H.K. Rowe's Blog, page 17

Current Writing Challenges

Greta Garbo knows it

Lately I’ve been squeezing every free hour into writing, and so far it’s been very challenging. There are other factors, of course, and it’s been hard to catch up with things that were neglected while I was on my trip.

Some of the challenges are more obvious, like Time and Motivation, which are suffering because circumstances in this month are just eating them away.

I’m getting kind of tired of trying to navigate personal problems in order to find time for myself. I’m not sure I’ve figured out how to do that yet. I feel like a majority of my personal problems are from other people influencing me. I kind of wish I had the capability of shutting myself into my studio office at home and blocking out all the distractions, of needy dogs, a hungry husband, and friends and family constantly needing counseling.

Where’s my moment of solitary respite? When can I actually be rewarded with some kind of personal time for myself that everyone will understand that I need as a writer (and as an introspective thinker) and not act panicked or insulted when I say “No, I can’t” when they need me.

I have been failing at that, I suppose. It’s a learning process. I’m determined to make it work though. When I start to feel that my passion for writing is faltering, I know it’s not the passion itself but the frustration of seeing it just within my grasp and never being able to hold on to it.

The ideas are swirling around. My characters are calling to me, pretty much shouting in my ear. I’m listening but I feel like I’m stuck in cement.

And for once it’s not work that’s keeping me down. At least that is a refreshing constant.

Always,

H.K. Rowe

Back from Vacation

I’m back from a vacation in Philadelphia with girlfriends that was desperately needed and appreciated. I spent a lot of time relaxing, sight seeing, drinking wine, going out with friends, and enjoying not having anything expected of me for four days.

I came back to a clean house thanks to the husband, naughty dogs who missed me, and a feeling of renewal to get back to my life. I think the reprieve gave me some time to ponder over a lot of things I have been stuck on in the past few months.

The support for Unbridled was appreciated and I am grateful, but it’s time to move on to the next adventure. I’ve already started a short story and now with the vacation behind me, I can get back to the grind.

I have a busy month coming up, and I will be fighting for free writing time anywhere I can.

Until then, please enjoy Unbridled, and I will be posting some other story excerpts soon.

Cheers,

H.K. Rowe

 

Vacation & Writing

Going on vacation in Philly starting Thursday. Of coure things are crazy up until I finally get on that plane, but I’m hoping to keep things in order.

I just hope to any god or goddess that will listen that this vacation renews my writing spirit because lately I’ve struggled so much with it.

Too many stories started with some sluggish in between times and endings in the far off distance. Ah, the worries and struggles of a writer.

Until next time,

H.K. Rowe

Vacation, Writing & Drafting + Excerpt

My vacation comes up next week on June 12th. I’m headed out with some friends to Philadelphia to celebrate another friend’s birthday. It’s going to be a blast and the anticipation we all feel has been just bursting. I can’t wait to hang out with them all again. These girls helped me get through some of the worst times. Those are the kinds of people I treasure more than anything.

Before that, the weekend will be filled with a lot of things. Mostly, I’ll be doing some writing by starting two of my short stories I plan to release before Killer Orange, my next novel slated for August release. I will also be doing some marketing for Unbridled so I can leave some business cards with my book links in every place I go on my vacation! I don’t know how effective that is as marketing plan but hey, it’s better than nothing. We’ll see what the conversion rate is on that. I might even need to get a T-shirt made. :)

After my vacation, work will get serious! It’s time to start drafting Killer Orange as well as making those short stories presentable.

But to just wet your appetite for Killer Orange, here’s an excerpt — (Bear with me, it’s so raw and unedited at this point.)

***

Before she could push the button, she spotted someone coming up the driveway. Rolling her eyes, she marched forward, ready to punt the next person off her property the moment they asked her how much she was selling her things for!

“It’s not…” Her tempered voice trailed off when she set her eyes on the golden face with a bright smile. His hair looked like golden fleece in the sunlight, and she had to avert her eyes quickly before plunging into his whiskey colored eyes. “a garage sale…”

“Yeah, I know,” he said, chuckling. “I could hear you yelling it a million times from my house.” Rebecca tried not to stare, but she gave up and looked him over. Wow. Wow and double wow. He was a sight! The only problem was…like everyone else in this neighborhood, he was a tanning nut too! On closer look, she thought, at least this new neighbor looked natural and healthy. Very healthy, for she started to find it difficult to not look over his lean and toned form, towering slightly over her.

 

Until later, Cheers!

H.K. Rowe

Thank you & Next Steps

Thank you to everyone who has purchased and read my book! I want to send a special thanks to my reviewers and raters on Amazon and Goodreads: Ladytuono, Nuria Romero, Sakura, Susan Schmidt, RSO Kent, and LAB. Your support is much appreciated!

Now that’s settled, here are some things to look forward to on the agenda:

* Local & word-of-mouth Marketing for Unbridled

* Promotion with Indie Author News

* Print copy giveaway promotion

* 2 new short stories between now and August, entitled Blazing Heat and Stranger’s Kiss

* Killer Orange drafting & editing

* other Writing & Design projects

Hope everyone has a great week!

Thanks!

H.K. Rowe

Unbridled is everywhere!

I’ve updated my H.K. Rowe books page and finally have the completed links on where you can buy Unbridled, whether in ebook or print format.

Please check out all the available links here. 

I’ll be doing something with Indie Author News soon. I will keep you posted when I start working with them.

In the mean time, thanks to all who have picked up my book so far!

Unbridled is now available in print!

Unbridled on sale now!

Please pick up your print copy of Unbridled! It is now available at Create Space.

