And a very happy April 21st to you all!
We spent the weekend resting. We spent the weekend planting. We spent the weekend chicken-proofing the garden. LOL Each year we have to put a temporary fence around the garden area so the chickens won’t destroy all our hard work, so that’s what we did yesterday. It took a couple hours but those were hours that will save us a lot of heartache and cussing over the next five months.
I took last week off from this blog. Did anyone even notice? I wonder. It’s okay if you didn’t. I know you are busy. I know you have your own concerns, and I know you have a thousand different things to do. The same is true for me. I just want you to know that I appreciate all of you. Your support of my efforts means the world to me.
Since I talked to you last I finished the final edit of “Shadows Kill.” Query letters are now being sent to agents. I received a wonderful reply from Janet Reid, an agent I respect and follow. She called it, not a rejection, but a re-direction. She said her plate was full but if it wasn’t she would have seriously considered taking on my novel. I can live with rejection like that.
So while I’m sending out queries I have started “Shadows Over Innocence.” I’m now ten-thousand words into that new novel and I feel good about it so far.
Life moves on!
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Benjamin Franklin
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
I’m only human. There are days when I’m tired of progressing towards a goal. I want the damn goal! I’m tired of growing as a writer. I want to be successful. Let’s face it, we writers spend an awful lot of time inside our own heads, and I was once told that the most dangerous real estate in the world is the six inches between my ears.
Life moves on!
I can either be a willing participant or I can get swallowed up by it.
Yes it can be discouraging being a writer. It can also be the highest of highs.
TIP OF THE DAY
Reach out to your supporters and tell them how much you appreciate them. We all need them. We all need encouragement. Your core group of staunch supporters will always be there for you, so make damn sure you tell them how important they are to you.
SITE OF THE DAY
If you don’t follow Janet Reid’s blog I strongly suggest you start doing so. She is a fountain of knowledge and I have found her to be very helpful. You can find her by following this link.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
Press 53 Poetry Competition. The deadline is July 31st. Read about it here.
WRITERS OF THE DAY
This shout-out is to all of you. Congratulations on what you have accomplished so far, and I mean that will all seriousness. Very few in the world can do what you do. Be proud of that fact.
MORE NEXT WEEK, OR WHENEVER
I have novels to write so I can’t promise when I’ll post on the blog again. I’m sure you can find something to do until I post again, so no worries. Have a great week.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Bill, just nice to see a bit of an update here today and wish you tons of luck in the next few weeks with your novel writing and so very excited for you still. Have a great afternoon now, my friend! 😉
Thank you Janine. You are always so appreciated by me.
Bill, when I learned of Shadows Kill genre, I immediately thought of Janet Reid. Your book is right up her alley. Too bad she has too much on her plate! But her response to your query is very, very encouraging.
I so relate to your frustration in the time it takes to achieve your goals. I was there. I took a part-time job (as I recently relayed to you) and quit after three days. I realized I was giving in to frustration and wasn’t giving myself a chance. I now have a new outlook on my dream. I’m more motivated and more inspired. In fact, I’m working on another blog post, thanks to my woodpecker friends. But this has no metaphor involved. Rather, it has to do with the pure, unadulterated fascination I’ve gained by watching something I’ve never seen. And it’s awesome!
They, too, have motivated me and brought me back into the right frame of mind. As my brother once told me, “You must first understand regression in order to achieve progression. Then it can be guided but the two must act together. You have to understand that harmony can never be achieved as one. It becomes one when in interaction with the opposite. Cherish it.”
Sha, your brother was right on. I love those words. By the way, my promise was kept…you are in “Shadows Kill.” Let’s hope it gets published so you can read about your character. 🙂
I’m REALLY curious to see who Shauna is in your novel. You’re not going to give me a hint, either, are you?!
The words my brother imparted to me were delivered by one of his Senseis. My bro has a black belt in Aikido and Tai Kwando. Not sure which Sensei imparted that wisdom. From what I know of the two martial arts, I’d surmise it comes from the Aikido mindset.
Sha, hopefully the book will be published. Otherwise you may never know. LOL Let me just say you are a social worker who meets Eli when he’s angry. 🙂
What do I have to do to have you email me a paragraph or two? You know I’m going to buy your book. I’ve read both of your currently published novels. I’m a life-long fan!
I’m curious as hell. Mostly about if your character is Shauna or Sha. Sha is reserved for my family and special friends. If my character is referred to as Sha, I’d hope that it’s because she embraces those she comes in contact with.
I’ve been dying to ask you about this, but didn’t. You brought it up. Now my curiosity is no longer contained….
Sha, you are too funny. The only problem in sending you a few pages is that it will be completely out of context. I guess I’ll just send you the entire chapter and you can figure it out for yourself until the book comes out. 🙂
Hugs and kisses my friend! 🙂
Happy Tuesday Bill–I did notice that things were quiet on your end last week–or at least I looked for you–Have a great week–off to check out that poetry competition
Audrey, thanks for thinking about me. I need to prioritize. I’m not getting done what I want to get done, so something had to give.
