Here we are, February 10th already, and here in Olympia it looks the same as it did in October, and November, December and January. Temps approaching sixty, hardly dipping into the forties at night…very strange weather.
I’ve heard from several of my beta readers and now I’m working on Shadows Kill once again. I am blessed to have friends who do not hesitate to tell me like it is, and their suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. I’ll make some changes that they suggested….others I won’t. Deciding which changes to make and which to ignore is, in the final analysis, a job only the author can do. It’s somewhat of a crap shoot, really. There is a lot of guesswork that goes into writing a novel. A writer needs to distance himself from the book and see it logically and without emotion, and that is not an easy thing to do with a work of fiction that has consumed six months of the writer’s life.
So we trudge on!
I’m also working on the first draft of the query letter I’ll be sending to agents and publishers. As I mentioned before, Shadows Kill will not be self-published until all effort has been made to sell it to a traditional publisher. Maybe a year from now, when defeat is obvious, I’ll self-publish it, but until then, I’m going to hound the agents and publishers and see if I can’t get them to love my book and pay money for it.
So, that’s my update. Now let’s move on to more important matters.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision.”
William James
I don’t think there is any doubt how William James feels about indecision. LOL
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
I don’t know how many writers I have heard from who suffer from indecision, but it is quite a few. Usually the indecision is tied closely with self-doubt. They don’t believe in themselves strongly enough, and that leads to a paralysis of analysis. Is this chapter right? Is this story strong enough? What if people don’t like my writing? And on and on they go, and while they are wallowing in a deep lake of self-doubt, nothing gets published.
If you are a writer, at some point you simply have to trust in your ability. The worst thing that can happen…the absolute worst…is that people won’t like what you have written, but that simply means you need to work on your craft.
TIP OF THE DAY
Quit making excuses! If you have an unfinished novel sitting around gathering dust, don’t you think it’s about time you dust it off and let it see the light of day? If you have been delaying writing a short story because of a crisis of self-doubt, it really is time for you to get over yourself and publish the damn thing.
That’s called tough love and I’m full of it.
WRITER OF THE DAY
Harper Lee! Need I say more? Fifty-five years after the release of her masterpiece, To Kill A Mockingbird, she has a new novel coming out in July. I don’t know about you, but I’m so excited I just might wet myself. J
LESSER-KNOWN WRITER OF THE DAY
I really do enjoy introducing new writers to all of you. I think it is crucial that we give our support to the new writers out there. I would hate to see an exceptional writer give up before the miracle happens. Please reach out and give some support to this young lady I recently discovered. Her name is Christy Maria and I would love it if you gave her some support as she begins her journey.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
Thanks to Cristen for passing this along. The Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards is taking submissions from now through April 15th. You can find it by following this link. First prize is $8000 and of course, the notoriety that goes along with it. Check it out!
SELF-PROMOTION OF THE DAY
If you would like to read my last novel, Resurrecting Tobias, you can find it on Amazon by following this link. It currently sells for $4.99 Kindle and $11.66 for paperback.
AND NOW WE MOVE ON WITH OUR LIVES
Have a superb week of writing. Remember to take time for yourself this week. Go for a walk, enjoy a mocha, watch a thoroughly decadent movie…..but enjoy life, whatever you do.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
First! I need to get back to my writing–you have encouraged me Bill! Good luck with the last stages of your writing!
Thank you, Audrey. Selfishly, I want you to return to your writing.
Aww, Bill as always, I thank you for the encouraging words here and truly appreciate them and you more then you ever know!! Happy Tuesday and have a great rest of your day 🙂
Happy Tuesday, Janine, and thank you for your continued support and friendship.
Good luck with the novel my friend. I respect you for attempting the traditional publisher route, but i have one question…
Why? From what i’ve been told, it isn’t what it used to be and more and more traditionally published authors are going the self-pub way.
It’s all about marketing and todays trad pub’s aren’t doing a lot of that unless you’re el james etc.
Ya know i loves ya,
mwahxx
It’s a valid question, Sis, and the answer is I want to be the next el james. 🙂
I hope you entered RESURRECTING TOBIAS for a Writers Digest Self-Publishing Award.
Not yet, Jaye. I believe it costs $75 and I’m a bit short, but I haven’t forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement.
Oh Bill, indecision is indecision , as such fits any category not writing only! (Lived long enough to know first hand .) That’s why often is there what I “write “, getting “over myself”- and never published ” the damn thing”. ( I don’t believe what i just said ) .
You’ve said it before, “Quit making excuses,” and I like it. Repetition is good…
P.G.Woodehouse said ” Success comes to a writer , as a rule, so gradually that it is always something of a shock to him to look back and realize the highest to which he has climbed.”
(So, when to get excited ? It is only 39 years since I’ve publish my book , and a feedback suggest meaningful needs are being meat …)
Wish you great progression in writing as well as in farming. Be blessed, my friend.
Michael my friend, as always, you share profound words and thoughts worth remembering for a lifetime. I greatly appreciate your friendship. Here’s to many more years of friendship for us.
blessings always
Yes, working through the indecision, i.e. self-doubt, it part and parcel of being a writer. I often hit stumbling blocks but the key is perseverance. Sometimes nothing comes to mind so I have to leave it for a day or two. Other times I can barely type fast enough to keep up with the flow of ideas. It’s just the way it is and I have to deal with it. It takes me longer to write a story, sure. But at least I know the final result is the best I am capable of. For now.
Thanks for the encouragement. I it means a lot especially on a grey, cold overcast day when the call of the bed covers is hard to ignore.
Thank you Zulma! We are sharing cold and grey this morning. Warmer weather would help my outlook and creativity….or maybe it wouldn’t, but I would love to find out. 🙂
Thanks for the tip re. Harper Lee. She is one of mine and my family’s favorite authors. I will definitely download your first novel on my kindle.
My pleasure, Zelda, and thank you for the visit.
Bill, the WD entry fee is $99 for the 1st book and $75 for any subsequent submissions. The price goes up after April 1st to $110 and $85 respectively.
With that out of the way, thanks for the kick in the pants. We all need it from time to time!
Have a great week, my friend.
Thanks Sha. I knew that but didn’t feel like typing that long a sentence. LOL You are welcome for the kick…always happy to oblige. 🙂
Yes, Harper Lee’s new book is certainly good reason to be excited – I mean it’s been 55 years! 😀 I am so proud of you Bill for planning to submit to agents your manuscript for Shadows Kill (great title, by the way) for up to a year – and I am cheering you on!!
Thank you, Christy! One friend thinks I’m nuts not to go the ebook route but hey, there’s nothing wrong with being a little bit nuts. 🙂 I appreciate your support, Christ. Hugs coming your way on this foggy morning.
I agree bill…ultimately the author decides upon the changes requested by the beta readers. I am also in that stage, and at times it does create confusion, but after staring at my characters for long…decide what to do with them 🙂
CA is in severe drought….we need rainfall since temps are in 60 and 70s sometimes…thus, hope is still ahead 🙂
A strange winter, Ruchira. We have more than enough rain but no snow…other place have had nothing but snow…and California can’t buy a drop of rain. I think we need to hit the replay button and hope for a different outcome. 🙂
Preach it, brother!
I love the quote, and I love that you said, “no more excuses”. Tough love is still love and sometimes we all need to hear it.
I’m very glad that you are getting useful feedback from your beta readers. I will be sitting on pins and needles with you as you wait to hear back from agents and publishers. It’s SO exciting! 🙂
Cristen Iris
Thanks, Cristen. I used to tell my students if they didn’t want to hear my answer then don’t ask me a question, because tough love can be a bit unsettling. LOL