tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49555486656537737082024-03-19T07:20:27.706-04:00Author Jean DavisScience Fiction, Fantasy, Horror...and ChickensJean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.comBlogger729125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-1786944854997055692024-03-14T18:46:00.002-04:002024-03-14T20:19:05.971-04:00New Release: One Shot at the Sphinx <p><span style="font-family: arial;">Welcome to release day for my new Narvan novella prequel: One Shot at the Sphinx.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes, we got through six books in the series and now we're going back to the beginning. Why? Why not? Ideas don't always come in chronological order.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJs2z_lTKCV5hHtMhNQgc43GqkNN4ZRtqbvpoLz_YaB0Z5VbxZJerbtwSRTC3_U75WXxuq3ubFo74YedTnO7UNvzBVsmqmIR0Hah-vJcEubyIEcO4-LjJIAwv4aLCSc-4ZFDzs9nxE0Zm1Vdp6Jv1FxtPRl1R8UxFhFw7sgKZsr-lJhcCx1Vt2oeLOtg/s2701/Sphinx%20front%20only.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2701" data-original-width="1787" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJs2z_lTKCV5hHtMhNQgc43GqkNN4ZRtqbvpoLz_YaB0Z5VbxZJerbtwSRTC3_U75WXxuq3ubFo74YedTnO7UNvzBVsmqmIR0Hah-vJcEubyIEcO4-LjJIAwv4aLCSc-4ZFDzs9nxE0Zm1Vdp6Jv1FxtPRl1R8UxFhFw7sgKZsr-lJhcCx1Vt2oeLOtg/s320/Sphinx%20front%20only.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;">Having gathered quite the series worth of notes by the time I wrapped up Tears of the Tyrant, I decided there was a story to tell: How Chesser Ta'set convinced Anastassia to come to the Narvan to start the chain of events that becomes the entire series.</span><br style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; transition-property: none;" /><br style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; transition-property: none;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;">These events are alluded to in Trust and Minor Years but now you can get a firsthand accounting in the midst of the action in one easy-to-get-into novella that will neatly deliver you right onto the doorstep of Book 1.</span><br style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; transition-property: none;" /><br style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; transition-property: none;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;">If you like action and intrigue with a side of romance and questionable motivations, One Shot at the Sphinx is now available for your eyeball consumption!</span><br style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; transition-property: none;" /><br style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; transition-property: none;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;">There are even multiple pricing options. Including free. Because you'll want to read this one...and I want you to be able to do so.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">The enemy of her enemy might be just the tool Anastassia
Kazan needs to remove the Jalvian invaders from the Verian space station she
calls home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Working out a treaty between the Jalvians and the Verian
people was the highlight of Anastassia Kazan’s military career. Just when
station life seems to be settling into a tolerable accord, a spy from the
Jalvian’s enemy shows up to take advantage of her hard work and threatens the
precarious peace with his very presence. It’s only fair, as a spy for the
Verian army, that she uses him in return.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Chesser Ta’set’s mission to intercept the Jalvian’s next
moves is imperative. Without them his people will soon lose the war with Jal
and his entire star system will be in chaos. Meeting a human spy with the telepathic
skill necessary to slip into his target’s thoughts presents an avenue that will
greatly multiply the odds of his success.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">All he needs to do is convince her to blow her cover and
risk her life for a stranger from a world she doesn’t know.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Shot-Sphinx-Jean-Davis/dp/B0CXDTWHLF/">Print copies are currently only on Amazon for $7.99</a></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Shot-Sphinx-Jean-Davis-ebook/dp/B0CXQFNH67/">Ebook copies are on Amazon for .99</a></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1534200">Ebook copies are also on Smashwords for FREE</a></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I will have print copies with me at Alma Con (March 23-24) and thereon after at in person signings. They are currently on the way to me so unless a delivery miracle happens, I will not have any print copies available this weekend.</span></p><p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></p><p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-44348701584163073132024-03-04T14:46:00.049-05:002024-03-06T12:20:57.952-05:00You get a free book for my birthday month!<p>This has been the best winter ever in terms of weather. We had real winter for a month. That was just long enough to appreciate winter. Anyway, moving on to Spring! Yay! I can deal with occasional days of snow in between the good ones, but being able to work in the yard in FEBRUARY is pretty damn awesome. Especially when the months that I'm usually trying to squeeze in lawn clean up are filled with book events.</p><p>Between the stick picking up duties and bonfires, I'm putting the final editing touches on <i>One Shot At The Sphinx</i>. Which led to sitting down to re-read the series to make sure I have all the facts straight. Oh, the perils of writing a prequel after building the world for six books. And while I'm reading, I got the bright idea to reformat the paperback interiors to celebrate the series being tied up. Is it actually done? It might go on (there are notes for another book) but the core series is complete. I'm not changing the content, just doing a facelift. #projects.</p><p>Painting on<i> Laya's Vacation </i>is slow going. The cover is done but I haven't found my grove on the rest yet beyond doing a full mock up of the book. My brain needs to wrap up the series first before it has the power to delve into this undertaking.</p><p>Writing on<i> I9 </i>is on hold, also until the series is wrapped up, because it turns out that working on two sci-fi projects at once makes story details easy to entangle. Oops. #dontcrossthestreams</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">March is my birthday month, so this year, I'm offering sales on some of my ebooks. </h2><p><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Race-Jean-Davis-ebook/dp/B07BQKSFD5">A Broken Race</a></i> is only .99 Feb 26 - March 4 on Amazon</p><p><i><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1079264">Not Another Bard's Tale</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1026840">Dreams Of Stars And Lies</a> </i>are only .99 - March 3-9 on Smashwords</p><p><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sahmara-Jean-Davis-ebook/dp/B01LRFQNSE">Sahmara</a></i> is <b>FREE</b> March 20-24</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Mid-Michigan Women's Expo </h2><p>My one February event was a blast other than a medical emergency with one of the other attending authors the morning of the first day. Nothing like a medical scare to start things off. Thankfully, everyone is ok now and we agree on the need for having an emergency contact list for group events like this in the future. