So What is Happening?

     You may be wondering what is happening with my book - The Goblet - and myself. Well, not much of anything with The Goblet. It feels like Tate Publishing has effectively turned its back on me. I tried to email them several times and have had absolutely no response. Nothing. Nada. Nichts. I have been dropped off the face of the earth.
     So, after attending the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Workshop in the spring and being, kind of, determined to self publish, I am now very determined to self publish my next books. Book two is done. I have contacted an editor and she is now going through and editing this book. I am not certain about the title of this book. This novel will be part of the series with The Goblet. However, this second novel is very different from the first book. It is about the Collins family in Maui, Hawaii. The family is being stalked by a serial killer with a cliff hanger ending.
      I have started work on the third novel for the series. This book brings the Collins family and the Grifton family together. However, this novel is focussing on Rachel Grifton who has now become an archaeologist. She meets a young man, Wade, on a dig in Israel. They decide, together, that they wish to search for various items from the Bible. They are helped by Wade's uncle, Richard.  They start their search in the Qumran Caves in Israel. I am not finished with this novel and I am not quite certain how to end this novel. I am still working on it.
     But then I started work on a fourth novel. This novel will not be part of the series. It is in a totally different direction. Still faith based but it is a paranormal novel. I have been fascinated with the many paranormal shows that are on television now. One day I was watching a show with a friend about a family who was being terrorized by a demon in their house. The family fled the house. I was quite angry about this and my friend asked what else the family should do. I said it wasn't right that the family leave and let another family go through such an ordeal. I said that I would stay and fight the demon. My friend just laughed at me. I became indignant and said that I would have help from above on this. Which started me on my writing of the fourth novel.
     So, as you can see, I am keeping busy writing. I entered the 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading contest with The Authors Show. I am a finalist but was advised that there is a fee to continue with the contest. Great. I am trying to decide if it will be worth it.
     I am also now in the stages of looking for a web designer for my website. Going the free route, by myself, hasn't provided me with much advertising or luck for my book. I just don't have the smarts to figure out all the SEO's, the social media sites, the linking of all of it, how to get a proper contact sheet and do updates. I just don't have the time. Between riding my horse, keeping a house, and all the other things I need to do in a day, my writing has been suffering. I keep picking at it but I just am not devoting enough time in the day to writing. I suppose my fear is, is there anything more to this than what I have already done?
     I want to keep writing. I have so many ideas in this head of mine. I would like for more people to read my books. And my blogs. There is a fear of the unknown. But if I don't keep going, if I don't keep writing, I don't want to ever say, I wish I would have given it a better shot.

My second novel

     I am currently editing my second novel. I have titled it "An Awakening". However, the more I get into my book, the more I do not think this title is appropriate. I am thinking of "Something, something Innocence" or "Innocence Something something". I think I will wait until I have the book edited before I make that decision.
     This second novel was written years ago. I am now revising, editing, etc. It is going to have a Christian base. But it is a thriller. It is about a serial killer. On my first draft, I did not get into the serial killer's mind too deeply. I fleshed out the victims and their thoughts. Now I am developing the victim's thoughts more and treading into the serial killer's thoughts.
     How does a Christian person write a thriller? How does one get into the mind of a killer? It is not easy. However, since I believe in Jesus then I certainly do believe that Satan is in our lives as well. There is good and there is evil. We humans can be easily led astray by evil. Evil makes promises that humans just can't resist. We struggle with good and bad choices every day.
     Unfortunately, I have seen the dark side of people. I have been in the middle of it and seen, first hand, what bad things do to good people. Then there are just bad people who let evil rule them. People look for quick fixes. They look for the easy way. Life is hard and making a good choice is very difficult. Staying on the right side, the good path is not easy. But it is a choice I have made.
     I can understand anger. I can understand how people get led astray. Watching a person let their life spiral downwards is difficult. However, there is not much anyone can do if a person does not want to change or help themselves. From my experience, unless a person realizes God is real and choose to have God in their life, they will never change.
     Writing about an evil person who is a serial killer is difficult. It brings up many memories and hurts. But evil is around us. It cannot be ignored. I have chosen to write about it. I have also chosen to write about how people with faith, handle that evil. I choose to write about people made stronger with their faith and how they come through the very difficult road in front of them.
   

