NaNoWriMo Thoughts, Feelings, and Tips

Hi,

One day, I will get this blogging thing back to its hay day. In the meantime, I'll keep on keeping on. I've had a lot of new releases, and more to come. But I'm most happy that I've kept writing through the worst year I've had since...a long time.

Okay, NaNoWriMo is a huge writing online camp. You do fun things, reach out, meet up with peeps you might never have become connected to otherwise. I've become a part of a group that is so positive and means a lot. New for me. But I think, that in the hoopla of reaching that 50k words written goal, people forget the purpose. The purpose is to get you to write, to stretch your  comfort zone, to reach for a goal that might seem impossible. Now, it doesn't show it on NaNo stats because I didn't remember to finalize the official word count, but I've only lost one year that I've done it.

That's not to brag. In fact, I had to work very hard to do it with all that's going on. The thing is, use NaNo to do what you need it to do. I use it to get back into the habit of making writing a priority. If you don't win, but you wrote at least 5 days a week, you're a huge winner. You now have words you didn't have before. If you're a new writer, this is especially important. The first couple hundred thousand words you write tend to not be your best. LOL

Since I've made 50k words this year outside of NaNo, I've made a stretch goal of 75-100k. That's insane, but I'm at 38,627 and I haven't written yet today. (Too bad can't count blog and emails! lol I'd be way over my 100k mark :P). Do you see that number? I've been ill, my kids have been ill, I've had no money (can't go to write ins, stress of power being turned off, etc.), and multiple hours spent at doctor's offices, and I've still managed. How? I've worked late at night, cut sleep back to 6 hours...if I'm lucky. Remember those sick kids? Sigh.

In case you're new here, I have 5 kids, one grandkid, and one daughter in law. I have three still at home, and they are all in different schools. They have been bringing something home from each school, and like good little kids, have shared with everyone. I've not gone one whole week without someone being sick. I'm ready for it to be done now. ANYWAY.

The point is to push yourself further than you believed possible, to make yourself go. I had to change strides. The one I was on just wasn't coming. I have more wordage on the shorts (I'm putting together something for Carina, cross fingers) that were supposed to be extras than on my main project. However, the new project is moving along nicely. I hope to really push it the last week. I'm also hoping to get some write in time, time away from family responsibility to really focus on my writing. But even if that doesn't happen, I am going to make my 50k goal. I am probably going to make the 75k goal. The real stretch will be that 100k goal. Who needs sleep :P

For those who have struggled in the past, here's a past blog post with some helpful hints and tips to make it through a successful NaNo!

Don't forget, the biggest plus is learning how to consistently put out words, regardless of the count! The new friends, reconnect with old friends, is just a bonus!

As a closing, I'd like to remind everyone, I have a new tagline for my artistic life and a youtube channel (Only have one video, but have started the planning for more. It's a learning curve for me. LOL), and I've put out quite a few books available across many venues, and continuing to add more books to more venues. To keep up on everything, you can sign up for my newsletter on the side bar, or here.


That tagline? The Next Leonardo da Vinci. Or, The Next Leona-rdo da Vinci.

The newsletter encompasses art and writing, and any other skill I want to show off, but mainly art and writing. Please, come follow me! When I get to where I want to be, it'll be once a week. Right now, I'm working hard for once a month. :)

Your Book. Your Business. Number 2

Your Book. Your Business. Number two in a series.

 

It’s Tuesday and my assistant tells me I’m to write about writing. *hangs head* I forgot to do my art one yesterday, so writing this early and getting it ready on time. We started talking about reading your contract. Remember, don’t get suckered into paying for something that’s already yours, or signing away rights that are yours.

Continuing on in the same vein, I had a situation. As many know, I’ve had a lot of health issues over the last five years. I still found time to write. I had a couple of contracts finally come about the same time from a publisher I’d already signed with before. I didn’t read it because I was so sick. In order to feel more business like, I signed it sooner rather than read it. Ironic, eh? I even told him, I’m too sick to read and comprehend, but I trust you. I’m sure it’s the same as before. He never disabused me of that notion when I very much needed to be told it wasn’t the same. However, it is on my own head I didn’t wait until I felt well enough to read it, or at least take enough meds for short term comprehension, at least.

And, it taught me something. Even people you think you can trust may not have your back when it comes to business. I have also learned, that some people will choose business over friendships, but that’s a mountain to climb another day.