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HUKcIcun7o7sHBdzhg9G_DkiKb2qyrcSfKlhlZ3i_UYH4Aylqmmb3QC_2ydNvOcXpdGP-wh8mHyXtvZ6uVuYwt9fXWB1jxBJicI7mjUU-1x49r4Isz_zHY03O7A6NwGiIxkNkSMlM4ZbRanrMVSh0H99dFjpW6zekIdj-1DqE-4ed8NxS60nXKDOoD8/s4032/20240210_170705.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HUKcIcun7o7sHBdzhg9G_DkiKb2qyrcSfKlhlZ3i_UYH4Aylqmmb3QC_2ydNvOcXpdGP-wh8mHyXtvZ6uVuYwt9fXWB1jxBJicI7mjUU-1x49r4Isz_zHY03O7A6NwGiIxkNkSMlM4ZbRanrMVSh0H99dFjpW6zekIdj-1DqE-4ed8NxS60nXKDOoD8/s320/20240210_170705.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18 Authors and so many books</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">March is full of fun author events. You can find me at:</h2><p>Hall of Heroes Comic Con - March 2&3</p><p>West Michigan Women's Expo - March 15-17</p><p>Alma Con - March 23&24</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span>the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span>links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span>writers.</span></div></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h2>This month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question is:</h2><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><b>Have you "played" with AI to write those nasty synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?</b></span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">This month's co-hosts are: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">Miffie Seideman <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://miffieseideman.com/&source=gmail&ust=1709322365739000&usg=AOvVaw0fodX2055MDkRdbKgJaZzC" href="https://miffieseideman.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://miffieseideman.com/</a> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">Kristina Kelly <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://kristinaseyes.com/&source=gmail&ust=1709322365739000&usg=AOvVaw3rMJ4TSLMecibJYxeQLOHF" href="http://kristinaseyes.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://kristinaseyes.com/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">Liza <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://middlepassages-lcs.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1709322365739000&usg=AOvVaw3LSHR-yjW_bMVSrsVVk15u" href="http://middlepassages-lcs.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://middlepassages-lcs.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">Jean Davis <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://jeanddavis.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1709322365739000&usg=AOvVaw0P8f9iVCdV-DbLPmGkrw4E" href="http://jeanddavis.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://jeanddavis.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com/</a> </p><b></b><p>I'm not a fan of AI in writing. I don't use it beyond the common features of Grammarly and Pro Writing Aid. Even then, I don't like the more AI involved features those programs offer. #theresistance</p><p>Could AI help me write my synopsis? Sure. Can I write a synopsis? Also sure. Having done it a few times, writing a blurb or a synopsis isn't a terrible chore anymore. I've gotten fairly comfortable with it.</p><p>Could AI help me brainstorm scenes? Yep. I could also just sit here and close my eyes and brainstorm scenes. Again, having written quite a few books, I'm fairly comfortable and confident in my ability to keep the writing momentum going.</p><p>Could it help me pick out appropriate keywords for ads? Now this I might delve into a little because I'm not comfortable there yet. But that's not quite as much on the 'creative' end of the AI abilities as much as other aspects. Like all tools, AI has its uses. Just be responsible so we don't end up with #skynet blowing us up over bad grammar.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-16368055207117192682024-02-06T08:00:00.042-05:002024-02-06T10:56:11.509-05:00Not Feeling The Love <p>It's been a rough start to the year. We had to stay goodbye to our 16.5 year old terrier a couple weeks ago due to health reasons. This was in the wake of the unexpected death of our 11 year old terrier in November. I also lost two of my fluffy chicken friends to a nasty illness in January. Crossing my fingers that the rest of the flock is ok. So far, everyone looks good.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHzilP3iQENqUr45Dpj57r0llIr_mrzdDp9o-AR5x8kQqZgY67TmF1s6Pa1Tkqi_cEicCVBeH558BBw4_E8JC_nDLyrkt25acEg9RpOaBSyrYNWvyi8q9KtKIc_r-SHaEQI7XIEjMC9oJ_4P99qqL9gPQlrmPw0pKCruEpcvFhs7dJMqxMdrucvFOuF4/s4032/20240127_133936.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHzilP3iQENqUr45Dpj57r0llIr_mrzdDp9o-AR5x8kQqZgY67TmF1s6Pa1Tkqi_cEicCVBeH558BBw4_E8JC_nDLyrkt25acEg9RpOaBSyrYNWvyi8q9KtKIc_r-SHaEQI7XIEjMC9oJ_4P99qqL9gPQlrmPw0pKCruEpcvFhs7dJMqxMdrucvFOuF4/s320/20240127_133936.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Say hello to my new shadow, 9 year old Skittles. He's currently curled up in my blanket next to me on the chair. He prefers to be attached if I'm stationary anywhere. Good thing he's small because my chair isn't that big.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>After three weeks of distribution snags, Frayed is finally available at all your favorite online retailers. It's been a journey, guys, I won't lie. The writing, the finishing, and then the distribution hiccups that were out of my control. But here we finally are. Whew! Signed copies are available from the tab at the top or you can find me at the Mid-Michigan Women's Expo in Lansing (Feb 9-11).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">God doesn’t make mistakes. That choice to give man free will,
though, that has caused nothing but problems. Problems that need fixing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When an angel shows up to hand Samuel Mason a task he never
asked for, his first reaction is to refuse. Killing the little boy next door is
unthinkable. But there’s a contract with Sam’s name already on it and the angel
won’t take no for an answer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fulfilling his task will ruin Sam’s life, his family, and
devastate the boy’s mother. How long can a good kid hold out before he becomes
the very thing society expects him to be?