Editing

     I have told everyone I am working on my second novel. The editing part of it. It was written years ago and I am now editing again. I am trying to work on the third novel. Both of them have no titles yet. The second one I titled An Awakening. But I am not so happy with that title.
     I really like this second novel. I like the story line. I like the characters and I am trying to use all the tools I learned from the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Workshop. But I keep hesitating to go back and edit it. There are a couple of things I need to change but for the most part, I hesitate.
     How does one know when enough editing is enough? I have taken this manuscript to a number of other writer's workshops. I have had this manuscript edited by different writers. I had first pegged it as a general fiction thriller. Now I have shifted it to Christian fiction thriller. The characters have not changed and the story line has not changed. Just the ending has changed. Also, I am involving Christian faith more heavily in my story line. In the end, it is their Christian faith that helps this family get through a horrific time.
     I still hesitate in the editing part of this second novel. Another title I am thinking of, is using the word Innocence in the title. But I procrastinate and hesitate. Since I am now going to go the self publishing route, I will need to find a good editor. I can also make all kinds of excuses about editing.
     Seriously, though. When does one know that enough is enough? I am plugging away one more time at this novel. Then I will look for a good editor.

To Self Publish or Not?

     If you can't get a publisher to accept your book, then it just isn't worth publishing. A well known author made this comment (not word for word) at a writer's conference I attended recently. This comment left me thinking about my options.
     Then another author said that the wave of the future is self publishing. He cannot understand how traditional publishing companies are not better preparing themselves for this new trend.
     All week I was absorbing and listening to the advice of many. Many people from traditional publishing houses, from vanity press publishing houses and from self published authors. By day three of the conference, my head felt like exploding.
     I had started the conference with questions. Do I need/want an agent? Do I try to pitch my novel with a traditional publishing house? What do I need to do next with my second and third novels? How do I go from here? While the publishing company I signed up with for The Goblet did a great job of editing, the book cover and the book trailer, I have not had much contact with them lately. It seems like I have fallen through the cracks because my book has not taken off in sales. I have been left alone with the marketing of The Goblet.
     I did get valuable advice from several workshops at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Workshop. I did learn several items on improving my writing skills. I also did learn several valuable options on marketing which I am now trying to implement. But I have been left on my own for all of the marketing.
     After listening to all the advice and culling through it, I am fairly determined that I will self publish my next book. The top piece of advice that I came away with on self publishing is to not skimp on the editing. Get a good editor. Also, Amazon's self publishing company does offer the best value and the best resources for self publishing. All I need to do right now, is go back through my second novel, use the tools I have learned and then look for a good editor. Then onwards, tally ho!

Social Media Sights

     Before The Goblet was published, I was busy setting up and joining as many social media sites as I could. Whatever was recommended by anyone, I would jump on the band wagon and get myself signed up. I did not always read through all the requirements, but by golly, so and so recommended it so it must be a good site. Mistake, mistake, and big mistake.
     I just wanted to do everything I could to get my book out there. Unfortunately, according to the latest tally, there are approximately over 1 million books being published every year. I think I fell off the band wagon due to overcrowding. Not only that but signing up to all these social media sites and every other site for authors, was more time consuming than I had realized. It left me with very little time to work on my blog, to work on my books and have a life. I jumped off the band wagon willingly.
     Now I am scaling back my efforts. I recently closed my account at LinkedIn. Yes, there were a number of groups for authors. There were many times when people would start a discussion asking authors to post the name of their book. By the time I would get the link and think about adding my name to the list, I was number 542. I would then stop and think, okay? Who is this benefiting? Who would actually look at the books? Other authors? Or potential readers? I was getting lost in the crowd. After talking to a number of authors at a recent writer's conference, I felt my decision to close the LinkedIn account was a good one. My inbox has been greatly reduced in emails.
     LinkedIn did have one or two good groups that would talk about writing. There were a number of writers who would ask valid questions. Responses would be good. However, once again, by the time I got the link, I was number 124 and I felt like my comment would not even be seen. I would read through all the comments and, at times, wonder, wow! talk about egos!
     LinkedIn is a good site for people who are looking for jobs, to develop their careers and to network with other professionals. I am not saying authors are not professionals but I am not certain LinkedIn is the site for authors or aspiring authors. It just felt like the sales on Black Friday. Very intense and I was getting knocked down and pushed out of the way.
   