It will be added to Amazon soon.

Thanks!

H.K. Rowe

Unbridled Excerpt #3

Unbridled Excerpt #3 — Last one in celebration of my print proofs coming today. It is in review and the print link will be available soon!

***

“Ethan?” The feminine voice called out again, and Ethan could make out a small petite Asian girl running toward him. “Ethan!” She broke out into a sprint as a wide grin opened on Ethan’s face.

“Howin!” Ethan waved, and Elekta appeared shock that Ethan would show such emotion in public, if at all.

She saw Howin tumble into Ethan’s arms, and her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Ethan plant a quick kiss on Howin’s forehead.

Howin laughed and looked up at him. “You didn’t tell me you were coming here, of all schools.”

Ethan laughed. “I guess I forgot. Sorry. How’s Master doing?”

“Father? He’s good, gruff as ever but good. And you?” she asked, staring at him affectionately.

“I’ll survive,” he joked, and then he saw Howin turn her attention to Elekta.

“Oh, Elekta! I’m so glad your cousin is coming to Howl’s. We’re old friends, he and I. Well, actually we’re both students at my father’s martial arts studio. I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you I knew them,” Howin shrugged innocently and beamed.

“It’s quite all right,” Elekta nodded, forcing a sweet smile. “Howin, I’m so glad. I trust your break was a good one?” Elekta may have not have been outwardly pleased at their closeness, but she could at least muster up politeness.

Ethan was most interested in her reaction to Howin’s presence. He smirked wickedly and continued to hug Howin much to Elekta’s mildly visible discomfort.

“Yes, it was good – incredibly short, but good,” Howin seemed bored by the conversation and then directed her attention to his brother. She nodded and Brian smiled.

Ethan found this funny that Brian seemed to smile more to his obvious affections to Howin than when he ever mentioned Staisha. As funny as that fact was, there was nothing he could do about it. Howin was merely a friend, among other things, but not someone he could get involved with while he was tied to Staisha.

Though as Howin talked to Brian, Ethan looked over to Elekta, whose smile was so fake it was frightening. She was undoubtedly seething in the inside.

He looked back at Howin and inwardly grinned.

A Giving Post

For once a post isn’t shameless promotion about my book…

I went for a long walk yesterday before my New Moon solitary ritual, and I thought about a lot of things, mostly my place in life, what I struggle with and the kind of person I’m becoming even though my dad is no longer in this world to see it.

A lot of thoughts from then and now are spiraling into a similar topic: Giving.

Not just charity, but core generosity of the human spirit. I realized that I always enjoyed giving things to people and extending my time for them without expecting anything in return. In fact, we do get something in return for generosity.

Then I wonder about people who are so imprisoned by greed and making money no matter the cost if they ever had the chance to give to charity.

While people in the top 1% or even top 5% clutch their money to their person as if it was an attached body part they could not live without, I wonder if they’ve ever experienced true moments of generosity. Not just giving money, but giving part of themselves or their time.

I want to ask them: Have you ever given a service or helping hand to someone and you were rewarded with their gratitude? Have you ever seen someone’s face of happiness, felt their relief as you helped carry their burden? Have you ever felt the warmth of their smile, just as warm as the sun as you brought them just a little small amount of transient peace?

Have you ever felt that mutual, empathic release from improving the day of just one more of your fellow man or woman? Have you given presents to a family on Christmas because they could not afford them and seen relief, faith and hope in their eyes?

Have you helped a friend or colleague with a mountain of work that was wearing them down? Have you seen them sigh in relief and maybe hear that they went home happier because you alleviated that small stress?

Have you helped a family member with a bill, knowing she or he would pay you back, just that they were tight and desperate that moment of time? Have you felt the small ease of their suffering thanks to your light?

I wonder about people who hold their money so close they can’t even be bothered to raise the salary of a hardworking employee because God forbid, they need to make payments on their second or third sports car.

I wonder if they’ve ever give anyone a moment of their precious time to move them to another house or fix them a meal when they are hungry and struggling to pay bills.

I wonder.

But then again, I am no stranger to generosity. I have received it and felt grateful. I have given and felt relief and grace. Just seeing someone’s smile or feeling someone’s hug because I helped them makes my day. It makes getting out of bed and dealing with the not-so generous worthwhile.

I admit, my husband and I don’t have much money, but if I can redirect some small part of it to another source, rather than say, a Starbucks visit, I’m willing to do that.

Today I contributed to the Reading Rainbow kickstarter and another kickstarter project. I know it was some of my drinking money for my upcoming vacation, but really, it’s going to a better place now, don’t you think?

Cheers,

H.K. Rowe

 

Marketing Fatigue

I feel like the marketing for Unbridled is going okay for starting out, but I’ve realized how annoyed I’m getting with it because it’s taking me away with time I could be spending on my next books.

sigh

So I set out a game plan to follow tonight that I’ll probably still market it when I can but not fret so much about it. If the book doesn’t do much, it’s just how it is. I should move on and work on being more prolific instead of dwelling on one book.

Thanks to all who have picked it up and read it. Thanks for the reviews too!

When I get the print copy I’ll be doing a giveaway. All in due time. My proofs are on their way.

Tonight is the New Moon. I’m a pagan so I’ll be taking a break from books, work and other worries to meditate tonight and commune with my Goddess. I hope other Pagans have a splendid evening. Blessed Be.

Rest in Peace Maya Angelou. One of the greatest contemporary poets. One of the gifts my husband had given me while dating was a book full of her love poems. Her work touched me as well.

Cheers,

H.K. Rowe