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Frayed
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</span><o:p></o:p><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_0tLtV6YzRV63gPAHCRkAvu9O0ACichtKr_Rvf_GBLblF_KaHukSu-dL1paiEjYskHOVRKhCvaSCOdWweMVfBREUXEf2CEqlMIA6ssLBds5sjU-ZH0WpuS11MwCB2zsbHteJ0-PH81yNMm9L-VQn0dPfmihNLoIgpEZsFGqpxwqgCCuxCmCFSrHNe5s/s3024/20240125_154638.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_0tLtV6YzRV63gPAHCRkAvu9O0ACichtKr_Rvf_GBLblF_KaHukSu-dL1paiEjYskHOVRKhCvaSCOdWweMVfBREUXEf2CEqlMIA6ssLBds5sjU-ZH0WpuS11MwCB2zsbHteJ0-PH81yNMm9L-VQn0dPfmihNLoIgpEZsFGqpxwqgCCuxCmCFSrHNe5s/w282-h320/20240125_154638.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>January was a month for getting behind the scenes things gone. I updated awards, back cover blurbs, and 'also by' pages on all of my books, printed new booth banners, updated my book racks, and made new bookmarks and new business cards. All of these things had to be done because... I have several new books since they were last done. #writerproblems </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span>the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span>links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span>writers.</span></div></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">Which brings us to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group portion of the post. <b>This month's question is: What turns you off when visiting a writer's website or blog?</b></h3><p></p><p>My number one turn off is: I can't find what I'm there for. </p><p>Have clear tabs for things. Make it easy for your visitors to find what they want. Links to your books, about you, photos, your signing schedule, blurbs, your contact information and your blog or posts. Or any combination thereof. Put all of that in an easy to find spot at the top of the page. Please. Do not make me jump through hoops, because I don't do much jumping anymore. I'm busy. If you make it hard, I will just go away.</p><p><br /></p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-68653902243849737782024-01-01T08:48:00.029-05:002024-01-01T21:15:00.007-05:00It's 2024!<p>As we slip into shiny new year, it's time to look forward to new things. Usually I have a one word resolution but I've yet to come up with one so I'm forgoing that this time around. As always, I'm hoping for a more relaxed year, but that never seems to actually happen. Doesn't hurt to hope though.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">How did I do with my 2023 goals?</span></b></p><p>• Release<i> Everyone Dies: A Collection of Dark Tales <b>DONE!</b></i></p><p>• Finally finish <i>Frayed</i>, because OMG this has been a tough one to get from brain to page. <b>DONE!</b></p><p>• Illustrate <i>Kay-Kay: The Littlest Chicken </i>(new)<b> DONE!</b></p><p>• Write/finish one of the following projects: <i>Godmother</i> (new), <i>I9 </i>(new), or <i>Interface </i>(2016 WIP). </p><p> <b>I did start I9 so I'm calling that somewhat done.</b><br /></p><p>• Release one of those five projects. <b>I released Everyone Dies and Kay-Kay so DONE!</b></p><p>• Don't keel over.<b> I'm still kicking. DONE!</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">New books I hope you'll see in 2024:</span></b></p><p><i>Frayed</i> - out with ARC readers</p><p><i>One Shot At The Sphinx </i>- in the last round of edits</p><p><i>Laya's Vacation</i> - waiting for illustrations</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Projects I hope to get to or wrap up in 2024:</span></b></p><p><i>Godmother</i> - currently just notes</p><p><i>i9</i> - first draft in progress</p><p><i>Interface </i>- first draft in progress</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Other goals for 2024:</span></b></p><p>As always, I'm hoping to read more. I have so many books on my TBR stacks and on my kindle. </p><p>I'd like to get out in my flower garden more. We'll see if my body cooperates.</p><p>Maybe work a little less. Yes, I'm laughing at that one while looking at my 2024 events over there on the right, but we're back to that hope thing. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span>the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span>links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span>writers.</span></div></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;">Let's get to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question:</span></b> Do you follow back readers on Bookbub or only other authors. <p></p><p>Well, I don't use Bookbub, so we're going to answer with platforms I do use: Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. I mostly follow back other authors, but if I've met a reader in person at an event, there's a fairly high chance that I'll follow them back too. I tend to only follow people I actually know rather than amassing numbers. That's probably not the most marketing beneficial way to go about it, but that's how I roll. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-6322546518729662252023-12-06T11:31:00.001-05:002023-12-06T11:31:05.082-05:00<br />It's hard to believe we're back to December already. Maybe if I wasn't always on the go, time wouldn't fly by? Nah, it probably still would. <div><br /></div><div>November always flies by. Between Grand Rapids Comic Con and NaNoWriMo, its a flurry of people and words. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grand Rapids Comic Con went well.</b> It was fun as always and Kay-Kay got to come to her first con. Petting a chicken sure made a lot of people happy. Lots of books found new homes and I had a great time chatting with the other guest authors each day. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis9ca6pLgRjrPjL1AtxLu7JfRz2FPjUVIfq2qIrNC2IgtrZUZq6AvNj_o3q5c9x4RyFu9gmLbq71muJLIhHjlJLHbUns2vYoGuO5vIYgzhIZ6UO7CigxtK5XCd-pExGwtUSAeIQHy331cTjEfO4I5rBkzbL1yRTNjffgTAYQIyueVgGIa00Kidil8-sg/s3264/20231103_122510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis9ca6pLgRjrPjL1AtxLu7JfRz2FPjUVIfq2qIrNC2IgtrZUZq6AvNj_o3q5c9x4RyFu9gmLbq71muJLIhHjlJLHbUns2vYoGuO5vIYgzhIZ6UO7CigxtK5XCd-pExGwtUSAeIQHy331cTjEfO4I5rBkzbL1yRTNjffgTAYQIyueVgGIa00Kidil8-sg/s320/20231103_122510.