Reviews

     Your book is finally published and you wait with baited breath for those reviews. You get a few really good reviews and then you get some horrible ones. Reviews are such a many splendid thing.
     I used to watch social media sights and saw that quite a few people were offering reviews for other people. But there would be a catch. They would review your book only if you reviewed their book. You scratch my back and I'll certainly scratch yours. Especially if you give me a good review, was the attitude that I discovered.
     Also, there are quite a few people who will review your book. If you want a free review, it could take months upon months to be reviewed. However, for a fee, your book could move to the top of the pile and be reviewed, in a while.
     Words of advice. Never pay for a review. Paid reviews are never worth the dollar value attached to the review and some times those reviews don't even happen. Then the author spends a lot of time trying to track the reviewer down who, surprisingly, has disappeared.
      I have had a number of reviews. There have been a couple of not so good reviews. I did not take them personally which is something an author really needs to learn to do. I read the review and took note of it. I had hoped to learn something beneficial that I can apply to my next books. But a writer needs to realize that you will never satisfy everyone.
     The best thing to do is to learn your craft. Mix and mingle with other writers. Take workshops. Attend seminars. But do not let yourself be swayed by one author. Just because a certain author has had great success with their writing style, does not mean it will work for you. Keep writing and trying to learn. Right now that is what I am doing. I am trying to learn and seek out what is best for my writing style. I can take the many tools I have learned and apply them to my writing. Then try to decipher what will work best for me.
     As for reviews, I would not hunger and starve for them. Take whatever reviews you get and make note of them. It is all the process of learning.

Dialogue

     The craft of writing dialogue should not be that difficult, should it? I mean, we talk to each other and there isn't any confusion there. Well, maybe not. When we talk to each other, unless we are clear, our words can be misunderstood. Even our body language can sometimes confuse.
     Early on I was told that my dialogue was well written. After attending several workshops and listening to several different opinions on writing dialogue, I am not so sure. In fact, I am not very sure about my writing style. But I am willing to listen and learn.
     At one workshop, the author told us that there is nothing wrong with he said, she said. In fact, it is being used too little. Too many times, writers use animal sounds (he growled, she roared). When one is writing dialogue, what the character does can show the reader exactly what tone of voice the character is using. In fact, in using a simple exclamation point, this will tell the reader that there is excitement. But don't use more than one exclamation point in a dialogue or the excitement will wear thin.
     Another item that was noted was when there are only two characters carrying on a dialogue, there is no need to use the he said, she said after every sentence. In fact, even with two pages of dialogue, just throw in a couple he saids, she said and your readers should be able to follow along pretty well. However, when you have a number of characters speaking, then it would be best to have he saids, she saids after every sentence - dialogue piece.
     Also, there was talk about using dialects in dialogue. One writer had a British character in his novel, but he only had him say Cheerio once and a few other British terms, but for the rest of the novel, the author used good old American English in the character's dialogue. I once read a novel (okay, I only read the first three pages) where the entire dialogue was in a heavy African American slang. I was totally confused by the meanings of some of the words and I had a really hard time reading the dialect. It was just too difficult to follow the meaning of what was going on. I put the book down. I suppose it all matters where you want your book to be marketed.
     Dialogue can also identify a character. I love to listen to people talk. Everyone has a different way of stating things and talking. I develop characters with certain personality traits of people I know. Then I try to have those characters talk the way that person would talk. This is something I really need to work on. I can sometimes visualize in my head, how a dialogue will go and I will sometimes talk it out loud to see if it makes sense.
      Please, realize that I do not have the answers. I am a writer who is working on improving my writing style. There are bumps along the way, where I forget. But I love writing and will continue to learn. I just love to listen and absorb. Hopefully, my writing style will improve.

