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!

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

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

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.

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~

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.

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.