Happy June to you all! My goodness gracious, where does the time go?
Obviously there are fewer and fewer of these blog posts. I’m sure you are ecstatic about that. LOL The thing is, I’m obsessed with writing my novels right now, so this blog continues to slip further down the Priority Ladder.
Oh well!
In fact, I recently let me website lapse without payment, so my online presence is shrinking as we speak.
Oh well!
I know, I know, this flies directly against the flow of established logic. I hear people saying “you have to continue to grow your online portfolio,” and “how do you expect to be successful without a website or continual blog posts?”
And to those people I say this: I am a writer. My first job is to learn my craft. I am not satisfied with my writing as of this moment, so I’m concentrating totally on being an excellent writer.
The horse before the cart instead of the cart before the horse.
And I continue to try to entice an agent or publisher to handle my books. Again, flying in the face of established logic. “Shadows Kill” just sits in my computer. Few people have read it. Few will. I could make it an ebook but I don’t want to. It’s as simple as that!
So that’s what’s happening with me. How about you?
This will not be a normal blog entry. All I want to do today is hear about you. What’s happening in your writing career? Tell me in the comments. Share with us all how your progress is coming along. I want to hear about you!
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
I haven’t written anything in a month maybe more and I feel so guilty about it. Feels like I’m just stuck somehow and have nothing interesting to write about. My blogs are suffering and I’ve not written a word on HubPages in almost forever. Hopefully I’ll get my mojo back soon.
Hopefully you will, Susan! I’m sending good vibes your way, and thank you for visiting.
Aw, Bill I too have been on my blog a bit less with the end of the year for both my girls with school looming and end of the year activities for them, as well as Emma being sick yet again with pneumonia. We were back at the doctor today to find out poor thing has pneumonia again, which is the second time since last November now. But otherwise, am here online, but just a bit less I suppose, as well. Wishing you a great rest of the day and week, too now.
I’m sorry to hear that, Janine. I hate hearing that little kids are sick. I always feel so helpless…I hope things improve soon. Thank you for taking the time to share that with me.
Hi Bill! I am getting something published! I am thrilled. And participating in an online poetry group–so writing most days, some days are better though, than others–Hang in there–
So excited for you, Audrey! Congratulations and best wishes. It couldn’t happen to a finer writer. 🙂
I am also neglecting Hubpages as I am very unhappy with their system. Like you Bill, I am also knee-deep into another book that I am really feeling quite proud of. A bit of a hint: it is completely about items we should have learned in school, but we wasn’t taught anything about them.
On the freelancing front, I have been very busy writing many articles. My main client is Parttime Commander.com where I have been writing many military based articles, and I also have to keep my website up to date. It is http://lancerlife.com and I have been getting a lot of attention there.
Life is good except the water situation here in Puerto Rico. We are on rationing. I need a shower–LOL–I guess I better go for a swim in the ocean.
Have a great day Bill.
Greg, I’m glad to hear things are going well for you. I think it’s important to feel pride in the books we write, so I’m glad to hear you say that. As for the water situation, I love your solution. I hope it gets better there soon. Thanks for sharing and blessings to you always.
It is interesting that you should ask! I got a call a couple of weeks ago from the people at the Enrichment Program where I have signed up to teach classes in Emotional Health and they asked if I would be willing to expand my reach with professional development classes. They said that one of my proposals would work well in that venue. I told them that I was definitely interested. I am now signed up for two professional development sessions, as well as six other classes that I will teach over the next year. I use my Emotional Survival Handbook as the course text, and receive payment for both my time teaching, and the publication of the book. I am looking for other avenues as well.
Denise, that is fabulous news, my friend. I am so, so happy for you. Thanks for sharing that uplifting bit of information.
Hi Bill:
Love the logic, after a while you have to stop and ask yourself who you are writing for. For me it seemed like I was always answering comments or commenting. Te end result is the writing was set aside… Great advise…
Hugs from Canada
Hey, Rolly, thanks for stopping by. I’m now an author, and that’s where my efforts must go. I’ll stay in touch with everyone, but like you, there is too much time being spent commenting and answering comments, and that’s not writing.
hugs back atcha
Agreed… stay in touch my friend… we all love you.