Show Don't Tell

     Everybody remembers their elementary days at school when one certain day of the week would be show and tell. We would all wait for this day with great anticipation for our turn to be able to show something treasured and talk about it. Some children would elaborate for a long time about their treasure. Others would run to the front of the classroom, hold up their treasure, give a one word description and then flee back to their desk.
     Show and tell. Which does not work for writers. Time and time again writers are told to show, don't tell. Writers are supposed to elaborate on the action surrounding the scene. Giving descriptions filled with adjectives and adverbs are no longer valued. Although for literary works, verbose descriptions are required.  Rather, having the characters interact with each other gets the reader involved.
     I realize that showing and not telling is a much more effective way of writing. It  also gives the writer a bigger challenge of telling, oops, crafting the story. Rather than telling, Sue was extremely irritated with her husband's late arrival home, one can show this sentence by writing, Sue paced by the front door, glancing out the window for her husband's car. She frowned when she finally saw his car pull into the driveway.
      I am still learning this craft. There are differences and they can be very subtle. But rather than telling about a character's mood, there are ways to show the mood which will make the reader a more active participant.
     The art of writing. The art of writing well. It is a learning process. It is always interesting to read an author's first book and then to read their following books. Sometimes, the reader will see an improvement. Sometimes not.

Point of View

     When I was going through the editing process with my first published novel, The Goblet, my editors told me to stick to one point of view. I admit, I did switch back and forth between the main character and the other characters in the novel within scenes. I did what the editors asked and stuck to one point of view per scene. I had several characters in this novel that I wanted to develop. I wanted readers to develop a relationship with my characters.
     I attended a one day workshop in North Carolina and the seminar was about point of view. This speaker was strongly advising to only develop one character. One point of view. I left that workshop not impressed.
     Then when I attended the BRMCWC in May, again there were differing opinions on point of view. Several speakers said only one point of view per novel or do one point of view per chapter. Other speakers said they develop several points of views for several characters BUT they do it per scene. In fact, Steven James switches from 1st person in one chapter to third in the next chapter. Then switches point of view per scene.
     The whole idea of point of view is to develop your character. Let the reader know what the character is thinking. Let the reader develop a relationship with the character so the reader will care about the character.
     The stories I am writing have more than one main character. I have a number of characters that I am introducing to readers and I would like for readers to develop a relationship with them. I have not read any of the Harry Potter books, but J.K. Rowling had three main characters. I am sure she wrote three different points of views.
     So here we are with different opinions on point of view. Again, it all boils down to writing a good story and developing characters that readers want to get to know. I am still learning my craft and it has changed from when I was in high school. Good stories, good characters will stand the test of time but writing styles have changed. I am willing to learn and try to improve my writing. It is very definitely a learning process.

Outliner or Organic?

