Recap, Thanks, and Resolutions

It’s the end of another year.  So much has happened I can hardly believe that only twelve months have passed. 

The beginning of the year was slow but busy.  I was in school, working on my first novel, and working full time. In May I completed my first novel Immortal. I spent the next several months editing it and trying to find and agent. I honestly didn’t spend as much time and energy as most do on this process.

In September I decided to try my hand at self publishing. I mean what is one more thing to do when you already have a full plate. Modest sells greeted me in September and October as I figured out how to navigate through the cyber book world. Figuring out which forums were best to post in and how to post. Where authors hung out and traded information like cyber gold.

Then something crazy happened in November. I got off work and I sold about ten books in one day.  The next day I sold twenty. By the end of the month I sold a little over a thousand books between Amazon and Amazon UK. Kimberly Whalen and agent at Trident Media Group also contacted me about representation for my novel.  After the initial shock and disbelief I accepted her offer.

I cannot say thank you enough to both the readers and authors who have helped me along the way. The advice from the authors I have contacted online is invaluable. The fact that readers are purchasing and enjoying my novel is a dream come true. I again say thank you to all of you for your support.

As for my resolutions for the New Year they are pretty simple. My first is to complete at least two (I am shooting for three) novels this year.  Don’t worry my first book to complete is Forever and I am about halfway through it now.  It will be the second book of the trilogy. I am also working on a as yet untitled second series.

I am hopeful that the New Year will be as wonderful and unbelievable as this one. So thanks again to everyone who has made this year what it was and next year what it will be.

Overcoming Discouragement

I try not to end up in this funk, but about once a week it creeps up behind me and sinks its teeth into me. I’m talking about self doubt. I know logically I shouldn’t feel this way. I’ve hit many milestones I thought completely unattainable in a matter of months. That doesn’t make it any easier or make it go away faster and logic doesn't mean anything to that tiny voice whipsering 'you suck.'

As writers and artist in general it can be hard to overcome the self doubt. The voice in the back of your head saying you’re not good enough. It can be even harder at times. Because as writers we put ourselves out there and by doing that we open ourselves up to criticism that few others can understand.

So to combat the depression and self doubt here are some suggestions from some other writers who suffer the same ailment.

David McAfee

So write. Even when you don't feel like it.

Madeline

When I think something like I can't do this...I generally force myself to think something like "I can do this."

Bards and Sages (Julie)

I would suggest trying to pinpoint the triggers and then neutralize them if possible.

Kathy Carmichael

And if that doesn't work, I find that glomming cookies often shuts that b*tch up.

daringnovelist

Dare to defy that inner critic.
That's the cool thing about indie publishing - you can have the time of your life with it.  So do that.  You are the boss.  You get to write to please YOU.

 Erick Flaig

To get the voice in the back of your head to shut up:  Realize it's your voice (unless your niece is standing behind you).  Now, tell yourself to stop it or there's going to be trouble.  I'm talking about BIG trouble.

Killing Off a Main Character

I’ve made the choice. I’ve written the scene. It fits. It feels right. I feel awful.

We all feel something for our main characters as we write them love, hate, annoyance. They grow in our heads from a mere idea until they take shape and have desires and wills of their own. Sometimes I feel like an overbearing mother telling them they are going to do what I say. They simply look at me, cross their arms, stamp their feet, and tell me no.

The problem comes when they start telling you that it is time to let them go. Sometimes you can talk them off the ledge and figure a way around it, but not this time at least not for me. I feel horrible about doing it and even worse given the circumstances surrounding the death.

Conflicting Information

“The characters are flat and lack personality.” “I loved the characters and can’t wait to see how they grow.” “The story is not original and goes nowhere.” “This book is a great read with a plot twist sent me for a spin.” “Way too many descriptions.” “I wish the author would have given more details.” Okay, I’m paraphrasing a little, but I hope you get the point.

I love getting reviews and emails about my novel (even the one and two star reviews). I’ll admit the lower reviews sting a little, but I realize everyone has different tastes and expectations that bring them to their conclusion. It is just funny how two people reading the same book can feel so differently about it. Even immensely popular novels have warring viewpoints.

