Sarah Greyson's Blog, page 3
March 23, 2014
Editor.
I found an editor. She is the leader of the authors’ group that I attend. She is knowledgeable and reasonably priced. I am afraid for her to dissect my novel, but I know it must be done. After I make revisions today, I will give my novel to two beta readers and await their feedback. After receiving their feedback, I will make the necessary changes. Then, it’s off to the editor. I am so excited! I feel like it is finally going to happen!
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Authors’ group meeting.
I absolutely adore the women at my authors’ group. They are all characters in their own rights. They have wonderful stories to tell and are knowledgeable about the craft. They provide me with a center to work out from. I will be the first to admit that my ego is big when it comes to my novel. I honestly feel that it is good. But the authors, responding as readers, bring me back to center and show me where I can make it better. That is just one of the reason why I love the ladies.
We all write in different genres, but they are all so talented and inspirational. I don’t know how I would feel if I hadn’t found this group. I would have a novel yes, but I would also have an ego that wouldn’t fit through my front door. They never judge, which is awesome, instead, they offer suggestions and tweaks to make it better. For example, the leader Ruth told me to use the word “nod” or “nodded” when the character is stating an affirmative and “shook” when the character is stating a negative. Who knew? I must have used “shook his head yes” at least twice in my novel. Each time I attend, I learn something new, but that is one new thing that I think every writer should know (and maybe you already do!). I also received a list of specific action verbs to use when writing. Armed with my new knowledge, today I revise.
Thank you again ladies for being your true selves and keeping me grounded! Each of your works are going to be a success; I can feel it. Your writing is alive in the air that surrounds the group.
I love getting to listen to your writing. I love the authentic reactions to a simple word or a simple sentence. Words can be truly simplistic, honest, beautiful things when crafted by an expert. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and your stories with me. I am humbled and honored.
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March 16, 2014
Book jacket.
Today, I tackle the book jacket design. Now that I have the photograph, I need to touch it up and add the title and the byline. I also have to condense the 70,000 word novel into an enticing paragraph for the back of the jacket. That is going to be the real challenge. We all know how my last attempt at that went.
I have never used Illustrator before, so this should be an interesting, painstaking experience. I am confident that I will conquer Illustrator. I have already conquered Photoshop and InDesign, which my day job requires. At the very least, I can create the book jacket using InDesign. Wish me luck!
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March 15, 2014
Cover design.
I finally found the perfect photograph that captures the mood of my novel. I found it on Pintrest of all places. It was posted, and I pinned it to my board. Then, my curiosity got the better of me. I found the photographer, an amazing woman from Spain. The language barrier didn’t stop us as she spoke a little English (it was at times like this that I really wish I hadn’t dropped my Spanish language class in college.). After telling her what I would need it for and giving her the dimensions and the format, she came back with the price. She gave me the rights and license to use it on the cover, in all promotions, on the web, on the digital cover, and in print. I didn’t think that was too expensive, so I purchased it from her (after I figured out how to use Paypal). Paypal wasn’t hard, it was just that I had never used it before. So I established an account, sent the payment to her email address (how easy!), and five minutes later I received four different formats of the perfect photograph along with my license. So now I have my cover. I guess I am self-publishing after all! I am still going to send query letters, just to see. But, the first book will be self-published. I have a new title: Closer. I have some Photoshop touch-ups to do on the photograph, and I still must include the title and byline, as I purchased the raw picture from an amazing photographer: Anita Vela. Check out her work at: http://www.anitavela.com/ You will have to translate the page to English if you cannot read Spanish.
I read that all publishers pull from the same stock photographs, so I didn’t want something stock. I wanted something original. I think I got it. After I touch it up and add the title and byline, I will post as a cover reveal. I am so excited!
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