     One of the things I have heard over and over again from many writers is about the outline. Many writers have gone to great lengths to talk about their outline for their story.  Many writers have boasted about how long it took them to come up with their outline for their story. I have always sat and listened to these comments and wondered, "What?"
     I think by that single word, one can tell that I have never done an outline for any of my stories.  I do not write nonfiction and I could very well see the use of having an outline for a nonfiction book.  But for fiction?  I always have an idea for a story but there is no way I know how the story is going to progress and/or how it will end.  I write from my character's perspective and try to write with the question, "Okay, now what? What feels believable for this character and this situation?" But I have always felt like I was doing something wrong.
     Until BRMCWC and meeting Steven James. In one of his workshops and in his book "Story Trumps Structure - How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules", he talks about being an outliner or writing organic. For me, doing an outline makes sense for a nonfiction book. But doing an outline for a work of fiction, just does not make sense. When I begin a story, I have no idea how the story will end. Well, maybe just a little. But it is the characters who decide how the story will develop. It is what believably happens to the characters that determine the direction of the story. Not some predetermined outline.
     There will be supporters for outlining and there will be supporters for organic writing. As long as writers try their best to write unforgettable fiction, does it matter? For me, it does matter a little. For now, I will listen to what both sides have to offer and go with what feels best for my writing.

Writers conferences

     I attended the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Conference May 18 to the 22nd. This was the very first overnight writer's conference I have ever attended. This conference far exceeded any expectations I had.
     First of all, I went to this conference because it was an easy drive for me. Secondly, another writer that I met at a one day conference, recommended it to me. Thirdly, I have always wanted to go to an overnight-ish writer's conference. I went totally unprepared. Well, I did take notepads and my laptop. I took business cards as well. But I did not read up on the BRMCWC website's blogs of what to expect. In other words, I went with a totally unbiased, open mind.
     I knew agents would be there. I knew authors and representatives from publishing companies would be there. I knew editors would be there. I knew there would be workshops and I went with the intention of learning writing skills. Improving my writing skills. Tips of the trade. I hoped I would learn about marketing because quite frankly, everybody and their brother has a book out on marketing and everybody has the best answer to marketing.
     I have come out of this conference with a clear goal in mind now. I entered this conference, unsure if I wanted an agent. I was unsure about wanting to go to a traditional publishing house. By day three of this conference, my head felt like it was ready to explode with all the information I had gathered.  But at least I walked away with a mountain of knowledge.  I am not sure I would have gotten so much good advice from any other type of conference.  I will write more on this tomorrow.

POV - Point of View

     I am lucky to be surrounded by such a large network of writers groups, workshops, seminars, etc. here in North Carolina. There is also a huge group of writers on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon and more websites for writers that you could ever possibly find.
     All of this can leave a person overwhelmed.  Where does one start? Probably by narrowing down to your particular genre. There is no reason for a thriller writer to join a romance group. Being a Christian based fiction writer, I have tried to really narrow down to those areas and have been pleasantly surprised with the number of options I have.
     I recently attended a writer's workshop and attended two sessions. The first one was "What not to do to get published" and found out that I did do a number of the things mentioned but was still lucky enough to get my first book published.
     The second session was on POV.  I took a lot of notes. With my first book, two editors worked through it with me and I did realize that I switched points of view several times within various scenes. I learned to keep to a single point of view within scenes. It was good practise for me and I understand the reasoning for it.
     The instructor really pushed for writers to get into deep POV. She also stressed show - don't tell. We were told that the deeper a writer can get into point of view, the clearer the character becomes and the reader will form a strong attachment/knowledge of the character. I seemed to walk away from this session with the understanding that adjectives are not great and to keep dialogue to a minimum and to really only have one main character. Another point was to only have one POV within a scene.  Understood.
     However, people talk to each other and have their POV. So dialogue is needed within stories. I get it that a writer needs to only present one person's POV within a scene. But why can't the writer then go to a scene and show another character's POV?  I do not want to write stories from only one character's perspective.  I want readers to get to know two or three or more of my characters. I want readers to be able to relate to more than the main character.
     I will be attending more workshops in the near future. I do want to improve my writing skills and the only way I can do that is to continue writing and listening. I need to write with what works best for me. I suppose listening to other's opinions is good. What one expert advises is good for some but not for everyone.
   
