Hello, Everyone!
Just wanted to say that I've been playing 'hooky' from my writing endeavors this week because my sister from Michigan is visiting and we're having lots of fun catching up on old news. She is a ballerina and owns her own dance company called APIS, which means Accelerated Pre-College Intensive Study! She has been dancing forever and ever! Well, for as long as I remember, which is, well, forever and ever! Anyway, she is to dance as I am to writing, which makes us both crazy and neurotic.
Well, gotta go for now. Adios, my little writers.
K~
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
June 21, 2010
I received the proof of my book today. It looks very good and I'm pleased with it overall. I am going to make some edits, however, on a few areas, such as the margins. I don't like the thickness of the inner margin. I also don't like the font I chose for Lauren's journal. It didn't print dark enough. I may either bold the font or select a different one. I also noticed a few word omissions and a punctuation error. It's amazing how many times I proofed the book yet I still find typos. I think my brain filled in the blanks in the text, but now that I have a clear eye, I can see that I need to repair the proof before I upload the final version and send it to print.
This experience has been amazing and insightful. I've learned a lot about self-publishing a book. But there's so much more I need to learn...
K~
This experience has been amazing and insightful. I've learned a lot about self-publishing a book. But there's so much more I need to learn...
K~
Thursday, June 17, 2010
June 17, 2010
Here's the book cover and back panel information. (-: Click the photo to read the text on the back cover.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
June 15, 2010
Well, the book is online and ready for purchase. It's been a fantastic journey from inception to production.
I look forward to editing and publishing "A Place for Pamela", but in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy this summer.
Hey - wear's my bathing suit?!!!!!!
https://www.createspace.com/3459141
I look forward to editing and publishing "A Place for Pamela", but in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy this summer.
Hey - wear's my bathing suit?!!!!!!
https://www.createspace.com/3459141
Sunday, June 13, 2010
June 13, 2010
I lowered the price to $12.99. I won't make any profit but that's not what I'm after in publishing this book. I just want to see this project in print and be done with it. I need conclusion. It's been on my brain since I was first inspired January 9, 2009. (Yes, I actually remember the day and the exact moment. Weird, huh?)
As much as editing is a pain, I'm enjoying the process. It's like sending your daughter off to prom. Just one more bobby pin, one more spritz of hair spray.
You look fabulous, darling! Simply fab!
I intend to upload the final version tonight. Then, it's on to writing curricula for next school year. Very different type of writing, I must say, but writing nonetheless.
Time to go swimming! Yeah. Gotta love Arizona in June.
TTFN!
As much as editing is a pain, I'm enjoying the process. It's like sending your daughter off to prom. Just one more bobby pin, one more spritz of hair spray.
You look fabulous, darling! Simply fab!
I intend to upload the final version tonight. Then, it's on to writing curricula for next school year. Very different type of writing, I must say, but writing nonetheless.
Time to go swimming! Yeah. Gotta love Arizona in June.
TTFN!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
June 12, 2010
After I uploaded my book I decided to reread it (I know, I know) and I found two mistakes. Blah. That's okay, because I can still make the edits before the book goes to print.
After all this...
I will still pursue traditional publishing venues since I think Create Space charges WAY to much to produce the book. But, since I'm only cashing in on my NaNoWriMo free book (if you write 50,000 words in 30 days, you get a free copy of your book), this experience has been enlightening.
I think I'll lower the price, too, if someone wants to buy it in its current form.
TTFN
After all this...
I will still pursue traditional publishing venues since I think Create Space charges WAY to much to produce the book. But, since I'm only cashing in on my NaNoWriMo free book (if you write 50,000 words in 30 days, you get a free copy of your book), this experience has been enlightening.
I think I'll lower the price, too, if someone wants to buy it in its current form.
TTFN
Friday, June 11, 2010
June 11, 2010
Well, it's done. I designed the cover and uploaded the content. If there's an error or typo or fragmented sentence or poor word usage or misspelled word or improper use of grammar - I DON'T WANT TO KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
At least not tonight. (-:
It's been quite an experience writing a book. I learned a lot about the formatting process. I also realized through all the edits that you can never be truly finished perfecting the whole thing, and sometimes it's best to say "no more!"
So, it's time to celebrate. I think I'll go wash the dinner dishes (it's 10:13 p.m.) - but hey, a writer's gotta keep her priorities straight, right?
