions, but then I'm face with do I do all that, or do I write and never have these long lags between books again. OR is it a you need to do it all type of thing?
I don't know.
My friend Mel is a prolific writer and she's an amazing promoter. I can't do all she does, and I have nowhere near the number of books she has. So maybe that's the real answer. Maybe I just need to focus on building my list of books and be aware of when I hit the place where I need to focus on marketing. But focusing on marketing almost seems...I don't know...salesman-y. But then, that's the point. To sell the books.
I'm sure I'm not the only self-pubbed author looking at all this and wondering what the right asnwers are. I'll keep people posted here.
In the mean time, I'm going to write and write and write.
This is my dream, and I'm not giving it up.
I mean I've been writing. A ton. I have three Liz Lee books almost ready to go. I'm waiting until they're all done so there won't be a log between books again. I have a Mary Beth Lee book, the third (YA Paranormal) Sharlene Gallagher book, ready too.
I don't know if I'm doing this right or not. I guess I'll see.
I feel torn. Like I should post the books as soon as they're done no matter what. But then I feel like it's a LONG wait time between books for readers. I could have gone through my backlist and cleaned up some old books. I don't know.
It's so strange. It's like I get in this mindset of I need to do more, write more, publish more because author YXZ is. I know that's not the way to do this, but it's tough not to sometimes.
The one thing I know for sure is I've had a blast writing the the books that will release over the next few months. It's fun to see these stories come to life.
It's fun to write every day. It's fun to find the perfect soundtrack for the stories and to push the conflicts and to challenge myself to do better every day.
It's also fun to reconnect with writers. I can't wait to see what happens over the next few months. How will sales pan out? I ask myself that constantly. I sell around 100 books a month right now. And I do that without advertising. I don't want to spend time advertising when I work long hours. I want to write in my off time.
Should I offer audio on everything?
I belong to two loops that say yes. They say I should offer the books in every format possible everywhere. I don't know. I'm torn. My first books were KDP Select. They've sold the most.
Should I focus on social media? I LOVE twitter. My @marybethleeybnp profile is far more active. But I can't stand reading constant book ads on twitter. I think I've clicked on one and bought a book. One. In four years. Or however long I've had an account.
Should I do contests? Do I need a street team? What about blog hops? Do I need a DBA? I read a GREAT book, The Naked Truth About Self Publishing. It answers a lot of these questions, but then I'm face with do I do all that, or do I write and never have these long lags between books again. OR is it a you need to do it all type of thing?
I don't know.
My friend Mel is a prolific writer and she's an amazing promoter. I can't do all she does, and I have nowhere near the number of books she has. So maybe that's the real answer. Maybe I just need to focus on building my list of books and be aware of when I hit the place where I need to focus on marketing. But focusing on marketing almost seems...I don't know...salesman-y. But then, that's the point. To sell the books.
I'm sure I'm not the only self-pubbed author looking at all this and wondering what the right asnwers are. I'll keep people posted here.
In the mean time, I'm going to write and write and write.
This is my dream, and I'm not giving it up.
May 10, 2014
It's Been a Long Time...
I would say something about the best laid plans, but I'm afraid the universe will hear me and I'll suffer the negative consequences...again.
It's funny to look back here and see the posts about Dragon and writing in spite of pain. I had no idea how bad things would get with my arm or how long it would take to recover.
Frozen Shoulder is no joke.
The shoulder doctor said he couldn't tell me what caused it. My family doctor said she thinks it's hormonal since it usually hits women in their 40s or men with diabetes.
Whatever caused it, I'm on the mend, thank goodness.
I have been writing...a lot. I worked up to that. Dragon really did save my writing life for months. Then Scrivener rode to the rescue.
My goal (dare I even think the word goal?!?) is to start a physical fitness plan and keep this blog up-to-date so my readers know what's going on and when new releases are scheduled.
Thanks for checking in with me over the last few months. And thanks for following me over to my personal blog at marybethlee.wordpress.com.
I look forward to an active presence here again. <3
It's funny to look back here and see the posts about Dragon and writing in spite of pain. I had no idea how bad things would get with my arm or how long it would take to recover.
Frozen Shoulder is no joke.
The shoulder doctor said he couldn't tell me what caused it. My family doctor said she thinks it's hormonal since it usually hits women in their 40s or men with diabetes.
