Jacqueline E. Smith's Blog, page 60

Ready or Not

CEMETERY TOURS is officially available for pre-order on AMAZON!

Cemetery Tours: Jacqueline E. Smith, Benjamin J. Durham: 9780989673402: Amazon.com: Books

Brainspill Part II

I have a lot of stuff on my mind.  That can be a good thing.  I think I’d rather have too much to think about than absolutely nothing.  However, it does my brain a little muddled and distracted having all these different thoughts floating around.  All these thoughts are mostly combinations of things I need to do, things I want to do, and things that I want to share.  I also want to keep updating semi-regularly, because I feel like I’ve been doing a good job with that recently.  I also need to keep talking and spreading the word about…

Subtlety at it’s finest.

1.  Today’s challenge has been converting Cemetery Tours into a file suitable for Kindle and other eBooks.  Now, the company I used will do that for you.  However, when I clicked the “read through” version, I noticed several things wrong.  The title, for example, was so huge, the word “Cemetery” didn’t fit into one line.  It ended up looking like this…

CEMETER

Y TOURS

Not gonna work.  It was also missing a table of contest and the ISBN number was wrong.  So, I had to go and reformat the entire things.  It wasn’t too difficult, unless you count creating that stupid table of contents.  That was torture.  But I’m not good with computers, so maybe it was just me.  Although I think the most difficult task is over, I will still be working on it for the rest of the weekend to make sure it’s ready for Tuesday.

2.  I really like LinkedIn.  However, I keep clicking on people’s profiles over and over again to scroll through their “connections” to see if I can find anyone else I know and I’m afraid it’s telling the people that I keep viewing their profiles over and over again and that they’ll think I’m a stalker.  So… any of my friends on LinkedIn who are reading this, I’m sorry.  I promise I’m not creeping on you (I save that for Facebook).

3.  I have to start getting serious about the release party.  I’ll probably have about three or four lists to make this weekend.  That’s okay though, because I like planning and I like making lists.  I would kind of rather be doing that than formatting for Kindle.  I’m telling you, formatting is my absolute least favorite part of the publishing process.  Seriously, it sucks.

4.  I need to order two books ASAP to send in to the Library of Congress.

5.  I need to start focusing on getting the sequel going.  I’m on Chapter 7 right now, but for as long as I’ve been writing, Chapter 7 has always been the bane of my existence.  I am not kidding.  Every single book I write, I always get stuck on Chapter 7 and it takes like, four times as long to finish it as it should.  Chapter 7 is obviously cursed.

6.  As much as I need to focus on the sequel, however, my muse is really wanting to work on my other stuff tonight.  I know a lot of writers say that you need to pick a book and stick with it.  However, you have to reward yourself sometime.  You always write the best stuff when you write what you want to write (Say that ten times fast.  Go!).

7.  I just know I’m going to forget something really crucial about this whole publishing process, which is why I feel compelled to write everything down.

8.  I need to start hanging up my little postcards on more community boards.  Here’s a picture of the ones that I hung up in Starbucks last week.

9.  If you’ve written a book, please leave me a link in the comment section below!  I want to support you!!

Here are all my links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cemetery_Tours

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18470430-cemetery-tours

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CemeteryTours

10.  If you have any marketing advice, words of wisdom on getting my book out there, please leave a comment of send me a message!  Any tips, experiences, or stories are so appreciated!  Thank you!

11.  I really want to watch The Count of Monte Cristo, but of course, I can’t find my DVD.

12.  I found out that Julianne Moore has been cast as the villainous President Coin in Mockingjay Parts I and II.  While I’m sure Ms. Moore will do a fantastic job, I’ll admit that I was hoping for Viola Davis to get the role.  For some reason, when I read the book, she is the one I envisioned.  She’s such a brilliant actress and she’s so beautiful!!!