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b>NaNoWriMo resulted in 50,000 new words!</b> Of my projects:</div><div><i>Laya's Vacation</i> is a complete draft</div><div><i>One Shot At The Sphinx</i> (a Narvan Novella) is a complete draft</div><div><i>I9</i> (a stand-alone scifi novel) is 1/3 finished.</div><div><i>Godmother</i> didn't get started yet</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, I'm happy with the month of writing and the drafts are all workable. Hooray!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm taking December off, not because I want to but because work is crazy thanks to the holiday shoppers, I have a five day trip to North Carolina for work next week, and three small book events on the weekends until Christmas. Somewhere in there, I need to decorate, wrap presents, bake cookies, and host two Christmas family things. A writing break is in order.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Alrighty, let's get onward to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question: </div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><b>Book reviews</b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span>links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span>writers.</span></div></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> </span></span><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">are for the readers. When you leave a book reviews do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?</strong></div><div><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><br /></strong></div><div>The author isn't the book. I'm reading the book. Authors are people and many are like me, we write a lot of different things. We learn, we grow, our writing styles change. You may be reviewing the latest book they've written, but in the world of publishing, things move slow. That book could have been written three years ago and stuck in the publishing machine. </div><div><br /></div><div>Review the book. That book. Not everything else they've written that you may or may not have read. </div><div><br /></div><div>In a review, I will comment about what I liked or didn't like and why. I don't assume the author will ever read the review. Many don't. I rarely do. If you have something super nice or constructive criticism to offer, contact the author. The review is to help other readers decide if that book is for them.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If I don't pop on here before January, have a happy holiday season! Enjoy your family, your pet(s), or at least curl up somewhere quiet with a good book. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-81708352274220680522023-11-01T07:30:00.125-04:002023-11-01T07:30:00.138-04:00Book Release and NaNoWriMo<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOPHEAfKYpTxbd_WQYygzhutU04NrJLw6KjuqPrLZn0gy9qtuxG3RsSDxbZLCx4810CSqUQhVvBm6bynhMBOBascGAHg4JrwXOJIhjviIKUluRO4GFUn4LCyYxB03v92AUz4fJlKo5DUhIjtiP_hbcggmkOHkOEGoUqOnFE2F2BcFF_c4VyM3MsacvRk/s1200/TOTT%20front.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="791" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOPHEAfKYpTxbd_WQYygzhutU04NrJLw6KjuqPrLZn0gy9qtuxG3RsSDxbZLCx4810CSqUQhVvBm6bynhMBOBascGAHg4JrwXOJIhjviIKUluRO4GFUn4LCyYxB03v92AUz4fJlKo5DUhIjtiP_hbcggmkOHkOEGoUqOnFE2F2BcFF_c4VyM3MsacvRk/s320/TOTT%20front.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's release day for <i>Tears of the Tyrant</i>! </span></b></div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Narvan continues with book five:</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rumors of Tyrant Ta’set’s killing sprees have spread throughout the known universe. Or are they truths?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Vayen’s hold on his deadly Arpex abilities is slipping. If he loses control, he’ll be executed and his mission of unification and peace will die with him. Desperate to help Vayen maintain his precarious balance, Anastassia is willing to offer him a week with another woman as a diversion from his dark urges. Can she live with her decision if he wants more?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the public spotlight by association, Daniel unwittingly ignites a political uprising when, in the spirit of love and unity, he adopts the Jalvian practice of taking a second wife. While he works with Neko to guide the debate within the Narvan, he must also work alongside his volatile, tyrannical father as they race the rumors to seek out amiable worlds for their advisory union. Daniel struggles to take on the brunt of his parent’s mission while facing his own darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spending a guilt-free week with Vayen is a dream come true for Buria. She’s had her eye on him for years. Securing a place within his inner circle could mean a serious job upgrade and notoriety. Managing Vayen’s addictions and temper will require every skill beaten into her as a slave if she is to stand a chance at coming out on top.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is the Ta’set family, the Narvan, and the newly-formed advisory union prepared for a future where Vayen takes the one life that will send him over the edge?</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Would you like to check out the first chapter for free?<a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ypwvazl1z3"> Download from BookFunnel.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Available in e-book and paperback today! <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tears-Tyrant-Narvan-Jean-Davis/dp/1962708004">Amazon</a> / <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144220253?ean=9781962708005">B&N</a> / <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tears-of-the-tyrant">Kobo</a></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">We've reached November</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">, which means we're going to talk about National Novel Writing Month.