In the meantime, let’s go over having multiple contracts from the same publisher. Check it side by side. See if there are any difference, like having early release payments added that weren’t there before—a per month, when before, if your book was selling for, er, wasn’t selling, you could pull it and re-release it elsewhere, or self publish it. Of course, these options would be after you’ve rewritten/edited it more and added/took out bits that may have needed adjusting. But, if you all of sudden have a per month fee, and no, I don’t think you should always be able to get out easy, but if it’s a change, see why not.

Or, if you had recourse if your publisher wasn’t doing their end, like not doing their end of the job, or not keeping to things they promised. I mean, as an author, you need to realize stuff can go wrong, but if someone says April, then, with no warning, changes it to August even though you’ve had it turned in for months, well, you should have the option to get out. Or, if they put it out, and it doesn’t sell more than 4 copies in 6 months, then again, you should have the option to pull. Not every book is going to be a best seller, but every book should sell something, if only to family and friends. Also, you can ask for changes like that. Say, if I don’t sell 100 in the first year, I want my rights back. If you’re last four books sold a thousand copies in three months, then perhaps say 500 in a year. Something. You have right to expect some sales and promotion. You also have the responsibility to promote and try to sale as much as possible. Take marketing classes, read blogs, etc. Anything to learn the best ways that work for you.

If there are changes, open up dialogue between yourself and the publisher. And have a friend, or best yet, an attorney look at it. Now, most of us authors don’t have the funds to have an attorney on hand, but there are many who aren’t as expensive as you may imagine. Also, there are literally hundreds of blogs written that legally explain your rights about clauses. Educate yourself, but educate yourself even more so if you can’t afford help.

As I’ve said and will continue to say, you don’t have to know how to do everything. However, if you’re not comfortable doing it, then you need to hire someone who can do it for you and help you out with whichever area you need the most help with, and reading a contract is no different. Don’t worry about feeling embarrassed you don’t understand all the clauses.

Read. Your. Contract.

What all are your responsibilities? Are they something you can live with? Sometimes, the publisher acts as if you are the only one responsible for everything, yet won’t help out, won’t give leads, doesn’t provide a place for support and questions. Other times, they do something when it’s first out, then nothing. Some fall in between. What are you comfortable with? Work with your publisher, and you’ll have the best experience. But don’t let them make you do work that they then don’t use. I had a publisher for whom I was required to write a specific number of blogs for, a specific kind of blog post for a specific site, and it never got used. Happened more than once to a lot of us. That just wastes everyone’s time.

Ask around. Who’s used them, what have they done for the authors? If they’re less than 2 years, you’re just going to have to take your best guess and decide if you want to give them a chance. That can be a great thing. New businesses have a lot to prove and may work harder for you.

But above all, the publishing arena is a business, just like your book rights, so read your contract. Publishers want to make it as much as authors do. When things work together, author and publisher can have a long, happy career with each other.

 

I, for one, never want to have to work any day job that’s not related to the arts. I don’t mean for Michael’s, or other supplier. *grins* If you’re happy with your contract, sign up and do everything you can to make your book the best it can be.

 

After all, it’s your book. Your business.

Your Book. Your Business. Number one

Your Book. Your Business. Number one in a series.

 

It’s Wednesday and my assistant tells me I’m to write about writing :D *cheeky grin* I love having someone keeping me on track when it would be easy to fall off and let it go because it’s easier.

 

One place I’ve found people not paying attention because it’s easier or they’re afraid of hurting people’s feelings is publishing. Authors become a close knit group. We’re happy and grateful to the publisher who says yes to our work, even more so for that holy grail of getting put in print. But, come with me now and wipe that starshine out of your eyes. The business of being an author is just that—a business.

We sit there with a blank page and create worlds that we love. Worlds we want people to love and to read. We are creative beasts. Few are lucky to be both creative and business minded. There is no shame in that. But here’s the deal—you can’t ignore it!

First, we’ll talk about the contract and the importance of reading your contract. Lately, a plethora of small, specialized (at least, that’s how it reads to me—the ones not standing the test of time are either badly managed, tightly specialized, or dare I say, both?) niche publishers especially it seems, are going out of business. In every house I’ve ever signed with, which is three, there is a contract clause for the rights reversion upon going out of business or putting your work effectively “out of print” even if you have an ebook only release.

