I'm sorry I've been away for so long. I've been busy. Went to Amanda Palmer concert. Went to a wedding, going to another one this weekend. Had my first wedding anniversary and ate horribly freezer burned cake because of the worst tradition to survive in the western world. Got a little too addicted to Twitter, refusing to go on rehab...add Deviantart to that (I've been struggling with that addiction for years).
And then there is work. Not the fun work of writing, but the work that actually feeds me and fuels my netflix addiction to anime.
I should technically be doing work, but I'm in a procrastinating mood lately, my Archive boss is out today and I don't have to work at the Bakery. So, I'm feeling overly free spirited today.
A couple book updates: getting through the second half of edits and proofing the first half. I've been working on a couple extra side projects just to keep my mind in the right place. Once I'm done with proofing and sending out queries, I'm going to take a break for a while and do some painting. I'm feeling inspired by Deviantart.
Sorry, not too much to talk about. Blame it on the caffeine and the flighty attitude...or maybe the blonde hair? Nevermind, just go outside and enjoy the sun after all that rain.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
deviantart
If you haven't heard of Deviantart, you need to. Deviantart is a place where artists (and more rarely) writers can post their work and anyone can see it.
I've been surfing in and out of it for years and I'm just beginning to realize what a good tool it is for writers. In my case, I'm working on putting up an author webpage. I managed to find images that are very similar to some of my characters and I've gotten permission to use them on my website.
Permission from: http://villesgodgirl.deviantart.com/
Permission from: http://asaenath.deviantart.com/
Waiting on (and really hoping to hear from): http://skategirl.deviantart.com/
What I like most about this is that I'm able to use artwork that I think is suitable to represent my writing. Because of this, I also think it is a very good resource for people who are self publishing. Normally, a publisher is the one who chooses the cover, not you. That's why some books don't look at all like what's inside of the cover. If you self publish, you have a lot more control over what your book looks like. That's one of the big reasons why people self publish.
While I was at CAPAU, someone asked about where they could get images to use for self published books. Someone suggested stock images. While you can find stock images on Deviantart as well, you can also find talented artists who are willing to work on commission, sell their work, or give you permission in order to make a name for themselves.
Oh well, that's my tid-bit for today. I'm going to go decide which pieces I am going to use for my website! Go have fun kids: http://www.deviantart.com
I've been surfing in and out of it for years and I'm just beginning to realize what a good tool it is for writers. In my case, I'm working on putting up an author webpage. I managed to find images that are very similar to some of my characters and I've gotten permission to use them on my website.
Permission from: http://villesgodgirl.deviantart.com/
Permission from: http://asaenath.deviantart.com/
Waiting on (and really hoping to hear from): http://skategirl.deviantart.com/
What I like most about this is that I'm able to use artwork that I think is suitable to represent my writing. Because of this, I also think it is a very good resource for people who are self publishing. Normally, a publisher is the one who chooses the cover, not you. That's why some books don't look at all like what's inside of the cover. If you self publish, you have a lot more control over what your book looks like. That's one of the big reasons why people self publish.
While I was at CAPAU, someone asked about where they could get images to use for self published books. Someone suggested stock images. While you can find stock images on Deviantart as well, you can also find talented artists who are willing to work on commission, sell their work, or give you permission in order to make a name for themselves.
Oh well, that's my tid-bit for today. I'm going to go decide which pieces I am going to use for my website! Go have fun kids: http://www.deviantart.com
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Economic bust
I FINALLY finished putting in the edits for Book 1. I mean, I still have to do a smooth read-through, but the heavy-duty junk is DONE. Of course, I still feel a little shaky about the whole thing. I just read a blog from an agent that I really respect. He was basically like: the economy sucks, and if you're not perfect in every possible way, there is no hope for getting published.
I'm honestly terrified of submitting my work. Why? It's a one shot kind of thing. I can submit my work once and get rejected once, after that it's over and I have to pitch a new book or overhaul a query I've been working on for months so that it looks like I'm not pitching the same book.