<b> This month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question asks: Have you ever participated? </b>The short answer: Yes.</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Want to know all about it? Let's dive in!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>For year </span><span>18 of my NaNoWriMo adventures, I'll be sinking my writerly teeth into four projects as muses and time allow. I've managed to meet or exceed my goal of 50,000 words in 30 days 15 out of the 17 previous years so I'm feeling pretty good about keeping my words hopping. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This year I'll be working on:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> A new chicken picture book - Laya's Vacation</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A Narvan novella - Anastassia and Chesser's Story (title TBA)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A YA fairytale along the same vein as <i>Spindelkin</i> - Godmother</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A sci-fi standalone - I9</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We'll see how much of any or all of these I can accomplish. I know I have 3 days that nearly nothing will get done due to Grand Rapids Comic Con. I also have a 3 day work trip to St. Louis to contend with but I'm hoping to be able to write in the car (not while I'm driving, of course) and at night. Fingers cross that there are no other unexpected major interruptions.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>My NaNo secrets for success</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1. <b>The point is to write 50,000 new words in 30 days.</b> That can be done a lot of different ways. Do what speaks to you. The pure experience would be to work on a totally new novel. You could also veer into the rebel camp and write a collection of short stories, an epic poem, multiple projects, non fiction articles, etc.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2.<b> </b>Don't sleep.<b> </b>Ok, maybe this one is just me. But I don't sleep well in general so I get up several times a night, and during November, that means I might write a couple hundred or thousand words at 2am before heading back to bed and then doing it again at 7am. Maybe grabbing another writing session after work and again just before bed. <b>Write when you can.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">3. This is writing month. That means my <b>brain is in writing mode</b>. I typically don't read books or watch Netflix or play on my phone during November. If I'm not working, eating, or sleeping, I'm writing. And when I'm doing those other three things, I'm thinking about what I will be writing the next time I sit down at the laptop.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">4. <b>Have fun with it.</b> Join your local NaNo group. Attend write-ins online or in person for group support and motivation. Find a writing buddy and get competitive. Urge each other on and duel with word counts. Do word wars. You don't have to write alone. Unless you prefer to, then hey, write alone.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">5. <b>Get the words on the page and don't be afraid to suck.</b> Rough drafts are not meant to be perfect. That could mean experimenting with a scene or chapter or a bunch of chapters that might not make it into the final novel. Sometimes you need to tinker around to see what POV works best or explore a subplot. Those words all count for NaNo purposes. If you get stuck, skip to the next scene, throw words at the page and see what sticks to get you going again. Get all stream of consciousness if you have to. Just keep moving forward. Or jump around if that's your thing. Keep writing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">My NaNo history</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2006 - <i>Sahmara</i> was my first NaNoWriMo novel. It took 10 years between it's word birth and actual publication. Noveling isn't a race. Sometimes books need time to come together.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2007 - A YA Fantasy that has yet to come together though I've toyed around with it a couple of times. I'm not giving up on it yet.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2008 - <i>Not Another Bard's Tale</i> - This was my favorite NaNo book to write as far as it being fun.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2009 - <i>A Broken Race </i>- My first book to be published in 2015</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2010 - <i>Destiny Pills & Space Wizards</i> - My first rebel year when I wrote short stories instead of a novel.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2011 - <i>Chain Of Grey</i> - Narvan books are an easy (comparatively) because those characters just flow onto the page.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2012 - A failed attempt at a Broken Race prequel that ended up providing additional content in the second edition of ABR. While I did make it to 50K, the story didn't work.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2013 - A sci-fi novel that I'd like to revisit at some point to see if I can pull it out of it's tailspin because I really like this one.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2014 - 20K of a sci-fi novel that I don't even remember writing because it was while we were building our house. Someday I'll have to read it and see if it's worth pursuing. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2015 - Interface, oh you poor YA sci-fi novel. I've said I would finish you so many times. Yet, you're not finished. One of these days, I'll follow through.