Nerve-Wracking

I’ve always been a careful person, but never nit-picky enough to qualify as a “perfectionist.”  I’m not neat.  I’m not organized.  I’m convinced that if the mess in my bedroom can make itself, it should be able to clean itself up as well.  However, I’ve always been confident in my ability to do quality work, and especially in my ability to write (That being said, I really hope this post is grammatically correct or I might be something of a joke).  I was always eager for teachers and professors to read my term papers and essays, because I knew I had done a good job.  

I am really, really, really excited for people to read Cemetery Tours.  I’m confident in my book, my story, my characters, all of it.  I was a little nervous when my teacher and my friend read it, but having passed the test as far as both of them are concerned, I’m ready to share it with the world.  I like it, and I really think readers will like it, too.  I wouldn’t be talking about it so much if I didn’t!  Trust me, I do not like being embarrassed.  I’d rather be in some kind of physical pain than be embarrassed.  And there are things that I’ve written that, yes, if they got out, I would be SO embarrassed.  Fortunately, Cemetery Tours is not one of them.  I am really, really proud of my book.  

Turning the final version into my printing company, however, was probably one of the most nerve-wracking things I’ve ever done in my life.  I just know that something’s going to be wrong with it, even though my editor edited it and my high school literature/English/grammar teacher edited it and my genius author/valedictorian/Summa Cum Laude/double major/law doctorate friend edited it and I myself read it through about a hundred bajillion million times.  I am still convinced that something is going to be wrong.  

Apparently, this is normal.  All independent authors and publishers have talked about “polishing that manuscript.”  Well, this one has been polished, painted gold, spit-shined, and then polished again.  Still, there are no guarantees that there’s nothing wrong.  We are human, and to err is, unfortunately, human.  But I can’t edit forever.  No one can.  At some point, you have to take the editor’s cap off and replace it with the publisher’s bowler hat (For the record, I’m not sure publishers actually wear bowler hats).  You’ll never be able to move forward if you’re always second guessing not only yourself and your own abilities, but those around you whom you’ve trusted with one of the most personal and precious things to an author; your manuscript.  I never, ever thought I’d let anyone read something so personal.  If I was willing to take that step, I have to take the next and trust, once and for all, that Cemetery Tours is good enough and it is ready to be shared.  That goes for all manuscripts out there being primped for publication.  

This is the home stretch, y’all.  I’ve been waiting for it for so long, and I can’t believe it’s finally here.  Thank you all for your support.  Please say a prayer, not only for me, but for all the indies out there.  We don’t ask for much.  As hokey as it sounds, we’re just trying to make our dreams come true.       

I’m finally ready. 

LinkedIn

I finally made myself a semi-decent LinkedIn profile!  If you’re on and are into writing, publishing, photography, any of the above, please add me!

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=189053819&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic

Self-Promotion and Harry Potter

As I round the corner and make my final sprint in this long road to publication, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, a lot of reflecting, and a lot of self-promoting.  When you’re an independent author, you’re not just an author.  You’re also an editor (though I’ve had a lot of help with editing), a publisher, a businessperson, a publicist… you name it.  The publicity and marketing is one of the most essential parts of being an independent author because, let’s face it, you’re not going to sell any books if no one knows that the book exists.  You’ve got to get yourself out there.  How do you get yourself out there if you’re an independent author?

Self-Promotion.

I’ll be the first to admit it can be a lot of fun to talk about yourself.  I love telling stories and sharing experiences.  There comes a time, however, when all the me-me-me stuff begins to wear a bit thin.  Ever since I announced the release of my book, I’ve been spreading the word of Jackie and Cemetery Tours quite a bit.  This afternoon, I wrote a blurb about the book and myself for my University’s magazine.  I hand out postcards with the book’s image and information everywhere I go.  I’ve been posting non-stop on every social media site that I know.  I still love my book and I still love what I do, but I’m getting a little tired of talking about myself.

So tonight, I thought I’d write about the boy who changed my life, who has helped me throughout some of the hardest times in my life, and who has taken me on the kind of adventures I’d never have imagined in a thousand years.

