News and Notes from the Writing Desk: June Edition

I'm trying to keep busy this summer (like that's hard to do). Here are some updates:

What I'm Working On:

By studying the entire independent publishing industry, much of which I probably still know little about, I've realized that while four pieces/projects/books/whatever-it-is is a good goal for writing, it's not a practical schedule for publishing. An indie writer has to be ready with the next-big-thing as soon as the buzz dies down from the most recently published once-big-thing.

My project for the month is not one, not two, but three romance novellas. These will be sweet romances where readers will be eager to find out whether the main characters thrown together as temporary roommates will eventually see that they were made for each other (spoiler alert: they are, and each book will rise to the height of the first kiss). The series is based around the specific place rather than the same cast of characters, so there will always be new people to meet.

The reason for waiting until three are complete? I want to have backups when the first book's sales drop off. Whenever these are ready, they'll be on KDP Select and probably only available as an ebook for a time so that it's easier to managing sales and freebies. That means I can't explore other retailers with this set of work, but having only one sale outside of Amazon in the past five years has taught me that other retailers don't hold the same weight as Amazon. I have to go where the most potential for sales would be, at least until I've established a bigger audience.

Once all three novellas have fallen from their brand spankin' new status? They'll get bundled into a box set, of course, which appears as something new, and gives new readers a chance to get a bargain on all three. It's a good plan, but whether I can execute it in the timeline that I give myself, I'm not sure.

What I'm Reading:

Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad books. So bad I won't even call them out by name. Not all of them, of course, but two of them are ready to get some harshly worded reviews next week. These books are not at all what they portray themselves as, either by synopsis or by average review, and that's getting on my nerves.

What I Wish I Was Doing:

Um, I don't know... writing more? Having more new patrons to get to know on Patreon? I would say traveling the world, but I would be lucky if I add half a mile to my weekend bike route.

Oooh! I know! Getting more reviews! I found a new site that does daily emails like BookBub and FreeBooksy that is way more within my budget for promotions. The problem is I still have to meet the minimum requirement of ten reviews (a four or five-star average) on a single title before I qualify. I wasn't going to use the promotion until I had something new to put out, but in order to get a new book in, one of my previous books has to meet the ten review requirement. I'm still very willing to give digital copies of my books for free, but I really need the review if anyone ever decides to request one. Or, you could just drop $1 a month on Patreon and get digital access to all of my books instantly. You know, whatever gets you in the mood for some book review love.

Where These Roads Lead

I finally did it--I took a dozen boxes of junk and got rid of it all. Okay, that's not entirely true. There are a couple of boxes left, but it is so much better than it was before. I feel relieved. I didn't need any of that stuff, and I know that it will still have another life with someone else that will enjoy it, whether it was clothes, books or anything else I seemed to be holding on to for no reason.

With me the celebration is usually very short, and this little victory was no different. I got rid of all my stuff for a specific reason--I wanted to leave where I am and end up somewhere else. As soon as the boxes were out of the garage, I clearly expected a miracle to occur. There was nothing. I'm not surprised. I constantly look for answers and never find them. I only look and find the avenues that I know aren't right for me. At least that's a start.

This week hasn't been kind to any plans I may have formulated. I lost a freelance job I thought was going to be long term, I didn't win a grant I thought I had a real shot at winning and all I'm left with are daydreams. I have reached a point where it seems the only answer is to just walk out the door. There's no thinking or planning involved. I just go. People do it all the time and seem to find a way to create something out of nothing. I usually end up with more of nothing, if that's possible.

Photo: Pixabay.com

There's a deep pit of desire inside that just wants to take me everywhere. Even my usual plans aren't satisfying dreams anymore. I don't just want a city at my disposal, I want the whole world now. I want to see every inch of it. I think this case of wanderlust is so bad because summer is right around the corner. I tell myself every year this will be my golden summer, the summer of all summers, the one I never forget. I always end up in the same places, doing the same things and not enjoying any of it.

The cure? Become a travel writer. I have plenty of experience writing travel copy for amazing destinations around the world--though all of this work is anonymously floating around the Internet and has no hint of the unique voice I could have given it had I really experienced it.

My rational side has already thoroughly vetted this career option. Most travel writers cannot become travel writers without a long history of, you know... traveling. The current market for travel writers has also become so overcrowded that even if you get a gig or two, it only pays a fraction of what it used to, which is never enough to cover the travel expenses you accumulate trying to get inspired in the first place.

I may have cleaned out the garage, but there's still a lot of thoughts and fears cluttering my mind. Progress is still appearing as a tiny dash on a long, winding road.

Setting the Words Free

I think by now most of my readers, friends and family know that I would like nothing more than to move to New York. That's where all the actual jobs are that I know I could do (and those that, you know, actually require someone with my type of degree), and that's where I'm convinced my creativity will flourish. It hasn't happened yet, but one day, right?

About three years ago I wrote this essay with all of the thoughts I had about why I wanted to move there and why it is such a non-negotiable for me (there's my self-help vocabulary getting put to good use!). For some reason, I've kept this hidden away with more protection than I have ever kept a piece of writing. Although all of these thoughts are things I would love to shout to the world, this felt like a very vulnerable piece to put out. The picture that keeps coming back in my head is the image of a teacher swiping a note from a student and threatening to read it out loud. Not that something like that ever happened to me... Okay, maybe once. But the teacher would have been wrong. The subject of the note was the boy that my friend liked, not me. Anyway...

So here's the essay in all of its glory. I put it on Biosgraphy first because it seemed like the right type of atmosphere for it. That, and it is a smaller community of writers to test it out first. But now I'm ready to let the world see it. It's not spectacular by any means, but it is how I feel. And yes, it is a bit dated. Example: I do know that the Chelsea Hotel is closed now.

