Monthly Archives: July 2014

July 27, 2014 · 10:50 am

Weekly writing check-in: the one with a startling launch

So this week, I decided to simply drop another book out there, this time a collection of three short stories, run a free promotion, and wait to see what happened.

This is what happened:

It was a wild three days. Also, a gratifying three days. I decided to try KDP Select and going exclusive with Amazon (at least for 90 days). I know there are lots of opinions about that, but I wanted to try it–simply because I can. This is one of the things I love about being my own publishing company. I can try things, assess what works (or doesn’t), then try something else.

Also, The Maze will be available in print in a week or two and maybe even audio (shh … more on that as it develops).

I also logged nearly 8,000 words in Pansy (I should give this book a real title) this week and did the layout in InDesign for The Maze. Also, lots of driving to and from horse camp to drop off/pick up my daughter.

I’m going with productive. It was a productive week.

Writing Work:

Pansy 2.0 ~ 7,860 words
Print layout, etc. for The Maze

Submissions:

Keeping Time (audio/reprint market)

Rejections:

None

Acceptances:

None

Publications:

Available at Amazon. If you have a Prime or Kindle Unlimited account, you can borrow it for free.

For those of you who prefer print, I’ll let you know when that version is available for purchase.

Weekly writing check-in: the one with another birthday

Another birthday, you say? Well, yes, yes there was. My son turned eighteen this week (yeah, how did that happen). We also attended his college orientation. Not to mention he made a jaunt up north for Scout camp.

Busy week means not quite as many words. It also means there’s a grimy dutch oven in my front hall that will be cleaned by someone who isn’t me.

However, I did get some writing in. That’s the power in having a routine. And speaking of routines, I’m going to complete my busy Sunday (more camps! more things!) so I can get back to it tomorrow.

Writing Work:

Pansy 2.0 ~ 4,080 words

Submissions:

None

Rejections:

Doreen’s Muse

Acceptances:

None

Publications:

None

Weekly writing check-in: the one with the birthday

My birthday, that is. Did I write on my birthday? Why, yes. Yes, I did. Not quite as many words as last week (that three-day weekend helped the word count), but I’m pleased.

I also sent some work out, saved my book from hanging out on the wrong side of the tracks, and renewed my driver’s license (one of these things may not be true).

No rejections this week, no sales, but lots of words.

Writing Work:

Pansy 2.0 ~ 10,686 words

Submissions:

The Perfect Canvas
Five to Freedom
Abandonment Issues

Rejections:

None

Acceptances:

None

Publications:

None

Weekly writing check-in: the one with some writing

To be honest, I was a little scared to try the redraft. I wondered: would it work? Was this a crazy idea? One week in, and I think the word count speaks for itself.

I should be clear that I’m not copying what I already have in the first draft. Even scenes that stay mostly the same need to shift in subtle ways–characterization, world-building, and what-have-you. I have sudden thoughts, such as: Wait! I need to introduce the poodle!

I also received a check this week for a story I sold a while back. In the memo line was:

For Incriminating Evidence

Incriminating Evidence is the title of the story. Still. It feels slightly illicit.

And, speaking of other stories, I got a couple out the door as well. So, all in all, it’s been a good week.

Writing Work:

Pansy 2.0 ~ 11,881 word

Submissions:

Doreen’s Muse
Like Bread Loves Salt

Rejections:

Like Bread Loves Salt

Acceptances:

None

Publications:

Available in print and electronic format:

Print, Kindle, Nook, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords

Last week at $2.99 for the electronic copy!

Also available as a Kindle Match Book. Buy the Print version from Amazon and get the Kindle version for 99 cents! (Note: you must buy the paperback first for this to work.)

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Filed under Books, Weekly Writing Check In, Writing, YA

Tagged as Publishing, Reading, Writing, YA books, Young-adult fiction