Once More…

Sometimes one must have to take a break from things, even those things that we love doing. When you compound that with a story that hits the ditch and has to be put up for retooling, the breaks become even more important.

It’s been about two years since I started working on the sequel to Parallax and after many distractions and some plot problems, I’ve decided to wipe it all out and start over. Now I know that there’s always some salvageable nuggets buried within but this time I think it’s the right course of action.

I also realize that it’s been quite a while since I updated the blog and I intend on making up for lost time.

Thanks to those who have hung in there and your patience will be rewarded soon. That is my promise to you.

Advertisement

Quiet Mornings

I’m having one of those fairly rare mornings where it’s quiet and I can wrap myself in my thoughts and consider how my day will go. Right now, I’m waiting for the first drafts of Corona’s print cover to find its way into my inbox while checking out new covers for The Three Safeties.

I relish quiet mornings. No sounds around me, no distractions, and a general sense of peace of mind. I love that. Most of all, the quiet allows me the opportunity to be creative and open to whatever my soul dredges up from its nether regions. They also allow me to put the few inner demons I have to rest in favor of moments of unbridled optimism.

Times like these I consider precious because they also allow me to unleash my imagination and let it run wild, to explore limitless vistas of self-expression which eventually find themselves on my pages.

I don’t have enough of these times, but I’ve learned to deal and appreciate when I have them.

Talking About The New Direction

I’m not a guy who likes to revisit the past, but sometimes I have to make changes to things that I feel need improvement.

I’m sure you all have noticed that I have been making changes to my books starting with Corona. Cosmetic changes, to be sure, but changes none the less.

Why?

I suppose you could say that I am bowing to the reality of what I am trying to accomplish as a self-published author. In short, what I am doing isn’t bearing the kind of fruit that I want to be stocking my basket with. So, changes need to be made. New book covers, experimenting with new ways to get the word out there, yada…yada…yada. I’m not adverse to trying new things.

I had a feeling when I was putting these upgrades in place that they were going to be a strain on available resources. I consider them investments in both myself and my creative efforts. Will they pay off? Only time will tell, but I believe in myself and what I’m doing. As a result of this, I am slowing down the work on Lights and Shadows while I get The Three Safeties, Vessel, and Parallax squared away. I’m not exactly sure how that will affect my current writing schedule, but it needs to be done and now is as good a time as any.

As a result of this, I am slowing down the work on Lights and Shadows while I get The Three Safeties, Vessel, and Parallax squared away. I’m not exactly sure how that will affect my current writing schedule, but it needs to be done and now is as good a time as any.

Ebook Cover Reveal: Corona

I received the finished ebook cover for Corona today and decided to share it with you all before making it official on KDP and the website. We’re still working on the print cover but it will look pretty much like this only with a backside…hehe. Here are the current and the new for comparison:

 

New Book Covers Coming

After much thought, I’ve decided to give all of my current books richly deserved face lifts starting with my first, Corona. I didn’t come by this decision easily but I believe that it’s for the best. I’ll put up previews as I make the changes. 🙂

Playing with The Gray

There’s an aspect of self-publishing that often gets glossed over and that’s when you have to use your personal funds to improve the visual quality of your work. I’m not a cheap guy by any means, but it doesn’t take a house to fall on me to realize that when you’re a one-man band, you can’t rely on the “free” options forever. It sucks actually, but I’d prefer not to go back to the days when all I collected were rejection slips. I like the freedom that publishing my own work affords me and should a traditional publisher decide to swoop down and offer a lucrative contract, I’ll definitely reevaluate my position. Until then…

Begrudgingly, I am diverting funds to purchase pre-made book covers and eventually, some paid advertisement for my materials. Remember when I wrote about this being a juggling act? Well, Fate added a few spinning plates to the mix and as a result, I am one whirling dervish of activity to make this endeavor of mine mean something.

I blame my recent spate of blockage and feeling creatively stonewalled on having to deal with the realities of the path I’ve chosen. This is all my choice so it’s all on me. That youthful dream I had of overnight success has given way to a daily workout of writing, editing, pricing services and keeping office supplies in adequate supply. I have no regrets.

Don’t take this as me trying to dissuade anyone from doing something similar. Far from it. I want others to realize that if you want to play this particular game, you will need to learn how to wear several hats at once and keep those plates spinning and the balls in the air. It’s part and parcel of the process.

I do miss when all I had to concern myself with was just writing a good story.