I like the quote about the most dangerous real estate being between our own two ears! That goes right along with my writing about emotional health!
I appreciate you, Bill. You are my strongest supporter and have always been there, on all of my hubs and my blog. I really appreciate the feedback you have given me and the encouragement to go forward with my mission and goals! Yes, I noticed that you didn’t write last week, but I also know that you are busy working on new projects. Best of luck to you in getting a publisher!
Thank you so much, Denise. I think I might have missed one of your recent hubs and I’m sorry about that. I’ve had to cut back on my Hub reading as well as other things. These novels will not wait. 🙂
And a very happy 21st April to you too my friend.
Is hard to admit that your last weeks blog I’ve missed when no comment followed. (yay)
Only do not make it a habitude, please; you can live without us, not the contrary. Your words are encouragements, wisdom and a joy learning from your progress in writing a novel through all stages up to publishing. You are appreciated, – I do appreciate you brother beyond my vocabulary , that is why I am sending toward you blessings and best wishes for success and prosperity.
Michael my friend, you are wrong on only one point: I need all of you as much as you say you need me. I draw strength and encouragement from all of you and cherish you all as friends…so thank you and may blessings always be your companion.
Hello Billy, I did notice but I understand that you have you have a lot on your plate at the moment. Now is time to take in a bit of sunshine and enjoy a little bit of soul time. What could be more important now than getting out into the sunshine?
It is good news about the book, almost there but not quite but it will come soon. I doubt it will be long before you receive that all importance acceptance letter.
Best wishes,
Sally
Thank you Sally. We shall see. There are no guarantees in this business, and this book may just sit on the shelf and collect dust. Who really knows? I hope you are right.
Great to hear you had some rest away from the keyboard. All the keys were happy for the rest as well. A great deal was accomplished Bill, you are an inspiration to all of us…
Hugs and Blessings
Aww, thanks, Rolly. I’m just trying to be the man I was meant to be. A full-time job, that. 🙂
That good news, Bill. Wishing you the best of luck with your queries.
Thank you Zulma. I have the feeling I’ll be needing a great deal of luck. 🙂
OK Bill, try number 2; this happened last week also, where I commented and it did not go through. It is probably operator trouble, aka, me. 🙂
Yes, I DID notice you were MIA last week, but with your notifications to your hub friends that you were cutting back, there were no concerns, only wishes for your great success and you and your muse were probably at full speed. (LOVE the muse write up you did).
I can’t wait to read your new character (Sha) in your completed version. Wondering if Janet Reid could steer you toward another agent? Just a thought.
I will be so excited to see the finished product, and I KNOW it will be a success.
Glad you planted and rested over the weekend. You deserve it, and it gives your brain a reprieve. I have found that writing can be mentally exhausting.
Take care of Bev and the critters, and I hope to get to your other writes this week which I have kept in my inbox…My father in law turns 90 this weekend so I am busy planning a dinner, ordering cakes and cupcakes, and the ‘c’ word: cleaning.
God bless always, until another ‘artistry’ pops up. I did get that clipping back…I think a snail with sleeping sickness delivered it about 3 weeks later…re-sent it to you, but I imagine it will come to you by covered wagon. Ignore the scribbles on the back of the envelope…my mistake. PLEASE let me know if you received this. Sparklea
Lea, you are so sweet. I received the snail mail yesterday. Thank you so much for your persistence and for thinking about me. I truly do appreciate you and your continued support and friendship. What a blessings true friends are. 🙂
Bill, as always you have always kept me on my toes since your blogs inspire me to go on and on like an ever-ready battery 🙂
Wishing you luck in your new novel…10k already penned down!!
Wow!
I am just framing a plot in my mind and drawing a flow chart on paper 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, Ruchira, and best wishes on that plot of yours.
Hi Bill, of course I noticed you took the week off – and that’s why I had reached over for my Bill fix 🙂 It’s great to read your new post and learn that you are 10,000 words into your next book – wowowow!! I am so impressed by you and your writing projects. Hugs to you, my friend!
Thank you Christy. I always enjoy hearing from you. You are such a happy person, supportive, full of life. I need more people like you in my life. Hugs to you, my friend.
Congratulations on finishing your final edits, Bill!
Thank you so much, Melissa! I appreciate it.
Bill, I appreciate you! 🙂
I celebrate your redirection. I know you work SO hard. I have absolute confidence that your dreams will become your reality. And I know that in spite of your frustration you do too because you’re so far into the sequel of Shadows. You rock!
Cristen, I know you understand when I say I don’t have “quit” in me. Hard work will pay off eventually…for both of us. Thank you kind lady.