   

Oh my! Marketing

     The quote I read today which has stuck with me is "Anything you truly want must be worth fighting for".
     Okay, so I really want my novel - The Goblet - to sell. I understand I need to take an active role in the marketing of this book. Gone are the days when publishing companies lined up the book signings and sellings of your book. Every author needs to take an active role in the marketing of their book. As uncomfortable and as difficult as that is to do, when writers really just want to hole themselves up in a room with a window and write.
     But, this marketing stuff is scary, risky, mind boggling and unappealing. Given the fact that there are so many self published authors out there all begging for attention. Do I want to jump on the same band wagon and irritate the heck out of everyone by asking everyone on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc. etc. to please, please, please read my book? I hate it. I hate all of it. So, no.
     Every time I see a posting from an author who wants me to like or bring attention, or advertise their book, I delete the posting. Unless I have read the book and truly enjoyed it, I will not promote a book.
     I am following various blogs and discussions. I try to make comments that are relevant and helpful. I ask questions. I try out different recommendations. However, there was one author who had a list of 10+ websites that authors HAD TO join. A number of the websites required payments. Others were free. But did I join every single site? No.
     I went through the list and put effort into the ones I joined but I did not join every single site. I also tried to make sure that the website was applicable to my book. A Christian based adventure. I am also going to make sure that I visit these websites every day. Keep my information current and stay in touch with whatever is happening on these sites.
     Then at some point during the day, I will try to keep working on my books. Without letting life get too much in the way. With my busy life style (and I do not have paid employment currently except for my writing), mapping out time to write is not easy. But "Anything you truly want must be worth fighting for".
   

Go Write Young Man or Woman

• I think the second piece of advice I can give is to write.  Just write, write, write and write some more.  Try writing poetry.  Try writing short stories, articles and then tackle a book.  Just keep writing until you find something and a forum you are passionate about.
    Some people are very diligent and will write every day for a set certain amount of time.  Others, like me, just wait for the inspiration to hit them and then sit and type madly for however long it takes to get it all out.  Sometimes it feels like vomit.  Not that the writing is vomit, I hope, just the process.
    It took me a while to decide on writing fiction.  Then I needed to decide which genre.  I wanted to write about adventure.  I absolutely love the Indiana Jones series and the whole artifact stuff.  I also enjoy writing about the darker side of people's emotions.  I wanted to show, though, that good will triumph over evil.  It took me a while to settle into being Christian based but I wasn't quite listening to the direction I needed to write in.
    I know that some people have recommended that a person write articles and short stories to submit to various newspapers and ezines, etc.  To get your name out there.  I, quite frankly, was afraid to try that.  But just recently I submitted a short story to a contest and another to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.  I had no idea there were so many writing contests out there.  I have no idea what will happen with the submissions, but I actually enjoyed the process of writing to something specific.  And I have set up this blog for anyone to read and hopefully enjoy.
    I think waiting now for my novel to go through the editing department is the hardest thing I have gone through.  I know the editors are going to make it the best possible book.  I have received quite a number of emails from the company, telling me what to expect.  The emails have also given me a lot of information on what to expect in the upcoming months and how to prepare both myself and my novel for the public.  But just waiting to see what the editor thinks of my book is beyond nerve wracking.  What if they don't like it, after all?  What if they think it stinks and has no chance?  What if, what if, what if?

Read and Then Go Ahead and Read Some More

•  I think right about now, I am ready to explode or burst or something.  I have been reading and reading and reading and researching.  I have been getting a number of emails from the publishing company and I have been reading and researching everything I can.  But I admit, I am feeling overloaded and overwhelmed to the point where my head feels like it will burst.
    I can't believe my novel is going to be published.  Every time I think about it, tears spring to my eyes.  How long have I waited for this to happen?  And I want to do it right.  I have been researching and reading how other authors have handled their marketing of their books.  The do's and the don'ts.  Actually, Tate Publishing, the company that will be publishing my novel, has sent very informative emails about the whole process.  A number of authors have made a number of very good recommendations.
    But all this reading, feels like information overload and I am ready to explode or burst.  I feel like I'm at the top of the mountain, on the very edge, ready to topple over.  But, when you want something enough, you are committed to doing the very best you can.  And prayer helps as well.  Darn!  I felt that slap upside the back of my head again.  That's God's way of telling me He needs me to listen and/or pause to be quiet.  I told Him I'm blonde and will need more than just subtle signs from Him.  So I guess I deserve the slap upside the back of my head every once in a while.  And I can feel Him smiling about it too.  Or was that a belly laugh??
    So the third piece of advice is read.  Find anything and everything you can about the wonderful world of writing and read it.  Also, read for entertainment, enjoyment and knowledge.  Read until your eyeballs and brain bursts.
    Did I mention??  My novel will be published soon!!!