As an author it can be a little confusing, or at least for me it can. It is impossible to please everyone when you write. I know that. When you sit down to write your next book though you can hear the warring voices in the back of your head, and at times it can be hard to turn them off. In the end though I guess we just need to write what we feel is best, and take the opinions from those we feel matter the most.

Life Gets in the Way

I love writing. Guess that is pretty obvious considering I have completed one novel, and I am hard at work on the second. Getting to write is much easier said than done. Writing creates a unique set of problems.

One, it is a singular and isolating event. It takes you out of your environment and off to some distant place or another life in your head.  In this way it is very similar to reading, though when reading you don’t have to worry about how that last word was spelled or if you used the right word (peaked and piqued both sound the same which one is the correct word again).

Second, trying to find the time to sit down and write is much harder than everyone thinks. Usually you start heading for your computer and then remember just as your fanny hits the chair that the laundry needs to be switched over, or you will have to leave in ten minutes on that errand you forgot about. So you stare at the screen wanting to write, but unable to do so.

Third, people don’t realize what it is you are doing. Kids, spouses, and friends don’t realize when you sit down at the computer you are not getting on to surf the web and play games. You are working. The fact that the device you are working on is used for relaxation for them and not for you is lost on them. They also see no problem with the constant interruptions that are flung at you. After all you’re in the middle of the living room.

There are many suggestions about how to combat these issues, but at least for me they don’t seem to work. I can’t lock my door and ignore the world outside of it. As far as the interruptions, I have a better chance of becoming an astronaut and flying to the moon than being able to write undisturbed for longer than five minutes. Still, I write and though life may get in the way I find it an enjoyable and wonderful way to spend those five minutes I get for myself.

I Am So Excited

Way back in September I wrote an entry on my blog about the future of publishing. I wrote then that one of the most important things agents would be asking is if you have self published a book. What was the response to your book? What is your following on your networking sites?

Well, I guess the proof is in the pudding. I recently received an email from an agent. She said she purchased Immortal on Amazon for her Kindle and loved it. She was also curious to know if I had representation.

My first response, “This is a joke.” Surely someone hijacked the agents account and was spamming me hoping to get personal information. After digging around and fact check (it is nice to have a computer genius for a friend) I discovered it was real. It took me several hours for it to sink in and another hour to reply to the email.

After exchanging several emails with the agent we set up a time to speak. Around one o’clock today we spoke. She gave me a few suggestions on improvements and some advice and offered representation. So as of one thirty today I am now an agented author with Kimberly Whalen the Vice President at Trident Media Group LLC. I feel incredibly lucky. I realize this doesn’t happen every day.

I want to also thank everyone who has purchased Immortal, written a review, or just placed it on their TBR list. If it wasn’t for all of you this may not have happened. So, thank you all. 

Reading vs. Writing

If you ask writers you’ll find most if not all of us read. Like every reader some of us speed through a book or several at a time. Sometimes we plod through from page to page looking for the end or something to make it feel like less of a chore.

There are many tired sayings. “If you want to write you need to read.” “You have to read it before you can write it.” I agree with these statements even though they are clichéd by this point. For me I struggle at times for a balance. It is so much easier to pick up a book and immerse myself in a different world.

  

Writing is much harder. At times it flows from inside your head and down to the keyboard without any effort. The world you create grows and changes as you write. Sometimes it’s as if you are there.  At other times it is difficult to see through the haze that surrounds your mind. Everything is fuzzy around the edges and hard to see.  As we write we hope for the easy days and dread the fuzzy clouds that roll in.

 It would truly be wonderful if writing was as easy as reading.

To B!#%p or Not to B!#%p

Most of us hear or use curse words on a fairly regular basis. Sometimes they are used for effect, to make our point clearer, or even to make a joke. Sometime they are used without us even noticing. We hear them on television on a nearly daily basis. They are even in the music we sing along too. So, why not in our books?

I have to say that in everyday conversation and most media the swear words pass me by without me even noticing. Occasionally, they call my attention such as when my supervisor uses them in a staff meeting as he yelling at us.

The one place they are sure to catch my attention is in my reading. When I read/ hear the word coming out of someone’s mouth or even in their head I feel the full impact of it. I am shocked
                                           and often dismayed. Which makes me wonder why?
                                           We use them, we hear them, and we sing them.  Why not write them?

