We’re into the home stretch for Round 3 of ROW80. This has brought on a fair amount of introspection, even though I have no time for introspection! Just kidding — the introspection kinda creeps up on me, even if it isn’t the most effective use of my time. I’ve been thinking a lot about upcoming projects; I swear, I write way too slow and come up with new ideas way too fast! I’m getting my second book in shape for publishing. I also need to do some cleanup to the first book — for instance, I noticed on the Apple store they seem to have it in the wrong category, but I have no idea how to change that when it’s distributed through Smashwords. I also think when the second book comes out I will publish both novellas to allromanceebooks.com; there’s a bit of a learning curve there, because I don’t know how to make the different formats. I also want to improve on some evolving aspects of social networking (like joining Google+ and getting business cards). So that’s a lot of stuff swirling around my tired brain — a lot of stuff besides actually writing!
Where’s the excitement, you say? Everywhere! I hit my stride with the fantasy I’m currently writing. Right now I’m at 3,800 words for the week, after last week’s 3,900. I haven’t consolidated all of it into my manuscript, but I believe this puts me at about 23,000 total word count. I’m approaching the midpoint, and it feels like it will really come together and possibly be fast to write (?) the closer I get to the climax. (By the way, I can do the math, and I know if I hit the midpoint soon, I’ll have yet another short book on my hands. But I’m just writing the draft and not worrying about length, which I believe is trivial beside story.) Also, on Friday what I’d written inspired me to make notes for the second and third books in this trilogy. I already had a general concept for the trilogy, but Friday’s work puts me ahead on planning out the next two books — which is an awesome feeling!
I’m also getting really excited about returning to romance writing. I’m not in a good place with the outline for book three of the Children of the Sidhe series, but I’m sure one of these days my mental firecrackers will be focused in that direction. I definitely want to have book three outlined before publishing book two, Vessel, this fall. I’m on the last three chapters of edits for Vessel, and then I need to incorporate all of my changes into the manuscript and get beta readers lined up.
I also need to strategize about my second release. I feel like the first one went out there into kind of a void… it’s out there, but nobody knows it’s out there. I’m considering things like advance copies to reviewers, a big sale and promotion of the first book since readers will want to read them in order. If anyone has great advice about making a bang with a book release, I’d be happy to hear it!
Good luck with your final push, ROW80ers!! And to all, a good week!
Sounds like you have been very busy! I too have been thinking alot about this round and the future and all I can say is in terms of writing I am excited!
Thank you for your comment about NaNo, hope I will see you there?
Lots happening. I think we’re in the same boat. My first book is “out there” and I haven’t found an ideal way to publicize it just yet. And I’m already planning the second while in the middle of writing several other stories. I have more ideas than I have time and energy. And now I understand what others have said, even after your book is out, your work is not over. Looking forward to loads of writing!
Keep up the good work. Thanks for stopping by my blog. See you next time around!
Hi, J.R., thanks for stopping by today! Will you join in ROW80 for round 4? If so, I’ll see you there.
I agree with you about some sort of strategy for your second book. I just published my first novel in Sept, and without a coupon and the blog – I’m not sure anyone would even know about it! All this promotion is new to me, too.
Best of luck formulating your plan. ~ Nadja
Hi Em! I’ve decided not to NaNo this year, because it just doesn’t fit into where I am with my projects. If I start something new for NaNo, I put off other things I have in the works. Plus that pace would just be a killer with my job and two small kids. Next year I’ll probably NaNo — it’ll be a good daily shot of adrenaline!
Wendy, I see you on time and energy. If I could just carve out another hour a day, I’d be so golden — but where, oh, where??
And Nadja, I’m sure we’ll get the hang of this promotion stuff. One area I could improve is inviting guests to my blog. I’ve never had anyone post here before, and maybe when I review an indie book I could ask the author on for an interview. And then tweet it, and post it to Goodreads, and maybe Google+ when I figure that out… the possibilities are really endless.
Getting over that mid-point is always so exciting! From there it is all a slide to the finish line. Good luck for the last few days of ROW80 Round 3 🙂
Marketing, to me, is the very hardest part of writing. I’m just now getting comfortable with mentioning my books on Twitter. There’s a fine line in social networking between promoting too much and sounding obnoxious and not promoting at all. A FINE line.
I’m not that big on guest posts (sometimes they’re great, though), but I love author interviews. I like it when fun questions are asked. I’ve only done one author interview on my blog, but I would like to do more. I feel more comfortable about it now that I have a few more subscribers.
It sounds like you’re really moving along with your projects. I would be glad to beta read for you again. 🙂
Sounds like you’re coming in strong in the home stretch. Congrats. Hope to see you in Round 4!
This sounds like fantastic news, and I totally know what you mean about coming up with ideas faster than you can write them. Sometimes I wish I could clone myself, just so I could get all those stories down onto paper.
Looking forward to seeing you in Round 4!