Finding the Flow, Even if I Have to Dig in the Mud
Deciding to delay one project and write another, due to a deadline of sorts, is a new one for me. And I suppose I could flap about and tell you I'm an artiste and things like this simply aren't done, but folks, at some point, I'd really like to stop hemorrhaging money and turn the tide in the other direction. You know, make money. And I'm looking for that happy medium - you know the one I'm talking about - where I get to create cool stories that readers want to read and I get paid for it. The happy medium exists, I know it does. I have only to look at 20Booksto50k, Wide for the Win, Mark Dawson, or Joanna Penn for confirmation of this. The nice part? I don't have to make a zillion dollars. It would be nice, don't get me wrong, but I worked really hard to set things up so I don't have to work outside of the home in a "job job" - and that's been a real blessing for this dreamy-eyed writer. Now I just need to make the dollars go into the black and out of the red. And if I do my job really well, I get the added bonus of putting whatever writing funds I make above expenses into worldly adventures like a much-dreamed of trip to Pompeii.
We are living in amazing times. We really do. I've seen things change so much since I was a kid and my dad brought home our first computer and insisted I just had to learn DOS. I dug in my heels, fought and screamed and complained, and along came Windows. I was hooked.
Our connectivity, our technological advances, they mean that yes, there is a steady stream of crap mixed in, but finally I'm seeing a change in the tide. Readers are smart, they can suss out which Indie author has just slapped up some monstrosity and called it a book, and instead head for someone who has actually put the time and effort into it. Finally, Indie authors, just like Indie filmmakers, are getting recognition. It's never easy. I guess that if it was, would it even be worth it?
But I digress.
I'm currently banging away at Broken Code my third romantic thriller. (By the way, the pre-order for it is just $2.99 for the month of March, snap it up at that price while you can!) Along the way, I'm finding that I fall into that much dreamed-of flow writing state by sitting in front of the computer staring at the screen and telling myself over and over and over...
You don't have to write a whole book. You just need to write 1,500 words today. That's it. Write it in one of the chapters. Don't worry about anything else.
Writing to a deadline, self-imposed or otherwise, is not something I feel particularly comfortable with. That said, it is exactly what I need to do right now. So every weekday, Monday through Friday, I sit here. I fight with myself every single day. I argue. I beg. I compromise, wheedle, cajole, and even blackmail.
My only excuse not to do my 1,500 words per day?
Illness.
I got whacked with a nasty head cold this past week/weekend. If it weren't for my compulsive ingestion of all manner of supplements, I have no doubt I would still be suffering. And if there is anything worse on the planet for this Type A over-achiever than being sick, I don't think I want to know what it is.
I was so relieved yesterday when I managed not just my 1,500 word count minimum on Broken Code, but my secondary 500 word count goal for a short story I'm planning for April and May release. The same for today. I'm getting done what I need to, and I'm really enjoying seeing the story unwind from the premise in my brain onto the (literal) paper. It's going to be a great story. And, bonus, it is tied into The Retirement Home. I haven't given up on that book, just set it aside for a bit. I'll be back to it soon, promise!
Box Sets
It started with a request to my cover designer to come up with a good omnibus cover for the War's End series. I was then planning on having the Gliese 581g series bundled altogether, but my cover designer misread my request, and sent over the Benton Security Services omnibus instead. Which actually made sense, although I hadn't even thought of bundling the romance books yet. I need to reach out to him and ask for the Gliese 581g book bundle. Maybe next month, once a little bit of money rolls in. LOL. In any case, I think they look great. If you haven't read either series, please consider saving a few dollars and buying the omnibus versions. You won't be disappointed!
Chirp Audiobook Deal for Get Organized, Stay Organized
I was quite excited to get a Chirp audiobook deal for Get Organized, Stay Organized. This is the first book I ever wrote. The advice is solid, down-to-earth, and easy to put into practice. Take something overwhelming, break it into manageable chunks, and before you know it, your closets, paperwork and more will be organized and usable! Just 99 cents for the audiobook. What's not to like about that?! This deal is available for the entire month, so go and grab your audiobook copy today!
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