Valerie’s Comments (group member since Jan 10, 2019)

Valerie’s comments from the Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie group.

Alex wrote: "Hi, everyone

I am slowly getting back into my writing projects and am at the point where I am sorting out a cover for one of them, which means I need a blurb.

Currently I have the following

Sent..."

I'm not great when it comes to helping with blurbs, but I will say that part way through reading yours,I started thinking how it sounded like the Famous Five (used to love those books when I was a kid!) and the story definitely sounds fun :) I'm sure with the advice you've already been given here, you'll be fine.

I try to keep Sunday as my rest day too, Anna, and I'm learning not to overschedule myself on other days too. If I don't have a little bit of wiggle room in the tasks to be done and then something unexpected happens, I just get so frustrated at myself for not being able to keep up with the plan, so a space to manoeuvre things into sometimes is so important.

I wouldn't get half as much done as I do (re: my books or otherwise) without my to-do lists. It's amazing what a difference they make :)

Alex wrote: "From my limited efforts, BargainBooksy and FreeBooksy have remained the best way to get a short term result for my books."

I'm hoping to put a couple of my books on KCD this year and use BargainBooksy to promote them. Fingers crossed it works for me.

I'm never very good with my own summaries, so I probably shouldn't even wade in here, but here goes. I like the quote actually, though I might have it before the blurb rather than after so you can end on the 'intriguing, exciting and deadly' part.

One other thing, 'the one girl he has ever loved' sounds odd to me. Personally, I would say, 'the only girl he has ever loved,' but that's just my opinion.

Wow, that cover was worth the wait. I love it :)

Anna Faversham wrote: "And Valerie - wow you've written a lot of books. I'm sticking with wow!"

I hope that's a good wow and not a bad wow? lol

To be fair, although I published them within the last three years, most of the work was done over the last 20 years! Most of them were already written, quite a lot of them were edited and in pretty decent shape, I just didn't know self-publishing had become so much easier than it used to be until 2016/2017. By then, I just had this big back catalogue that I'd been waiting to share with the world, so I did :)

Edited to add: Also, I still say awesome and had no idea I was behind the times, but to be fair, I was never in with the in crowd to begin with, so I have no idea!

Anna Faversham wrote: "In my very soon to be published ( I hope) wip, I've come across a macho man using the term 'Yay' when he's excited and about to go surfing.

I've used that word because that's what I say. But would..."

I love that you asked this because I came across the same problem when working on one of my WIPs. I had a guy say 'yay' before realising that wasn't so manly and ended up making a joke of it...

"Okay, so I was leaving, but hey, yay for you and Meg."
"And I guess yay for you guys?" he said tentatively. "You know, even if I'm right, I'm not sure I'm happy I just used that phrase," he said then, making a face.
"It's a definite yay," Jennifer confirmed, "or whatever somewhat manlier phrase you prefer," she told him with a grin.

Weekdays, I usually end up getting work out of the way in the morning and early afternoon, then writing happens late afternoon or evening. Usually involves plugging in my headphones, listening to either a specific playlist for my story or some general music that fits the mood I'm going for, and then type, type, type until I can't do anymore. Also do some writing at weekends but that's more random times when I feel like it amongst other things, the process is much the same though.

Anna Faversham wrote: "How can you work with background distractions?!! I have to have silence. If my phone rings and I'm in the 19th century, or some other country, I stare at it as if it's just plopped down from Mars.
..."

That's funny, because I absolutely cannot write in silence! lol Ah well, the world is much more interesting for us all being so different :)

As a writer of YA romance myself (as well as romance for adults too), I've found the readers aren't always who you think they are. Actually, I should've known anyway given that I'm in my 30s and love to read a good YA romance myself (because who wants to be a grown up all the time, am I right?). It seems to me that lots of people have pretty eclectic taste when it comes to books and sometimes the most unlikely people will read the most unlikely books. Yes, it makes marketing in the right way and in the right place difficult sometimes, but it also means if you advertise in enough places, you're almost guaranteed to get a few bites in each! :)

For maybe the first time ever I sort of wish I had FB... but I can't bring myself to do it! lol

If you're looking for a YA romance in short story format, may I recommend my latest release? :)

Harley

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Rhonda wrote: "Recently started tweeting. Have no idea what I'm doing, but I followed everyone here. Appreciate any follow-backs.

https://twitter.com/RhondaJSmiley"

Followed back :)

A Better Guide in Ourselves - a contemporary retelling of 'Mansfield Park' - is #2 in the Austen High Collection.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RK33NK2

Good advice can be gained from family, friends, and loved ones, but ultimately, there is a better guide in ourselves, is only we would listen.

Becki Nelson is looking forward to her summer break from Austen High this year. She has so many plans both for fun and in helping others, but she is especially excited when she hears that all the Miller siblings are finally coming home.

Better not to mention Alyson who never liked her anyway, but T.J. has been like a brother to Becki, and Connor was always her best friend.

Of course, things change when children become teens, and home can feel like a whole other place when new faces show up to alter things.

How will Becki navigate a her way through a summer full of new friends, old habits, family drama, and surprises both good and bad? Join her on this adventure and find out for yourself!

Congrats to you, Alex, on all that success you've been having :)

My good thing that happened today is not actually book or sales related, but it does make me very happy - my internet is finally working again after nearly two weeks without!

Anna Faversham wrote: "My 'something good' is that I've taken my jersey off because the sunshine through the windows is doing its job, two days in a row."

Yes indeed, wonderfully sunny weather where I am too! Puts me in a good mood and usually makes me more productive as well, so that is definitely something good :)

Carmel wrote: "I had a sudden order for 26 paperback books through the extended network! I think it is another class (high school) that may be using it for some alternative/at risk kids as a read. Or, a teacher s..."

Amazing! Well done, Carmel :)

Alex wrote: "I do believe I've just had my something good for this week.

I have been followed by an actor from the TV series Outlander, who has a following of 750,000. Not only that but he is part of the #Shin..."

I'm with you, Alex. The same guy has followed me too and has made me think again that I should watch Outlander to pay back the favour he's offering to do for me and my books :)

Carmel wrote: "Hi all....I wanted to share some exciting news. Months ago I sent letters to a couple of universities about my book. I had one professor interested in reading it, so I sent her a copy. She liked it..."

That's amazing, Carmel. Congrats :)

I only have Twitter, but I've run through the thread and followed some folks (some links no longer work it seems!)

Mine is very simply https://twitter.com/Valerie_Sells