No Such Thing...

“There is no such thing as bad publicity.”  How many times have we all heard this? I used to think it was… well not true. Recent events have made me rethink my stance.

When I think of that phrase many stars (and former stars) come to mind. Like Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen. It seems to be that authors are now taking this outlook. 

Several authors (I will not give names as I do not want to promote their conduct) are behaving badly. They are arguing with readers, posting to their blogs attacking individuals who review their books, some are even making false claims about being attacked on the very forums that embraced them. 

You would think that behaving this way would cause people to not buy their books.  Unfortunately, it appears to show the first sentence true. I am sure that it turns some readers off and they refuse to read or buy that book. However the numbers don’t lie. Many see their numbers lower on Amazon as their number of sales rise.

All I can hope for is that their marketing ploys, bad attitudes, and false publicity end up being their down fall. That those who maintain our composure and heed our mothers warning, “If you don’t have anything nice to say…” when out in the end.

Spell Check: Both a Blessing and a Curse

I can honestly say I am quite possibly the worst speller in the world save for my Mom and Husband. I have gotten better with time and practice, but I will never be one of those people that can stand up in even a small group and win a spelling contest. As a child my spelling was so bad that when I told my teacher in second grade (this was before personal computers were common place) I wanted to be a writer she laughed at me. I digress though.

My Blessing- I use spell check all the time. It’s little red X reminding me that I have made yet another mistake. It is wonderful when I have misspelled tiem, oh I mean time, for the sixteenth time it will still catch it. This is a wonderful thing.

My Curse- I hate that spell check won’t let me know things are spelled wrong.  Obviously, it’s not really important that angel is a-n-g-e-l instead of a-n-g-l-e J.

Spell check is not foolproof. It may correct many mistakes, but there are many more that it can’t catch, or errors that aren’t errors at all. This is where editing comes into play.

October Contest Winner

Well it's November 2nd. I first want to say thank you to everyone who has bought, read, and reviewed Immortal.

Now onto the winner. I chose the review completely at random and drum roll please. The winner is Sarah Clark "besarah".  Thank you so much for the wonderful review. It was posted on Amazon on October 22. Below is the review.

Great book can't wait for the second. Immortal starts a little slow and similar to another book but ends great and all it's own. I had no idea were this book was going at times it will keep you guessing, and the sneak peak at forever(book2) makes me anxious and excited it can't come quick enough. Immortal starts with Alina and her friend Tabby starting college were she meets two guys Samuel and Duncan. Both guys are gorgeous and both guys want Alina. I loved the tension between the three, I just wish there had been more Alina and Samuel. Alina finds out there's something different about both Samuel and Duncan,can you guess what that is by the title. Is he good, is he bad, I wasn't sure who she would pick, or who she should pick? Great book defiantly worth the read.

I want to again thank everyone who wrote a review or simply bought or read Immortal.

My Favorite Monsters Volume 4

This is my last monster post for this year. It was hard to decide which one to close with. I finally chose… (drum roll in the background) witches.

 Witches, like vampires, come in many varied and strange forms. Some are able to cast spells while others simply play with herbs and stir their cauldrons. They can see the future and offer assistance to heroes or stand in their way. They are beautiful angles and gnarled decrepit demons.

As far as literary witches (and movies) the first ones I can recall is Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz.

Or maybe the old crone from Hansel and Gretel. There is Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty as well.  Wow, there are a lot of witches. There are almost as many of them as there are vampires.

In the end, they like so many monsters, fascinate and draw us to them. We dream about them and emulate them. They are monsters of our dreams and nightmares and we love every last minute of it.

My Favorite Monsters Volume 3

The Werewolf or Lycan is my second favorite monster of all time (right behind the vampire). Though its literary origins are not as prolific as Dracula’s and vampires in general, until Twilight was released, at least in novel form, the werewolf was relegated to the back of the pack.  The movies are where the werewolf has not only survived, but thrived.

I have to say my first memory of the werewolf is George Vaggner’s The Wolf Man. Like Frankenstein’s Monster he is a tragic figure.  He doesn’t ask for the curse, and in the end it cost him his life at the hands of his father.

