Previous Blogs

A Little Shout Out

I usually don’t promote other books or blogs because then I get inundated, and it takes away from writing/editing/subbing and doing my own posts. But, I will on occasion when it benefits both parties. This is one of those times.

Blog, Blog, Blog

In addition to doing guest posts on other blogs occasionally, I’m a regular contributor for two other blogs.

One is YA Outside the Lines, https://yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/ which is a blog created by Holly Schindler and written by young adult authors, teachers, librarians, and others interested in the young adult book community. I post on the twelfth of every month. The blog writers agree on monthly themes. This month the theme was “finding your voice” or “world issues.” I chose voice because, frankly world issues is a tough subject for me now.

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-button-up-shirt-holding-boy-in-black-and-white-striped-polo-shirt-4841970/

The other blog is Smack Dab in the Middle, https://smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com/ also created by Holly Schindler, for those interested in the middle grade book community. I blog on the twenty-eighth or twenty-nineth of every month. The theme for this month is “using a word or phrase to inspire both a photograph and post. In February, our words are “shadows and highlights.” I haven’t done my post for February yet, so check back.

Photo by Prasad Dulam: https://www.pexels.com/photo/young-girls-reading-a-book-in-darkness-15877016/

And Then There’s…This

And of course you know I write my own blog. I’m not always consistent because those other blogs have to take priority; I made promises to do my part to the other writers and Holly. Then comes my novel/short story writing/editing/subbing. After that comes social media and this blog.

So you have many places to see what’s happening and read my thoughts. Don’t be afraid to drop a line about any questions you’d like answered (sorry, I don’t give out my credit card number or want to invest in bitcoin), a topic you want to suggest, or just to chat.

Currently, I have four novels out on submission: The Frankenstein Vendetta (horror/sci fi/thriller), Ripples on Water (contemporary fantasy), The Excalibur Vow (fantasy, time travel, magic), and Christmas Bells, Hanukkah Lights (holiday romance). A short story, That cottage in the Woods (fantasy/fairy tale), will be published shortly, more details to come. I’m finishing up the last book in a romance series by doing #JeRoWriMo (Jersey Romance Writing Month). After that, I’ll be spending most of my time editing that series and querying, although I have a young adult novel I want to finish writing over the summer.

You Don’t See It

I was scrolling through social media on my phone and learned the term “invisible labor.” A woman described it this way: the refillable soap dispenser by the kitchen sink was empty. No one filled it. They waited for HER to do it. Other examples: three Cheese-Its on the sofa. Her family sat next to them, but no one picked them up. All those little tasks that get done by those who care for the home are invisible to others even though it’s right in front of them, everywhere. Like putting the new toilet paper roll on top of the holder instead of actually in it (or not getting a new roll out at all!).

Image by Filmbetrachter from Pixabay

If you think about it, there are so many invisible chores around the house that no one really thinks about. And they leave it to others to do.

And It’s Not Just About The House

Any job is the same way. You don’t simply paint a room (well, most people don’t); you patch any holes, clean off grime, and sand rough spots if you want to make it look good.

It’s the same with writing. It’s not simply write the story, check for spelling errors, and you’re done!

It Doesn’t Work That Way.

It may start with jogging down notes and ideas for scenes, character traits, conflicts, surprises, world-building, etc. Then, research alone for any subject or genre sometimes takes days, or even weeks.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

For some, then comes the outlining chore (mostly of which I am a believer but I don’t outline short stories or blog posts). Then we move on to the actual writing.

Photo by Ruca Souza: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-cat-holding-persons-arm-1049764/

After the story is written, it doesn’t move to a simple review, make a few revisions, and it’s done. Editing requires multiple read throughs. Some people use beta readers, critique groups, or even professional editors. Those with agents might have the luxury of the agent reading and offering revisions. If a contract is offered, you can bet the editor will want even more revisions.

Photo by Vanessa Garcia : https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-person-using-laptop-on-wooden-table-6326031/

Still More Work To Do

Okay, so now maybe it’s good enough to send out into the cold, cruel, publishing world. Our work is not done. The first thing to do is query agents and/or editors if you go the traditionally published route. This can take YEARS to get an agent/editor. If, and that’s a BIG ‘IF‘ you get an agent or editor, before the book is published and once all the additional revisions are done, authors have to seek out people like other authors or professionals who will write a blurb (“I loved this book! So will you!”) for the back cover. There’s arranging for and traveling to book events, blogging and posting on social media, possibly doing school visits, maybe buying paid advertising, and hoping the publisher will step in and do something more than hand out a few free copies to bloggers and reviewers.

Wait! It Can Get Worse!

Photo by Yulia Polyakova : https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-with-eyes-closed-and-hands-on-hair-11329855/

All that unseen work is just for traditionally published authors. If you independently publish, there are so many more chores: designing and/or buying a cover, choosing which platform to use (Amazon KDP, Ingram Spark, etc.), deciding e-book or paperback or both? Maybe audio? Picking out font and paper color/size, pricing, doing ALL your own marketing, making sure you follow tax laws, trying to convince libraries and bookstores to carry your book (good luck), and sucking up the cost to send out copies hoping for good or at least not bad reviews so you can move up the Amazon scale. Plus, we have to look out for book pirates.

Not So Simple, Is It?

Even with all these invisible chores, most writers simply love writing too much to give it up, unlike the woman in the story who gave up filling the soap dispenser. (She stood over her family members until they learned to do the invisible chore.) Now if I ever have a bestselling novel(s) and make enough to afford a personal assistant who could do most of those chores, I’d be a happy camper. It might be easier to win the lottery, though.

So be kind to authors. We’re working like dogs behind the scenes for your pleasure. We’re not getting rich, so don’t get our works from pirate sites (that’s stealing). Be an ally and post a review. Ask a librarian to stock our book. Ask your local bookstore to order it. Tell friends, family, and neighbors if you enjoyed the book.

Now go give some authors and books the love they deserve!

Photo by SHVETS production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-green-long-sleeve-dress-holding-white-book-8933990/

Thought For The Moment

Wishes and Gifts

Photo by Anugrah Lohiya: https://www.pexels.com/photo/candle-with-light-667500/

Whatever you celebrate, or don’t, this time of year has us thinking of gifts or wishes.

Gifts

I don’t want a lot of gifts: a super foam pillow, a zip front sweatshirt, flannel pajamas. But the best gift I could wish for (since my family is safe and happy and world peace is unachievable in my opinion) is a book contract from a certain publisher….

Photo by energepic.com: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-silver-pen-signing-photographers-signature-175045/

Wishes

But if I don’t get the gift I want, then I have a few wishes for the New Year. I want an agent that will get me book contracts. I’m willing to bet that if I get that certain book contract, an agent or two might be more inclined to represent me, but I want them before the contract because I’ve already sold that book, they’ll need to love and sell the others.

Photo by Rakicevic Nenad: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-with-fireworks-769525/

So as we wind down this year and head toward the new, I wish you all a happy holiday, whatever it is or isn’t, and a New Year full of good things.

I’ll be spending time with family so I’ll catch you in 2025. Be safe, be kind, and be good to yourself. And dream….