Karen GoatKeeper's Blog, page 34
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.
December 17, 2014
Happy Holidays
Yes, I am still working on Capri Capers. But it is holiday time.
I wish everyone Happy Holidays be they Happy Hanukkah or Merry Christmas.
May the coming year bring blessings to everyone.
I wish everyone Happy Holidays be they Happy Hanukkah or Merry Christmas.
May the coming year bring blessings to everyone.
December 10, 2014
How Many Projects?
December bookends the year. All those plans made last January are down to the wire. So many plans.
It's easy to make plans. Make that list of dreams believing time will expand, disaster will pass you by,all things are possible if you work hard and long enough.
The end of the year leaves so many plans undone. A certain recipe for the winter blues is dwelling on the undone part. Disappointment. Discouragement. Failure. Give up.
Foolish.
Look at what did get done. It's amazing how much did get done. Revel in it. Enjoy it. Kick the winter blues out of the house and celebrate the end of a good year.
Then get out the paper and start those lists for next year. If one out of ten projects gets done, next December will be celebration time again.
It's easy to make plans. Make that list of dreams believing time will expand, disaster will pass you by,all things are possible if you work hard and long enough.
The end of the year leaves so many plans undone. A certain recipe for the winter blues is dwelling on the undone part. Disappointment. Discouragement. Failure. Give up.
Foolish.
Look at what did get done. It's amazing how much did get done. Revel in it. Enjoy it. Kick the winter blues out of the house and celebrate the end of a good year.
Then get out the paper and start those lists for next year. If one out of ten projects gets done, next December will be celebration time again.
December 3, 2014
Letdown?
NaNo is over. I am still traveling through memories, heading into Canada now.
I've started rewriting a rough draft from a previous NaNo called Capri Capers.
Another book signing is coming up this Saturday.
Winter has moved in. The year is fast disappearing. And the winter blues keep tickling the mind bringing a letdown as I look back over accomplishments for the year wishing there were more.
Why isn't what I did enough? I rewrote both Hazel books, finished Dora's Story, kept my website done and worked on marketing. At home the garden, the goats and the chickens did well.
Perhaps that constant feeling I could do more makes sure I don't stop but keep setting goals. But sometimes a reason to stop and look around arrives.
This year I have two reasons to stop and enjoy life. Mira, my new grey kitten now cat, loves cuddling and playing with a string. Ever cook pancakes while pulling a string? Challenging.
And Silk's new little spotted buck is a charmer.
I look forward to relaxing for a couple of weeks and enjoying them.
I've started rewriting a rough draft from a previous NaNo called Capri Capers.
Another book signing is coming up this Saturday.
Winter has moved in. The year is fast disappearing. And the winter blues keep tickling the mind bringing a letdown as I look back over accomplishments for the year wishing there were more.
Why isn't what I did enough? I rewrote both Hazel books, finished Dora's Story, kept my website done and worked on marketing. At home the garden, the goats and the chickens did well.
Perhaps that constant feeling I could do more makes sure I don't stop but keep setting goals. But sometimes a reason to stop and look around arrives.
This year I have two reasons to stop and enjoy life. Mira, my new grey kitten now cat, loves cuddling and playing with a string. Ever cook pancakes while pulling a string? Challenging.
And Silk's new little spotted buck is a charmer.
I look forward to relaxing for a couple of weeks and enjoying them.
November 26, 2014
Looking Back
I know I will not complete 50,000 words this year. It's disappointing but not a disaster.
The true value of my attempt this year surrounds my computer. I have the notebook from my mother with three sets of trip logs in it. My notes from our trip are open on the computer as are the pictures. Memories of the trip are teasing my mind. Details long buried are now fresh.
Without the pressure of making the word count, I can relax and savor our trip. Some of the details stop me like the cost of a soup,salad and sandwich for lunch: $.80! Others are so unique like the Frazier House near Galesburg, IL. An eccentric named Frazier who never wore shoes and rode a bicycle everywhere built it with free, discarded over-fired bricks. It included a solarium for his consumptive wife that forced warm air through changing all of it every minute even in winter. This was done in the early 1900s I think.
The real value of this trip is seeing the differences and the similarities of the different states. The real value of writing about the trip comes in the memories.
The true value of my attempt this year surrounds my computer. I have the notebook from my mother with three sets of trip logs in it. My notes from our trip are open on the computer as are the pictures. Memories of the trip are teasing my mind. Details long buried are now fresh.
Without the pressure of making the word count, I can relax and savor our trip. Some of the details stop me like the cost of a soup,salad and sandwich for lunch: $.80! Others are so unique like the Frazier House near Galesburg, IL. An eccentric named Frazier who never wore shoes and rode a bicycle everywhere built it with free, discarded over-fired bricks. It included a solarium for his consumptive wife that forced warm air through changing all of it every minute even in winter. This was done in the early 1900s I think.
