Ann Benjamin's Blog, page 295

Things I’ve learned in 2013

Some reflections on the year:

1.  Market all you want, this does not necessarily translate to book sales.

2.  I have amazing friends from around the world.

3.  I am so glad to not be living in Qatar at the end of this year.

4.  I am lucky to travel so much.

5.  Losing a pet before their time is a painful experience I would not wish on anyone.

6.  Even if it’s 110F, you can still have a good time.  Elvis helps.

7.  Diet and exercise work.  (So does having a work out buddy or buddies).

8.  I forgot how much I missed salsa dancing.  Hoping to find a new place to go out in Abu Dhabi!

And what do I have planned for 2014?

For the first time in a very long time, I have no specific publishing goals.  Yes, I have two books that could be published, but I don’t think they are particularly close to ready.  If and when I get motivation to move forward with them, I will.  If not, I’m not going to push things.  I will, however, complete a book that’s 1/3 done.

I’m looking forward to furthering my career in higher education.  Yes, I love writing.  However, it becomes painfully clear that this is not where I’ll be able to ‘work.’  I’ll always write and will continue to publish, but I’m trying to let go of becoming financially successful in this arena.

Also, on the travel front, I’ve booked in for Tokyo and am hoping this is the year the Seychelles happen!

From my little temporary dorm room, that’s it from me – what are your big lessons from 2013?

Move to Qatar If you Enjoy the Following…

First of all, sarcasm.

Second of all, Qatar has been my home for the past 2+ years.  In this time, I’ve made some new friends, finally decided on a career, published a book or two and logged a lot more miles around the world mostly as a result of my desire to get out of this place.  So, it’s not all bad.  But, it is definitely the least favorite place I’ve ever lived.  And, with an airing of grievances, I’m ready to let all of it go and start 2014 in a happier mental place.

Why did I fundamentally hate living there so much?

Here’s just a few reasons:

Do you like a country that permanently refuses to take care of shelter animals?

Try Qatar!  I think they are trying to do something about this now, but they’ve had the opportunity to make changes for years.

Do you like a country that constantly changes it’s mind on social issues and laws?

Try Qatar!

Do you want to move to a country that has only two (novice) English speaking radio stations?

Try Qatar!

Do you like countries where there is only one legal place to buy alcohol to consume at home?  And certainly do not try opening another venue, because it will be closed in 4 hours or less.

Try Qatar!

Do you like a country that will see the next foreseeable future locked in traffic and infrastructure nightmares?

Try Qatar!

How do you feel about migrant labor?

Qatar has plenty going on!

Do you like an airline that doesn’t care about its elite members?

Try Qatar (Airways!)

How about riding buses every time you have to leave the country?

Try Qatar (Airways!)

Do you like waiting years for projects to be finished?  HIA, Sidra, the Spinneys across the street…

Try Qatar!  Significant delays are the norm!

Do you like mold?  Humidity?  Lifts that don’t work?

Try the Pearl (especially Tower 24, managed by Asteco, the greatest property management company in the country)!

Do you like loud motorcyclists and automobile drivers making as much noise as humanly possible for hours a day and not a damned thing you can do about it?

Try the Pearl!

Do you like a country that spends tens of millions of dollars on art, but migrant laborers aren’t paid regularly?

Try Qatar!

How about a country that rips off artwork?

Try Qatar!

I could go on (and on), but I think that’s enough.  I realize my next port of call (Abu Dhabi) will have many of the same issues above, but recognizing that a country could have such an impact on my mental and physical well being has taken its toll and I am so glad to be gone.

Khalas.

All I Need to Write.

Grant Snider, the author and illustrator, can be found here.

For the record, all of the above it true.  I’m fortunate to have this space for the next day or two.  I’ve been busy trying to finish the second draft of a WIP that’s been on my to do list for as long as I can remember the past few months.

Me posting elsewhere.

My friends over at PMV are still happy to let me contribute regular guest posts:

1.  Top 10 Gifts for Writers

2.  An excerpt from the first chapter of Room 702

Enjoy!

Famous Meals from Literature.

http://www.shortlist.com/cool-stuff/photography/famous-meals-from-literature

So, this article popped up on my radar a few weeks month or more ago.  While there aren’t a lot of meals in Room 702, there is a pivotal scene around a reaction to a particular type of food which is worth mentioning.  While I don’t have time, energy of the photography skills to pull off the level of the article, I do have Polyvore!  You’ll have to buy the book to get a further understanding.  Not pictured – an epi pen!

Do you have a favorite fictional meal or scene from a novel that revolves around eating?  (I actually have a soft spot for Brian Jacques’s Redwall series and all the yummy treats available to his characters!)

Some humor as I stress out.

 

 

I hate it when this happens.

Even when you start a new one in 2012 and it comes with expanded pages. Hubs ran out of pages in less than 4 years!

Appeared on multiple facebook feeds, had to share.  [Original and more tragedies here].

Moving countries is stressful.  Sometimes you need to laugh.

Finally, something positive!

“I wanted to branch out on the genres I read.  I typically read romance, mystery and fantasy.  I could not stop reading this book once I started.  Each chapter/event was a story but towards the end they all start to come together.  Really enjoyed this book.”

- Review from Goodreads.  #mademyday

The Goldfinch.

I started The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt yesterday.  This is what writing it about.  This is how you engage a reader.  This is how you write interesting characters.  This is how you develop characters.  This is not a typical story.  this is unique storytelling.  [Rushes back to continue reading.]

The point of returning books is…?

Other than logging into my Amazon, BN and iTunes accounts every day and seeing a big 0 in the sales column which happens regularly so I’m better at dealing with it, the second worst feeling is when people return my books.  Now, I’ve been on a REALLY good streak.  The last month I had a returned book was September.  It’s a small thing, but one fact I am proud of.  Yes, I am appreciative of weird things when it comes to my books.

Cut to: this morning.  I log in as always and find that some intrepid consumer bought one each of my YA books, then returned them.  Net gain of 0.  Day not quite ruined, but certainly the last thing I want to wake up to.  In this instance, I wonder, how did you accidentally buy all of my books and then return them?  A person would have to click the ‘buy book’ option four times, and then go back on their purchase.  And to make things worse, the books in question retail for $0.99.  What’s the point?

Ron Burgundy makes me feel better about the situation.

Fun quote.

‘Plot highly improbable. Characterization exaggerated. Conversation unnatural. A good deal of humour but not always in the best of taste. Tell her to keep on trying, and in time she may produce a real book.’

- Daddy Long Legs, Jean Webster

This book was a favorite of mine growing up.  I recently reread it and had a giggle at the above passage.  The protagonist is, among other things, a struggling novelist.  This is from one of her rejection letters.  I live in continual hope that I too, will one day produce a real book.