That translates to the economy possibly having a big effect on whether or not my book (which I'd like to believe would get accepted in a booming economy) may not get the love I wish it would.
The sad part is the turn over. It takes about a year or more-start to finish-for a book to get published after it is submitted. Which means if I get accepted tomorrow, I wont have books on the shelves until about...next fall.
According to economists, things should be looking a lot happier for the economy by that time next year. Which means that my book could potentially do really well because the economy will supposedly be doing well.
Of course, a publisher is thinking about the here and now. The economy is suck NOW, therefore we will only buy the sure-wins NOW, even though they will be released when the economy will be in unsuck.
Another thing that confuses me is why book sales are falling. Let's think about this. People claim that in economic hard times, people turn toward outlets that get their minds off of things. Which means people should be buying fantasy novels.
Also, in an economic pinch, a book (roughly 8-9 bucks) will offer you more bang for your buck than a movie or going out to dinner. Think about it: hours of entertainment and you don't even have to get out of bed to enjoy it. And it's mentally enriching. It's the next best thing since sex! Or maybe even better than sex, if you're into the Romance genre.
SIGH. I'm done complaining. I'm going to start doing my read-through and wait for my editor to finish Book 2. Please so buy some books people, your brains will thank you for it! Wish me luck in this crap economy.
I'm honestly terrified of submitting my work. Why? It's a one shot kind of thing. I can submit my work once and get rejected once, after that it's over and I have to pitch a new book or overhaul a query I've been working on for months so that it looks like I'm not pitching the same book.
That translates to the economy possibly having a big effect on whether or not my book (which I'd like to believe would get accepted in a booming economy) may not get the love I wish it would.
The sad part is the turn over. It takes about a year or more-start to finish-for a book to get published after it is submitted. Which means if I get accepted tomorrow, I wont have books on the shelves until about...next fall.
According to economists, things should be looking a lot happier for the economy by that time next year. Which means that my book could potentially do really well because the economy will supposedly be doing well.
Of course, a publisher is thinking about the here and now. The economy is suck NOW, therefore we will only buy the sure-wins NOW, even though they will be released when the economy will be in unsuck.
Another thing that confuses me is why book sales are falling. Let's think about this. People claim that in economic hard times, people turn toward outlets that get their minds off of things. Which means people should be buying fantasy novels.
Also, in an economic pinch, a book (roughly 8-9 bucks) will offer you more bang for your buck than a movie or going out to dinner. Think about it: hours of entertainment and you don't even have to get out of bed to enjoy it. And it's mentally enriching. It's the next best thing since sex! Or maybe even better than sex, if you're into the Romance genre.
SIGH. I'm done complaining. I'm going to start doing my read-through and wait for my editor to finish Book 2. Please so buy some books people, your brains will thank you for it! Wish me luck in this crap economy.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Rye Bread and Peanut Butter
A strange combination, I know. I've been eating peanut butter on rye for the past week. I'm still not sure how I feel about it and I'm pretty sure my friend: Christin in the Kitchen will roll over in her casserole dish if she reads this. Despite that, peanut butter on rye has been fueling me through my editing funk. I'm happy to announce that I've made it past page 200 in The Will of Night Rain. I officially have 86 pages left of Book One (then Book Two comes to eat my soul, but that's another story). I'm happy to announce that a third person has offically finished reading The Will of Night Rain. I'm also thinking of adding some strange eating habits in the sequel to The Will of Night Rain. Julian Dove should probably eat French toast with ketchup, or something like that, I think it's suitable, consudering his demeanor.
I also have to thank NPR for entertaining me. Woe is my Car Industry is a personal favorite from today's Morning Edition:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104800385
I also have to thank NPR for entertaining me. Woe is my Car Industry is a personal favorite from today's Morning Edition:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104800385
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