Craziness and Writing

I've gotten behind on my blogs. Combination of being in mourning after losing Sammy and discovering my father is not doing well at all. Put on top of that the holidays, which is not always a happy time for everyone, my crazy work schedule, trying to get the house ready to sell and the tail end of a divorce, and well, sometimes things just don't get done.

On the upside, I'm writing again. I have an hour lunch and I've been taking my laptop and working on a one of many novels. I'm pleases with the progress I'm making and am looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds. I do have a basic plot but characters have this bad habit of taking the writer down a path not expected. That's okay because it does make for a better story.

Different Dragons II which I edited has been released. It's the second and last collection of dragon stories set in places not normally done in traditional fantasy. If you enjoyed the first anthology, you'll love the second.

I have a convention in January I'm planning on attending and a writing conference in February. More on those later.

For those of you running around with Christmas shopping and planning family get gatherings, cherish your loved ones. There will come a day when there will be missing members. Let them know how much you love them. 

Making Progress

Made good progress on a couple of novels. Completed chapter 6 for Thunks in the Attic. Had to go check the doll house it's based on for a few details. The story is beginning to shape up and should be easier to complete. Although I say that cautiously since the unexpected can always happen.

Also wrote chapter 2 for the sequel to God's Gift. One part is well plotted out while the other has some points to be covered with others left open. The story will take some surprise twists and not go where the reader expects it to. That's a good thing both for the writer and the reader.

MileHiCon is fast approaching. That's the local Science Fiction Literary convention. Myself, along with many local and out of town writers will be there. It's in October.

Book signings - Profit not always the way one thinks

Last Saturday I went with several other writers to Colorado Springs for a signing at the Written World Bookstore. Despite advertising both by the store and authors, no one showed up. That was okay. We sat around and talked, read from various pieces we're working on, and got to know the owner of the bookstore.

The real profit for the day was the networking we did. Two of us will be included in a writing challenge. All of us will be part of a new anthology, Supernatural Colorado, I got a nibble on my young adult series and my over fifty romance, which Written World Communications is looking for, now has a home. I just have to do one last edit and format it.

So while we didn't get a chance to sign the anthology we're all in, there was profit to our gathering.

Roles of the Writer : Sales and Booking Agent

The next crucial roles of the writer is that of Sales and Booking Agent.

The Booking Agent is responsible for searching for and setting up appearances. Sometimes its for signings at local bookstores, other times on panels at conventions, both locally and out of state, and if fortunate enough to be invited Writing Conferences.

The Sales Agent sells the product. This isn't just the work but also the writer his/her self. They convince the would be reader why the book would be enjoyed by the perspective buyer.

Both these roles work closely with the Marketing and Public Relations manager.

Roles of the Writer : Writer & Editor

At their heart, writers are writers. They enjoy playing with the words and putting together stories. If it was all they had to do, they would , so to speak, be in heaven.

However, in today's market, the roles writers play are more involved. Many also become editors working independently or for a publishing house. They help other writers become better at their craft often by correcting grammar or punctuation or finding plot holes you could drive a truck through. Some edit anthologies.

They also freelance for businesses as technical writers with assignments that can range from scientific documents, computer instructions, department procedure manuals, job descriptions, vendor letters and any thing else needing their special talents. Many make their living this way while they toil away at their own creative endeavors.

Definitely Sympathize

I got a good lesson over the weeknd on why it's important to give agents and editors a break during conference.

I'm editing an anthology called 'Different Dragons'. While attending MileHiCon, our local literary Science Fiction Convention, I spent most of my day Saturday taking pitches, or having my brain picked for information on writing. It got to the point that I went and hid at my publishers dealer's table, just to get away from writers.

It's not that I minded taking their pitches or talking with them. There just comes a point when I needed a break so I could talk with the next writer who wanted a bit of my time and experience.

This being said, the next time I see an editor or agent in the bar, or in the ladie's room or some other place, I'm going to be mindful that I need to respect their space and give them time to themselves.Yes, they're there to take pitches, as I was over the weekend, but sometimes, they need to be allowed to enjoy themselves and recharge their 'engines'.

Yes, I'd love to pitch, but I need to ask if it's a good time and if it isn't, arrange to talk with them later. In the long run, it will be better for me, or even you, the want to be published writer.