The real value of this trip is seeing the differences and the similarities of the different states. The real value of writing about the trip comes in the memories.
November 19, 2014
November Madness
I'll admit it. I enjoy the thrill of doing NaNo in November.
Usually summer activities gradually erode my writing time. Kids, garden and Farmers' Market take up a lot of time.
NaNo pushes writing back where it should be: an important part of my day. After all, an author must do some writing or there will soon be no more books.
This year's project is my mother's dream book. In her later years one of her most precious memories was of a trip our family took around the country. She asked me several times to write about it but I didn't know how.
My mother's book is now taking shape thanks to Chief Grey Foot. A daily listing of where five people went and what they saw is so boring. But what a cat thinks about what such a trip is all about might be fun.
And our tabby pet Chief Grey Foot really did make that trip through 47 states and parts of Canada in the VW bus with us. Now, how to think like a cat.
Usually summer activities gradually erode my writing time. Kids, garden and Farmers' Market take up a lot of time.
NaNo pushes writing back where it should be: an important part of my day. After all, an author must do some writing or there will soon be no more books.
This year's project is my mother's dream book. In her later years one of her most precious memories was of a trip our family took around the country. She asked me several times to write about it but I didn't know how.
My mother's book is now taking shape thanks to Chief Grey Foot. A daily listing of where five people went and what they saw is so boring. But what a cat thinks about what such a trip is all about might be fun.
And our tabby pet Chief Grey Foot really did make that trip through 47 states and parts of Canada in the VW bus with us. Now, how to think like a cat.
November 12, 2014
Surprises All Around
The big book signing has come and gone. I thought it would be a disaster for me.
For the last month I've worked hard to finish the second editions of the two Hazel books and Dora's Story. Finally I had them done and uploaded successfully and ordered copies for the book signing. They didn't come.
The books are still not shipped.
Failure is a state of mind or so I've read. So I looked at what I did have to take with me.
Exploring the Ozark Hills is a book of nature essays and photographs I print on my printer. Goat Games is another I print. I had some copies of the first editions of my Hazel books. My friend Richard sent two of his botany books The Syrian Milkweed [common milkweed in the U.S. not Syria] and The Floral Biology of Aristolochia [pipevines, different and interesting flowers].
So I went. And I sold six books! Plus have a couple of people on a waiting list for Dora's Story.
This was the first big book signing in town so not that many people came. Salem is a small town anyway. But every author there [ten or twelve of us] sold books.
A big book signing is fun to attend. I'm glad I didn't sink under failure just because my new books weren't there.
The next question is what to do with all the books when they finally arrive.
For the last month I've worked hard to finish the second editions of the two Hazel books and Dora's Story. Finally I had them done and uploaded successfully and ordered copies for the book signing. They didn't come.
The books are still not shipped.
Failure is a state of mind or so I've read. So I looked at what I did have to take with me.
Exploring the Ozark Hills is a book of nature essays and photographs I print on my printer. Goat Games is another I print. I had some copies of the first editions of my Hazel books. My friend Richard sent two of his botany books The Syrian Milkweed [common milkweed in the U.S. not Syria] and The Floral Biology of Aristolochia [pipevines, different and interesting flowers].
So I went. And I sold six books! Plus have a couple of people on a waiting list for Dora's Story.
This was the first big book signing in town so not that many people came. Salem is a small town anyway. But every author there [ten or twelve of us] sold books.
A big book signing is fun to attend. I'm glad I didn't sink under failure just because my new books weren't there.
The next question is what to do with all the books when they finally arrive.
October 29, 2014
Getting Ready
In my life doing anything or going anywhere must meet one criterion: It must fit between morning and evening milking.
That puts a lot of limits in the way.
My writers group, Missouri Writers, Ink, is talking about book signings here and there in the area. They are several hours away. They do not meet my criterion.
So I am really excited about my first real book signing happening right in town. There will be several other authors there. Lots of things are planned. And it meets my criterion for attendance.
Getting ready for this event is keeping me hopping. All three Amazon/CreateSpace books are ready to order. Goat Games is printed, bound and ready. Exploring the Ozark Hills will be printed and bound next week.
Next comes all the little items. Business cards are done. Two book stands are done but not painted. I still need to dig through the cedar chest for a table covering. I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but what?
The hardest part is not getting too excited or expecting too much. So I'm making contingency plans as NaNo will be in full swing and a friend has loaned me a laptop.
What will Chief Grey Foot be up to by then?
That puts a lot of limits in the way.