Many publishers are charging—some as much as $5000 from what I heard from a contractor that works with one—if you want your edited version.

 

Early contract release, that’s for another blog some day. But for end of contract or publishers going out of business? No. Here’s whatthe RWA has to say about it.

I’m an editor. When I do edits with an author, I expect that author to do their own work. I’m there to guide, build confidence, and train them. I am not just there for the one story, I’m helping authors to build up their writing careers and themselves. Teaching them what they’re doing wrong and letting them fix it, guiding as needed, is the only way to really receive the quality manuscripts that I want to have, as well as gives the author a leg up anywhere else.

Wait?

I like to help the authors even if it means they may take what they learned elsewhere?

Yes.

I know that’s not the norm. That some will say you have to do it for the author. I do a few as examples, but, like my children, if I’m always doing it for them, and never let them try on their own, I’m going to end up with 150 kids that can’t walk…er, authors who are multipublished but still don’t’ know that a comma splice is two independent clauses not two unrelated clauses, or who think that starting every sentence with she or but is a great idea. Or who think all was is passive voice, or… I could go on forever.

Authors accept or reject changes. Only grammar/formatting are absolutes for most smaller houses. As long as you have the power to reject, you’re a part of the editing process. Then, a responsible author will go through and add in their own edits, and so forth until the MS is ready for publishing. That makes each mark guided by the editor, but essentially, it is the authors.

What if you’re not so good at the language of contracts? Hire someone. Have a friend help you and go over it line by line as needed.

Anyway, it’s only one point on the contracts. I’m going to be harping on the contract and pitfalls at least for one or two more blogs, but this is a start of the series for the business of writing.

This is your business. Read your contract. Don’t assume.

 

Your book. Your business.

And then there was...surgery?

Hi all!

Yeah, two in a week. It must be serious :D It's been a busy week. My head editor duties have come to the forefront at Three Worlds Press. One of those duties has been to hire new editors! Three new ones, and one I'll train up a bit more, but she's on the list now. However, she also writes, and I'd much rather she writes. lol I had to do a happy dance. There are instincts in editing that are hard to teach. Grammar is easier, and that's what I have Line editors for (need another one of those as well lol). But to recognize a good story, to be willing to mold it into something for readers that is good quality, that's something some people are just better at than others. I'm so excited!

As a writer, I'm hoping to get some things done tonight so it can head it's way to lines. The Midwife's Moon is nearly there. I've added about 1k+ words and it's been through a few rounds of edits already. I've also added a glossary of terms and people of the War of the Weres world. It's exciting! A short to start off the War of the Weres Chronicles will be out soon after. Three Worlds Press is also trying to get our print lines set up. That's right, our longer novels will be going to print! This will include The Midwife's Moon and The Ulfric's Mate.... :D

I'm also gearing up for the workshop I'd planned for this weekend. It's an editing basics class for editors and writers. It's $35US. I'm covering the basics of pacing, setting, character arcs, etc. I have a guest speaker for putting scents in your writing. She has written a lovely book, Scent of Freedom, as well as others in the world not published yet (but I get to read them cuz I am her critique partner! :D) wherein she uses scents in a unique way that I think we can all learn from. Our olfactory sense is one that seems to have the best memory triggers, and I believe we should be incorporating them into our writing more often. My paypal is Leona.bushman@gmail.com. Pay your entry fee and email me at the same address or message me via FB or twitter (@L_bushman) and let me know you've signed up. Class is online on FB, and there will be handouts, other authors I've edited with, on top of the guest speaker. Live time with me is 10a-12p Friday and 4-6p Friday, and same times on Saturday. The group will be open for discussion with each other, guest speaker, me, and other authors even if I'm not there. The guest speaker is speaking on Saturday morning. All times are PST. This group will remain open to all who've paid for the class as reference, as will the files. I had planned on putting finishing touches on tomorrow, but instead....

I'm also trying to get all of the work I'd planned on doing on Thursday done today. Yesterday, a specialist decided that Nate needs surgery. Tomorrow. His hand was caught in a machine last week and the damage is healing nicely, except for the damage to the tendon, apparently. He will be in a cast for four weeks, and then a splint... I will be doing my best at writing, editing, painting, etc during this time. It will be necessary so I don't go stir crazy LOL I foresee a few growly bits from my husband over the course of the next few weeks. I will endeavour to keep my cool. Wish me luck!

Have a great day!

