Savor

I have finally settled on a name for my vampire series, it is called; Savor (The Warm Delicacies Series).  I also think I have the titles chosen for the one or two books I plan to have follow it.  I really love the title and hope you all do too.  Please let me know what you think.

I also reached out to some cover artists today, so I will keep you all updated on the progress as well.

Time for a Book Trailer

My plan for tomorrow is to get some serious work done on a book trailer.  I am going to be posting/requesting any information or tips anyone may have for me through the kindle boards.  You may also post here if you want.  I think it will be a fun thing to do to bring some attention to my book before I reveal the cover.  So, if you know anything about making a book trailer or can refer me to anyone please do.

Call Me Crazy! ..No seriously, do it!

Apparently I think I can work a full-time job, be a wife, go to college, AND be an independent author.  By the end of 2011 I want to have at least 4 books published.  Is that a bit ambitious? Probably.  Am I going to try to do it anyway? Of course! 

I have had some revelations as of late (most of them while I am driving to or from work, yes I should probably focus on my driving a bit more) and I am really excited about my writing and seeing my first book for sale on Amazon, and then my second, and my third and so on.  I am slowly finding my niche in this whole indie/blogger/twitter etc etc world, and I am becoming more and more invigorated to continue my dream. 

With my first book Released, not far from completion of its first draft, I am eager to get the ball rolling on the publishing end of it.  I am also eager to start writing my vampire series, as well as outlining the second book for the vampire series.  Within the coming weeks, I plan to have Released finished and ready for Beta, a book cover ready for reveal and a large cup of java for the beginning of writing my vampire series.

I am excited to hear what everyone thinks of Released and hope they all like it as much as I do.  Even though it is scary to put myself out there, not doing it and always wondering "What if?" would be a far worse fate.

3..2..1.. Action!

I have decided I am going to try my hand at creating a book trailer.  I hope to have it done in about 2 weeks at the very most and I plan to have the first draft of my novel Released done in 3 weeks.  Then during the time that I must set aside I am going to work on my cover, however, I am also going to put my feelers out for some cover artists as well, just to see what other possibilities are available.  I am not going to count anything out.  I am anxious to get this book finished in its first stages, but am trying to take my time as well.  I also want to work on updating the background for my blog, but I might wait on that until I have a book cover established.  I hope everyone is doing well in their writing journeys.

To book trailer, or not to book trailer, that is the question

I have noticed that quite a few indie authors are making book trailers for their novels.  I have to admit I have never considered this has an option for myself, nor have I actually watched any, (ok, lie, now I have just watched one).  I would like to get everyone’s opinion on what they feel are the positive and negatives of having a book trailer for your novel.  Also, if you have done one yourself, how do you feel about it?  I am just curious and wonder if this might be a good alternative marketing branch I have not yet ventured into.

Close but no Cigar

Well, I didn't hit my 30,000 word mark for the weekend, but I still think I did pretty damn good and am still proud of myself.  I know 10,000 words in a weekend is a bit ambitious, but it did motivate me to stay focused.  I want to hit 40,000 words by next Sunday, but I know that in order to do that I am going to have to do more writing during the week.  I won't be able to make much of a dent during the week, but every little bit counts.  So I am pressing onward and not giving up, no matter what.

On Track

I am half way to the word goal I set for myself for this weekend, so I an very excited about that.  For those of you who haven't noticed I have changed the name of my book to, Released.  On a more exciting note, I have decided on a book cover.  I am going to hold off purchasing the image, but I have the complete layout and as soon as I am ready to send my book for edits, I am going to reveal the cover. 

I have also decided on a date to publish, which will be March.  I hope to have at least two books by then.  My first book Released, and also the first book in my vampire series, whose name I am not going to tell just yet.

To say the least I am very excited.

I want to have all my writing done for Released by the beginning of February, so wish me luck everyone!  I hope you are all doing well in your writing, and I look forward to hear from you.

Almost forgot, I am also reading Initiation by Aaron Niz.  I am only on Chapter 5, but I am liking it  As soon as I am finished I will have a review available on my site.  Great job Aaron, by the way.

This, That and The Other Thing

First, and foremost, I have to say - Melissa Shepard you rock!  I finally have the word counting widget on my blog!  Check out my status.

