Karen GoatKeeper's Blog, page 33
March 11, 2015
Another New Venture
Several years ago I started a botany book on plants for middle grades. It morphed into "The Pumpkin Project."
Then my mother got sick. Then other projects hijacked my time. "The Pumpkin Project" languished.
Finally I am picking up the pieces to finish this science book. It isn't in need of much. But the hiatus hurts as the pictures I need are harder to get now.
It will be fall before everything is done on this manuscript. But I don't want to wait until fall.
So I will release the book in a series of PDF pieces by subscription so kids can enjoy doing the projects and investigations over the growing season this year. The completed book will be mailed out in the fall.
This plan may solve three problems at the same time. One: The book will get finished. Two: I will get feedback to make any necessary adjustments to the Investigations before finishing the book. Three: I get to enjoy growing lots of pumpkins this summer.
Will this plan work? Like the giveaway, I anticipate delays and disasters to descend. [The day after the giveaway began, I got snowed in with no Internet.] But it will be nice to have an old manuscript off my computer.
I hope many children get to grow pumpkins this summer and learn some botany from them plus learn to cook with the recipe section. At least "The Pumpkin Project" by subscription can give them the option this year instead of next.
Then my mother got sick. Then other projects hijacked my time. "The Pumpkin Project" languished.
Finally I am picking up the pieces to finish this science book. It isn't in need of much. But the hiatus hurts as the pictures I need are harder to get now.
It will be fall before everything is done on this manuscript. But I don't want to wait until fall.
So I will release the book in a series of PDF pieces by subscription so kids can enjoy doing the projects and investigations over the growing season this year. The completed book will be mailed out in the fall.
This plan may solve three problems at the same time. One: The book will get finished. Two: I will get feedback to make any necessary adjustments to the Investigations before finishing the book. Three: I get to enjoy growing lots of pumpkins this summer.
Will this plan work? Like the giveaway, I anticipate delays and disasters to descend. [The day after the giveaway began, I got snowed in with no Internet.] But it will be nice to have an old manuscript off my computer.
I hope many children get to grow pumpkins this summer and learn some botany from them plus learn to cook with the recipe section. At least "The Pumpkin Project" by subscription can give them the option this year instead of next.
February 25, 2015
Snow Days
This year I planned to complete or at least decide what to do about a number of manuscripts living on my computer. That brought me to "The Pumpkin Project" once again.
I taught science. This is a science based book. There are pumpkin puzzles, pumpkin trivia, pumpkin investigations, pumpkin projects, pumpkin recipes and pumpkin stories in the book. Most of it was done a few year's ago but finishing it somehow got pushed aside by my three completed novels.
That is the problem. I did the interviews several years ago. Should I do new ones? or should I let these stand but add a new one or two?
Then there is a problem with the investigations. I changed some of them so there are no pictures. And some pictures are just not any good if I'm honest with myself.
Enter the snow days. Pumpkins like it warm. They hate the snow. They definitely dislike fourteen below.
I need some pumpkin sprouts and leaves. The house gets too cold at night. The seeds aren't germinating.
For now I'm working my way through the rest of the book. It's the easy way out. But, sooner or later, I will arrive at the end.
Maybe the snow will be gone by then. Maybe the seeds will sprout by then. Maybe I'll decide what to do with my little science book by then.
I taught science. This is a science based book. There are pumpkin puzzles, pumpkin trivia, pumpkin investigations, pumpkin projects, pumpkin recipes and pumpkin stories in the book. Most of it was done a few year's ago but finishing it somehow got pushed aside by my three completed novels.
That is the problem. I did the interviews several years ago. Should I do new ones? or should I let these stand but add a new one or two?
Then there is a problem with the investigations. I changed some of them so there are no pictures. And some pictures are just not any good if I'm honest with myself.
Enter the snow days. Pumpkins like it warm. They hate the snow. They definitely dislike fourteen below.
I need some pumpkin sprouts and leaves. The house gets too cold at night. The seeds aren't germinating.
For now I'm working my way through the rest of the book. It's the easy way out. But, sooner or later, I will arrive at the end.
Maybe the snow will be gone by then. Maybe the seeds will sprout by then. Maybe I'll decide what to do with my little science book by then.