Losing My Mojo and Health

Hi :)

I'm back. I've tried to be back before, but, 2013 saw the start of my writing mojo drain, partly from health and partly from stress. I had an editor tell me, and tear my work apart for 40 pages then tell me to figure the rest out on my own and they weren't going to edit the rest, that unrelated clauses were comma splices. I spent hours and hours searching and never found any sites that said it that were independent from this person. I felt stupid, but I learned about comma splices, fused sentences, and run ons like you wouldn't believe. (For the record, a comma splice is ONLY one thing: Two INDEPENDENT CLAUSES, related or not, that are joined by only a comma. Period. There is no other comma splices. You run into kissing cousins of fused sentences (two complete sentences with no punctuation) or run ons (two sentences with a conjunction word but no comma), but there is only one comma splice.). However, that feeling that maybe I'm stupid stayed with me. The stresses and drama kept going.

Then, on top of that, my health declined. I nearly died June 26, 2013 from my asthma and allergies from living where we were. I started finding a way to leave the house for 4 hours a day, nearly every day, and made it through the summer of 2014 without getting that ill. However, in January of 2015, after leaving that house for good, I'm still fighting chest issues from living there. It makes me slow, tired, can be cranky, etc. I do have a doctor's appointment in February (move caused me to need a new clinic so had to wait.). I can't wait. In the meantime, I'm still waaayy better than I had been before, despite the sore throat and tight chest that sets off my asthma rather easily.

I work on being positive, and for the most part, I manage on my social media and even at home. I am painting more, doing more crafts, and yes, even writing more. Not where I used to be, but, in the midst of the years of illness, I found solace in editing. Maybe I couldn't find the imagination to write like I used to, but at least I was helping others.

Now, I've pulled eleven of my books from the old publisher. I've re-released The Ulfric's Mate, the first in my War of the Weres series, the second will be re-released next month, my only 3some erotic sort of book will be re-released under a new name, Luck of the Draw, also next month. I always hated the title of the old one, but love that it's been changed :D I am in edits for my Epic Fantasy, Cerisa's Quest, to be out in March, and I'm working on new stuff. I am absolutely thrilled with this. The writing is still slow, and I'm still fighting the procrastination temptation that stems from me "not being good enough" that has been instilled in me elsewhere. I can logically tell myself that I was right, that it doesn't matter, but fact is, it did and does. My success with Ulfric's re-release, though not breaking any records, is a big comfort. It has a full newly done scene, and has been re-edited, so no one should be disappointed if they buy the new one. I've added over 1k words and done a re-edit on The Midwife's Moon as well. We've also added a glossary of terms and places and peoples for the series. I'm so excited!! Again, stuff not available in the old versions. Plus, I'll be doing a War of the Weres Chronicles series. First off will be the story formally only available in an anthology, Barely There. It will be number one. I'm still writing number 2, Moriah and Kamiakin's story, but have number three finished, and number four mostly finished. I have book three of the full lengths (55k+) at 30k and cooking. So this series is about to pop!

My art is going well, and people are buying it. I have multiple collectors now, which blows my mind!
Here's a recent finished painting:

And another one (Both are Scotland :D My obsession...):

On the home front, the new schools seem to be really good for my kids. My son earned a citizenship award today! I'm so proud. :D Another son is well liked by the administration at his school, which is a relief. I've lost my grandpa. Though I haven't seen him in years due to money, I'm still distraught about it. He has my happy memories from a child before I was adopted. I had others not so bad, but he was the clearest. The other memories revolved around abuse (one family member, but the rest were from our neighborhood) so this has been a big deal for me.

Last February, I hurt my leg. I messed up my knee and shins. I'm still having pain, but feel it is finally getting better. I'm going to ask for an xray at that doctor's appointment. Last night, my husband sliced his thumb pretty badly. My son's been in a car accident, but he's fine now.

^^ a lot of that may sound bad, er, and is, but we are doing way better than before, and the future is looking good! I hope that with my renewed health that I'll be back to writing blogs like I did before. Thank you to all of you who have stayed with me while I desperately held on with both hands to my writing through sickness and depression. Things are looking up,  I'm getting published, I'm selling my art, and I'm very much excited for the future. I hope to give you more blogs and less promotional blogs in the coming year.