An American Werewolf in Paris is where they began to transform from mangy beast into something more. 

The makeover was completed with the first of the Underworld series creating a sexy sleek creature that rivaled the vampire.

The movies are where the werewolf stepped out of our nightmares, and transformed into the magnificent creatures that we have today, and I couldn’t be happier.

My Favorite Monsters Volume 2

It’s time for the second installment of my favorite monsters. 

This week is Dracula, the original sexy vampire with evil tendencies.  No rotting bloated corpses for Bram Stoker. He is the stuff of legends.  Based on Vlad the Impaler a Romanian Prince and national hero, he was truly diabolical. 

Dracula has had many incarnations and Stokers version was able to seduce to beautiful women, Lucy and Mina, upon his arrival in London.  He drinks blood transforms into mist and wolves and drinks blood without apology.

Though Stoker’s version of Dracula is not my favorite novel/ journal, it is the original.  And thanks to the original we now have the moldy oldie vampires, vampires that sparkle, and even vampires that aren’t really vampires at all. 

My First Negative Review

I received my first negative review this weekend.  I’m not sure if a month out of the gate is the norm for new authors, but I can’t say I’m shocked.  I knew they would eventually come.  It was only a matter of time.  After all, with so many varied tastes and preferences you can’t expect everyone to love it.  Even still I have to say, Ouch.

The thing that bothered me the most about it was that there was not one positive comment.  It was basically a tear down of the entire novel, culminating in my being the reason why Indie Authors are so hated.  I wonder, why have none of the other individuals who were kind enough to write reviews, or give me feedback pointed this fact out.

(If you would like to check it out they are at Amazon and Goodreads)

My Favorite Monsters Volume 1

Since it is that time of year, I decided to have a little fun while I am writing, going to school, and working.  I’m going to feature my favorite literary monsters. 

I’m starting it off with Frankenstein’s Monster.  He has had so many incarnations it’s scary (ha ha I made a joke). In most he is seen as a monster without a conscience. To me he is one of the most misunderstood and tragic literary figures.

The Monster is abandoned by his creator as soon as life enters his body.  He is left to wonder the world in complete ignorance.  He is isolated and miserable.  The few times he reaches out he is ridiculed and punished.  When he meets his creator again he asks for one thing, a companion.  Even this one request is denied.  In the end he is even denied one of the most basic dignities.  A name.

How Many Blogs?

Everywhere I go I see links to blogs and announcements for new ones.  All of the blogs are by the same author.  I find myself wondering, why and how?

I realize that there are many different hosting sites out there. There may be a chance that you can find some new readers by visiting the different sites.  What I guess I don't understand, is why do you start another blog through that hosting site.  I believe you may have to sign up, but is it a requirement to start and entirely new blog?

The how is simply a time management issue.  I can understand having one or two blog without any problems.  I have seen some individuals who have three (a little shaky), four (okay starting to freak out a little), and even five or more (I have gone completely insane and no longer have a life).  They don't simply copy and paste between their blogs either.  Each is an independent posting.  I have trouble keeping up with one blog and networking sites. 

So I ask, how many blogs are to many to keep up with and still maintain your sanity?

Halloween Special and Giveaway

It is my favorite time of year again tomorrow. It's time for ghost, ghouls, goblins, werewolves, vampires, witches... I could go on and on. It's Halloween.

In celebration of all things paranormal, I am starting this discussion for authors and readers to post specials and giveaways throughout the month of October.

I will discount my novel Immortal from $1.99 to $0.99 throughout the month of October. Also anyone who writes a review on Amazon, Smashwords, or Goodreads, they will be entered to win a signed copy of the first print edition of my novel. (The winner will be announced on November 2nd via my blog http://laurensaga.blogspot.com/ )

So good luck to you all this season and happy haunting.

So It's Like...

The words every Author dreads.  Your book is a lot like (insert popular novel here).  But should we cringe when our book is compared to (insert authors name here) novel?

I am finding that my debut novel is being compared to (wait for it) Twilight. I can't deny there are a lot of similarities.  A young woman, two gorgeous guys, and vampire like immortals (The name of my book is Immortal. I know I got really creative with that one). Though there is no drinking blood and not everyone will survive (have to wait for the sequel  to find out who). The ending to the first book is decidedly not Twilight-esk (this is mentioned in every review so far).