February 18, 2015
Success! Maybe.
Maybe I shouldn't try to hurry so much. Maybe I should stop and really read, possible reread the directions. Maybe.
The clock keeps ticking. I hurry. Mistakes happen.
I did set up a giveaway for 5 copies of Dora's Story. It asked me to verify the set up. I clicked the link. At least I thought I clicked the link.
The real link was in my email. I found it yesterday, the day the Giveaway was to start, when I checked the email.
At last the giveaway was verified. It started a day late. But it is up and working.
Shock of all shocks, people have even signed up. I'm glad. I thank all of them.
My friend PJ suggested doing an eBook giveaway too. That must be on my website.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
I announced one on the website for 5 eBooks. It isn't as sophisticated as the one here on Goodreads. But it's there.
The truly amazing thing is the Goodreads button! I know next to no HTML. I know little about how to set up such things on my website.
Sometimes I think I know just enough to get into trouble. Especially when I do.
However, I did think of a place to put that Goodreads button link. I thought I might, just might, know how. And the button is right where I wanted it!
No matter how the Giveaways turn out, I've learned a lot. That makes doing this worthwhile.
The clock keeps ticking. I hurry. Mistakes happen.
I did set up a giveaway for 5 copies of Dora's Story. It asked me to verify the set up. I clicked the link. At least I thought I clicked the link.
The real link was in my email. I found it yesterday, the day the Giveaway was to start, when I checked the email.
At last the giveaway was verified. It started a day late. But it is up and working.
Shock of all shocks, people have even signed up. I'm glad. I thank all of them.
My friend PJ suggested doing an eBook giveaway too. That must be on my website.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
I announced one on the website for 5 eBooks. It isn't as sophisticated as the one here on Goodreads. But it's there.
The truly amazing thing is the Goodreads button! I know next to no HTML. I know little about how to set up such things on my website.
Sometimes I think I know just enough to get into trouble. Especially when I do.
However, I did think of a place to put that Goodreads button link. I thought I might, just might, know how. And the button is right where I wanted it!
No matter how the Giveaways turn out, I've learned a lot. That makes doing this worthwhile.
February 12, 2015
Taking a Chance
I mentioned before an article in the February Writer's Digest by Michael J. Sullivan about being an author on Goodreads. One of the things he mentions is the Giveaways.
There have been comments in my groups about the Giveaways. Some people like them. Some don't. Both have good points.
Sullivan likes Giveaways. I'm not so sure.
Holding a Giveaway could be a good marketing tool for me. It might not be.
The only way to find out is to hold one or two. So I've decided to try one for five copies of Dora's Story.
Now there are all the details to work out. One is when. I would love to run from February 17 to March 17 but can't get organized that fast. Or can I?
It will be limited to the U.S. because of prohibitive shipping costs to other countries.
Mr. Sullivan suggested having a graphic for the Giveaway section. I have one. Now, how do I put it in?
The most important part is the description of the book. I went browsing through some Giveaways and this definitely makes or breaks the Giveaway. If a book doesn't sound interesting, no one will sign up even for free.
There is one more important item. Dealing with the nervous ambivalence of trying something this new (to me). Maybe my Dora's Story Giveaway will work, maybe it won't. I will never know which if I don't give it a try.
There have been comments in my groups about the Giveaways. Some people like them. Some don't. Both have good points.
Sullivan likes Giveaways. I'm not so sure.
Holding a Giveaway could be a good marketing tool for me. It might not be.
The only way to find out is to hold one or two. So I've decided to try one for five copies of Dora's Story.
Now there are all the details to work out. One is when. I would love to run from February 17 to March 17 but can't get organized that fast. Or can I?
It will be limited to the U.S. because of prohibitive shipping costs to other countries.
Mr. Sullivan suggested having a graphic for the Giveaway section. I have one. Now, how do I put it in?
The most important part is the description of the book. I went browsing through some Giveaways and this definitely makes or breaks the Giveaway. If a book doesn't sound interesting, no one will sign up even for free.
There is one more important item. Dealing with the nervous ambivalence of trying something this new (to me). Maybe my Dora's Story Giveaway will work, maybe it won't. I will never know which if I don't give it a try.
