A Hearty Thanks

Fire She-Ra Avatar

Just wanted to pop in and say “Thank You!” today. I told you either late last year (or earlier this one) that my intent for this website was to focus on my publishing endeavors while highlighting some day-to-day aspects of my employment and life here in the Mad, Mad City.

My goal, while not I didn’t express this overtly, was to emphasize my work as a creator by spotlighting new publications and minimize the draw to my marketing or business-related content. I rearranged my website which allowed me to blog about life, the universe, and everything in a varied, haphazard fashion to share with you who I am as opposed to focusing on articles that educate or demand that you listen. You’ve responded to the change. Now, my publication announcements are the most-read on this site and you’ve also been following my blog more readily than you have in the past. For that? I say “THANK YOU!”

I know a few of you are disappointed that I’m not blogging about business-related activities very frequently anymore. I feel there’s enough free commentary and other ephemera here to give you a sample of what I’ve done (and the teeniest taste of what I can do). I’m always open to writing paid articles on a variety of non-fiction subject, but now that I have a repertoire of sample business-related articles/posts out in the wilds, I feel if anyone wants more hands-on consulting from me, you can always contact me and ask for my rates.

For those of you who joined me later this year, part of the reason why I used to blog about more nuts and bolts business-related topics (whether they be job-related or not) is because most writers cannot afford to live off of their works. I’m a strong believer in “pay it forward.” Remember, a lot of Creative Writing programs don’t talk about the fiscal realities of writing. I hope that what I’ve posted on the site will help you determine your own path in a sensible, pragmatic fashion (while still reaching for the stars!).

2013 is going to be a VERY exciting year in a lot of ways. I can’t wait! Yay!

    Mood: Inspired
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: If I said less than the day before, that would be a lie.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: The Gym.
    In My Ears: Winter Rhapsody by Nox Arcana
    Game Last Played: Dragon Age: Awakenings
    Movie Last Viewed: The Lord of the Rings trilogy
    Latest Artistic Project: In progress!
    Latest Release: “The Dig” The Lovecraft eZine Issue No. 19
December 11, 2012
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Truth In Less Freak-Outs

Hellboy Avatar

I’m finally getting back in the swing of “work,” and I’m falling in love with it again. Mind you, there’s a reason for this, and I feel that that was eloquently put here:

When I shifted from my day job at Weekly World News to fulltime freelance, I was advised that 80% of my time would be spent seeking work and the remainder actually doing the work. We’re out there selling ourselves constantly – partly it’s why we blog and chat and do conventions and book signings and so on. You need to throw something like five times as many projects out there as there is time to actually write one. Salesmen chase five times the number of leads to bring in the one real sale so it’s all the same. — SOURCE: No Need For a Writer To Be Discouraged by Bob Greenberger



I find that 80/20 rule to be true, even if you have residual income coming in. The trick is finding that residual income stream (e.g. royalties or what have you) and balancing that with your non-“work” time online. That’ll give you a little more flexibility when you’re seeking out new publishing opportunities.

Of course, work/life balance is always something to be managed. Freak-outs not required. But in spite of everything? The words, like spice, must still flow.

    Mood: Soooooper-genious.
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Um…
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: The Gym.
    In My Ears: The screams of my victims cats.
    Game Last Played: Dragon Age: Awakenings
    Movie Last Viewed: Despicable Me
    Latest Artistic Project: In progress!
    Latest Release: “The Dig” The Lovecraft eZine Issue No. 19
December 5, 2012
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Excuse Me While I Write My Ass Off

Fizgig Avatar

So, those closest to me know that yeah… It’s easy to whine about how hard writers work. For most of us slogs, you have to write a lot before someone will even acknowledge you exist. It’s not just getting readers, it’s finding publishers who’ll take a chance on your work, an agent who’ll also be a good business partner, sorting out the right opportunities, discovering good collaborators — and not losing your mind/going broke/isolating yourself from all humanity in the process. Which, I suppose, is why so many writers are on Twitter/Facebook/Pinterest, etc. in the first place.

Still…

Getting the words out. That is the most important thing. I’ve often said you can’t bank a career on writing one novel and for those that were successful at it — well, good for them!!! The alternative is more realistic. Words. A lot of them. And you only have so much time to write them, too.

It’s now been a few months since my last day at Steve Jackson Games. I’ve been working with Dork Storm Press and there are some… Phew… AWESOME new developments. (For example: Kobolds Ate My Baby is now available in digital!!!) Others, you’ll see next year.

But for myself? Writing was still fairly sporadic this year with respect to my original work. It was a priority in my mind; but my heart wasn’t in it. It felt impossible. A setback or two hit me, especially when I was relying on other people to come through for my project, and I felt like I was doing this on my own and there’s no one else to “help.”

And that is true. There isn’t ANYONE ELSE who can get the words out but me (or you). Respect isn’t given, it’s earned, and even if you have dozens of novels out there — you may not get it. I know that. It’s just how it is. For some, you won’t get that respect until you make a certain amount, have a set amount of readers, get a contract, have the right agent. Blah, blah, blah. And sometimes, the respect of one’s peers can matter and take its toll on your psyche. (To say that it doesn’t, well… I’m sorry but even the writers who told me they were BLUE in the face that nobody else’s opinion matters were lying.)

