It’s (Almost) Time.

I’ve put this off for as long as I possibly can. And, I mean, I’ve really put this off a long time already.

It’s time to publish my first novel. It was supposed to happen last year, but life got in the way (and I let it). Now, I’m putting on my big girl trousers, getting some woolly socks for my cold feet, and facing my fears.

I have one request first. I need a couple of Beta Readers. (Beta Readers get to read the story before anyone else, and they tell the writer what works and what doesn’t – simples.) I’ve made some significant changes to the telling of the story since last year, and I am far too close to it to know if it still makes sense.

That’s where you come in.

portrait-1725180_1920 — Before reading Turning Point

read-2402233_1920 — After reading Turning Point

If you’re interested in helping a writer out, let me know. My request is that you finish before Thanksgiving. It’s approximately 89,000 words, roughly 330 pages. If you’re interested, and you can read it in the allotted time, reply here, or send me a message, and I’ll get back to you right away with details.

Watch this space, it won’t be long!

October 27, 2019 2

Oooooh.

Okay. It’s time for something juicy. A little exciting. A bit…revealing.

I’d like to brag a bit about my graphic designer. Her name is Sondra Fowler and you can find and follow her on Facebook at DotandSondra and DigitalDoodles.

Sondra has a BFA in Graphic Design and is as comfortable working in ink as she is in pixels. She moved to 98.5% start-to-finish digital work from scanned in ink six years ago when she moved to a Wacom Cintiq. She’s done everything from CD cover and label design and book covers to logo work and T-shirt design. She is currently working in 2D animation for a personal project and she is always open to new clients and new design/art experiences.

And, she’s amazing.

Sondra and I collaborated over several weeks – she even helped me get more comfortable in the 21st century by introducing me to Google Drive and video chats – to get just the right feel. She tweaked it when I asked her to tweak it, and she created several iterations until the cover felt just right. She even created a Facebook banner for me.

If you’re looking for someone to help your book look amazing, or for any other graphic design work, I highly recommend Sondra.

Have I kept you waiting long enough?

Really?

Okay…here it is. My cover, by Sondra Fowler.

Pretty snazzy, right?

Comment here or on Facebook to let me know what you think!

July 29, 2018 0

103,810.

That was the original word count when I “finished” writing my first novel back in December.

That’s a lot of words. I didn’t know I had that many words in me. Don’t get me wrong, I know I talk a lot. But…to get that many words out in sentences that form paragraphs that make sense in a story?

Wow.

But, turns out, that was actually too many words.

Shocking, I know.

So, I hired an editor. ~~She helped me reduce the amount of verbiage I would utilize in order to carry my point across to the people who so generously decided they would do me the favor of casting their eyes upon my work.~~

Er. I mean, she helped me make my writing better.

So, now, nearly eight months later, it’s down to 93,155 words, according to Word.

That’s still a lot of words. But, I’m so happy for those that made the cut.

There is one more obstacle left…The Proofreader. She’s up this week.

Stay tuned to see if she makes any more cuts.

Cue maniacal laughter.

Fade to black.

July 22, 2018 1

Freezing.

Is it cold in here? Because my feet are freezing.

That’s right. Cold feet. I’ve got ’em.

It’s been a very long time since I’ve written, and I am sorry, friends. It was spring break, so I missed a week, then it became two…then well, now it’s nearly July, so…here we are.

Over the last couple months, I have done a significant amount of work on my book. My cover is done, essentially (and I love it). I’ve had it professionally edited, and I’ve had a few beta-readers read it, too.

Now, I’m working on “final edits” (I put quotes around it because I’ve been working on what I’ve been calling “final edits” since like January…the edits are never final. Ever.)

Once the “final edits” are done, it’ll be off to the proofreader and maybe another couple betas…and then….then, I need to publish it.

Just do it already.

But, I’m scared. I’m afraid of failure. It’s your garden variety usual type of fear: What if nobody likes it? What if nobody reads it or buys it? What if people tell their friends not to buy it because it suuuccckks. (And, not in the good, vampirey way.)

What. If.

I’m feeling insecure. And that’s a hard thing to admit.

A friend posted a meme today that spoke to me. It said, “You didn’t come this far to only come this far.” It’s true. I’ve worked hard. The last hurdle really isn’t even a hurdle. I have a plan. I know what needs to be done…I just need to do it.

Deep breath.

Here we go.

June 25, 2018 0