February 4, 2015
Taking a Break
Reading novels is fun. Reading my own is still fun although my internal editor stays on full alert the entire time.
Capri Capers needed lots of rewriting. When I wrote the first draft, each chapter ended with a cliff hanger. The next chapter began with an enhanced look at the cliffhanger.
Writing this way was fun but reading it did not work. So the end and beginning of each chapter was merged.
Then I pulled the novel apart and put it back together again.
Now I find I am seeing what I think is there, not what is there.
It is time to set the novel aside for a time. Then I can look at it and see what is really there. Maybe. I hope.
So, what shall I do over this break? Work on the Pumpkin Project, my garden and learn about road rallies.
Boredom is banished.
Capri Capers needed lots of rewriting. When I wrote the first draft, each chapter ended with a cliff hanger. The next chapter began with an enhanced look at the cliffhanger.
Writing this way was fun but reading it did not work. So the end and beginning of each chapter was merged.
Then I pulled the novel apart and put it back together again.
Now I find I am seeing what I think is there, not what is there.
It is time to set the novel aside for a time. Then I can look at it and see what is really there. Maybe. I hope.
So, what shall I do over this break? Work on the Pumpkin Project, my garden and learn about road rallies.
Boredom is banished.
January 28, 2015
Out With the Old, In With the New
Capri Capers is rolling along. Then I realize I am behind the times.
The GED is history. Enter the HSE.
Although both are equivalency tests for those lacking a high school diploma, they are not the same. Since Harriet, the main character in Capri Capers, is getting one, I need to know about this.
So now I get to rewrite my manuscript yet again. And wonder if I am behind the times somewhere else as well.
The GED is history. Enter the HSE.
Although both are equivalency tests for those lacking a high school diploma, they are not the same. Since Harriet, the main character in Capri Capers, is getting one, I need to know about this.
So now I get to rewrite my manuscript yet again. And wonder if I am behind the times somewhere else as well.
January 21, 2015
A Year's Reading Challenge
Normally I write about some aspect of writing involving me over the week. This time I'm writing about reading.
Writers should read widely. Seeing how other authors handle subjects, interest their readers and different styles can help improve writing styles.
This year I plan to tackle "A Sense of History" one essay at a time. It is a book of essays on American history.
Everyone took American history when I was in school. They still do. But that doesn't mean we learn much history.
When I was teaching science, my students asked me one day why I never gave them a day off. Strictly speaking I did, the last day of each semester.
This is what I explained: Missouri required them to attend my class 178 days a year. Out of that 178, two ended semesters, ten dropped for testing, six dropped for semester tests, six were half days. Assuming that 178 days was 178 hours [periods are usually less than an hour], that left me 154 hours to teach science.
The state standards wanted me to cover 20 topic areas. I had to cover a topic every 7 days.Each unit of science included reading, classwork, labs and a test.
My students never again wondered why we worked every day. And, when they got to college, they were ready to tackle the college science classes.
History has a similar challenge as do all subjects. So, I don't know a lot of history, only bits and pieces. I would like to know more.
This 800 pages + book covers so much American history I am barely familiar with. So this book will come up on my reading list and will sit there for a long time. But I hope to know some history by the end of the year.
Writers should read widely. Seeing how other authors handle subjects, interest their readers and different styles can help improve writing styles.
This year I plan to tackle "A Sense of History" one essay at a time. It is a book of essays on American history.
Everyone took American history when I was in school. They still do. But that doesn't mean we learn much history.
When I was teaching science, my students asked me one day why I never gave them a day off. Strictly speaking I did, the last day of each semester.
This is what I explained: Missouri required them to attend my class 178 days a year. Out of that 178, two ended semesters, ten dropped for testing, six dropped for semester tests, six were half days. Assuming that 178 days was 178 hours [periods are usually less than an hour], that left me 154 hours to teach science.
The state standards wanted me to cover 20 topic areas. I had to cover a topic every 7 days.Each unit of science included reading, classwork, labs and a test.
My students never again wondered why we worked every day. And, when they got to college, they were ready to tackle the college science classes.