Whatever caused it, I'm on the mend, thank goodness.
I have been writing...a lot. I worked up to that. Dragon really did save my writing life for months. Then Scrivener rode to the rescue.
My goal (dare I even think the word goal?!?) is to start a physical fitness plan and keep this blog up-to-date so my readers know what's going on and when new releases are scheduled.
Thanks for checking in with me over the last few months. And thanks for following me over to my personal blog at marybethlee.wordpress.com.
I look forward to an active presence here again. <3
October 14, 2013
Another awesome writing day in spite if pain
In two days I wrote 8500 words using spiral notebooks, several different colored pens and Dragon. That was the best total since August. It feels wonderful. It's so nice to finally be writing Sam and Patty's story. It's been an interesting time of reflection, and I've learned a lot. One of the big things I learned was that I tend to whine a lot and whining doesn't solve anything. My friend Linda wrote her book about a girl going blind while she herself was experiencing major sight problems because of MS. She didn't realize it was MS when she first started writing the book, but by the end the doctors had told her what the problem was. However that book went on to win the National Reader's Choice Award and several other awards. Linda didn't let going blind get in the way of the story. I should've learned a lesson from her. I'm glad I learned a lesson from one of my editors. When what you're used to doing doesn't work, you've got to find another way to do it. Writing is what I want to do. I can't let injury or illness or feeling bored or whatever stop me.Since I changed to this way of writing, I haven't been nearly as distracted. I think I actually get more words down using handwriting and Dragon then I did on the computer. Lesson learned.
October 13, 2013
Dragon Dictation Has Helped Me Reclaim My Writing Life
Dragon has changed everything. I was so upset with the shoulder that just kept getting worse and worse and worse. I was so upset when I couldn't use the computer and was stuck using a thumb and my phone. It made writing impossible or so I thought. A former student helped me realize it was all about changing the approach. Enter Dragon Dictation. And a whole new world of writing. In the last two days I've written 6K words for the first time since August 25. And actually I think I'm more productive using the handwriting and Dragon approach because I don't get distracted by Facebook and Twitter. It's like a blast from the past with a technology twist. It's so awesome. I love it. I don't think I'll change back to the computer even when my arm is fixed. I can't believe this. Of course right now I'm on a huge writing high. I hope I still feel this way in the morning. #YesIUsedDragonToBlog
October 12, 2013
Writer Down! I guess romance writing is a contact sport.
A nasty shoulder injury has kept me off blogs and anything that required computer use for about two months. The injury has been hurting for about three months, and it just has progressively gotten worse. However I finally have an answer for writing thanks to one of my former editors. I am now using Dragon Dictation to dictate the words I handwrite. It's kind of a painful process, but it's working. Hopefully I'll be able to do something different after my appointment with the shoulder specialist on October 28. Keep me in your prayers and positive healing thoughts. Thanks!
August 26, 2013
To Trust a Prince and the new adventure
I'm trying something new with my books. Several readers have asked for the Nook version, so To Trust a Prince is available on Amazon, Nook and Smashwords.
A Royal Romance from the past turns deadly in Liz Lee's To Trust a Prince.
“Do not play the hero, Sarah. You might think you’re tough, but there’s no cure for dead.” Sarah James knows these words are true. She also knows the man speaking them—Ali Sahrain—has the power to destroy her life once he understands her deception. A deception that started nine years earlier with a secret she can no longer keep. Her life is not the only one at stake. His son’s is too. The son he knows nothing about.
Ali Sahrain understands one truth in life—trust no one. As prince of the island B’en Ai, he knows the consequence of trusting others is often deadly. When the one woman he’d broken that rule for tells him he has a son, a son whose life is in jeopardy, that simple truth is reinforced.
In a race against time, Ali and Sarah must either find trust or their worlds will be destroyed. If they find trust, can love be far behind?
To Trust a Prince by Liz Lee. Book 2 in the It Started in Texas series.
School with kids starts today. Whew! The day job gets busy now. Thankfully, I wrote 2000 words on Sam's sexy story last night.
A Royal Romance from the past turns deadly in Liz Lee's To Trust a Prince.“Do not play the hero, Sarah. You might think you’re tough, but there’s no cure for dead.” Sarah James knows these words are true. She also knows the man speaking them—Ali Sahrain—has the power to destroy her life once he understands her deception. A deception that started nine years earlier with a secret she can no longer keep. Her life is not the only one at stake. His son’s is too. The son he knows nothing about.