Harry Potter.

I was in elementary school, probably fifth grade or so, when the first books became popular in America.  I distinctly remember everyone in my class reading The Sorcerer’s Stone.  I’ve always been a little behind on everything cool, so I really had no idea what the book was about.  I remember getting curious, however, after the first three books started popping in up the Scholastic book-order forms (always my favorite part about elementary school).  I was particularly intrigued by the strange creature on the cover of The Prisoner of Azkaban.  When I expressed my interest in The Boy Who Lived to my mother, she was iffy.  She’d heard rumors that the books were weird and not suited for kids, but I decided to read them anyway.  I was just sort of a rebel like that.

I won’t even begin to tell you how quickly I read the books, or how deeply I fell in love with the characters.  The movies only intensified my bond with the characters and the story (however, I would be lying if I said I thought the best of the movies was better than the worst of the books… the books are always better!  Though The Hunger Games movie was pretty damn awesome…).  Beginning with the release of The Order of the Phoenix (the book), I attended every midnight release of every book and every movie (except the sixth movie… I was working at camp, but I saw it that weekend!).  I remember the night that The Order of the Phoenix was released, I stayed awake all night reading.  I was so exhausted the next morning that I actually fainted, so my mom ordered me to stop reading and take a nap.  Apparently, she’s been trying to come between Harry and me for years (don’t worry, she loves him now).  I still finished the book later that day however, totally bawling my eyes out because of what happened to Sirius.  I loved him so much.  Why couldn’t he catch a break?!  Couldn’t he have used Polyjuice Potion to go outside?  I mean, really!  Sure, JK Rowling, you can give him a reason to drink, but don’t torture him!

Sirius had been one of my absolute favorite characters ever since the first time I read The Prisoner of Azkaban.  Confession: After I finished the second book, I couldn’t find the third one anywhere.  Desperate for more Potter, I decided to skip the third one and go ahead to The Goblet of Fire.  That was a bit of a mistake since I found out that “notorious mass murderer” Sirius Black wasn’t actually a mass murderer at all, but Harry’s fiercely loyal, protective, and reckless godfather.  Basically, one of the biggest plot twists in English literature.  Still, it didn’t ruin Prisoner for me in the slightest.  I’ve read it so many times, I could probably recite it word for word.  I still tear up every time the Sirius falls to his knees in the Shrieking Shack and begs, “Believe me. Believe me, Harry. I never betrayed James and Lily. I would have died before I betrayed them.”  Even though she died before the book began, Lily has always been another of my favorites.  In my mind, she was the very heart and soul of the books.

Sorry, Snape. I’m glad she ended up with James.

Being a member of the so-called Harry Potter generation was a gift.  We grew up alongside Harry, Ron, and Hermione.  We learned to believe in forces even more powerful than magic; love, loyalty, friendship, bravery, sacrifice.  Reading the books got me through some of the hardest months of my life.  From the time I was in seventh grade up until halfway through high school, my family suffered the loss of my father’s job, my mother taking two jobs to support the household, and bankruptcy.  During the summers when both of my parents worked and before I could drive, my sister and I stayed home alone inside our house all day.  It was a rotten way to spend summer.  However, it was also during that time with Harry that I began writing again.  I had always enjoyed writing when I was a kid, but it was through my love of Harry Potter and my desire for more adventures at Hogwarts and I began writing seriously.  Okay, I’m talking about myself again.  I’m sorry.

Before I sign off for the night, just a few more things.

1.  Richard Harris will always be Dumbledore to me.

2.  Fred Weasley was my first fictional crush.  The day that the seventh book came out, I spent the entire day reading and had plans to attend a sock-hop dance at my University after I finished.  I almost ended up not going because I was so devastated by Fred’s death.  It was like losing a friend.  I didn’t tell anyone because I was the only who’d read the book, but I was trying not to cry the entire time I was at the dance.  Also, they probably would have thought I was crazy.