The book is NOT FOR YOUNG READERS! It is a book about relationship abuse and was written with the high school student in mind. The content is considered edgy YA (young adult) and contains actions (alcohol/drug abuse, sexual content) some parents may prefer their children not read until they are older.
So, if you are one of my students, please do not read this book until you are in high school. I cannot be held responsible. My new book, "A Place for Pamela", is middle-grade school appropriate. I will keep you posted as to its publication date.
The cost is $14.99. I hate that price but it's the rate I have to charge to avoid paying royalty fees to the publisher. Sorry.
https://www.createspace.com/3459141
At least not tonight. (-:
It's been quite an experience writing a book. I learned a lot about the formatting process. I also realized through all the edits that you can never be truly finished perfecting the whole thing, and sometimes it's best to say "no more!"
So, it's time to celebrate. I think I'll go wash the dinner dishes (it's 10:13 p.m.) - but hey, a writer's gotta keep her priorities straight, right?
The book is NOT FOR YOUNG READERS! It is a book about relationship abuse and was written with the high school student in mind. The content is considered edgy YA (young adult) and contains actions (alcohol/drug abuse, sexual content) some parents may prefer their children not read until they are older.
So, if you are one of my students, please do not read this book until you are in high school. I cannot be held responsible. My new book, "A Place for Pamela", is middle-grade school appropriate. I will keep you posted as to its publication date.
The cost is $14.99. I hate that price but it's the rate I have to charge to avoid paying royalty fees to the publisher. Sorry.
https://www.createspace.com/3459141
Thursday, June 10, 2010
June 10, 2010
The cover of my book is wonderful! I purchased the royalties to use a professional photograph for the cover. I won't say what it is, but suffice to say I love it! I designed the rest of the cover with Adobe Photoshop and the Create Space cover maker application.
I was supposed to finish editing tonight, but everytime I think I've finished, I go back, re-read and then make another edit. I suppose it's like making spaghetti sauce - eventually you can add so many seasonings that you never get to eat dinner. So, I'm going to sleep now. And tomorrow, after one more read-through, no matter how the sauce tastes, I'm finished cooking.
I was supposed to finish editing tonight, but everytime I think I've finished, I go back, re-read and then make another edit. I suppose it's like making spaghetti sauce - eventually you can add so many seasonings that you never get to eat dinner. So, I'm going to sleep now. And tomorrow, after one more read-through, no matter how the sauce tastes, I'm finished cooking.
Monday, June 7, 2010
June 7, 2010
Why do people read books? Perhaps to distract them from their own worlds. Perhaps to provide them with an escape from their reality into another, one more interesting or totally unlike their own.
So, then, why do we write books? To be "published" writers? Nah. You don't need to be published to be a writer. It's nice to get paid, though. To express ourselves? Sure. Writers can be moody, self-absorbed, introspective and emotional. It's helpful to get it all out on paper. Feel better? Good.
But for me, the reason I write, is to escape from my reality. Not that being a teacher and a mom are bad things. But it's nice to enter my writing zone and travel to places I create. I control. I direct and dictate. It's quite a power high to determine the fates of my characters and to live vicariously through them. It's actually addictive. I crave it. More than dark chocolate. And that's a HUGE deal for me.
Being a writer is a love-hate relationship for me. I love to write. I hate it when I'm not writing. Time passes when I write. My fictitous world becomes my real world and I love living in this alter universe. Kinda like being in my own Avatar...
Anyway, this post is meant to be a warm-up so I can get back to editing my book which, BTW, I'm polishing and am pleased as punch with the results thus far, if I do say so myself.
TTFN
K~
So, then, why do we write books? To be "published" writers? Nah. You don't need to be published to be a writer. It's nice to get paid, though. To express ourselves? Sure. Writers can be moody, self-absorbed, introspective and emotional. It's helpful to get it all out on paper. Feel better? Good.
But for me, the reason I write, is to escape from my reality. Not that being a teacher and a mom are bad things. But it's nice to enter my writing zone and travel to places I create. I control. I direct and dictate. It's quite a power high to determine the fates of my characters and to live vicariously through them. It's actually addictive. I crave it. More than dark chocolate. And that's a HUGE deal for me.
Being a writer is a love-hate relationship for me. I love to write. I hate it when I'm not writing. Time passes when I write. My fictitous world becomes my real world and I love living in this alter universe. Kinda like being in my own Avatar...