Thank you guys for sticking it in!! Big hugs and Happy New Year! :D

Leona

Days 1-11 NaNoWriMo

Yes, I know, I'm behind...blogging and writing! Days 1-11 have been quite eventful! First day, I had two sick boys, and  had to go rescue the eldest boy who'd totaled his car. This is how my NaNoWriMo started. Next day, I had the flu. Well, I still managed to start. I've managed a few over thousand days, but mostly, either not getting any words in (one day on purpose because I needed a day off.).

I've been re-editing and line editing The Ulfric's Mate. I've added 600 words straight up from old numbers to new. I deleted a few things here and there, and changed some words for stronger ones. It'll be interesting to see what the readers think of the new bits. :D I'm super excited! I'll do a cover reveal around the 20th as I'm looking to release on Black Friday!

I'm over 10k, about 4 days behind, I believe. I did over 2k two different days or I'd be behind even more! I'm also editing, was hoping to finish the hard one tonight so I could write the rest of the week. Doesn't look like it's going to happen. I started this blog five hours ago.... yeah...

Well, I'm painting, writing, editing, mothering, wifing, marketing, friending, quilting, crafting, crocheting...and forgetting stuff. JUST remembered about a water bill from three weeks ago... yeah. Need to talk to the city. *sighs loudly* Heaven have mercy, I'm overloaded.

I spent five weeks with excruciating headaches. Turns out, I needed bifocals. I'm  just getting used to them with fewer "oh my god bifocal throw up" moments than okay moments now. I'm so far behind on house and edits and writing, it's not even funny. And it's now seven hours since I started this blog. I cannot express to you the craziness that is my life. But really, when I say I'm overloaded, it's because I want to live life to the fullest, and my health--and that of my children--is trying to tell me to give up. But I won't. I won't give up any bit of my life of creating, loving, laughing and working in the arts at whatever level I choose to be involved. Which includes leaving me time to love on my children.

I'm gonna keep on keeping on. :D Soon, I'll make official news on here. Oh...well, suppose I should share the other news first: I am no longer affiliated in any way shape or form with Breathless Press and have no wish to be. You will no longer see books from them being promoted here. However, the authors are welcome to bring other books from other publishers. My beef is not with the authors as a group. I love my authors. I have pulled all books from that publisher, and my books will be re-released with other publishers and some self published. I am not giving up writing. So if you noticed a sudden decrease in books, no worries! They'll come out bigger and better than ever, shining brilliantly the way of my new future! *grins*

NaNo shall not defeat me. I shan't let it. I've made it every year and I have writing partners. We hall prevail! We shall overcome! We shall write!

Free Print book giveaways! First up, The Ulfric's Mate

 

 

 

Hi!! Well, guess what? I've been a busy girl! I've done loads of things, from finishing a fancy dress that needs a fitting, 

 

 

 to finishing a super secret painting job,

(no, this is not the secret painting job. Just how thick do you think I am?!) *the above is painted with left over paints from the super secret job*, to putting out new books, to dealing with the over 100 degree heat with no air conditioner, and trying to replant my container garden which a neighbor kid destroyed, on top of health issues and physical therapy, let's just say my brain is a massive puddle of icky, sticky goo! Honestly, I'm trying to write! I had planned to have three shorts and panthers finished last month. Now it looks as if I'll have to do a major push to get it finished this month! Also, I had planned to do more blogging. Does it count that I did a few in my head? It's more than I was doing before LOL

Now, for the big deal. You have two days left to enter the Goodreads giveaway! This is for a print book, people! And, better yet, this one is open to GB, US, and CA!!!! So fly, my pretties! Add your name to the drop!

As you can see, although my amount of words have not been gratifying, I have been busy finding review quotes, getting print covers, setting up blog tours, marketing, etc for my writing. While all of this is a necessary evil (except getting the covers!! I love getting covers :D), and has to do with writing even, it does not fill the part of me that wants to be writing grand adventures and getting the world to read! Nor does it provide my brain with the outlet for the million and one worlds and people floating through it's head. I must get back to writing. I have it on my list now. Oh, what lists? Well see, I've started making lists. And they helped me through the horrific health issues this time. And though I still had bad side effects, I did much better! It also took less time to recover and become productive! I am a list making fool now! Watch out ;) World Domination in progress.

Now, since I haven't quite accomplished that bit, will you please enter and/or go buy your copy of the paperback, or, for the price of a good mocha, get your ebook here.

Anyway, time for me to go! Good luck :)