Join a Writer's Group

  I have been told to join a writer's group.  I did join Christian Writers.com but I have not been very good about checking in, previously or lately.  Just been so busy reading and writing.
  I have looked for a writer's group in Greensboro and have found the Writer's Group of Triad.  I joined a sub group called the Eclectic Fiction Writers.  We meet once a month and I am enjoying the group.  I had heard negatives and positives about joining a writers group but so far, so good.  I suppose, it is all in what one makes of it.
  The first time I attended the monthly meeting, I was very uncomfortable about writing a short story on the spot about a scenario.  But once I thought about it, I wrote.  It felt good to do it.  The second meeting, we were given a picture and asked to write a short story about the picture.  I was amazed with how a story slammed into my head and I wrote it.  It felt great to be able to know that I could write something once I was challenged to do it.  I actually submitted that short story to a contest.  I have no idea how that will work out, but if you don't try - you'll never know.
  Which is what pushed me to submit my novel to a publishing company in November of 2011.  I did not want to come to the end of my life wondering if it ever would have happened.  Now I know.

Keep Writing

I think the most difficult part is to keep writing every day.  Some times I just don't want to write.  I get a really good idea brewing in my head but I don't follow through by putting it down on paper.  Or my mind wanders into unknown spaces.  I can come up with a lot of excuses why not to do something.
  Or I'll think that I need to work it through some more in my mind.  Half the time, I'll work it out in my head and then by the time I really do sit down to write it out, I will have forgotten some of the really good lines I had thought up.
  Setting up a schedule or a work time to sit down and write does not always work for me.  When I am sitting at the computer, I need to really focus and decide to get my stories down.  Poetry is a lot easier to handle.  When I have an idea or emotions for a poem, I can sit down and get it out within 5 or 10 minutes. 
  It isn't that easy when you are working on a book.  Other times, I will be afraid and wonder, is this all making sense?  Is this the way it should go?  Or I'll just feel uncomfortable about what I am writing.  Usually it will work itself out in the end.  But you need to stick to some sort of schedule and just keep writing.

Art Festivals

 I recently attended an arts festival in Fuquay-Varina, NC.  I thoroughly enjoyed this arts festival.  After all the book signings I have done, I found this arts festival, even though I had to pay for the booth, bring my own tent, table, chairs, etc., the festival was much more successful than the book signings.
     It was a very pretty day.  My girlfriend and I set up my canopy, table, banner, chairs, books and various advertising articles.  Then off I toddled to get a coffee for myself and a coke for my girlfriend.  When I came back my girlfriend showed me the pictures she had taken of the booth.  They are posted in my photo album here on my website.  Let me know what you think about them.
     Then while I was sitting, enjoying my coffee, we waited for sales to begin.  I sent my girlfriend out to hand out business cards and bookmarks.  I stood by the table and handed out postcards and talked to many people.  I was very honest about the fact that my book is a Christian based fiction.  I had two people give me a loud harruumpphhh and stalk off.  Everyone else was very kind and congratulated me on the accomplishment of publishing my book.  I had sales.  Much more than I had at any book signings.  I also had everyone I talked to tell me they wanted to look my book up online and then many said they wanted to buy either the kindle version or the nook version.  Even though I was available to autograph my book, these people still wanted the kindle version.  I even had a couple people ask me if I would become famous like J.K. Rowling.  I just shrugged my shoulders, laughed and said that wasn't up to me.
     Three young ladies came to my table and told me they loved to write.  I encouraged them to continue writing.  If that was what they felt to do, they needed to continue their passion.  I told them, look at me.  I started writing in high school and never stopped writing.  It finally took me to my ripe middle age (okay, maybe a little more than middle age) to be published.  I told them to never give up. Never give up on your dreams.
     My girlfriend and I felt successful at the end of the day.  While we were packing up, the gentleman in the booth behind us said that his wife had sold a few paintings but the networking that had happened during the day was far more important than the sales.  He told us that these festivals are priceless.  It is the networking that is essential to be successful.  I agree with him.
     I will still continue with book signings when my publicist at Tate Publishing sends me.  However, I have signed up for another arts festival in Greensboro on July 4th and will look into arts festivals in North Carolina for the months of August, September and October.  If I do one a month, I will be happy with that.  And let's face it.  I love all the arts and crafts at these festivals.  I invariably end up purchasing something which is supporting local artists.  Oh, and the chance to talk to people plus spend time with my girlfriend is priceless.