The question remains as authors should we baulk when our novels are compared to whatever book happens to be popular at the time? Personally, I think not. We as humans tend to group things.  It gives us comfort knowing everything has an order.  As readers and writers a lot of us tend to like a certain type of novel.  (I know for me it is shear torture having to read through the first 50 or so pages of Stephen Kings' and Ann Rice's novels. I also know going in I will have to deal with this.)

I know being compared to another writer can be chafing, but it can also be good.  I think the thing most of us worry about is can/will it be bad for our book?  I think the answer to this is yes and no. If someone didn't like the novel or author your book is being compared to they may not read it (I know this worries me). This may not be a bad thing though. Nothing bugs me more when I pick up a book to read and discover it is similar to another book I hated.  So as writers having someone know up front that it is similar to a book they dislike may prevent a bad review or taste in someones mouth and leave the door wide open to those who may enjoy it.

Working on Forever

Working on the followup to Immortal.  Forever has a much darker presence than its predecessor. It can be frustrating though as I progress. It is mostly that I am actually writing to a deadline this time and I have to keep up with school.

I'm finding myself loosing motivation for school.  I keep telling myself, I only have two semesters left.  It just isn't helping. I really just want to write. It stinks that you have to have a back up plan (or at least I do) for everything.

I'll keep working on Forever.  I just don't want to force it or put out anything that isn't as perfect as I can make it.  Have to love being a perfectionist.  Well back to work on Forever and tomorrow back to school work (uggg).

Thank You Book Bloggers

I want to some time to thank all of the book bloggers out there.  You make life a little easier for us writers and readers.  You take time out of your busy schedules to let us open us up to knew books that we may not have known about or considered.  I know I've found several books I would never have thought about picking up if it weren't for you.  Kepp up the good work and I look forward to reading your next blog.

The Future of Publishing

There is so much information out there about where the future of publishing is headed. Will books go the way of the newspaper? (I mean when was the last time you picked one of those up) Will bookstores become obsolete? 

My answer is no.  I don't believe that either of things will happen though there is no doubt the industry will change.  The real question is will it change for the better?

We've already seen or at least heard about a lot of the cubby hole book stores with the smell of paper heavy in the air going under with the big chains taking over.  (Yeah cheaper books)  I believe the chain stores will have to adapt to the new market, the E- Market.  As in e-books.

This is where I believe things will get tricky for us as authors.  It is already difficult to find an agent.  You practically have to sell your soul (mmmwwwahhhaaa, devil rubbing his hands together) to get an agent as it is.  On top of that most help little once your book is published,unless you are a big money maker, or they believe you will be.  (After all they make money off of your hard work)  A lot of agents expect you to have a network in place for marketing your book before they will even consider you.

The question is how to build such a network?  There is the new traditional way setting up websites, blogging, linking your facebook with twitter.  Then you have to market your blog to your audience (You got the sent boy, go get 'em)  This is where everything comes to a head.

As most authors/ writers know you must complete your first full length novel before attempting to find and agent or really do anything. They are looking for established writers and those with strong followings (example: I have 5000 followers on my twitter account and another 7000 on my blog. I do not have this many followers on anything.) They believe this will translate into a lot of sales, but I don't believe this alone will be enough.

Indie Publishing is where we are headed.  I believe soon it won't just be a query letter the gods have sent down from the heavens to get you published that is needed. It won't just be having a million followers on your blog.  It will be have you published a book yourself?  What was the reception like? Do you have any fans/followers? This will be what it will take to get an agent in the future, and your book in the bookstares that make it through the future chaos.

Reviews, Sweeeet

I am so excited I have receieved two reviews on my novel Immortal. One is on Goodreads by Jenn and the other just recently posted on my Amazon Kindle page by Shari. I have also receieved a rating as well on Goodreads.  They are both good reviews in my opinion and I'm happy they enjoyed my novel enough to take the time to write a review about it.

Writing is the easy part...

Ok, as you all know I completed my first novel, Immortal back in May. Yeah :) I never thought that would be the easy part.  It took me nearly a year and a half to complete and I ended up with five major revisions as I went through. The final book showed little if any resemblance to the final product. 