3.  I like Ron, but personally, I think Hermione could have done better.  She’s happy with him though, and that’s all that matters.

4.  Professor McGonagall is one of my heroes and my favorite Hogwarts professor after Lupin.

5.  There are very few things I wouldn’t do if it meant that JK Rowling would write more Harry Potter books, especially about the Marauders.

6.  I am a proud Ravenclaw.

7.  I want a pet dragon.  And a phoenix.  And a pygmypuff.  And an owl.

8.  One of my favorite movie characters is Lucius Malfoy.  I thought he was perfect.

9.  One of my absolute favorite scenes from the books is the Quidditch World Cup and I was exceedingly disappointed that I didn’t get to see it in the movie.

10.  I think I loved the side characters and backstories (Fred and George, Sirius, Remus, Neville, Luna) more than Harry, Ron, and Hermione.  And I love them a lot.

*Bonus*

11.  Always be nice to the dweeby kid.

Mischief Managed.

Seven Days…

UNTIL CEMETERY TOURS IS RELEASED!!!

Also, I am officially a GoodReads author!  That’s kind of neat!!!

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7260466.Jacqueline_E_Smith

Anti-Spoilers

As we approach the seven day countdown to the release of Cemetery Tours, I thought I’d have a little fun and make up a list of anti-spoilers.  You know, stuff about the book that would be a spoilers if it wasn’t totally obvious.  

1.  There is a cemetery in the book. 

2.  There is a ghost in the book.  

3.  There is a kiss in the book.  (I’m a girl… of course there’s a little romance!)  

4.  There is another ghost in the book.

5.  There is a ghost hunter in the book.  

6.  There is dialogue in the book.

7.  There is character development in the book.  (At least, I hope that’s what it is.  Some readers may disagree, but I have my Masters and I’m pretty sure it’s character development.)

8.  There is a Starbucks in the book. 

9.  There is a library in the book.

10.  There is another ghost in the book.  

You’re welcome!   

 

GoodReads is the Indie Author’s Best Friend

Hey everyone!  I have officially added Cemetery Tours to GoodReads!  Please check it out! 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18470430-cemetery-tours

Happy Monday (if there is such a thing!)

 

Brainspill

I’ll be honest.  This is probably going to be the most random entry I’ve ever posted.  I have nothing really profound to say today, at least, nothing profound or interesting enough to dedicate an entire post to.  Instead, I have a lot of random little tidbits that I would like to share.  

1.  9 Days until Cemetery Tours!!!!  

2.  I made two GoodReads accounts!   I hope you check them out! 

This is my personal account: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/23774843-jackie-smith

This is Wind Trail Publishing’s account: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/23775775-wind-trail-publishing

3.  I’ve been handing out a lot of post cards and business cards about the book and about the company recently, and a few people have wondered wether it’s wind as in “the wind is blowing across the meadow” or wind as in “the winding pathway.”  I guess technically, it could be either, but it is OFFICIALLY wind as in “the wind is blowing across the meadow.”  When I came up with the name, I knew I wanted something that was symbolic for directions, pathways, all that deep stuff, but I also wanted it to mean something to me.  I love being outside and hiking and discovering new places, and for some reason, Wind Trail just fit.  

4.  I really love the quote, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” ~ Sylvia Plath.  I’ve been thinking about my path and my decision a lot recently.  While most of my thoughts have been positive and exciting, I can’t deny there is always that sliver of concern that I’ve made a horrible mistake or that I’ve wasted time.  I think with anything like this, that kind of fear is unavoidable.  You’re alway going to wonder.  But to overcome those doubts, you have to trust in yourself, your talents, and most importantly, in your book.  If I wasn’t proud of my book and excited for people to read it, I don’t think there’s any way I could have done all that I’ve done.  There will be negativity on this road, but you can’t dwell on it.  You can acknowledge it, you can even cry about it, but in the end, do NOT let it drag you down!  You just have to face it and move on.  Whenever I get down, I channel my writing idol, Meg Cabot.  She is always so bright and happy and optimistic and awesome.  