Will do, buddy! Love to you!
My writing/editing career is not going as well as I would like. The work is sporadic at best. I’m busy looking for work both in writing and outside the home. Right now, outside the home has to take a front seat. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. I went about my business all wrong. I quit a good paying job and depended on savings to get me through until I had a strong enough client base. That was stupid on my part, but I was so fed up with the politics at my job that I convinced myself I’d get through okay. But feast or famine does not allow for one to pay ongoing expenses.
So, it is what it is. I’m looking for work but not in construction. I’ll still try to build my business and write when I can, but I’m afraid it has to play second fiddle in the orchestra of my life – at least for now.
I’m glad to hear you’re concentrating on your novels. That’s where your heart is.
Sha, like you said, it is what it is. I don’t think what you did was stupid. It was the decision you made at the time based on a ton of factors. It didn’t work out….so you move on and make new decisions. Lord knows you tried your hardest to make the writing work for you. Best wishes to you, dear friend. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, gosh! Bill, I don’t even know where to start. Maybe I’ll start with, “I hear you!” Keeping up with the social presence is harder than keeping up with the Kardashians, that’s for sure. I have toned way down on my social life. I am trying to make money to pay off some huge medical bills, so I have compromised my personal writing goals. I spend more time writing for other people than I do for myself. At one point I thought I wanted to write a novel, then I had fun with writing short stories, but I keep going back to writing screen plays. I have the most success with that. I have family members in the industry (great for that first introduction). So, I think I’m going to end up going in that direction. I absolutely love the entertainment business. It’s exciting, yet it allows me to come home and enjoy the most simple lifestyle a person could imagine. When it’s time to work, we work. And, when the work is done, it’s time to relax and enjoy life. I’m not rolling in the dough. I’m not living high on the hog. In fact, I’m living like many starving artists… at the poverty line. But what most people cherish about money, I cherish about life. I have the best friends in the world and that’s valuable to me. Do I want to write the next blockbuster screen play? Hell yeah! But, if I don’t ever become famous for my talent, I’m still a happy girl. With people like you in my life, I’m winning!
Aww, Marlene, that was sweet of you. It warms my heart to hear how you are doing and how you have your priorities straight. Now if we could just clone you about 300 million times, this country would be in better shape. 🙂 Good for you, my friend. Thanks for weighing in and I’ll be seeing you soon.
Thank you, Bill. You are too kind.
Hi Billy,
I have been having some time out in a way. I have been creating products using my images in an attempt to boost my income on http://www.zazzle.co.uk/sallybeashop. I like seeing my photographs on the products, but thus far I have not received any income. At least having a shop on Zaddle is free and I guess it is early days! Perhaps Xmas will be a much better time for sales!
Every now and then I pick up a bargain at a car boot. I picked up a really great little Singer 221 last week for a fiver and I know I can get pretty close to £200 for it:) The problem is that it is such a little beauty that I may find it hard to be parted from it. I am a real sucker for these little beauties. Don’t laugh, I have three and I won’t be parted for the 222 I have. Such a beautiful piece of engineering. I am just grateful that I am able to turn in a good profit at times, finding a bargain can ease the financial pressure a little
Whilst I enjoy writing on HubPages I do find the level of income there depressing even though I am aware that I have more visitors than many and am regularly receiving some income. Guess it depends on the niche one is writing in.
After having built up quite a following on Twitter, I notice that there are many people willing to do a review on books, perhaps this might be a way forward for you! I would do a search in your specific niche. I think you may be surprised at how many reviewers there are out there.
Are you pinning your articles to Pinterest? A huge percentage of my traffic comes from there and it may bring in rewards.
Have you considered using your domain name on a site such as Weebly where you create one for free? It would be a shame to allow your domain name lapse. The site is easy to use and you can use your existing domain name. The ready-made templates always good and you will be up and running in no time!