Ali Sahrain understands one truth in life—trust no one. As prince of the island B’en Ai, he knows the consequence of trusting others is often deadly. When the one woman he’d broken that rule for tells him he has a son, a son whose life is in jeopardy, that simple truth is reinforced.
In a race against time, Ali and Sarah must either find trust or their worlds will be destroyed. If they find trust, can love be far behind?
To Trust a Prince by Liz Lee. Book 2 in the It Started in Texas series.
School with kids starts today. Whew! The day job gets busy now. Thankfully, I wrote 2000 words on Sam's sexy story last night.
August 22, 2013
Mock Mashed Potato #recipe #LowCarb
Since I broke my low carb rules and made myself crave chocolate with Kacie Jo's Better Than Sex Cake recipe, I thought I'd share a healthier recipe today.
So far, I've lost 69 pounds in 17 months living a low carb lifestyle that includes a daily 30-minute walk as well.
These mock mashed potatoes have been LIFE SAVERS for me.
DH doesn't like them because of the consistency, but if I could figure that out, he says he would definitely eat them because they taste like mashed potatoes.
I LOVE THEM.
Pre-heat over to 350
5 cooked pieces of bacon, chopped up into back bits. (Can use store bought bits, but they're not as good).
1 bag frozen cauliflower, 1/2 stick butter. Microwave until cooked. Dump in food processor.
1 cube chicken broth and half a cup of water. Boil until broth dissolves. Dump in processor, mix a few seconds on low.
1 cream cheese brick, dump in processor, low until mixed.
1/4 C grated parmesan cheese and 1 TBSP cream cheese...sump and mix
1 C cheddar cheese split in halves...dump and mix 1/2. (optional)
Pour entire mix into an 8*8 pan. Mix in bacon bits. Top with 1/2 of cheddar. COver with foil and cook in over for 20 minutes.
Let rest!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This step in really important. They taste good here, but they are divine in five minutes.
Scoop and eat. :)
***You can add more broth and some half and half or cream to taste and top with chives and this same recipe actually makes a GREAT mock baked potato soup. I puree the cauliflower a little more with that one.
YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!
So far, I've lost 69 pounds in 17 months living a low carb lifestyle that includes a daily 30-minute walk as well.
These mock mashed potatoes have been LIFE SAVERS for me.
DH doesn't like them because of the consistency, but if I could figure that out, he says he would definitely eat them because they taste like mashed potatoes.
I LOVE THEM.
Pre-heat over to 350
5 cooked pieces of bacon, chopped up into back bits. (Can use store bought bits, but they're not as good).
1 bag frozen cauliflower, 1/2 stick butter. Microwave until cooked. Dump in food processor.
1 cube chicken broth and half a cup of water. Boil until broth dissolves. Dump in processor, mix a few seconds on low.
1 cream cheese brick, dump in processor, low until mixed.
1/4 C grated parmesan cheese and 1 TBSP cream cheese...sump and mix
1 C cheddar cheese split in halves...dump and mix 1/2. (optional)
Pour entire mix into an 8*8 pan. Mix in bacon bits. Top with 1/2 of cheddar. COver with foil and cook in over for 20 minutes.
Let rest!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This step in really important. They taste good here, but they are divine in five minutes.
Scoop and eat. :)
***You can add more broth and some half and half or cream to taste and top with chives and this same recipe actually makes a GREAT mock baked potato soup. I puree the cauliflower a little more with that one.
YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 21, 2013
The Guardian book 2 releases Sunday!
I love these books. I can't wait to hear reader reaction after Sunday!
If you'd like an advance digital copy of An Angel in exchange for an honest review, let me know!
August 20, 2013
#Scrivener Saves the Day...Again
Today's post is brought to you be the letters P and H for Plot and Holes.That's what I've got courtesy of the revision I did that tightened up my manuscript.
THANK GOD for Scrivener and the snapshot. I was able to see the changes I made. I understand why I made them, but in doing so I left big blanks in the story. Must fix.
Two chapters out of 23. Not too shabby.
Of course there's also a secondary character I need to work in a few more times.
Have I mentioned how much I love Scrivener? #