5.  This doesn’t have anything to do with writing, but I participated in my first 5K yesterday!  I walked most of the way, but I did manage to sprint across the finish line!  It felt so good, and it was also for a good cause!  

http://www.heroesforchildren.org

6.  I watched Now You See Me yesterday.  I really loved the characters, the story, and the magic.  I just wish I could have seen more of the Four Horsemen and less police work.  But I’ve got to say, characters like Jesse Eisenberg’s and Woody Harrelson’s are the reason I love writing so much.  The smart-ass, complex, crafty characters as my absolute favorite in the world, and I hope one day, I’m talented and smart enough to write characters like them.

7.  I also got hooked on a new reality show last night.  Now, I love Duck Dynasty.  In fact, it’s probably my favorite show on television right now.  But other than that, I’m not really into reality TV.  I mean, Hoarders and My Strange Addiction are really interesting, but reality shows are more my mom and my sister’s thing.  However, I accidentally caught a few minutes of Bad Ink last night.  Oh my goodness, that show is addictive.  It’s fascinating to see what people will actually put on their bodies!  As a sheltered southern girl who spent the first eighteen years of her life in private school, I haven’t been exposed to too many tattoos or wild party animals, so the show was extra intriguing to me!  I’ve never been to a place like Vegas!  Yeah, I grew up in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, but that’s nothing compared to Sin City!!!  I also really love the two main guys, Dirk and Ruckus.  They are really hilarious and cool.  I especially love Ruckus and his dog.  

8.  I think the most exciting thing that happened was that THERE’S A NEW SINGLE OUT FOR CATCHING FIRE!  It’s called “Atlas” by Coldplay.  I was so excited for a new Hunger Games song that I bought it without even listening to it.  It’s fantastic.  I first read all the books back when the first movie came out.  While I was reading, I actually bought the soundtrack and listened to it.  I think it made the whole reading experience even better, if that’s possible.  I LOVE THE HUNGER GAMES!  

 

9.  I really, really, really, really want to read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. 

10.  Whenever I make lists like this, I can never think of a Number 10.  It’s actually a huge problem and I’m afraid no one is going to take me seriously.  Oh well.   

A Writers Life For Me

This last week has been super busy, but last night, I finally found some time to get back to writing.  I have three novels in the works and an idea for one more that I am really excited about.  I’ve mentioned this before, but I am something of a commitment-phobe.  It is really hard for me to just pick one story to work on and stick with it.  Alas, that is how the creative mind works.

I do need to get serious about prioritizing my time, however.  I really want to be able to release my next book, hopefully as early as next spring.  I am fairly confident I will be able to accomplish this.  I’m just not sure which one it’s going to be yet.  As of right now, I’m pretty sure it will be the sequel to Cemetery Tours, since that’s the one I worked on last night and it’s also the one that’s been in my head the longest.  My writer friend also thinks it would be a good idea to release it instead of starting a brand new series.  He’s really smart, so I’ll probably end up taking his advice.

I realized last night that one of my very favorite things about writing is that you can have everything planned out in your head about the way your story is going to go and about what’s going to happen, and yet your characters can still end up surprising you.  I think a lot of people are under the false impression that the author is in total control of what happens in the story.  It’s so far from true.  The characters that we create have to act as we wrote them to act, not how we want them to act.  For example, last night, I discovered a whole new serious side to one of my characters that I really didn’t know existed until I wrote this one particular scene.  That might sound a little crazy, but it’s true.  You can never predict just how a scene or a character is going to play out.

Aside from that, I’m really just waiting for September 17!  I’m going around and passing out my little post cards with all the information on it, hoping to get the word out a little more.  I also bought the first of several prizes for the release party that I’m hosting!  I really can’t wait.  I think it will be a blast!