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2016 - <i>The Last God</i> - After several years of novels not going anywhere, I got back in the groove. Yay.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2017 - <i>Bound In Blue</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2018 - <i>Seeker</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2019 - <i>Spindelkin</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2020 - <i>The Minor Years</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2021 - <i>Frayed</i> - While I didn't get to 50k on this project for NaNo because: life, I did recently finish writing it and it will be released in 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2022 - <i>Everyone Dies, </i>part of<i> Tears of the Tyrant </i>and <i>Kay-Kay</i> - a very productive year</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">For those keeping track, that means all my novels but <i>Trust</i> and <i>Dreams of Stars and Lies</i> started as NaNo novels. NaNo isn't for everyone, but it works for me. If you're participating, feel free to shoot me a buddy request on the NaNo site. Hello, I'm Gypsywitch and I'm a nano addict. </span></p></div></div>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-49616967244564990612023-10-03T10:00:00.003-04:002023-10-03T11:24:18.094-04:00October is for Getting Book Stuff Done! <p>September was a relaxing month as far as previous months go. I found time to sleep, edit, and format Tears of the Tyrant. I finished Frayed. Yes, really. Finally. And also started edits on Frayed. Woohoo!</p><p>I did a craft show with an author friend last weekend. It didn't go near as well as it did the year before for us. The organizer is doing too many similar shows at the same venue, which appears to tapping out the buying audience. That one is crossed off my list for next year, but we had a good time and met readers. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafjWcleSR5__1elSRgm2toqKWHtvwmtJ57RNCW1YymY8B86Y0aTTMvqF8ho9APi3Y-z8ofhtn82tl-vw44vtAUm6GqXAPXbX6A2v3IpU8L3XCdWjqprIrbTj05-NxD5cXSwDUVM8Dpxs8lxYU9B-7SmAojch_uybhaSZib3o9-XIgAHeuLPCiB9LC7To/s1274/Table%20pic%20sept%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafjWcleSR5__1elSRgm2toqKWHtvwmtJ57RNCW1YymY8B86Y0aTTMvqF8ho9APi3Y-z8ofhtn82tl-vw44vtAUm6GqXAPXbX6A2v3IpU8L3XCdWjqprIrbTj05-NxD5cXSwDUVM8Dpxs8lxYU9B-7SmAojch_uybhaSZib3o9-XIgAHeuLPCiB9LC7To/s320/Table%20pic%20sept%202023.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>October is for cramming in as much as possible before writing month takes over. I have one event this weekend, a new to me outdoor Halloween show. We'll see how it goes. Crossing my fingers for nice weather. </p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What's on the to-do list for October?</span></b></p><p>• Getting Tears of the Tyrant ready for release on Nov. 1</p><p>• Getting as much wrapped up on edits of Frayed as possible</p><p>• Finalizing my plan of attack for NaNoWriMo year 17</p><p>• Applying for events for 2024 as applications go live</p><p>• Seeing if I can sneak in time to work on Interface (YA sci-fi)</p><p>• Getting panels written/finalized for Grand Rapids Comic Con</p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">This month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question is about generative AI uses in writing. Will it assist or replace writers? </span></b></p><p>I'm not a fan of AI for writing or artwork. Is it useful? I'm sure it is. Will I be jumping onboard at this time? No. Paranoid me has seen this movie. I've read variations of this book. I will not be assisting in training our AI overlords. No thank you. #TeamHuman.</p><p>Seriously though, yes, it's a tool. I'm sure it has it's uses. At the moment, my muses are chatting it up so I don't feel the need to ask AI for ideas or sketch out scenes or plots. I've got this.</p><p>Have I toyed with AI for cover concepts, sure. But in the end, I went an entirely different direction. I've avoided purchasing AI generated art elements for my covers from my stock art source.</p><p>Will I change my mind later? Possibly. But today is not that day. Oh, and in case they're watching, all hail our supreme and benevolent overlords.</p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-43156340357506288432023-09-05T18:09:00.014-04:002023-09-06T10:10:38.966-04:00August IWSG and A Narvan Cover RevealAugust was insane. Yes, okay, fine. All my months are insane, but this one was more so than most others.<div> <div>Kay-Kay and I started out in my home town at an art fair which was easy and busy all day.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx_Tnz_OwJkdhYtKYriPMHvmA29VmMa-c83miaBg09-qxeQzQx31a0Tz_SzvUmMYahgvRgvqK2TK1f2UkQAKA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div>Then Kay-Kay and I traveled back and forth to South Haven for a weekend for another art fair where we met lots more readers. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then things got crazy. Laya and I traveled to Michigan's Upper Peninsula for yet another art fair. We camped and did some exploring and in the process, ended up in a lot of people's vacation photos. As it turns out you apparently don't see a lot of people taking their chickens on touristy walks. I may have also composed another children's chicken book while I was there. The words are not yet on paper but reference photos were taken. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hzFkGALZUQx89bjmXjrhmeakOqdJ1irVx_LDCNhRtZgMmpxqjX87_SyF-7C0Dw5MAmwhiQ_qjZhO8hmjtmaYScJusNCaAwn9tJh6yuLlZAfQElCXJ6mya-xdVhiNtRBZWg6TVu7laGTuje_zlvYvzLeovSB8p2MiCz78GfDpNP_68HfvnifGXO5vXjw/s3264/20230819_183159.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hzFkGALZUQx89bjmXjrhmeakOqdJ1irVx_LDCNhRtZgMmpxqjX87_SyF-7C0Dw5MAmwhiQ_qjZhO8hmjtmaYScJusNCaAwn9tJh6yuLlZAfQElCXJ6mya-xdVhiNtRBZWg6TVu7laGTuje_zlvYvzLeovSB8p2MiCz78GfDpNP_68HfvnifGXO5vXjw/s320/20230819_183159.