Good morning, dear readers.
I *think* I've come up with a plan for the books. :)
I'm going to publish Bird With a Broken Wing on Amazon, just like I did with That Summer. I'm thinking May 6, which gives That Summer several weeks on its own.
I'm still aiming to have the Rose's Ghost series traditionally published. I still have feedback coming in for Rose, which I'm extremely grateful for! Heather's Field could use a good once-over, but that one's pretty much ready. Last night, I wrote chapter outlines right 'til the end of Viktor, but I'm still writing chapter 10, so it'll be another week or two for that.
After that, I've got a new one in the works, featuring characters from several books. It's fun, and ties everything together, I think. It's called, "Contance and Enzo's Tea Time With Peyton." :) I'm only six chapters in, but this one's writing itself; just gotta get it from brain to screen.
In the meantime, I'm looking at submitting to magazines, thanks to a few friends who are pushing me forward.
I have to say, as much as I was warned that this wouldn't be easy, I continue to be amazed at the roller-coaster ride that is publishing. It's discouraging one day, then encouraging the next. The one thing that remains constant is the writing itself - it brings me so much happiness, guys. So, I have to remind myself to write, every day, even when I'm feeling defeated.
It makes everything better.
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Monday, April 22, 2019
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
How I Write With Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia's tough.
While there are those who suffer the occasional flareup and then continue with their lives, relatively unscathed, there are others, like me, who suffer an intense 'baseline' of pain which never recedes. I've had a headache for four years, my left back has been in a Charlie horse-type spasm since shortly after Declan was born, and my left leg has been numb/tingly for two years. That's my every day. Oh, and I'm not so bright anymore. Even when I can think of the right thing to say, by the time it makes it's way to my mouth, it just doesn't sound like I intended it to. Brain fog. It makes me dumb, or at least sound it.
As such, my flareups are devastating. Like, can't get out of bed/off the couch. Need help walking. Can't stop crying because I just feel like I'm gonna die. And my back...oh, Lordy, my back.
Have you ever had a toothache? One of the ones deep in the nerve, that needs a root canal? You know, when you fantasize about getting some pliers and wrenching the damn thing out of your head?
That's how I feel about that spazzed-out muscle group in my back. Like I just want it out, consequences be damned.
It's a desperate, helpless feeling of defeat, friends.
So, I've learned to plan each day so flareups are few and far between. I have a couple hours in the morning during which I can accomplish some things - throw a load of laundry in, make myself a tea - and these days, write. Then I eat lunch, and then I sleep for 3.5 hours. Every day. Just to survive until bedtime.
And those couple of 'productive' hours in the morning are not without their challenges. Looking at the screen always hurts my head, so I spend much of my writing time gazing blankly out the window. My brain talks to my fingers and the words manifest themselves, largely unsupervised by any conventional method (such as looking at the screen!). And thus, for me, writing is the easy part. And editing HURTS. I'm often surprised by the errors I've unknowingly made - forgotten paragraph separation, extra spaces (or not enough) - ugh. Editing takes far more time and energy for me.
And I don't just sit and write until I'm completely spent; I have to get up and walk around a bit every 20 minutes or so. I stretch, already stiff from sitting still. My shoulders and wrists ache from their workout. It's ridiculous.
In fact, when I started writing again the first few times after being diagnosed, I very nearly gave up right away. It was depressing. The effort it took. The pain it caused. So different from the old me. Do you know that I used to be called on at work to write for anyone and everyone that needed it? And I LOVED IT. Now, even having complete freedom to write whatever I want, I'm limited by my body. .
But I persevered, trying different things to make it work.
And, dear readers, it's been worth it.
The cost of devoting my good hours to writing pales in comparison to what it's done for me.
I'm like a hermit now - sticking close to home just in case that nauseating pain rears it's ugly head. Even outings to the mall or the drug store are timed and limited, unless Chad is with me; not having to drive and be alert helps a lot.
But now, here, reclining in my bed, I can escape into any world I decide to create. I can hop along railroad ties with Margot, or take long walks to get ice cream with Peyton. I can cry with Rose over her tragic loss, and laugh with Maggie and Max as they goof around. I can travel. I can paint. And the coolest part: at the end of it, I have a tangible product that I can share with others, and they can go on those adventures, too.
It's saved me. Writing has saved me, y'all.
And I'm so, so grateful.
While there are those who suffer the occasional flareup and then continue with their lives, relatively unscathed, there are others, like me, who suffer an intense 'baseline' of pain which never recedes. I've had a headache for four years, my left back has been in a Charlie horse-type spasm since shortly after Declan was born, and my left leg has been numb/tingly for two years. That's my every day. Oh, and I'm not so bright anymore. Even when I can think of the right thing to say, by the time it makes it's way to my mouth, it just doesn't sound like I intended it to. Brain fog. It makes me dumb, or at least sound it.
As such, my flareups are devastating. Like, can't get out of bed/off the couch. Need help walking. Can't stop crying because I just feel like I'm gonna die. And my back...oh, Lordy, my back.
Have you ever had a toothache? One of the ones deep in the nerve, that needs a root canal? You know, when you fantasize about getting some pliers and wrenching the damn thing out of your head?
That's how I feel about that spazzed-out muscle group in my back. Like I just want it out, consequences be damned.
It's a desperate, helpless feeling of defeat, friends.
So, I've learned to plan each day so flareups are few and far between. I have a couple hours in the morning during which I can accomplish some things - throw a load of laundry in, make myself a tea - and these days, write. Then I eat lunch, and then I sleep for 3.5 hours. Every day. Just to survive until bedtime.