It took the next month and revised and edited to get it ready to send out to agents and took about a week to write a query letter. From what I have read and looked into a week on a query letter isn't nearly enough. Most it would seem to take an average of 3 months to get their letter in order.

Flash forward- After two months of sending out letters and getting the dreaded thanks but no thanks, I stumbled on an article about Amanda Hocking on Writer's Digest. She self-published earlier this year and has done quite well. It was an idea to tempting not to look into.

Flash-forward two weeks. After much research I decided to follow her example and e-publish.
It took me several days of extensive formatting to get it ready for upload and another few days to find and format the cover (by far my favorite part of the process). I have since placed made my novel available on Smashwords and Kindle and this weekend managed to get it up on Lulu.com in paperback.

Considering all the time, effort and energy this process took it is nothing compared with marketing.  Let's face it that is what every author, writer, blogger, and YouTube addict is doing and dreaming about. Getting those clicks and viewers to their site.  How do we do this? There are books, sites, and videos about how to do all this. In the end though it takes time time and more time. Finding the right sites to post on, networking with those you want to reach, and most of all luck.

Immortal Book Trailer

Book Trailer

Sorry I have been so neglectful. I have spent this week teaching myself how to use Windows Movie Maker to make a book trailer.  The reason you ask?  To create my very first video as well as a book trailer. 

I saw the one by Amanda Hocking for her book My blood Approves, and looked up others on Youtube.  It took me for-ever to get the right pictures and the right script and figure out which button does what, but I hope it was worth it.

Accepted

I was a little worried because it took me so long to format my novel that I may have done something wrong. But I was accepted to Smashwords premium catalog. I even get my very own ISBN number. I know e-publishing may not be the traditional route, but I still feel pretty stoked.


I also sold two copies of Immortal. Woohoo. I feel like an honest to goodness writer now. I know it's lame but I can't help but be excited. (Even though I can't taste food and I've slept four hours in the past three days. I hate having a cold and worse being congested to the point I can barely breathe.)

It is Finished

After 12 hours Immortal has finished uploading. I can't believe it is actually out there in the world.  Double checked most of the links so it can be downloaded.  The first 30% of the book is free so you can see if you like it before purchasing.  Hope everyone enjoys it. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/23564

Ready, Set, Go

I can't believe it, but I am getting ready to submit my book to smashwords. I'm not sure whether to be excited or sick.

Update: I just hit the submit button there is no turning back now.

Formatting Complete, I think?

After nearly tweleve hours I'm done, I think. It was supposed to take two hours.  I know I'm not part of the Geek Squad, but come on.  Twelve hours, and to be honest I'm still not sure it is completely correct. Next time I decide to go insane and format a paper myself I'm going to keep a stronger beverage the Dr. Pepper close at hand.

Formatting

I thought picking out cover art and lettering was difficult and time consuming.  Whoever came up with the formatting for e-publishing must have taken lessons from the Marqui de Sade. I spent most of the night going over it and I'm still not finished.

I have used Word since it came into existence.  I thought I knew all of its in and outs.  I am now becoming intimately familiar with the program.  Smashwords (where I plan to publish) has a very informative guide. My only issues is that as I move forward I find that I did something small incorrectly.  It can be very frustrating having to go back because I used 16 font for my chapter headings instead of 14.  Oh well, It will be worth it in the end, at least that's what I keep telling myself.

New Information, New Cover

Well, after much research and reading, I discovered you have to format your electronic cover as if it were sitting on a book shelf.  I guess it makes sense.  I just didn't think it would matter.  So I have created a secondary cover to replace my first one.  The concept is still the same, but it took me twelve hours to find the correct picture.  Let me know what you think.

Immortal

I have recently completed my first novel. I am considering e-publishing or going 'Indie' with my novel Immortal. I have gotten much feedback on the forum and via my page on Writer's Digest (link below). I know, and understand that by going the 'Indie' route, I may not be the next main stream author or millionaire, but I hope to be read.  This is a blog about my journey to get published and be read.

http://community.writersdigest.com/profile/Lauren
Unfotunately, you will need a Writer's Digest account to view this page page. The account is free.