C. Ellis-Massey's Blog, page 2

Writer's Block

I don't know if I am actually suffering from writer's bock right now. I haven't started anything new. Well anything that I am particularly interested in continuing. I am just kind of relaxing, waiting for inspiration to strike me. Is that normal? I don't think Immunity can be made into a sequel or trilogy or anything. Besides, I just spent the last few days reading the entire thing line through line trying to get rid of all of the extra words and missing words and the like.

Where do I get inspiration? I read. Not other people's stories (although I do read them I just don't try to get inspiration from them) I read the news, interesting articles about true stories. I mean some of the most amazing things are true things. They are things so unbelievable that if they were fiction people would call it unrealistic.

Ah inspiration, come strike me!

Update

I updated half of my novel. Went through looking for all of the errors. I couldn't get all of the way through it today though. I have about 90 pages left. There is nothing I can do for the people who already have the book. I hope those people still enjoy it.

After taking a long break from the story, I see the glaring errors that I had glanced over when I'd reached the point of being done with the story.

I basically want to shield my eyes from every future review. But I won't learn if I don't read them!

I have uploaded what I have edited so far. I will try to get to the rest tomorrow.

I still hope that people enjoy the story.

Editing

I want to be mad at the review I just got about how my book is poorly edited, but I cannot. It is what it is. With that being said, the review says absolutely nothing about the story. I guess the editing was that bad, but did it take away from the story so much? I would gather not as I still got 2 stars and the reviewer read all of the way to the end.

I couldn't find anyone to edit the book for me. Sounds like a lame excuse, but I have friends that aren't readers, or were my beta readers who didn't want to reread the book. I tried to edit it myself, and believe me, I caught some things, but I obviously missed some. I, like my beta readers probably would have been, was just done with the story.

I'm not here to share my woes, so I won't. I'm just saying, if I had the money, I would have gotten it professionally edited.

I have now (finally) found someone to edit it. So in a few days, hopefully over the weekend, I will be updating and editing the copy that is on Amazon. Hopefully this will allow me to not get reviews that focus on the writing!

I am sure everyone's heard the expression, you live and you learn. Well, I am living and learning. I thought I had done the best that I could do. Obviously, I could have done better.

Next time, if there is a next time.

President's Day

Sometimes it gets to a point where people just see the holiday as a day off. They forget the reasoning behind the holiday. I must admit that I am one of those people. I understand, we're celebrating the Presidents (didn't this use to be called Washington's Birthday?). Anyway, I must admit that as there aren't many actual celebrations going on on this holiday this is a chance to get things done.

It is an opportunity, with a good excuse, to just sit down with your computer, pen and paper, pencil and paper, typewriter, tablet... whatever device a writer uses, to sit down and write. To develop ideas, to click around on the internet and see what jumps out at you as fodder.

There are no holidays. Only lazy days. Sometimes you need those too, but understand that lazy days are necessary to reset the mind too.

Being Indie

I reached my goal.

I have sold 5 books.
I have given away 532.
I have had my book borrowed once.

My book is in the hands of other people.
My mother is reading it, and she says she likes it! That's exciting for multiple reasons. She doesn't even like sci-fi. Hopefully it doesn't get to crazy for her.

But, what is really making me happy, is getting my hands on all of these other indie books and reading them. There is a plethora of books out there, and I will never ever be in want for a book again. I have just gotten into writing reviews of other people's books, because that is the best way for them to get their book noticed. I am a supporter of indie. I am indie.

Everyone who is indie doesn't have to be a supporter like I am. They can simply write their own books and be done. But I think that reading other indie authors adds something to myself as an indie. An appreciation for the work that went into people's books, novels, manuscripts etc.

I encourage all indie authors to support other's. It is only with each other's support that the indie market will keep going.

What is success?

When is it that you are a writer? Are you a writer because you simply know how to write? Are you a writer because you write a story with a plot, even if no one sees it? Are you a writer when you allow other people to see it even if you aren't making any money? Are you a writer if you intend on making some money off of what you write?

Honestly I think this answer depends for everyone. There are some levels of writing that I didn't even mention. It is not at either of the extremes, however.

What amounts to success? That is a harder question to answer. Success is extremely personal and centers on what your goals are. My goal is, and has always been, to sell 5 copies of my debut novel, Immunity. Simple goal, but easier said than done. I haven't reached it yet though. So am I unsuccessful?

I haven't given up hope, and this experience has just made me what to write something else (although what I couldn't even begin to tell you). I'd say that I am a successful writer already.

I would encourage people to check out Immunity. If nothing else, then just to support my goals and dreams.

Firsts

Everyone must start somewhere. That somewhere usually include the number 1. Be it in the form of the First step, First Moment, First Thought, First Ideas... This is the culmination of First's for me. First book, First time publishing (self-publishing), First time giving away a book for strangers to read (gasp!) and now, my First Sale. From here on out, everything I do as a writer (should I continue to write) will be the First for THAT particular book, not for my life as a writer.

Correction. This is the culmination of good Firsts for me. I still have to get that First bad review, that First one star, that First moment when someone tells me they hated everything about what I wrote. Waiting for that is worse than waiting for all of the good Firsts.

Le sigh, but it is a must. Although I don't hope for it in general, I know it is to be.

Read my debut novel Immunity if you haven't yet.

My First Review!

My first review for my debut novel Immunity was added on Kindle last night. I'd like to thank T. Reader for giving me a wonderful review. I was quite nervous to get my first review, wondering what people might think of it my novel and if I would receive a bad review. I am glad someone liked it! It makes me feel great to know that I wrote something entertaining.
With that being said I am still waiting for my first one star review. I am not going to sit here and think that one won't be coming.
Heck I will probably jump for joy when I get my first blog follower. I know I did when I saw how many people downloaded my book! I haven't made a single cent off of my novel and yet I am somehow happy. I like the exposure, because how else will people find out about my novel?
For now though, I am going to simply enjoy having rave reviews. Cheers.

Thank You

After my free book promotion on Amazon Kindle, I gave away 532 books! That means that 532 people at least thought it was interesting enough to download. I want to say thank you to everyone who downloaded it. You all have made my promotion successful as I was aiming for at least 500 downloads. To all that are are reading the book or have already finished it, THANK YOU! I really hope that you enjoy the story.

I'd like to thank all of my friends and family for their support of my book as well. I wouldn't have had as many downloads without their promotion efforts. Indie does not have to mean alone.

It is my true desire that people enjoy the book. I want to give readers something interesting to read. Bottom line.

Thank you.