You have a great week Billy,
Sally
Good to hear from you, Sally. Thanks for all the suggestions but this was supposed to be about you. 🙂 I love your creativity and I have faith that you will be discovered in the future. Darkest just before the dawn, remember. And when you do become rich and famous, I’ll be able to say I knew you when you were just a commoner like the rest of us. 🙂
bill
Hi, Bill. I’m more productive than normal due to a simple schedule change. instead of waiting till I’m full switched on, I begin tackling my emails first thing while sipping my first cuppa. By the time I’m done, I feel ready to tackle the housework and my writing. How funny is that.
I’m currently doing character studies for a story that I believe I can stretched into a novel. I’ve already written about the heroine’s appearance, personality, likes and dislikes and have described the neighbourhood she grew up in. Next, is her relationships with her family and friends.
I’m also doing product reviews for a well-known beauty company. They send me free samples and I tell them what I think. Save loads on money on lotions and potions this way.:)
I also have to prepare some topics for discussion for my writers’ group. This month they want submission guidelines for magazines. I’ll probably just bring in my copy of Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook and highlight its main points.
Hmmm…I am a busy lady. 😀
Anyway, I’m going to enjoy this beautiful summer’s day. You do the same.
Zulma, it’s good to hear from you. Yes, you are a busy lady, but you are also a happy one, and that makes me smiles. Thank you for sharing all that with us…I find it interesting to know what other writers do during their day.
Hi Bill,
Lovely to see you and I know you have been busy with not just your writing but by putting your DIY skills to great use! I know I deserve a slap on the behind for being a snail in slow motion so no excuses . . .ouch! two thirds completed and I just seem to be stuck with my article, not sure why as I really want to publish it up on HP and yes I am nervous. Has Suzie still got it?
Thanks for your constant encouragement and faith my friend, you seriously ROCK!!
Have a wonderful week my friend.
Irish, no more slaps from me. You’ll finish it when you finish it, and I have no doubt it will be wonderful and helpful to others. Until then, I’ll just enjoy your friendship and smile when I hear from you. 🙂
bill
Hi Bill, its good to catch up! Hope you’ll find the right publisher soon, your book should be read, not floating around in Cloud, the hard work will pay off sooner or later.
As for me, I’m learning to prioritise, some things are far too important to push aside indefinitely, right now it’s family first. I do want to publish, but only when I know I have something worth publishing.
I’m currently doing some research and reading a few books, and of course I’m writing my butt off. However, I’m not totally happy with the children’s book,’The adventures of Prewitt’ but I’m working on it and have rewritten a good chunk of the story, I think I’m getting there.
What I’d really love to do is to publish a book of my poems, so I’m reworking some of the old ones and writing a few new verses. HP takes up far too much of my time, I’m placing it on the back burner for now.
My best to you and Bev, hang in there with the book, your
determination will win the day. Blessing always, Jo.
Jo, it’s always good to hear from you. Thanks for letting me know how you are doing. I think you’ve got your head on straight…family first….then your work…HP falls way down the list and I understand. I’m about to cut way back on HP now that I hit my goal.
Blessings to you always, my friend.
HI, Bill. I am not writing anything here since more than a year after joining hubpages. I am sometimes guilty of it and sometimes let it go. I don’t know how to manage things and how to find topics and perhaps time also. I am glad to see you are active here as everywhere.
Thank you for letting me know how you are doing. Do not be frustrated with the writing process. It will happen when it happens and not a minute before. 🙂 Blessings to you always.
Hi Bill … I love reading your blog, however many times you decide to put it out. And focusing on writing “the big stuff” seems like a logical plan to me. You have to put your efforts where your biggest rewards lie, and I am sure you will find your publisher/agent soon.
