Tag: Blogging

Wordless Wednesday

Whut r words

So I usually do writing tips on Friday. World and character development, and other useful writing based posts… Today I have nothing. Layout, and a lot of sleep deprivation, has me melty brained.

It seems to me every writer, especially the indie publishing writer, has that moment… The moment when you look at the paper and just ask “Whut R Words”…it’s not that you have nothing you can write, or no ideas for new stories. It is that in that moment you need a break. A chance to step back and breathe. This is where having other interests help.

To be honest I am in awe of authors who put out a book every month. Don’t they ever feel burnout? Feel like their brains are melting?

Help me out here, tell me how you clear your mind and refocus on the task at hand? What activities do you do when you can’t concentrate?

First poem for Ink Splashes

I should be asleep… But when the muse hits…. See y’all when I am conscious again.

Thankful Thursday

So, yesterday I had a fair few comments telling me that I had done well with this blog. I am grateful for all comments and interaction. Sometimes it feels like I am screaming into the void, unheard. So, it is nice to be told that I have been heard.

Today I feel that I have so much to be grateful for. I have the ability to do the stuff that I want, and still live my life. I struggle. I don’t have everything I could want. Still, I don’t have a bad life.

So I decided that today I will be thankful. Tell me what you are thankful for?

And because I was asked for a donate button… this is my paypal and you can sponsor me on Patreon.

Indie Friday

So… There is so much to being an indie author/publisher that you really don’t end up finding out until you have made mistakes in doing it. To start with as the author you are responsible for every part of the process. That means the writing, the editing, the layout, the cover design, the title, picking the places the book will be available, setting everything for sale, and marketing. Now some of this you can and probably should hire someone else to do.

Personally I always hire an editor. While I am capable of editing, I find that it is better to get a second set of eyes on my work. It makes the chance of unnoticed errors less. I have two that I personally use. One is Kelly at Xterraweb and I also use Deedra Nichole Editing. Both are excellent. Both will not try to change your voice. In your story your voice is what makes your story unique.

After the editor finishes you have to give your story to beta readers. This is a group of people who you trust to read, and give you feedback. This feedback can be anything from suggestions for grammar mistakes that got missed in the editing process (if any) to title ideas or plot holes.

Many people hire someone else to do their covers. I do all of my own covers, and I am always willing to discuss doing covers for other authors. My price would be reasonable.

Now, as for places to publish your book… Everyone has heard about Amazon. That is the basic place for indie publishing. They have a program for Windows and Mac called Kindle Create. This helps with layout. Amazon is the best place for doing paperbacks. The other place I use to distribute my Ebooks is Draft2Digital. They also have audiobook distribution. (Which I am working on.)

Marketing is an area that I am still working with. It is something that I personally not great at.

I am always willing to help new authors, or even discuss the process with those who are already in the know. This is something that I am truly interested in. So, feel free to ask any questions or to just strike up a conversation!

Thursday Thoughts

There is quite a lot coming up for me. I am close to layout for Dream Drips. I will be working on writing the last few poems needed for it.

I am on the editing of the anthology I have previously mentioned titled Under the Mists. We have some really great stories from some wonderful writers.

I have been accepted for the summer edition of Creatives Rising E-zine. I will have more to say about this as the time comes closer to the release.

My Patreon is seeing daily updates this month as I am doing #Mermay.

Serena is still working on her sequel to Rust, Gore, and the Junkyard Zombie. She has been working hard to get the story put together.

I have been working on recording the princess lost in an audiobook. This was put on hold for the last month as I have been adapting to a sleep schedule change. This has left me lethargic and derpy. Thank goodness I was able to schedule my blog ahead.

I also have life, gardening and other bits of creation that will happen. I think that I may do a post about my garden this year once I get it done. We got a tiller this year so I am looking forward to a full veggie garden this year.

I am also planning a trip in June to see people I love. It may mean that I will not be posting the first week of June. I will have to see.

I will be doing the monthly link post on Saturday. I will be doing a post about the indie publishing process tomorrow. Then I am taking Sunday as a break. I have been posting every day for a month. I have no idea what to do for another day. Lol

So what are you doing? Do you like gardens? Which of my upcoming projects are you the most excited for? And a true curiosity… Anything else you think that I need to address?

For the month of May

So I plan to do my regular posts here in May… But I need to boost the posting on my Patreon. So for the month of May, all of my patrons(from $1 up) will be getting a daily drawing. I will be trying to follow the Mermay prompts.

The prompts are as follows :
#MerMay

2019 Prompts

May 1 – #Extravagant
May 2 – #Rascal
May 3 – #Rockabilly
May 4 – #StarWars
May 5 – #CincoDeMayo
May 6 – #TacoTuesday
May 7 – #Aquabat
May 8 – #Squid
May 9 – #FrenchBagette
May 10 – #Tropical
May 11 – #Stretch
May 12 – #MothersDay
May 13 – #Monday
May 14 – #Hootenanny
May 15 – #Nurse
May 16 – #Honored
May 17 – #Dinosaur
May 18 – #Flight
May 19 – #Worthwhile
May 20 – #HoneyBee
May 21 – #Comb
May 22 – #Drummer
May 23 – #Chosen
May 24 – #Shrimp
May 25 – #Geek
May 26 – #Run
May 27 – #Electric
May 28 – #MemorialDay
May 29 – #Kleptomaniac
May 30 – #Kissed
May 31 – #Fashionista

So if you are interested in seeing the art I come up with for this…. Join me on Patreon!

Talking Tuesday

I got a late birthday present from my mom. She waited until she visited two weeks after my birthday to find out what I wanted. Honestly I can blame my Aunt for the choice of gifts. My aunt read Serena’s Zombie… And just discovered Audible. She asked why I was not doing audiobook options. I explained that the set-up for audiobooks was slightly out of my price range. Mom had me look at the cost again. Turned out that Amazon had a really nice Microphone that was within her budget. She ordered it immediately. It came in yesterday. Now I have to decide which book to start with.

Poetry is a fun option for audiobook. So are the kid’s books. Serena’s Death of Neverland or Zombie are both needing the treatment. And Draft 2 digital works with audible and all of the other places to get audiobooks. I will have to learn about the recording process.

Tell me which book you think that I should do first? I plan to do all of them eventually.

Tuesday Tea Party

To be honest I have nothing to post today. So I thought I would ask questions about my readers. Tell me what you would like to see on here. Who are you? What is your interests? Do you like poetry? Do you prefer stories? Where are you located? (In general, not specific. Safety first here.) Do you like music? I love music. Do you have any specific song you are listening to right now?

I would love to hear more about those who are reading what I write. It will help me to know what I need to post. I struggle with what to post sometimes. Sometimes it feels like I am just rambling to myself. The likes on my posts make me feel like at least someone hears me.