So, I have decided that during the week I am much less productive in my writing then I am on the weekend so I am going to focus on other things during the week.  I hope to have the first few chapters of my second book (a vampire novel, which I'm super excited about because its totally different then every vampire book I have seen) outlined by the weekend and then I will go back to writing my paranormal romance - Agents of Evil.  Which, surprise, I am thinking of changing the title for.  I do, however, have a very high goal for myself this weekend that I am going to try my hardest to reach - I want to write 10,000 words by Sunday night. So cross your fingers for me everyone.

I dabbled in working on creating my own cover art last night, and wasn't successful. I am still not sure which direction I want to go with it, but I still have plenty of time. Getting a little ahead of myself, as always.

I have been noticing on a lot of blogs that there is debating going on for the price of ebooks.  It's a $0.99 vs $2.99 war.  I personally don't think there is a wrong choice between these two prices, they are both really low.  I think I will be going with $0.99 to start, just because I want build my reader base.  What are your thoughts?

Well, I think that is the end of my rant for today.  I hope everyone is having a great week, happy writing!

Updated Synopsis

Today has turned out to be a very productive day.  I woke up bright and early, knocking out almost 3,000 words after only three hours.  I hope I can knock out another 3,000 tonight, but for now I need a break, and breakfast.
 
 I have also updated my synopsis, but it's definitely not set in stone as of yet, I am not sure if I like it.  I also plan on watching more training videos on the Photoshop program.  My hope is that I will learn enough, that I can create my own cover.  If not for this novel, then definitely for the vampire book I plan to write next.
 
There is also a writing workshop I want to attend today, however it is about an hour away and if it is going to interfere with my writing I might skip it, until the next one. 

Well, that's my update for today, I hope everyone else is doing well.

Writing, not Reading

I am starting to get the hang of this new method of writing.  I wrote a few hundred more words today and actually didn't read through the previous ten pages before doing so.  I just picked up right were I left off last night and went with it.

I suppose venting helped break down some of those barriers that were holding me back, as well as the kind words I received from fellow bloggers/writers.  (So thank you all!)

I am not as far along as I thought I would be in my first book, but I am moving at a steady pace.  I am almost to the half way point.  I don't want this to be a short story, so I am going to focus on writing at least 2,000 words everyday, if not more.

Then, hopefully, when I finish and am taking a break before editing I can work on my cover.  I have a few ideas of what I want it to look like, but haven't decided if I want to make or if I want to hire someone to do it for me.  I have found a few cover artists through the Kindle Boards, that I might look into when the time comes.

That is my update for today.  I will also be updating my synopsis tonight or tomorrow, so I will let you all know when that happens so you can tell me what you think.

Hitting the Wall

Is it possible for a writer to hit a wall?  I've had writer's block.  Been there, done that, bought the bobble-head. (No, I didn't get a t-shirt, they didn't have my size.)

 I feel like I am looking so far into the future, I am forgetting why I am writing.  I write because I love it. 

I write each line and scrutinize it a million times, wondering if people will like it or enjoy my story, instead of just writing my story.  I need to learn to not be so critical of my work until it is done, because otherwise it might never get done.

I worry if people are going to take my need to publish and write seriously, or will they all laugh in my face?  I suppose this fear is due to the fact that I am writing in private.  I have not told anyone other than my husband and question whether or not I will tell anyone when I am ready to publish.  At least not anyone I know, but that is too be decided.  Should I post a huge comment on my Facebook, or should I silently join the published world?  These types of questions keep on rattling in my head and I need to kick them out.

Yet, here I am worrying about things that don't need to be worried about yet.  I pray I can go to sleep and wake up with the inspiration and drive I started this journey with.  It helps that I have found some fellow writers to converse with, even if they are few and far between.  I appreciate that more every day. 

Time for Revision

So...I have been told my synopsis needs some work.  I was pretty excited about, since it was the first one I had ever written, but I am going to give it another look through this weekend and really consider the suggestions I was given.  So wish me luck everyone.


Other than that, my writing is coming along well, however, I am growing concerned that my story wont be long enough.  Is anyone else having that issue?  I'm sure once I finish and start editing I will add more to it.

I am actually at work right, so I had better get to it, but it's just one of those days...

Starting the Year off Right

So far so good! I exceeded my writing goal for today and walked away with 3,000 words typed.  It's only 5 pm, so I have plenty of time to write at least 2-3,000 more.

 I am currently 56% of the way done reading, Into the Shadows and will have the review up shortly.

I will write a better post in the coming days, but I just wanted to enjoy my achievement for the moment.