My writers group, Missouri Writers, Ink, is talking about book signings here and there in the area. They are several hours away. They do not meet my criterion.
So I am really excited about my first real book signing happening right in town. There will be several other authors there. Lots of things are planned. And it meets my criterion for attendance.
Getting ready for this event is keeping me hopping. All three Amazon/CreateSpace books are ready to order. Goat Games is printed, bound and ready. Exploring the Ozark Hills will be printed and bound next week.
Next comes all the little items. Business cards are done. Two book stands are done but not painted. I still need to dig through the cedar chest for a table covering. I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but what?
The hardest part is not getting too excited or expecting too much. So I'm making contingency plans as NaNo will be in full swing and a friend has loaned me a laptop.
What will Chief Grey Foot be up to by then?
October 22, 2014
Publishers' Revenge
I became an indie author because I was tired of trying to jump through all the hoops publishers have erected. Submitting a manuscript then waiting months to hear nothing took too much time which I am running out of.
There is the method of attending a conference. With luck you can find a publisher and/or an agent. Since I milk twice a day, every day, and such conferences are several hour drives away, this is not feasible.
After this last month, I am questioning the wisdom of giving up on publishers.
I am busy formatting my books.
Since each of the three books (two second editions with added material and one new one) is being submitted to three places, this means three different formats. Each format has its own directions, its own quirks, its own style. These must be followed to the letter.
I know how to follow directions. I wish Word knew how. After a month of arguing with Word, checking and rechecking that each direction is followed and everything is saved in properly titled folders so I can find each format as needed, perhaps I can finally upload each book to the proper place in the proper format. If I am really lucky, I won't have to redo too much.
Three uploads are now done. One has a Word format problem which will not ruin the book so I will ignore it (I hate autoformatting.). One cover had to be redone (I still don't understand why a book twice as fat doesn't need a bigger cover.).
Five more uploads should theoretically go easily. That last one requires a zip file according to the directions. I do know what one is. Now to learn how to create one. Then there is the problem with the hyperlinks.
I wonder where and when that next conference is. I need a goat sitter who can milk and outrun my goats too. Fat chance.
Back to the directions for a zip file.
There is the method of attending a conference. With luck you can find a publisher and/or an agent. Since I milk twice a day, every day, and such conferences are several hour drives away, this is not feasible.
After this last month, I am questioning the wisdom of giving up on publishers.
I am busy formatting my books.
Since each of the three books (two second editions with added material and one new one) is being submitted to three places, this means three different formats. Each format has its own directions, its own quirks, its own style. These must be followed to the letter.
I know how to follow directions. I wish Word knew how. After a month of arguing with Word, checking and rechecking that each direction is followed and everything is saved in properly titled folders so I can find each format as needed, perhaps I can finally upload each book to the proper place in the proper format. If I am really lucky, I won't have to redo too much.
Three uploads are now done. One has a Word format problem which will not ruin the book so I will ignore it (I hate autoformatting.). One cover had to be redone (I still don't understand why a book twice as fat doesn't need a bigger cover.).
Five more uploads should theoretically go easily. That last one requires a zip file according to the directions. I do know what one is. Now to learn how to create one. Then there is the problem with the hyperlinks.
I wonder where and when that next conference is. I need a goat sitter who can milk and outrun my goats too. Fat chance.
Back to the directions for a zip file.
October 15, 2014
Admitting Failure
No, I haven't destroyed my books. At least, not yet.
What I have done is admit I really couldn't do the line drawings for Dora's Story. My goat sketches do really look like goats. I have plenty of models.
What my sketches lack is that special flair to make people smile.
A former art teacher, Martha Cunningham, graciously agreed to do the drawings even on very short notice. Goats are not her preferred subject. Horses, especially Appaloosas, are.
I deluged Martha with pictures of goats, kid goats, Nubian goats, Alpine Nubian cross goats, champion goats. She was patient with my critiques.
The results are some really nice drawings. I am now getting them ready to insert into my novel.
Failure doesn't have to be disaster. This time it opened a door to something special for my book.
What I have done is admit I really couldn't do the line drawings for Dora's Story. My goat sketches do really look like goats. I have plenty of models.
What my sketches lack is that special flair to make people smile.
A former art teacher, Martha Cunningham, graciously agreed to do the drawings even on very short notice. Goats are not her preferred subject. Horses, especially Appaloosas, are.
I deluged Martha with pictures of goats, kid goats, Nubian goats, Alpine Nubian cross goats, champion goats. She was patient with my critiques.
The results are some really nice drawings. I am now getting them ready to insert into my novel.
Failure doesn't have to be disaster. This time it opened a door to something special for my book.