As for me, I am very busy teaching, and all that pesky paperwork that goes with the end of the year. I get so overwhelmed this time of the year, but I will be finished in just over two weeks. My blog has sat for six weeks: I feel pretty stagnant for ideas right now. I will be teaching for another year, and hope to be able to ready to pursue writing more completely after that. We’ll see what happens, though! I do miss full-time writing so, so much!!
Sharilee, it’s good to hear from you. I’m glad to hear school is almost out for you and you can rest up. I remember how hectic the end of year always is, so best wishes to you. As for writing, it will happen when it happens. Maybe you’ll find inspiration this summer after you’ve had a chance to rest up.
Hey Bill. Great blog, and best of success to you around your work on your novels (with a summer lemonade toast held up)!
Right now I am getting back in the groove of writing a hub a week after not having done so since January. I hope to also publish a post on my Word Press blog, which I have allowed to lapse in the past year or so…and to publish another blog post on my page at She Writes.
I also have a novel that I am at the stage of getting my feet wet in. I have a possible prologue and some character notes….but need to do some more research, too. Working on what universal, archetypal themes might be woven throughout helps me focus. Don’t have a working title for it yet, but that’s okay. I will eventually.
One of my priorities is leading my writing group, since that is one of my muses for generating new material of any sort. One of my goals for the summer is to get my “Haikus for New Parents” from Hub Pages into a chapbook to sell. I have a friend who is willing to sell it in her shop.
Thanks again for this opportunity to reflect on my present writing life.
Karen, it’s always nice hearing from you. It sounds like you have some great plans and a timetable for them. Good for you. I hope the summer brings you everything you hope for.
Big Bro, your ability to steadfastly focus on what exactly it is you want has always been an inspiration to me. I love how you’re focused on your novel.
And, interestingly, I was speaking with someone about how I STILL want to be a writer and an artist, but life had other plans for me: to be in education. At least for the time being. Stuff just “clicks” into place when I decide to go the “help the kids” route. Not that writing or art doesn’t: but those two roads have always represented a tough, uphill battle for me.
Perhaps one day in the not-too-distant future I will be able to do something with it. For now, I still in the throes of new-job transition, finished closing on one house and closing on the next in a couple weeks.
Funny how life works, isn’t it?
It’s weird now that I look back, that I got so sucked into the social media aspect of writing and art that when it came to the actual production of writing and art, I faltered (between 2012 and 2014). I didn’t have enough focus.
But I learned oh so many lessons. So many lessons that are – daily – impacting my life and have made me realize that when I “leaped” from that unhappy job in 2012 that, ultimately, it would lead to the awesome one I have now. 🙂
I have no idea what the future will bring. And I’m naturally open to new adventures and experiences, as long as I have a home base. We’re moving into town: it’s something I’ve wanted to do for about the last six years – to be closer to J’s mom and many things that matter to us: being near family, being near friends, being near greenways to take our animals…etc. You know, those important things.
Where we lived was a sanctuary. But, it was SO far out that we had no social life. It was SO far out and tucked into a little hollow that it was always cold and hard to do any kind of farming. We couldn’t even get chickens because our friends lived so far away that we couldn’t hardly get a soul to come watch the house when we traveled. Haha.
Alas, now, we’re moving into a new house that had grapevines. We already intend on resurrecting those. Oh my goodness, this house has such a history. And I can’t wait to write about it. 😀 Maybe even get some chickens now that we’ll be a mile away from my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law.
Anyways, I’ve written a novel here. But, I hope you have a great day! Back to work for me. 🙂 (I don’t have the kids right now like I do during the school year so I have a little more freedom in my day to write a comment on my favorite blogs here and there…)
HuGs!
Hey Lil Sis! I love your attitude. You are so full of life. No matter what you decide to do, you find wonder in it….so childlike, but in saying that I almost feel like I insulted you, and that wasn’t my intention. I admire that quality….Bev has it…no matter what happens and no matter what changes occur, she sees positive adventures ahead. I’m so damned logical that I dissect a new experience so I can deal with it. LOL
I’m happy for you. I’m excited for you. Sending a big hug your way.
bill