I'm going to use Jean's format this week.
The good stuff:
- Tales from Bethlehem launched.
- My publicity plan is going as scheduled.
- I've stayed up on mailing out the bookplates. I always hate my sloppy handwriting when I sign the bookplates.
- As always, my true friends and family support me, and I'm so grateful to them.
- Had about 35 trick-or-treaters on Halloween. I was excited about that. I nearly ran out of candy.
- I stayed up on my household chores.
- I finished Spore and was so pleased by how it worked out. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it, but the ending is freaking grand. I wanted to cheer. For a dark SF novel, it has a lot of hope and passion running through it. I'm looking forward to getting a signed copy from Tammy when it's published. (Note: I'm not sure what Spore's genre really is. Like the best novels, it blends plenty of elements. Horror adventure? Dark SF? It uses genre elements to support its theme, which is different from a lot of horror novels that have horrific elements for their own sake rather than to propel the story forward. If that makes sense.)
- I wrote a review of Holly Lisle's Hunting the Corrigan's Blood and posted it on Amazon and on my blog. Great book! I'm looking forward to the sequel.
- I did filing and cleaned my desk and the area around it.
The not-so-good stuff:
- Most of my family treated my launch of Tales of Bethlehem with indifference. I wish I didn't let it hurt me, but I do. And you'd think I'd be used to it, but I'm not. But it's okay. Well, I mean I will survive it, like I always have.
- Black dog has me by the throat. Bad time when I need to get so much done. Makes it so hard to get up, to keep the house clean, to schedule book signings, update my blogs, keep all the balls in the air. Same old song. Just have to endure, and then it will get better.
- Speaking of the launch, I had two people tell me that they ordered the book, but they didn't. They don't know I can track the sales. I didn't tell them. I think they wanted to show they supported me. I guess. I just couldn't see any point in telling them that they hadn't. And maybe they meant to or mean to or something. Won't worry about it.
- Not doing National Novel Writing Month. Couldn't work up the energy this year. Miss being a part of it.
- Writers group is having a crisis. The president wants to quit, and no one wants to be president. I feel this pressure from people that I should, but I don't want to. Uncomfortable.
- Blood sugar is creeping up, and I'm not exercising. I need to, but it's so dang hard by myself. And then I beat myself up for not exercising.
- Money is tight. Same old gut-wrenching song.
- Life seems to getting away from me, you know?
The Week Ahead:
- Continue publicity for Tales. Get two book signings scheduled.
- Household chores.
- Start walking again at the gym by myself, dang it!
- Get more sleep.
- Flu shot. Got to do that.
And that's it.
8 comments:
As usual, you have a lot of things in play. You doing a remarkable job of juggling everything, but the black puppy trying to catch things you're working on and run away with them doesn't help. He needs to be put in his crate. Put him on a leash to go walking with you. Maybe he'll get his attention and exercise and won't be so disruptive.
Do you have an mp3 player? I play praise music on my phone when I exercise. (not swimming, of course!) I'm more likely to exercise if I can turn it into worship.
Wendy, I had an old iPod, but it stopped working. I'll have to put that on my Christmas list! Maybe Santa will be give one to me. :) Good suggestion, though.
What color would you want Santa to make your iPod?
I didn't know they had colors now. Mine was black. I like black. I mentioned Wendy's suggestion to my roomie, and he said since he uses his way cool phone to listen to music now, he'll let me use his iPod. It's at work, but he said he could bring it home tomorrow. Borrowed tech is good tech! So Santa can get me that French maid I've always wanted. :)
Heh, on the French maid. You sound like my hubby.
What is it with guys and French maids? Is dusting and picking up laundry sexy?!?
As for other stuff...
Family.
One member of my family has bought my novels (my sister). One member of Bill's family (his dad). That's it. A few have borrowed from the buyers, a few borrowed from my mom (who I've given a copy of each to) a few tell me they've checked them out at the library, but most... diddly squat. It used to kinda bug me, but I remind myself that books are not only a personal preference issue (and what I write certainly isn't palatable for the masses) but a LOT of people really don't read. Scary, but true. And, lastly, not everyone has the cash to spare even if they love us and want to support our 'little hobby' (and, even as a traditionally published novelist, NO ONE outside of other writers and my immediate in-my-home family looks at it as anything even close to a job) So, please, just try to remember that they do love you but they're just not into it like we all are.
In that vein, I do not buy things online (especially from The Evil Empire), it's just one of those oddball quirks I have. So, is it possible to buy direct from the author? I do have a paypal account, if you take that, or I can mail a check/cash/coupons for Hardees. Your choice. But I would like to buy a copy, it sounds like it'd be right up my sister's reading alley.
Do not become President/Leader of the group if you don't sincerely WANT the job. I got muscled into becoming Treasurer for the quilt guild and found it not only tedious but felt 'put upon' and resentful for the entire two years and now, 2 years after my tenure was completed, I'm seriously considering leaving the club because of the resentment and hard feelings I still carry. I'd hate to see you lose your writing group. I think that they're good for you - there's little better than a writer getting out of the house to talk shop with other people who understand the madness - and you need to surround yourself with supportive, understanding people because camaraderie can go a LONG WAY in kicking that black dog back into his pen.
{{huggs}} and hang in there.
Tammy, I don't really worry about my family buying my books. They will or won't as they will, but they've rarely supported me in anything. Mind you, they love me, but they find it hard to like me. My life was mapped out for me, but I went another direction. I'm used to them not calling me unless they need something, planning things with telling me as an afterthought ... and so on, but just once, I'd like them to surprise me. I am close to my nieces and nephews, so it works out.
My book isn't on sale at Amazon (I think that's the Evil Empire, right?) and won't be until maybe sometime next year. (You have to pay for the listing on Amazon, and I'll have to wait to do that.) The link leads you to Lulu.com, who does take Paypal, I think. I'd be surprised if they don't. Anyway, I can work out mailing a book to you, but Lulu has cheaper shipping.
The group is swaying on the brink. If our president walks away, the group is done. (We have to have one and an organized structure to continue to use the library.) I hope it survives, but I don't think I should be president just to save the group.
And thanks! :)
I just have this thing about supporting small business and local folks. I literally do not purchase anything from websites. BIll does, Laura does, I do not. If I can't order it in locally, I contact the creator/company and deal direct, or I don't buy it at all. Seriously. So, please, let me know how much your shipping will be and where to send the check/paypal. {{hugs}}
I'm sitting here trying to think what was the last thing that I bought online from a retailer... um... uh... Bought several books direct from authors via email. Um... called an out of state sewing machine accessory place from the number on their site a couple of years ago and made a telephone transaction to get a specialized foot for my machine... um... I guess the only thing I've bought that I can recall is my WW monthly pass, and even *that* was handled by my meeting leader via telephone, I didn't do it online myself.
I know I'm weird, especially in this day and age, and it's not about money at all, nor about internet avoidance or lack of trusting the transactions. It's a matter of principle for me. I conduct transactions with living people. Shrug.
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