Reviews

I remember reading from one author that one should not take reviews as personal. This author said one should read reviews and try to learn something from the reviews.  Rejoice in the good reviews and try to learn something from the critical ones.
     For the most part, I have received positive comments from people who have read The Goblet but there are negative comments.  I have been very upfront with everyone in saying that The Goblet is a Christian based fiction so when someone tells me that they didn't like the book because of the religious tone, I roll my eyes.
     The Goblet has a lot of my personal experiences in it.  It was a very difficult book to write because of how personal it is to me.  I am also not a verbose writer or speaker.  I get to the point and there you go.  Although, some people commented that they wanted to know more about the characters in the story.  At times, I thought I was saying too much about Sarah. Well, it is a learning process.
     I have joined a writer's group.  However, I have not had a chance to join in any meetings.  I do want to learn how to improve my writing.  My second novel is done but it can always use improvements. I am currently working on the third novel.  Being a writer is lonely.  One sits in a room somewhere and just gets every thought one can down on paper.  Ooops, sorry.  Get it into your computer.  Or whatever the proper terminology is.
     Right now I am consumed with marketing.  Trying to get my name and the name of my book out there.  At times I am depressed and discouraged.  So many authors and so many books out there.  How will anyone notice my book?
     I have not spent a lot of time writing.  But then I procrastinate with it.  I must get into a routine and just write.  As well, I want to learn how to improve my writing.
     Am I overanalyzing?  Perhaps. Perhaps I just need to keep writing and let my editors keep guiding me. 

Marketing So Far

     Here I am 9 months after The Goblet was released in January.  I feel like I  am spinning.  I have been reading all the marketing advice for authors and  I almost feel like I am out of control.
     I finally decided last week  that I need to focus on my writing.  I also need to cut back on all the  social media sites I have signed up to.  I will stay with 3 and I will try  to become more active with 2 of the writer's groups I am currently enrolled  in.  Then this morning I received an email from a marketing person who advised exactly what I had decided to do.  I can finally breath again.
     Marketing The Goblet has been time consuming and stressful.  I did do two arts festivals through the summer months and I did greatly enjoy them.  I will attend festivals again next year but I will be very cautious about which ones I attend.  I also did four book signings.  Not very successful.
     Words of advice for marketing your books?  From what I have  read and researched?  Have a good website.  Join social media websites. But don't join every social media website out there just because  someone says it's a great site.  Join sites that relate to you and what you are writing about.  Write blogs.  But also post comments on blogs.  Write on blogs that will connect with your writing. When you criticize, do so with tactfulness and respect.
     Join one or two writer's organizations that are  related to your writing. I have joined the American Christian Fiction Writer's association.  I have not yet had a chance to meet up with other members but hope to do so in the next few weeks.
     Other than that?  Keep writing.  Write whatever speaks to you.  And keep writing.