Category: Friday Ramblings

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Friday Ramblings From An Author-Self-Publishing Made Easy

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Welcome to summer…or winter if you’re in the southern part of the world. It doesn’t feel much like summer today but I’m not complaining because the cooler temps are just fine with me.

This week I’ve been participating in an online retreat. Not a writing one, but workshops that center around creativity. One common theme is that sometimes, even when we’re busy, we need to take a step back from our work or even take a few days off. The workshops have been my much needed recharge…I even followed along with the yoga workshop this morning.

The taking a few hours out each day has slowed me down but I think that’s been a good thing because I’ve felt more energized when I’ve got back to work.

I even released a book this afternoon….Self Publishing Made Easy.  Here’s the cover…and yes another one I designed myself.

 

my highgarden

I’m in the middle of planning a three part class on the topic for Skillshare and hope to get the first part recorded and loaded to their site sometime next week.

So my insight for the week and a tip I’ll pass along to you, even when you’re busy or on the days when you’re trying to write and the muse is up and gone, take a break, do something else and then simply try again.

Have a good week and happy writing to all.

Posted in Friday Ramblings

Friday Ramblings From An Author-I’m So Glad It’s Friday

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Ever had one of those weeks?

Yes we all have them and this week it was my turn.

It’s been a hot and humid week and where I live that means storms. And storms mean the power and internet connection goes out more than you’d like.

If you work at home that’s not a good thing. When you can’t go without your cup of tea first thing in the morning that’s a very bad thing!

When the power finally came back on, the internet did too but then it went away again…I’ll cut the story short and say the modem went bad and the technician has just finished installing a new one and outside wiring. I’m so happy that it’s Friday and now I can start to get caught up on my work.

This week has taught me a lot, power up all  your gadgets every night so they’re at full charge should the power go out. Invest in a hotspot for emergency internet connection. Look into buying some portable solar panels. And most of all, buy a camping stove so you can make yourself a cup of tea and be less cranky.

At least I got some work completed before disaster struck and next week….keep those fingers crossed, I’ll be uploading some new classes to Skillshare and completing one of my non-fiction projects.

Have a fun week and happy writing to all.

Posted in Friday Ramblings, Uncategorized

Friday Ramblings From An Author-Two Books Down and One to Go

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It’s been a hot week…and it’s getting hotter, and it’s also been a busy week.

I got rights back to two stories that had appeared in anthologies five years ago. I usually like to give them a rewrite and polish them up some more. Some I like to give a total make-over. It’s amazing how as a writer you look at something you wrote five years ago and think, did I really write like this once? Hence the need for a rewrite but one of these old stories was still okay with me. The other just needs switching it from an historical to contemporary so it fits in with a new series I created for some of these back titles. So far I’ve managed to release one and working on the other, here’s the cover-

Vanessa Devereaux

 

I’m pleased to say I even got a non-fiction book uploaded to Amazon today. It’s a short one about organizing and decluttering, something I did lots of last year and finally found things that work so thought I’d share them with the world.

Here’s the cover of that one-

a sparkof hope

 

Both covers were created by myself which brings me to another piece of news…I sold my first piece of art. Not sure if you can call it selling a piece of art but a customer chose my lilac plant sketch to be placed on their coasters. I don’t think I can call myself writer and artist just yet. Making that first sale felt a lot like seeing my first story in print and it’s motivated me to do more.

Have a good week and happy writing to all.

Posted in Friday Ramblings

Friday Ramblings From An Author-New Book

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It’s June and the perfect time to see how well you’re doing with your goals for the year. I’m behind with my fiction but that’s probably because I’m getting rights back to a book a month and getting somewhat swamped with work.

At least I managed to get a non-fiction book released and here’s the cover…another one I made myself.

Saving at the Store2

 

It’s nice to take a break from writing about writing once in awhile.  Saving money and financial topics were a few of my specialties when I was a freelance writer.

I decided to go the Amazon KDP Select route again because so far I’ve been pleased with the results.

I hope to do more catching up in June and my goal is to get two older books released and two new titles, one fiction, and one non-fiction, but we’ll see how things go.

Enjoy the first weekend in June and happy writing to all.

 

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Friday Ramblings From An Author-Holiday Weekend

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The last Ramblings in May…where did this month go? It’s a holiday weekend and it’s finally sunny again.

My two May workshops finished today. Next month I’m teaching just one and it’s for the Outreach Chapter of RWA so if you’re thinking about writing an erotic romance (or know someone who is), here’s the link-

http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

I’m close to getting one of my non-fiction projects completed. I’m hoping to get it published next Friday. Well at least that’s my goal.

I’m still working on my WIPS and taking things slower with my fiction right now so I can concentrate on the non-fiction and writing classes.

I’ve got a full day of outside work lined up tomorrow…lots of rain equals lots of weeds. I’m hoping to get my herbs and vegetables planted too and after that some relaxation on the deck.

Have a fun and safe holiday weekend (there’ll be no writing prompt on Monday).

Happy writing to all.

Posted in Friday Ramblings

Friday Ramblings From An Author-Selecting Books for Summer Reading

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It’s been a week of rain, rain, and more rain, and now it’s back in the 50s again.