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>After a long weekend up in the UP, Laya and I headed down to Indiana for our last renaissance faire of the year where we had a great time and met lots of new and returning readers. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xQOSaVONFGQEjsSLTI1U9ZGzN7nPDbs1WKhRWeWfTw8exB4lnoCQbakBQqIdr0uDtoV19KFdVjZHaP16MsmQpTzrtTk3pqsQ2HiDKROdIjW79erznK52cNIxiyooHMaXXhLS3NGGmjmV0rMREgBnPVYhqsV3vM95ptuio6w7NIPG8GC3j74ApmHt7gg/s3264/20230826_100925.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xQOSaVONFGQEjsSLTI1U9ZGzN7nPDbs1WKhRWeWfTw8exB4lnoCQbakBQqIdr0uDtoV19KFdVjZHaP16MsmQpTzrtTk3pqsQ2HiDKROdIjW79erznK52cNIxiyooHMaXXhLS3NGGmjmV0rMREgBnPVYhqsV3vM95ptuio6w7NIPG8GC3j74ApmHt7gg/s320/20230826_100925.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Then, finally, Kay-Kay and I traveled to Newaygo for the annual logging festival. You can't beat chainsaws and chickens. But not close together. That would be bad. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse89GRQmgorzlhRNhpl-2WqNXaIEyvYVhu741f1nEl8Zfh61cAvpKrc43rOelfE1bwsWRJWA9J_bUsdNJw9vB_BYQiKKGZ-6g5bHbB0D3z9CFJJN5MzD5w-cx7AGdDzN44UJi_H-5-wZbRt3914jGDVBo9KTcM9-bRh5V6E7EfB8lTW29NnTtqqXXHjY/s3264/20230903_100451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse89GRQmgorzlhRNhpl-2WqNXaIEyvYVhu741f1nEl8Zfh61cAvpKrc43rOelfE1bwsWRJWA9J_bUsdNJw9vB_BYQiKKGZ-6g5bHbB0D3z9CFJJN5MzD5w-cx7AGdDzN44UJi_H-5-wZbRt3914jGDVBo9KTcM9-bRh5V6E7EfB8lTW29NnTtqqXXHjY/s320/20230903_100451.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Now that insane August has passed, we move into a more sedate pace for the rest of the year. This is very good as I need to wrap up the blurb, proofing, and formatting on Tears of the Tyrant, a Narvan companion novel (book 4.5 for those keeping track). </div><div><br /></div><div>Did I mention a cover reveal? Oh, I did. Bloggers get the first look at the newest Narvan novel cover right now!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlgSDl12JC2-TZW6qKb3rCTndpe-573_XDbWUEH8GfUAl4jEbdzm_LSC0_BJO42_728smOvaXO8Tp6jSnfe690aOfX7g_JLPWmejkzzECONQA3MHjadfD8XXD0iFQ4an3O_qrdDeY5cF6qI8TR4iPvN08AqSV1fS4eeWFUCUh3awUvMSAkMG-bgzuHAo/s3981/TOTT%20cover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2783" data-original-width="3981" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlgSDl12JC2-TZW6qKb3rCTndpe-573_XDbWUEH8GfUAl4jEbdzm_LSC0_BJO42_728smOvaXO8Tp6jSnfe690aOfX7g_JLPWmejkzzECONQA3MHjadfD8XXD0iFQ4an3O_qrdDeY5cF6qI8TR4iPvN08AqSV1fS4eeWFUCUh3awUvMSAkMG-bgzuHAo/s320/TOTT%20cover.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Where will I be in September? You can find me and Author Vera West in at the Kalamazoo Expo Center Craft Show on Sept 30. That's right. Just ONE event. Whew!<div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>That brings us to this month's<b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Insecure Writer's Support Group portion of the post! Happy 12th birthday to IWSG! </span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I discovered IWSG from my local author pal, Diane Burton. She even gifted me with a IWSG mug. Woohoo! From the looks of it, I first joined in the monthly posts early in 2016. Holy cow, has it really been that long? </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you IWSG for the kick in the butt to at least post monthly on my blog. Since starting this blog in January of 2010 and being fairly active for years after that, I'd been struggling with the motivation and inspiration to keep up with posting with everything else I always have going on. No seriously, it's always insanely busy here. I know no other way.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've meet some new blog friends, learned things from members' blog posts and have enjoyed being part of the author community. Thank you all for for being you! </div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-75936800375302418272023-08-03T14:37:00.004-04:002023-08-03T14:37:24.224-04:00August IWSG and more chickens!<p>I'm a day late and several dollars short, but things have been hectic both on an off the writer front. Work has been crazy, sending me out of town twice last month for a couple days at a time and book signings fill my weekends. Lots of deep breaths have been taken.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHhaE7X9xkPGVG2I2EqaZFNg1Alw5Yfg1WLAPAY5ZsnCIxBpdSf5M-cZt5Fbuszbct3DtN7lepT3mGOfaN2QkuyMRrICw030C8dvdpsm_X-QnPkq5B5Jg3Szh7YyunJkPiiwsvkuA_u8zWcMTxR_jzqQdGxVLy4JEPcuOYzIq-PAF894Wq6IFXrn9dbk/s1934/IMG_20230803_102910_643.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1934" data-original-width="1934" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHhaE7X9xkPGVG2I2EqaZFNg1Alw5Yfg1WLAPAY5ZsnCIxBpdSf5M-cZt5Fbuszbct3DtN7lepT3mGOfaN2QkuyMRrICw030C8dvdpsm_X-QnPkq5B5Jg3Szh7YyunJkPiiwsvkuA_u8zWcMTxR_jzqQdGxVLy4JEPcuOYzIq-PAF894Wq6IFXrn9dbk/s320/IMG_20230803_102910_643.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New chicks were also purchased and Henifer is <br />doing her usual good momma chicken duty. Yay for cute little chicks!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Edits for<i> Tears of the Tyrant</i> from both editors showed up in my inbox this week. I've been busy reading those over, finding what comments they had a in common and where things differ. One has read the whole series, one only the first couple books. I do like my companion novels to be able to stand alone (ish) so having insight from someone who is out of the loop on a large part of the story is helpful in knowing what hints and gaps I need to touch on.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BEayxJ3TZCIqzIwyA46SkhmPN4l_Qru592OaVpeVQbBn1lpBz0co7EyTNxizT3ZncQRevbq3EAQYqEn73Ri1yqNDLInP5C0X3PdZwqovtK4zuDaQyGHDjIz4jUCGQeEO1aU4FaR5pn-lhmuDu6YgqQQj5r72LdSbGof873yfyx7lQ69XrYLqRNBGGyw/s1080/FB_IMG_1690607137986.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BEayxJ3TZCIqzIwyA46SkhmPN4l_Qru592OaVpeVQbBn1lpBz0co7EyTNxizT3ZncQRevbq3EAQYqEn73Ri1yqNDLInP5C0X3PdZwqovtK4zuDaQyGHDjIz4jUCGQeEO1aU4FaR5pn-lhmuDu6YgqQQj5r72LdSbGof873yfyx7lQ69XrYLqRNBGGyw/s320/FB_IMG_1690607137986.