Time Traveling Coffers & MileHiCon Schedule

Time Traveling Coffers, an anthology I edited, has been released and is available from Amazon. It centers around objects being responsible, directly or indirectly, a time travel adventure. Twelve established and up and coming / new writers contributed stories.

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Time-Traveling-Coffers-Dana-Bell/dp/1936099373/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350073188&sr=8-1&keywords=Time+Traveling+Coffers

Also, MileHiCon, Denver's local literary Science Fiction convention is October 19-21st. 
 http://www.milehicon.org/Default.aspx

My schedule is:
Friday : 6-7 PM  - The Next Buggywhip.
Sunday : 10-11 AM - Playing with Participants ; 2-3 PM - When Bad Marketing Attacks ; 3-4 PM - Time Traveling Coffers Group Reading ; 4-5 PM - TTC autograph session. 

I will be around the convention the entire weekend. Look for me at the WolfSinger Publications table. 







 

 

Rejections

Rejection. All part of an author's life. As I once heard at a convention, if you get rejections than you're a writer. I'm a writer. I got a rejection.

What I also have is a wonderful story to send some where else.

It's been a good week.

Returning to work

In a few days I go back to work full-time. Truthfully, I have mixed feelings about it because I like having free time to write, keep up my house, run errands, or watch movies in the afternoon. It is a blessing because the unemployment extensions run out at the end of year and who knows if they'll be continued given the current chaos in the gov and the upcoming elections.

I have enjoyed my on and off again time of being unemployed. The extra time has allowed me to launch my writing career and given me much needed rest time. I'm not saying there hasn't been a down side. Finances have been tight and I haven't been able to travel very much, the latter of which I enjoy doing .

There are still looming deadlines which I have to make and learning to better manage my time will be a challenge in order to meet them. I know of many writers who both work and write. Today's economic climate demands they do so because writing is considered a 'hobby' and not a real profession. Besides, I don't know of many writers who would thrive living on the streets or in their cars.

So as I toddle off to rejoin the rat race I keep in mind that the money generated will be keep a roof over my head and food on my table. What I will be doing isn't my 'real' career. It never will be. It's what I call the 'money job' since all I ever think about is writing.

I am a writer. Plain and simple.

Time Traveling Coffers

Last week I spent most of my time editing stories that were accepted for 'Time Traveling Coffers'. I'm a picky editor, as those who submitted will tell you. I'm currently awaiting rewrites and will be sending out bio requests and contracts early this week. I have no intention of working on the July 4th. Planned release date is October just in time for MileHiCon - my local Science Fiction Convention. Sneak peak and tentative order" Time Con - Alan Lickiss The Locket – Nikalas Nowell Island Out of Time – Dave Withe Question Unresolved – Malcolm Cowen One Large Universe – Peter Wacks The Worm – Matt Chatelain Sins of the Father – Rebecca McFarland-Kyle Johnny Cache Steps Out – Sheryl Normandeau Seven Secret Minutes – Kessie Carroll The Story Within – Kaitlyn Wooley Eternal Escapes – Carol Hightshoe (Title) – Dana Bell Serval/dragon My story is a lead in for 'Different Dragons'. It is currently open for submissions. Guidelines are on the WolfSinger Publications site.

Dana's Dragon Note - Keep at it.

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to attend Pikes Peak Writer's Conference in Colorado Springs, CO. I had a wonderful time meeting new people, which was my goal. I didn't pitch an idea to any publisher although I did introduce myself to Lou Anders of Pyr Books. I suspect when I did so he thought I was going to approach him on an idea. That wasn't my purpose. I simply said 'Hi' and moved on.

I also did a read and critique with Steve Saffel of Tital Books. He gave some very good and insightful advice on improving my opening page for 'Winter Emergence', sequel to my novel 'Winter Awakening'. I also sat in with at a Muse session because I'm stuck on my current in progress work 'Thunks in the Attic' a paranormal. His suggestions helped and I can't wait to get back to it.

Much of what was covered I pretty much already knew. Review is always good and I loved writers sharing stories about their struggles and how they overcame them. How they set goals for themselves, Carrie Vaughn has one of not living in a card board box when she's eighty so her mother, who's an account, is helping with her financial planning.

I think what really surprised me was the number of writers who almost quit before selling the break through novel. I can identify with this myself. I too reached a point where I questioned whether I wanted to continue on the pro march or just resign myself to being a fan fiction writer. I'm glad now I kept at it.

What I took away from the conference is this, and I heard it more than once, 'The surest way to fail - is not to try.'