Happy Tuesday once again, the last week of February and I don’t know about you, but that’s great news to me. When February is gone I can officially think about spring, and spring means longer days, and a brighter shade of gray here in western Washington…all great reasons to celebrate.
I think I’m finally done with my third novel. I think! I mean, I could tinker with it for another twelve months, but I’m happy with it now and I’m pleased with the main character, so I think I’m officially done with it. Unfortunately, I don’t have the money to hire someone to do the final edit for me, so I’ll have to rely on some friends to help in that regard. Between four or five of us we should be able to catch most of the grammatical errors.
And then it will be time to start sending out query letters to agents, and since that process will take months, it could easily be 2016 before I know if this book was accepted by anyone out there.
Meanwhile, I’ll start in on the sequel to this book because, well, that’s what writers do…we write. The working title of this next novel will be “The Shadows Have Eyes.” Stay tuned.
So how’s it going with you? What’s happening in your writing world? I’m going to be busy spring-cleaning my writing world. I need to toss out those things that are unnecessary and distracting. I need to deep-six things that are not productive. By April I want to be a lean, mean, writing machine, and that leads us to the quote of the day.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Anne Burrell
Can you see where I’m headed yet?
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
I’m not new to this writing game, but comparatively speaking I’m really still a fledgling writer. There is much for me to learn and I’m eager to learn it, but one thing I don’t need to learn because it is part of my DNA is organization. I need to be organized. I really can’t accomplish much in a state of chaos, so periodically I need to toss out the unnecessary and embrace the necessary. In the world of frugal living it’s called “needs vs wants,” and the same principle holds true for me in writing.
It is so easy to get distracted when working from home. Self-employment means having no boss to keep you on task and yes, that’s very cool, but it also is a pitfall that is just waiting for a misstep. You know I’m speaking the truth if you are self-employed. The phone rings, there is a knock on the door, a new video you just have to see on Youtube, and pretty soon four hours are gone and you’ve accomplished nothing.
Because of that, I need to toss out those distractions from time to time….those little things that drain me of time, effort and emotions. If I don’t do that then I will become a crazy man who produces very little.
TIP OF THE DAY
Take a look at your production to date. Are you where you want to be? Are you being held back by something? Is there time being wasted on things that are unproductive? If so, it’s time to spring-clean your life and get your writing back on track.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
Any flash fiction fans out there? Here’s a flash fiction contest. Only seven bucks per submission, and submissions are accepted until March 29th. Check it out here.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
What does your platform look like today compared to what it looked like a year ago? If you say the same then you simply aren’t working hard enough at your craft and yes, that is called tough love.
REVIEW OF THE DAY
On to self-serving promotion. Let me share a review for “Resurrecting Tobias” that I recently received.
“Even after closing this stunning book, I remain within it’s pages. I don’t want to leave. One thought repeats in my mind. “You MUST read this novel.” Few words can adequately describe this masterful work. You must experience it’s depth, and the authenticity of human frailties, the explosive power of pure love and loyalty and the miracle of Forgiveness. Tobias Alexander King will taunt you to follow him, love him, hate him, hold your breath and ultimately admire and applaud him. You will not rest until this story’s end overwhelms every fiber of your being. Even then, like me, you will want to remain.” Paula Jamison
You can order your copy of “Resurrecting Tobias” from Amazon by following this link.
MORE NEXT WEEK
It’s been a blast and now it’s time to continue with my spring cleaning. Have a wonderful week of writing and I’ll catch you next week, same time, same station.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
I am so with you and thankful March and hopefully spring (too) will be just around the corner. Yay, also to being done with your novel and for spring cleaning, too! Have a great night, Bill 🙂
Janine, we really have nothing to complain about here as far as the weather goes. I can just imagine how much you are looking forward to warmer weather. Stay warm and thank you!
Time sure is flying by…Last I remember interacting with my friends over new year’s 🙂
Although I will miss the rain that CA badly needed, but am looking forward to a dry weather with water conservation around this side 😦
Happy for ya that you completed you third novel, Bill
Yeah!
Thank you Ruchira. I think most of us are looking forward to warmer temperatures and better days ahead.
It is certainly a crazy time for me. I am not quite ready for spring and neither are the Missouri Ozarks. Winter has hit us with a vengeance. I just found out last night that my beta reader has finished her reading of my book and has lots of improvements to help me make A Coward’s Solace my best book yet!
Donna, I hear another storm is heading your way. Stay safe and warm. Good news about your book..congratulations.
According to our weather forecast, we should miss this storm. 🙂
Hi Bill! Happy Spring! Let me know if you want any more readers–I have time until my next round of rehearsals
Thank you Audrey. I just might take you up on that.
Hi Bill. A happy spring clean to you. You are right it’s time to take stock of the situation.
Graham.
Good morning Graham and Happy Spring to you!!! Thanks for being here. I hope all is well in your corner of the world.
I got a new computer for my birthday so it’s an opportunity for me to do some spring cleaning. Not really looking forward to it, but needs must.
If it’s any help, Bill, I use a pretty awesome grammar and spell checker called Grammarly. It not only points out your errors, it also explains why it’s an error. I pay a yearly subscription and, while it’s not cheap, my reasoning is as a writer I can’t afford not to have it. You can check it out at grammerly.com if your interested. Enjoy your day.
I will check that out, Zulma, so I thank you. I wish I had a new computer.LOL Now I’ll be jealous the rest of the day. 🙂
I almost missed this! Glad I didn’t. Congrats on finishing Shadows Kill and having another on it’s way. Very cool.
I’m doing some spring cleaning myself. Time to get rid of the mind sucks that no longer pertain to where I am and want to go in my business. Over the weekend I read Linda Formichelli’s latest eBook called “Commit – How to Blast Through Problems & Reach Your Goals Through Massive Action”. It’s quite motivating. She offers 20 tactics to gain momentum and propel your way to achieving your goals, no matter what they are.
It’s time (once again) to redefine how I spend my time and concentrate only on tasks that directly relate to my goal.
BTW, I notice you’ve been getting up an hour earlier this week. At least you’re posting on HP an hour earlier. Is that part of your spring cleaning exercise?
Sha, I thought I was done with the book, but today I just re-wrote the first chapter. LOL So much for those thoughts.
Bev told a friend she would take care of her horses while the friend is in Hawaii…so she gets up an hour earlier this week to do that before going to work…so I’m getting up earlier to have breakfast with her. 🙂
Hi Bill, I’m looking forward to spring too. Although we’ve had very mild weather where I am so I can’t/won’t complain 🙂 That’s excellent news about your books being finished!! And you’re working now on a sequel? Amazing. I look forward to the reads, my friend. Hugs for your Sunday
Christy, I just got done working in the garden under sixty degree skies…unreal weather. As for the book…almost done. I keep finding things I’m not happy with. Hopefully soon. 🙂 Thank you for the kind words.
Hello Bill.
Just a news that you are ” expecting” again, thrills my heart. Isn’t it close to the feelings of arriving a new family member, – a book, never been “born” before ?! Congratulations my friend.
Well, it’s Tuesday again and we are promised another 2-5 in. snow, thus “spring cleaning” will continue as a ‘spring shoveling.” Almost impossible to ‘organize ahead’. Yeah, for me.
I have a big problem with Michael in this matter , and as things are going right now, prayers need to be supported by drastic severance from all old life of picayune commitments… Sigh.
Wishing you blessed and wonderful week.
Prayers coming your way, Michael my friend, and a wish for spring-like weather for all of you soon. To answer your question yes, it is like giving birth….but a very complicated delivery and the baby is late. LOL
blessings always