But sometimes, even though your bank account depends on it, you need a little push. Or a BIG push. To get you off that “I don’t want to… Shit! This is so much work!” cliff. Maybe you’ve been there before. Maybe you haven’t. Maybe I’ve been there before (I have) — and maybe I needed something to shove me out of my airplane again.

And I got that. I did. It came in the form of what I said I needed for a long, long time. Feedback. Positive, glorious, interactive feedback from multiple directions all at once on my own stories. Amazing how little it takes to get me writing like a crazy woman again. Well, I’ll take that inspiration. AND, I’ll do my best to inspire once again. Because at the end of the day, dear Reader, I don’t want to be known as the frustrated writer who whined and moaned and kevetched all the time — I’d rather be known for the stories I’ve told.

I am EXCITED about my work and I cannot tell you how good this feels. Well, maybe I can. I averaged 8K a day last week and I pledged to write 100K this month!

TIME TO DIVE BACK IN!

    Mood: Teary-eyed determination with a side of f*?! it!!!
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Not enough. It’s never enough.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: A walk and ow!
    In My Ears: FLASH! WHOA-OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
    Game Last Played: Dragon Age: Awakenings
    Movie Last Viewed: Despicable Me
    Latest Artistic Project: In progress!
    Latest Release: “The Dig” The Lovecraft eZine Issue No. 19
December 3, 2012
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On The Need To Assess Self-Promotional Time

You're An Idiot, Starscream

Originally, this was going to be a sarcastic, writer meta-fiction post, but I found that it was a little more snarky/mean than I wanted it to be — so instead a short cautionary word of caution on self-promotion. Namely, how can you tell if it’s worth it? If you’re doing too much? Not enough?

Self-promotion stops being effective when it cuts into your ability to earn money.

Note that I did not say “write” or “deliver projects on time.” I said “money” — and for a reason. Self-promotion has a cost benefit to it that only YOU can assess. If you think about writing as a career and not just as a hobby you pick up on every second Saturday of the month — the money you make is the reason why you write. Only you can assess what your satisfactory write/get paid balance is, but I can tell you that self-promotion can be a huge time sink — especially if you’re replacing the time you spend on writing with administrivia and publicity. That, my dear Readers, is what a publicist/agent/business manager does.

People work in full-time careers as publicists and marketers earning money to promote a person, company, or product. You, on the other hand, aren’t getting paid directly to self-promote.

Yes, I know that you could Tweet about your book and get a sale off of it. I’m saying “direct pay” as in a “salary” for marketing full-time here. This last statement was also meant as a reality check. The hours you’re devoting to this means you’re effectively working as your own unpaid publicity intern in addition to everything else you’re doing.

Self-promotion won’t replace words on a blank page.

While I feel the modern-era (e.g. slogs like me whose career hasn’t yet taken off) writer now has to wear more hats, self-promotion should complement your work and not supplant it. Remember, there’s really no limit on what you can do for self-promotion.

I feel (strongly so) that everything you’re doing must come back to planning and what you want to get out of your efforts. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to a bookstore to do a reading or sit online on Reddit waiting for people to ask you questions: whatever you do has to bolster your bottom line, so don’t be afraid to be analytic about it.

Because at the end of the day, you need something to promote: novella, short story, game, novel, etc. Otherwise, why sell yourself as a writer if you don’t plan on writing?

    Mood: Focused
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Max, Max Pepsi MAX to the MAX!
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Ask me again when I’m not feeling guilty.
    In My Ears: My Whiny UK-ish Boy Band itunes playlist
    Game Last Played: Dragon Age: Origins
    Movie Last Viewed: Spiderman the new one.
    Latest Artistic Project: In progress!
    Latest Release: “The Dig” The Lovecraft eZine Issue No. 19
November 30, 2012
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Win Free eBooks from FlamesRising.com

Celtic Wheel

A short overly-enthusiastic update today, for I am stuck in the wilds of well, the wilds and there’s really nothing to be done except write my way through it. So here goes:

Interested in free eBooks? (I hope, if you’re reading my website, that you are. . .) If you’re answer is “YES, PLEASE!” then visit this link at FlamesRising.com to add your favorite snippet of writing advice and celebrate NaNoWriMo.

There are already a few contestants who’ve proffered their glorious pieces of encouragement, but there’s still time to enter. . . The contest ends on Midnight CST, November 15th — that’s this Thursday!

Huzzah!

(Back to it then.)

    Mood: Yessssssss? May I help you?
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Ask me later.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Bendy, twisty-related activities.
    In My Ears: You don’t want to know. Seriously.
    Game Last Played: Dragon Age: Origins
    Movie Last Viewed: MirrorMask
    Latest Artistic Project: In progress!
    Latest Release: “Fangs and Formaldehyde” from the New Hero anthology through Stone Skin Press
November 12, 2012
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