Anyway, this post is meant to be a warm-up so I can get back to editing my book which, BTW, I'm polishing and am pleased as punch with the results thus far, if I do say so myself.
TTFN
K~
Saturday, June 5, 2010
June 5, 2010
Happy Birthday, Anthony! Ten years old at 2:22p today. Where has the time gone...
We went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. What did I order for dessert? Carrot Cake. YUM!!!!! Amongst all the choices of cheesecake, I chose carrot cake. And I'm a choco-holic. Go figure.
Ok, here's the update. Butterfly is now called Boardwalk. Yes, I renamed the book five days before it goes to print. I've added a new prologue and first chapter, and I really like the way I've fleshed out my protagonist's motives and my antagonist's secretive past.
Gotta finish proofing. The clock is ticking.
We went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. What did I order for dessert? Carrot Cake. YUM!!!!! Amongst all the choices of cheesecake, I chose carrot cake. And I'm a choco-holic. Go figure.
Ok, here's the update. Butterfly is now called Boardwalk. Yes, I renamed the book five days before it goes to print. I've added a new prologue and first chapter, and I really like the way I've fleshed out my protagonist's motives and my antagonist's secretive past.
Gotta finish proofing. The clock is ticking.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
June 2, 2010
Ok, the insanity passed. What was I thinking?
Rewriting the book in first person would be like pulling out the old foundation from underneath a house while the first and second floors teeter precariously on top. I just can't rewrite this book in first person. I tried. It's not in my DNA. I prefer the power of third-person omniscient - having infinite awareness, understanding and insight. As the narrator, I like to know everything everyone is doing. I can dictate their movements like a chess master. First person is one-dimensional, in my opinion. I need my readers to know what the main character doesn't know so they can say "watch out you crazy protagonist!" and then cringe when she doesn't.
So, I'll save first person for some other writing endeavor. Butterfly remains firmly in 3rd person omniscient.
So there.
Rewriting the book in first person would be like pulling out the old foundation from underneath a house while the first and second floors teeter precariously on top. I just can't rewrite this book in first person. I tried. It's not in my DNA. I prefer the power of third-person omniscient - having infinite awareness, understanding and insight. As the narrator, I like to know everything everyone is doing. I can dictate their movements like a chess master. First person is one-dimensional, in my opinion. I need my readers to know what the main character doesn't know so they can say "watch out you crazy protagonist!" and then cringe when she doesn't.
So, I'll save first person for some other writing endeavor. Butterfly remains firmly in 3rd person omniscient.
So there.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
June 1, 2010
I've been reading an excellent book by Judy Blundell titled "What I Saw and How I Lied". I picked up this book at a book fair and was smitten by Chapter 1. It is succintly written, intriguing and descriptive. I read six chapters while waiting during cello and swim lessons this morning. It feels good to have time to read again.
And...this book has confirmed what I've thought for the past year. I need to rewrite "Butterfly" in first person.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Am I insane?
But seriously, I've noticed that the YA books my students love are written in 1st person. I've never written in first person. It always struck me as self-indulgent and arrogant. "I did this..." "I did that". "I, I, I..."
And yet...
First person seems to draw readers into the minds and motives of the main characters more quickly and provides the opportunity for readers to care about the emotional well-being of the main characters.
So, I'm off to run errands and then I'll come back and take a closer look at this proposition of insanity.
Somebody stop me!
BTW - Kaitlin Farley published her NaNoWriMo book "Obscure Destiny" with Create Space.
https://www.createspace.com/3457836
Congratulations, Kaitlin! I am proud of you!
TTFN
K~
And...this book has confirmed what I've thought for the past year. I need to rewrite "Butterfly" in first person.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Am I insane?
But seriously, I've noticed that the YA books my students love are written in 1st person. I've never written in first person. It always struck me as self-indulgent and arrogant. "I did this..." "I did that". "I, I, I..."
And yet...
First person seems to draw readers into the minds and motives of the main characters more quickly and provides the opportunity for readers to care about the emotional well-being of the main characters.
So, I'm off to run errands and then I'll come back and take a closer look at this proposition of insanity.
Somebody stop me!
BTW - Kaitlin Farley published her NaNoWriMo book "Obscure Destiny" with Create Space.
https://www.createspace.com/3457836
Congratulations, Kaitlin! I am proud of you!
TTFN
K~
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