And those couple of 'productive' hours in the morning are not without their challenges. Looking at the screen always hurts my head, so I spend much of my writing time gazing blankly out the window. My brain talks to my fingers and the words manifest themselves, largely unsupervised by any conventional method (such as looking at the screen!). And thus, for me, writing is the easy part. And editing HURTS. I'm often surprised by the errors I've unknowingly made - forgotten paragraph separation, extra spaces (or not enough) - ugh. Editing takes far more time and energy for me.
And I don't just sit and write until I'm completely spent; I have to get up and walk around a bit every 20 minutes or so. I stretch, already stiff from sitting still. My shoulders and wrists ache from their workout. It's ridiculous.
In fact, when I started writing again the first few times after being diagnosed, I very nearly gave up right away. It was depressing. The effort it took. The pain it caused. So different from the old me. Do you know that I used to be called on at work to write for anyone and everyone that needed it? And I LOVED IT. Now, even having complete freedom to write whatever I want, I'm limited by my body. .
But I persevered, trying different things to make it work.
And, dear readers, it's been worth it.
The cost of devoting my good hours to writing pales in comparison to what it's done for me.
I'm like a hermit now - sticking close to home just in case that nauseating pain rears it's ugly head. Even outings to the mall or the drug store are timed and limited, unless Chad is with me; not having to drive and be alert helps a lot.
But now, here, reclining in my bed, I can escape into any world I decide to create. I can hop along railroad ties with Margot, or take long walks to get ice cream with Peyton. I can cry with Rose over her tragic loss, and laugh with Maggie and Max as they goof around. I can travel. I can paint. And the coolest part: at the end of it, I have a tangible product that I can share with others, and they can go on those adventures, too.
It's saved me. Writing has saved me, y'all.
And I'm so, so grateful.
Saturday, April 13, 2019
More Updates!
So, guess what?
Rose's Ghost has been overhauled! I'm happier with it now, and I think readers will be, too. I took out some unnecessary stuff, including some characters that didn't add to the story, and did some shaping to the whole thing from the start that makes everything flow better.
And besides the cover design, I've completed the editing on Bird With A Broken Wing.
So, I have to make some decisions about what to do next; do I self-publish BBW and Rose? Do I wait and give That Summer a chance to gain momentum? Do I send the updated Rose to all the agents I queried?
Lots of decisions to make about the books that already exist, and I've got lots more books rumbling around in my head, trying to get out.
Most of all, though, I'm having a blast!
Thank God for writing...
:)
Rose's Ghost has been overhauled! I'm happier with it now, and I think readers will be, too. I took out some unnecessary stuff, including some characters that didn't add to the story, and did some shaping to the whole thing from the start that makes everything flow better.
And besides the cover design, I've completed the editing on Bird With A Broken Wing.
So, I have to make some decisions about what to do next; do I self-publish BBW and Rose? Do I wait and give That Summer a chance to gain momentum? Do I send the updated Rose to all the agents I queried?
Lots of decisions to make about the books that already exist, and I've got lots more books rumbling around in my head, trying to get out.
Most of all, though, I'm having a blast!
Thank God for writing...
:)
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Updates
Hi, wonderful readers!
I just want to give you updates on Bird With A Broken Wing and Rose's Ghost.
You may have noticed that I've taken down all chapters of Bird With A Broken Wing. I'm so excited to say that I've finished overhauling it and it's set to be published next week. Watch for the link!
And I'm thrilled to tell you that I've started doing the same for Rose's Ghost; it'll be a cleaner, more reader-friendly book once I've finished with it, but the premise and storyline will remain the same. I can't wait to share it with the world!
xo
Friday, April 5, 2019
Some Notes on Bird With a Broken Wing
Hello, lovelies!
I'm targeting Bird With a Broken Wing for publishing next, so have started to overhaul it. Yes, it was fun to post a chapter a day, but it often left things messy!
SO.
MANY.
WORDS.
So, you'll notice I've taken down all but the last several chapters as I go over it with a fine-toothed comb.
If you've been reading and you haven't finished, don't panic! Just comment or send me a message and I'll make sure you get the chapters you need. :)
I'm targeting Bird With a Broken Wing for publishing next, so have started to overhaul it. Yes, it was fun to post a chapter a day, but it often left things messy!
SO.
MANY.
WORDS.
So, you'll notice I've taken down all but the last several chapters as I go over it with a fine-toothed comb.
If you've been reading and you haven't finished, don't panic! Just comment or send me a message and I'll make sure you get the chapters you need. :)
Thursday, April 4, 2019
That Summer
I's so excited to tell you that I've published That Summer as an eBook and a paperback on Amazon.com!
The experience has been a really good one thus far; Amazon and Kindle provide really easy to use tools to format your manuscript, create your cover and lots more.
Both versions of the book have just become available today and I've done zero marketing so far, but Amazon and Kindle provide options in that area, too, so I'll be sure to keep you updated as the journey progresses.
Enjoy, and THANK YOU!
My Book on Amazon
The experience has been a really good one thus far; Amazon and Kindle provide really easy to use tools to format your manuscript, create your cover and lots more.
Both versions of the book have just become available today and I've done zero marketing so far, but Amazon and Kindle provide options in that area, too, so I'll be sure to keep you updated as the journey progresses.
Enjoy, and THANK YOU!
My Book on Amazon
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