A Preorder and a New Project

The time has come: If It Was New York, Summer 2009 is finally available for preorder. I'm a little anxious because I submitted an incomplete manuscript to get this ball rolling, so I have about 11 days to get the last two poems polished and the back matter completed. If you join Patreon ($1 level or higher) before March 12th, you can get an ebook download before anyone else!

The book is currently available for preorder at Amazon and these online retailers. If you don't see your favorite retailer on that second link, keep checking back because new ones are still being added. The ebook and the paperback versions will go on sale March 26th.

Once those few last details are sorted and the final files are uploaded, I'm onto the new project. After a lot of debate with myself (that would have been fun to witness, I'm sure...) I decided to finally finished In Another Life. This one has been sitting around for awhile. The last time I worked on it, I decided to take the first and second books of what I thought would be a trilogy and merge them together. The third (now second) book only has two chapters written, but once I get on a roll with the revisions of the first one, who knows.

As part of my write-revise-advertise monthly schedule, In Another Life fits into the revise stage. So that means the write part is up for grabs. I've decided to concentrate on short stories since I have so many sitting around half written. I need to have more in the bank for submissions--right now there is only one short and one flash that I keep sending out.

That's the plan for March. More writing, more writing, and more writing!

The Working World

Having what everyone considers a 'regular' job isn't bad at all. I'm tired only because I'm not used to the hours, and these jobs don't have nap hours that can be worked into the schedule like writing does. Anyway, since it has only been a week, I'm still not sure about where I can schedule my writing in, but I'm getting bits and pieces of it written. Hopefully I'll be able to get it together soon, because my novel has definitely stalled.

All Falling Into Place

Well, I've done it -- I scored a great part-time job in retail. I'm just going through the initial stuff now, but it should be pretty fun once I get into the daily routine. This also means that I have no more excuses when it comes to getting back to writing on a daily basis. Once I have my schedule, it will be easy to make my writing a priority again. Not that it totally stopped, but with more structure, I can get much more done. Like that first draft. It's getting there, so I'm pretty excited. It just needs a little more time before the great revision can commence.

Happy writing!!

One More Week in Limbo

I'm giving all of the leads I had one more week to see whether they are sustainable writing jobs or not. Hearing back at all from those in the decision seat would be good too. Then, I'm applying for a 'real job' (yes, I'm cringing at that phrase). I don't mind the idea of it anymore. I think it might help me to have a more consistent writing schedule. And hey, if they throw in an option for health insurance, I'll be living better than I have been since I graduated from college.  It could also provide more fodder for my writing ideas--as you all know, people are crazy.

Speaking of writing...

I really want to finish the first draft of my novel as quickly as possible, but when I sit in front of that flashing cursor, I somehow feel like I'm rushing it. So I open a second document and start an outline for a new novel. Then I open another one. Two new ideas for short stories. Once I finally get back to the novel, I write three sentences and call it a day. This week, the process is changing. Goals are being set. Writing time is being scheduled. My world is going to fall into place, even if I have to bend the pieces to make it fit.  :-)

Quiet Weekends Always Welcome

I had a really quiet, relaxing weekend. It's usually not that way, so I was glad I had the time to reflect, unwind and work on the novel. If I had to measure the portion of it that is complete, I would say I have a solid 25% written and revised. That's a far cry from being done, but within the next six weeks, it should be completely written, even with my record of procrastination and very flexible scheduling.

I'm also still chugging away at all of the marketing issues I need to complete during the editing process and in the future. The first big step in the plan is to start a Facebook author page, followed by an actual website. While the website may take a little time to get up and running, I should have the Facebook page up very soon. I also have a little surprise planned for those who are itching to get a sneak peek at the story. Hopefully that will be accomplished within the coming weeks as well.

What are your writing plans for the week?

The Importance of Draft #2

Last week was interesting. Everyone living in this house had an off week, so schedules were all weird. On top of that, my ear apparently hates me and I was having to walk around half-dizzy for a few days. Luckily, that's cleared up now. Good thing too, because I'm scheduled to complete three drafts this week--one poem submission, two short story submissions. None of them are final drafts yet, but for me the second drafts are the most critical.

The second draft is where I move past the initial plot lines and start adding, cutting and rearranging. The main reason I do this is because when I look at it with fresh eyes, I can still see exactly what I want, but looking at it from an outsider's perspective, I can see where my message (if there is any) is not getting across well enough. Turns out, most of the short stories end up not having a purpose before the second draft, but when I reach the third draft, the characters usually know what they are supposed to do.

Distractions will have to wait for another day, because these drafts are important to me. Whether it takes a few late nights and a few more cups of coffee, I will get them done on time. That is if I don't start a completely new idea. I was intrigued by this story on releasing a novel in serial installments. I'm thinking this format may be on the horizon for me. Who knows...