Indie Life: Busy Little Bee

Hosted by the Indelibles, Indie Life is a monthly feature on the second Wednesday of the month.  This is a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.

*Goes running after head* I can’t help but feel that way at the moment.  My head has been removed and I’m chasing after it.  I’m so busy these days I’ve not had time to post, well, anything really.  Thank goodness for the Google reminder that I had to post. It’s a welcome break. 

I think what the main problem is I have too many irons in the fire.  Not that I don’t love being busy. It gives me less time for doubt or fear that way, lol. But still. There’s only so much one person can do after all. 

So what am I doing? You wonder. Well, let me tell you. ^_^

I’ve got an innocent NA on the desk of my NEW and FABULOUS editor. Anna from AGC Editing and Services. She is prompt, friendly and cost efficient. I love having her as part of my writing crew. It’s taken a huge burden off me THANK YOU whoever granted that wish. 

I’ve also got a book outstanding now, with a couple of beta readers. While I hope there’s nothing wrong, I really, really wish they’d at least answer an email. I was supposed to have those back on the 5^th… yeah, didn’t happen so that’s a frustrating worry. I’m not sure what to do about it but send yet, another email. Even if they haven’t gotten to it, I’d still like to know, you know?

I started a YA Paranormal. Starring rabid vampires (that act like wild dogs really) and a dystopian society. A few thousand words in I was giving myself nightmares so I had to stop writing that. >_< Well, not stop entirely, but not live in it for three hours of a day. Which apparently is enough to make my sleep less than pleasant. 

I’ve got an outline for two NA Contemporaries completed.  One is… controversial to say the least and I’m really debating whether or not I should go beyond the outline on that one.  It’s certainly not any more shocking that some of the suicide or gay pride stories I’ve read from the genre (it’s not about either), but at the same time… I know it’s going to generate a lot of interest and not necessarily the good kind just from its topic.  Part of me feels it needs to be written and the other part is scared of the outcome and what it’s going to take to write it. The other is a simple romance, that really isn’t that simple, but fun, I hope. 

I’ve got to decide though, on what to write next. I can’t sit stagnant much longer or the voices will drive me insane. Since I’m only writing the Vamp thing a few thousand words at a time (if I have that many to write) I need something else for full time writing. I just can’t decide on what. 

I’ve also signed up for a free course from CourseSera.  It’s titled “Crafting an Effective Writer: Tools of the Trade”. I think it’ll be fun and it certainly can’t hurt any. Besides anything that could potentially make me a better writer is good for the soul. 

So that's been my busy month. ^_^ How was yours?

 

Indie Life: The Challenge

Hosted by the Indelibles, Indie Life is a monthly feature on the second Wednesday of the month.  This is a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.

Hello everyone!  I have to apologize for the late posting. I’m going insane. >_< More insane than last month actually. 

Release day came and went of course.  It was a great relief and the two week blog tour after that was fun and entertaining.  I’ve got some great reviews out of it which pleases me. ^_^  I’ve also met some cool people and really enjoyed the interaction after months of solitary writing and editing.  

It probably wouldn’t have gone so well if I hadn’t had the wonderful Mel over at Girls Heart Books Tours.  She is so efficient it’s scary and rather relieving as well.  She’s definitely an indie lover which is great and her prices are SUPER reasonable which is weight off my shoulders. 

So now about the crazy part.  I’ve got my first book out, it’s reasonably loved, what could be so crazy now?  Well, let me tell you.

Shannon Delany, author of the 13 to Life series, and Weather Witch posted a challenge on her Facebook that she wanted to do with friends.  I’d be a fangirl poser if I called myself a friend, but we’ve had some decent chit chats so I’m not a stranger.  Anyway, I digress.  

The challenge is 70,000 words in two weeks or fourteen days if you’re looking at it the way I did.  In my arrogance (I’ve got a book out this shouldn’t be too hard) I took her up on it. Here’s a link for the exact details.  

Today is day four of this insanity and while I feel like I’m DYING I am holding my own pretty well. I set aside four hours to write everyday and with my outline I’m getting it done.  There are times, while I’m at work or driving when I think of the finer details of the chapter I’m working on but so far I’m staying consistent on the word count.  

As much as I’m in a love/hate relationship with this I’m recommend trying it for my indie friends.  Why?  Because if you’re like me and you work a day job to pay the bills you don’t have the luxury of getting stuck.  It really helps to put down the ideas.  Trust me it’s not pretty.  However, it’s very effective at getting a basic draft out.  Especially for the procrastinators.  (I am one, I take no shame in the claim.)

I’ll even do it again with you if you let me know when you’re doing it.  >_< Just wait until May/June so I can get some sleep first. ^_^ Who would like to volunteer first?

Much love,

Join in on the fun?:

GIVEAWAY!

Goodreads giveaway is finally up! ^_^ PLEASE share with friends!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Of Gaea

by Victoria Escobar

Giveaway ends March 20, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

I'm so excited! Who doesn't love a FREE AUTOGRAPHED book? ^_^ Please enter.

Chaos Ensues...

I'm truly very sorry I haven't been around. As D-Day approaches I feel myself stretching thinner and thinner... I'm excited to announce Of Gaea is in the final stages of prep. We will be go for launch in T minus Fifteen days. Just seeing it typed on the screen like that makes me giddy and anxious.

However, since I've been pulling excerpts for the blog tour with Girls Heart Books Blog Tours, I thought I should give you one, as an apology for my absence. It's bound to happen again...

At the end of the hall, Leonidas pushed on a tile in the wall. The panel slid open to reveal an elevator. It was just as brightly lit as the main gallery which made the ride down a little more tolerable. Ari had no idea how far down they went before the elevator dinged to a stop.

When the doors opened there were books as far as the eyes could see. They disappeared into the shadows. There were no windows and the lights were dim. Several of them flickered, dangerously close to blowing out. It made the entire room look like something out of a horror movie.

“Charming.” Sasha quipped. “Do you keep your coffin down here, too?”

^_^ That's all I'm going to tease you with tonight. I give love to you all and be safe.

New Year's Pondering...

I haven’t made a New Year’s Resolution in some time.  It’s not something I think about all year long, so it’s not really something I ponder at the end of every year.  Instead I usually reflect on what I did and what I hope to accomplish in the future.  Whether it be in the near future or some distant future. 

I’ve gained some new friends over the year and lost some old ones.  I started the year in school and ended it in a period of rest.  I lost a job I liked for one I enjoy more. 

I got to meet some fabulous authors at signing events and even had some memorable conversations with several of them.  I’ve also learned a lot from the seasoned writers. 

One of the most important things I’ve grown into is my writing.  I’ve always loved to create though I didn’t realize the extent of it until I dived into the writing world.  I’ve still got a lot to learn about it, but the act of writing is more soothing than I have ever imagined it could be. 

I’ve done a lot of reading this past year as well.  Not enough to meet the reading goal I set for myself but enough that I can say I’ve definitely learned from it.  I’m definitely going to try harder to meet a reasonable reading goal for myself. What number do you think is reasonable? In 2011 I read 80 books and in 2012 only 64. The average is 72.  Maybe I’ll make that my goal. ^_^ 

I want to write more too.  I don’t think I spend enough time every day writing to consider myself growing from the experience.  I want to grow and learn everything I can.  With a finished manuscript in the final phases before publishing and a second manuscript in process I think it’s important to continue to learn and grow into my writing as much as possible. 

Of course I plan on going to more signings and perhaps a book convention or two.  Of course I want to go to more anime conventions as well.  I’m looking forward to all the fun to be had. 

What are your plans for the future?  Anything fun? ^_^