Despite the lousy weather I’ve been looking at books to read this summer. I don’t know why but I always find reading in summer more enjoyable than any other time of the year.  I have a prime membership at Amazon which you probably know allows your to read certain books for free. The other day I spent an hour looking through the list to see what was on offer. Some mysteries looked good and some non-fiction titles sounded fun reads too. As soon as I have my list I’ll share it with you.

I got another book released on Monday. Here’s the cover…yes, another one I made myself.

Big Sky Lawmen

Now I’m working on two WIPs and once they’re done I’m itching to get back to writing some mysteries. I can’t remember the last time I wrote one which means it’s been way too long.

I’m debating whether or not I should take a seven week art class that’s taught online. Art’s become my new hobby but as I have a full teaching schedule this summer I’m not sure I’ll have time to devote to it. However, we all need time away from work and writing so I might just give in and go for it.

What are your hobbies? Is writing one of them? Or do you write for a living and pursue other creative outlets for hobbies?

Have a fun week and happy writing to all.

 

Posted in Friday Ramblings

Friday Ramblings From An Author-Taking the Afternoon Off

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I should add to the title of this post…sort of.

It’s another beautiful day, 70 degrees and the sun is out. Where I live near perfect days where it’s not too cold or  humid are a rare find so we writers have to take full advantage of them and hence this week’s early Ramblings.

I decided about ten minutes ago that I’m going to finish off my week working on the deck and getting some much needed vitamin D.

At least it’s been another busy week and sometimes writers need some R and R. I hope to get another book released next week and have a couple of non-fiction projects almost finished. I’m also working on ideas for next year’s workshops.

I’m putting together my summer reading list too. Anyone want to share theirs or have a book to recommend?

Have a fun week and happy writing to all.

Posted in Friday Ramblings

Friday Ramblings From An Author-Outside is Calling

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71 degrees today and the deck was calling my name. Nicest thing about laptops is you can take them anywhere to work but wasps ruined my plans. They seem to be everywhere so I guess it was the universe telling me to keep working inside.

Two workshops kicked off this week…yes, the bootcamp got cancelled. I’ve been thinking about what I’d like to teach next year and even thinking about some summer writing bootcamps where I can interact with my students via Skype.

I’m half way done with my WIP which will be book two in my Big Sky Lawmen series. I’m also about 25% done with a new non-fiction project. Hopefully next week will see the completion of both of them.

This weekend is supposed to be perfect weather and I have lots of outdoor chores on my list…one of which is to banish the wasps!

Have a fun week and happy writing to all.

Posted in Friday Ramblings

Friday Ramblings From An Author-Almost Summer Reading Season

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It’s the last Friday in April and the month seemed to fly by.

May always has me thinking about summer reading and what books I’m going to put on this year’s list.

I am way behind on my reading. I have six books that have been sitting on my Kindle since Christmas and I just haven’t had any free time to get to them yet…yet being the key word. I’m determined once the weather hits up I’ll be heading outside for hours of non-stop reading.

What will be on your summer reading list this year?

While I’ve been putting together lessons for my new workshops it’s got me thinking about tweaking them and putting them on Skillshare.

And before I forget a couple of you have asked if the link I gave is just for one class and the answer is no, you can take as many classes as you want (mine and every other instructor on the site) so if you missed it last Ramblings, here it is again-

http://skl.sh/2oNSlJV

My to do list is filling up again and once I’m done with my WIPs I’m planning on writing a mystery. I haven’t done that in what seems like forever and this time I’ll be trying my hand at writing a cozy.

Next week I’ll be featuring the first question and answer post on the site, so keep them coming because I think it’s going to be fun.

Have a fun week and happy writing to all.

 

Posted in Friday Ramblings

Friday Ramblings From An Author-Another Short Story Class

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It’s a beautiful spring day and I’m tempted to go outside and write but I’ll probably get distracted and nothing will get done.

I set two goals for this past week. One was to get the first story in my new series Cowbear Haven finished and published. I achieved that yesterday. Here’s the cover.

cold_stream_ebook_cover

Once again, I decided to go with KDP Select. I know a few of you told me you’ve gone that route too and been happy with the results, so fingers crossed.

Second thing on my to do list was get another class uploaded to Skillshare…got that done today. It’s called Make Extra Income Writing Short Stories. If you’re interested here’s a link-

http://skl.sh/2oNSlJV

 

Speaking of classes, I’m teaching three next month (and I’ll give my usual shameless self promotion here)

The first one is a rewrite bootcamp called My Story’s Been Rejected Now What…if you’ve recently received the dreaded rejection letter this one’s for you-

http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

And I’m debuting two new ones-

Great Beginnings-Hooking Your Reader in the First Two Chapters…ideal one if you’re thinking about entering a contest or even having trouble getting started on your novel-

https://www.yosemiteromancewriters.com/2017-class-descriptions

 

And finally, So You Want to Self Publish Your Book…if you’ve been thinking about it then this one is definitely for you. I’ll be sharing lots of tips and hints.

http://lowcountryrwa.com/workshops/2017-online-courses/#MAY

 

I’m thinking of launching a question and answer day on this site so if you have a writing or publishing question, leave a comment or contact me and if I can’t answer it I’ll find someone who can.

 

Have a good week and happy writing to all.