I'm doing my best to maintain my personal relationships with people in spite of the fact that they don't think I can make it--or ever should. Since most of the support for this dream comes from my online friends and complete strangers, it's only fair to provide you all the reasons why I dream the way I do. So there it is.

**The Biosgraphy website is finicky at best, so if you aren't able to see it after a few refreshes, let me know and I'll post it here.

Still Chugging Along...

My head is filled with plans and plots and dreams and inspiration. Some have even ended up on paper. It's a writer's curse, but it's still lovely.

I'm at one of those points where I just have to stick with a project and see it to the end, rather than trying to manage two, three or more. Today I'm choosing one project to finish the first draft and one project to finish revisions. That's it--no more until they are done.

Along with all of my writing, I'm still trying to make my move. Again... there's a lot more planning going on than action. While I would just love to pack a bag and take off, I'm the type of person that has to consider every single positive and negative outcome imaginable first. This may take awhile... ;-)

All of this stalling can end with taking in a deep breath and making a decision. I will get there... even if I have to reread those self-help books I read a few months ago to get my butt in gear.

In more mundane news, my book auctions on eBay ended today. There was some interest, but no bites so I'll be relisting them tonight. I may also get a few new titles listed, but no promises on that one. If you don't want to wait around for me to list books on eBay, you can always check out what I have on Half.com if you are interested in building up your library as I downsize mine. 

Have a great week! I'm going to make sure mine will be. 

Early Christmas

I just got back from having Christmas with the family. It was fun, although my nephew is extremely rambunctious and loves to play Spiderman and Batman. Depending on which one it it, I have to be either Bat Girl or "bad guy." But let me tell you, that kid can really throw a punch!

And the pictures I took are just too cute. But now I'm back at my cold apartment until I head back to my parents house on Christmas Eve. Oh, the joys of holiday traveling.

The Thrill of It All

The thrill is really gone out of this lifestyle I'm leading. I need adventure! Excitement! I want to live without having to plan anything... I think my cross country trip is going to happen sooner than I thought. I need to get away, and it will only help me in the long run. So yes, I've talked myself into it (didn't really have to do this on my blog, but why not?)--I'm leaving soon. Very soon.

Such A Bad Mood!

I don't know what it was, but ever since I woke up this morning, I have been in a really bad mood. Any little thing that's been said to me today is very close to setting me off... and then when everyone is trying to make me feel better (usually by offering me food) I am seconds from crying. I think I'm having some major mood swings... and there's no real reason for it today. I've done some work, I've listened to a lot of music, but I still don't feel any better.

Some of it may be that I'm just scared. I have picked the official date when I'm running away to New York, and there's not much time to prepare. I don't know how to pack my bags, or how many to bring, or whether I should fly or take the train. I have no job, no place to stay, and not really enough money, but I'm going for it anyway. If I don't then it'll never happen. But I'll live. I can always come back home if nothing works out. Although I would rather not rely on that option. Hopefully I'll feel better in the morning.

The Job Hunt Is On

So, I have finally taken everyone's advice. I'm now searching for the job first before the apartment. I hope this doesn't come back to bite me... anyway, I am applying for as many office jobs as I can find on the NY Times website. I figure someone will call me back eventually. But personally, I think the fact that the address on my resume says INDIANA will be a big deterrent for wanting to call. I could be wrong though. I could end up with a job interview next week... who knows! I'm going to be positive about it this time. Wish me luck!

But at least I'm swimming in work at the moment. I have plenty of travel guides to write in order to keep me busy for awhile... I work solid eight hour days for this thing, something I have really only done once or twice before. But the money really isn't worth it. But I am trying. I do what I can.

I feel refreshed. I'm back in Muncie, living life on my own terms, and not anyone else's and I feel good. I'm in the process of polishing my second round of stories to send out at the end of July. I'm even thinking about getting some less-than-impressive poetry out there too. We'll see what happens.

I still need a job though. I want to plan a trip to hop around New England for awhile, but it takes some green stuff. I might just sell everything I own on eBay and see how far that gets me. Maybe I won't. I don't know. Good thing travel guides are free!

Written on July 2, 2007

Babysitting hasn’t been the big chore that everyone has made it out to be. Then again, I do have good help and a decently behaved child to look after. It’s being home that’s getting me. Its’ not really home, you know? I’ve grown out of calling my parents’ house home. It’s sad, but I’m over it.
The more and more I watch Lois and Clark, the weirder dreams I keep having. I won’t go into detail, but they are things that I do not want my subconscious thinking about. My conscious will never forgive it. But it’s good that I finished season 2, because I’m ready and raring to go when I can get my hands on seasons 3 and 4.
I’ve been seriously thinking about going to Japan. I don’t think anyone else that’s heard about it thinks I can do it. They think that I won’t adjust to the culture shock and that I’ll run home at the first sign of tears longing for home. I think I’ve grown out of that stage in my life. For the first two years of college, I got extremely homesick the first week of classes, but no one knew it. But it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks unless I’m actually given a job, and we all know my wonderful track record with job interviews. I still try to think positive though. Just because I’m nearly broke with no job and one more semester of college left doesn’t mean my spirits are broken. I’ll get by, just like everyone else, somehow.
My plan is to have a plan by the end of the year. It shouldn’t be too hard. I’m exploring options. What I really feel like doing is taking a year to cover the United States and see everything. Only thing is, the USA is not like Europe. There’s no backpacking in this country. Public transportation is very localized and I don’t think I would be able to get everywhere that I wanted to see. I’ll share a secret. My secret ambition is to travel the United States taking nature photographs. The downside is if I couldn’t sell them then I couldn’t eat—or get anywhere. See? Plans. All I need are a few solid plans. Any suggestions for a girl with no money, no car—just a dream of being a big time something-or-other?