Artistry With Words

Every so often, I have moments of intense clarity, and it is during those times that I realize I’m not nearly as smart as some people think I am.

I had one of those moments yesterday as I was preparing to write this post.  I realized that I now have a website, and on that website I have the ability to write blog posts.  The fact that I have had that website now for a month should prove to all of you that I am a bear of very little brain.

The point being, why am I continuing with this blog, when I can do the same thing on the website?  And since the website demands my attention because of the upcoming release of my novel, “Resurrecting Tobias,” there is no practical reason for me to continue this blog.

So I invite you all to follow me on my website, www.williamdhollandauthor.com

I appreciate you all being so loyal to this blog, and I promise to provide the same information on the website as I have given here on this blog.

The good news is that I finally finished the last edit of my novel.  I now have to read it aloud one more time to make sure it sounds right, and then I’ll be ready to publish.  By June 1^st I should have something for you all to read.

Thank you, again, for following me all these months, and I hope to see you at the new website.

Bill

“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”

Under beautiful, warm sunny skies, I salute you from Olympia, Washington.  I hope this week brings you successes and happiness on this writing journey.

Shall we begin?

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.”

Henry David Thoreau
I had originally planned on talking about the high cost of publishing a book these days if you are an indie writer.  Make no mistake about it, self-publishing can be pricey.  Pay for an editor, pay for a cover artist, pay for some advertising…..and suddenly your bank account looks a bit depleted.

But I changed my mind once I read the quote above.  Leave it to Thoreau to bring a little reality my way.

Read his words.  How much of your life is spent in writing a book?  That is the true cost of that book.  Sure, it may sell online for $4.99, and it may cost you $500 or more to get it ready for online publishing, but the true cost is measured in the months it took to write it, and the countless other hours spent thinking and planning.

Looked at in those terms, the cost of my new novel cannot be calculated.  It represents a major investment of time and effort.  In that same spirit, the return on that investment is also priceless.  A book is part of you.  It is your blood, sweat and tears all rolled up into one, and if you have written a book you should be damned proud.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Whether your book sells well or not is no measure of success.  The true success, in writing a book, is in completing your task.  Only those who have tried will understand that statement.

WRITER OF THE DAY

Say hello to Dr. Bill, and you can find him on HubPages here.  He has a series of wonderful articles called “Weston Wagons West,” a historical fiction that will one day be a dandy novel.  I strongly recommend this fine writer.

PROMPT OF THE DAY

See it….feel it….write about it.  Demand that your writing muse do her job.

SITE OF THE DAY

Pubslush is one of the new crowdfunding sites that many indie writers are turning to for financing of their writing projects.  Check them out here.  You just might find some money available to you.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

My good friend Sha made her first video and I wanted to share it with you.  Way to go, Sha!  For those of you who have never made a video, they do make a nice addition to any article….just sayin’

CATCH YOU DOWN THE ROAD

Much to do this week. The final edit continues on my novel, “Resurrecting Tobias,” so I need to get busy.  Hopefully I’ll find the time to post another blog before the week is finished. Thanks, as always, for taking the time to stop by here.

Bill

“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”

Welcome back to the show that never ends.  I’m not going to bore you with information about my novel.  It’s happening, slowly but surely, and that’s all I’ll say today about it.

Today I think we’ll be a bit reflective.  I have a question to ask you, and I want your honest opinion.  First, though, a quote.   If you pay really close attention, there will be a  hint regarding today’s subject matter in the quote.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”

Benjamin Franklin
THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Okay, now you are ready for the reflective question.

Are you making progress as a writer?

No, this is not a trick question.  I will assume that when you started your writing journey, that you had a goal or goals in mind.  What were they?  Did you want writing to just be an outlet for your creative passion?  Did you want to be published in a magazine?  Did you want to make a living as a freelance writer?

Only you can answer the goals question.  So consider those goals you set for yourself and then answer my question: are you making progress as a writer as you move towards your goal?

If you answered yes then how has that progress happened? What have you done to move you along?

If the answer is no then you have some work to do, don’t you?  Why are you not making progress?  What is holding you back?

If you can answer that question then you can make corrections and start moving forward again.  If you can’t answer that question….what is holding you back….then maybe you should chat with a trusted writing friend and get to the bottom of the trouble.

Just a thought!

TIP OF THE DAY

Write down your short-term and long-term goals.  Once you have done that, then give yourself a realistic timeline to achieve those goals.  I think it is very important that we remain focused on whatever is important to us as writers.  It is too easy to get wrapped up in the process and forget about the prize at the end.

THAT’S ALL TODAY

I’m keeping it short today because you all have things to work on.  Good luck on your journey my friends, and thank you for always showing me such wonderful support.

Bill

“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”