History has a similar challenge as do all subjects. So, I don't know a lot of history, only bits and pieces. I would like to know more.
This 800 pages + book covers so much American history I am barely familiar with. So this book will come up on my reading list and will sit there for a long time. But I hope to know some history by the end of the year.
January 14, 2015
Doing That Author Profile
Time is a scarce commodity for so many people. I'm no exception.
One way to procrastinate doing those good marketing intentions is to use being short on time to move them off to the back of the 'To Do' list. After all, it takes time to create those posts. It takes time to learn how to do things like creating buttons and links, reading other people's blogs, reading marketing ideas and so much more research.
And then we wonder why so few people find out about our books.
Goodreads is a good place to start. Trying to connect with people who might find my books interesting is why I joined GR. And then I got sidetracked.
I love to read. I had let reading get moved to the back of the 'To Do' list and missed it. GR is a great way to get back into the habit of reading. I am so glad to again be reading regularly.
But that doesn't market my books.
Writers Digest to the rescue. There is a great article this month about doing a nice author profile on GR. It has some thought provoking approaches. Even better, it has a way to do buttons on the profile.
Time is still short. At least now I have a few new ideas and methods to try in the time I can find.
One way to procrastinate doing those good marketing intentions is to use being short on time to move them off to the back of the 'To Do' list. After all, it takes time to create those posts. It takes time to learn how to do things like creating buttons and links, reading other people's blogs, reading marketing ideas and so much more research.
And then we wonder why so few people find out about our books.
Goodreads is a good place to start. Trying to connect with people who might find my books interesting is why I joined GR. And then I got sidetracked.
I love to read. I had let reading get moved to the back of the 'To Do' list and missed it. GR is a great way to get back into the habit of reading. I am so glad to again be reading regularly.
But that doesn't market my books.
Writers Digest to the rescue. There is a great article this month about doing a nice author profile on GR. It has some thought provoking approaches. Even better, it has a way to do buttons on the profile.
Time is still short. At least now I have a few new ideas and methods to try in the time I can find.
January 7, 2015
Getting Going
Websites take a lot of work. Mine was on vacation for a couple of weeks. Now it's starting the New Year off with new commentaries and science projects.
Goodreads is going again too. I'm two thirds done with my first book on the way to 44 this year.
The gardener's wishbooks are arriving. They make the frozen garden more bearable. Spinach goes in for Valentine's Day.
Even with glitches and cold weather, my year is off to a good start. I hope everyone else is doing as well or better.
Goodreads is going again too. I'm two thirds done with my first book on the way to 44 this year.
The gardener's wishbooks are arriving. They make the frozen garden more bearable. Spinach goes in for Valentine's Day.
Even with glitches and cold weather, my year is off to a good start. I hope everyone else is doing as well or better.
December 31, 2014
Plans for 2015
I don't like resolutions. They have this false feel to me. I will do this or that and when it doesn't work out, I failed.
Setting plans and goals is a better option for me. This way, when life happens, they can be amended or postponed.
For Goodreads I have a new book reading goal. Last year I tried for 40 and exceeded it for the first time in years. GR has been good for me. So next year I will try for 44 books.
The plan is to read three books from my own bookshelves and one library book each month. Books over 350 pages amend this plan due to time to read them.
For writing I have a goal of 5 books finished this year. Drafts are done for four so I think this is doable.
However, I do need to plan for next year too. So I want to complete three drafts to rewrite next year.
This year ends tonight. I wish everyone a great New Year. May it have many blessings for you. May you reach many of your goals for the New Year.
Setting plans and goals is a better option for me. This way, when life happens, they can be amended or postponed.
For Goodreads I have a new book reading goal. Last year I tried for 40 and exceeded it for the first time in years. GR has been good for me. So next year I will try for 44 books.
The plan is to read three books from my own bookshelves and one library book each month. Books over 350 pages amend this plan due to time to read them.
For writing I have a goal of 5 books finished this year. Drafts are done for four so I think this is doable.
However, I do need to plan for next year too. So I want to complete three drafts to rewrite next year.
This year ends tonight. I wish everyone a great New Year. May it have many blessings for you. May you reach many of your goals for the New Year.