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did our annual panel at Kogan con last month. This year<br />we discussed the differences in worldbuilding between gaming, <br />graphic novels, and novels.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>While I'm busy pondering how to fix things the editors have pointed out, I'm also busy reading. Because Jacqueline Carey's <i>Cassiel's Servant </i>fell into my hands on release day when I went to the book signing. I know. Weird, right? LOL. I'd met Jaqueline Carey at a signing she did for one of the earlier series books in 2009, wherein she patiently offered advice to those of us aspiring writers who lingered afterward. Inspired by her advice, my first short story was published in 2010 and then I was off and running. In as much as we author types are off or running. Writing a lot and waiting for responses is more like it, but I digress. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg3tNZlkritP8EziWKzSqZM796yWi9vW5E5s_o528VBI5YI5LuQT8rIF8COYXX7MH1ryrCioPjVF1ocQzoz4vaxePkycasBZeQ4wJxTT9WAhZHpN53jfQZ7ovJwzkYM88CDWnTyDmEt5vmobrExrlDQloNNb4Z1Zz_QFkvXkkm5p8mOQ-BGEFmOOd09s/s4032/20230801_194821.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg3tNZlkritP8EziWKzSqZM796yWi9vW5E5s_o528VBI5YI5LuQT8rIF8COYXX7MH1ryrCioPjVF1ocQzoz4vaxePkycasBZeQ4wJxTT9WAhZHpN53jfQZ7ovJwzkYM88CDWnTyDmEt5vmobrExrlDQloNNb4Z1Zz_QFkvXkkm5p8mOQ-BGEFmOOd09s/s320/20230801_194821.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Authors have author heroes too. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Have I made progress on<i> Frayed</i> since last month? Other than a few edits on the later chapters, no. Will I by next month? With edits on <i>Tears of the Tyrant</i> on my schedule, probably not. I'll get there eventually though.</p><p>In talking to my daughter about her writing/graphic novel journey, we ended up in a discussion about ideas that pop up when your supposed to be focusing on a current project. I mentioned writing the idea down, maybe doing a synopsis or outline. That lead to me trying to remember where I'd saved (and what I'd called) the two stories I'd done exactly that with that I plan/hope to write this November for NaNoWriMo. And then I had to read what I'd written for both. And get excited about them. And force myself to put them away again for a few months. Is revisiting the synopsis for your project distraction, also a distraction? Yes. Yes, it is.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>While we're on distractions, where can you find me this month?</b></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>August 5 - Art in the Park - Holland, MI</p><p></p>August 12 & 13 - South Haven Blueberry Festival - South Haven, MI<p></p><p>August 18-20 - Wild Blueberry Festival - Paradise, MI</p><p>August 25 & 26 - Michiana Renaissance Festival - South Bend, IN</p><p><br /></p><p>I don't have anything exciting to share on the question of the month this time around. I've shared that answer before in a couple different posts so I'll keep this month's post short. Do go check out what everyone else has to say though by clicking that link right over there ---></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-29792389612259270322023-06-29T21:06:00.086-04:002023-06-29T21:06:00.162-04:00June is already July and IWSG<p>Sooo...June flew by so fast that I forgot my monthly post. To be fair, I had nine back to back weekends of events. Everything was a blur. In fact, it's still a blurry. My schedule doesn't slow down until October.</p><p>June in summary: It was good. It was busy. Many books were sold. Chickens did a lot of traveling.</p><p style="text-align: center;">A few highlights of that whirlwind:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9k1Jd8G7iMFd8r64KBqR2wGDR2A1t6f1C0acnnt0D1ka3GxXr26FKJI2vq6kh-yceDQj_Ko9um4CGMwetDqfpfz028yZdO4lPVgqTUskB2jLMceO3jZRBYyG0KBNpiQpXw7Hj1SST0edFJVAy6Z4RpuIbAGwBg_MxIyKCHGkQffoSezd_9MU5YN-tCk/s1559/IMG_20230624_090554_105.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1559" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9k1Jd8G7iMFd8r64KBqR2wGDR2A1t6f1C0acnnt0D1ka3GxXr26FKJI2vq6kh-yceDQj_Ko9um4CGMwetDqfpfz028yZdO4lPVgqTUskB2jLMceO3jZRBYyG0KBNpiQpXw7Hj1SST0edFJVAy6Z4RpuIbAGwBg_MxIyKCHGkQffoSezd_9MU5YN-tCk/s320/IMG_20230624_090554_105.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lakeshore Art Festival - Muskegon, MI</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8AOzszHzcKzsRA2yPEQITFubK7Leh3yIMTWUO1OFgqyD_u5FnA91ZKOuM3bo-8yJxUijiqvyz8WLsjfWI4aq2XAoYz2-qRdEWeL2M9j_6d3552EWHDY7cd-bJRSUzDB1f4UMgn9yoQdRwZDCAXhudcEDO-pOJBURs1p2fKMNRgaZ4u19RCIbHRgezSg/s3264/20230526_171016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8AOzszHzcKzsRA2yPEQITFubK7Leh3yIMTWUO1OFgqyD_u5FnA91ZKOuM3bo-8yJxUijiqvyz8WLsjfWI4aq2XAoYz2-qRdEWeL2M9j_6d3552EWHDY7cd-bJRSUzDB1f4UMgn9yoQdRwZDCAXhudcEDO-pOJBURs1p2fKMNRgaZ4u19RCIbHRgezSg/s320/20230526_171016.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry Capital Comic Con - Traverse City, MI</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oiCkxsF5Czh3mQLj-_hH9jqW3F63tVhSPhuWtaSbbEZUiub2-BtWHovMEBCwoXa5eFtltH5DvXtuMcLWZyuR6sfjdLozX9ZQeHImvlCy_jdX1OEUyHBzN3BFrkJ_BIIeOhzJAnAHIdVNI_193uZZk21bFG3d4LXKncXlrnQ7PAWBupFQj6fCrH2UrfA/s1440/FB_IMG_1684014269511.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oiCkxsF5Czh3mQLj-_hH9jqW3F63tVhSPhuWtaSbbEZUiub2-BtWHovMEBCwoXa5eFtltH5DvXtuMcLWZyuR6sfjdLozX9ZQeHImvlCy_jdX1OEUyHBzN3BFrkJ_BIIeOhzJAnAHIdVNI_193uZZk21bFG3d4LXKncXlrnQ7PAWBupFQj6fCrH2UrfA/s320/FB_IMG_1684014269511.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Stagg Renaissance Festival - Marshal, MI</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJaM0c33DlV7Nh0Atu2Jmg4HyKOoFtQr9Fs_TSqC3wv_K3ulR0udVLb2KSgAj9lEC198AJVNqqRg_Xnwia8aBGYj4IFqWgL3Mkc92SCf2dsV0g0rv8VGvife0EU0P2RQAR4-MBT1g_PGi0bi8ldGP7bPs3Ya1Jr4RqF-Hq_mxNtJ7Yg9DiIai1ZgGhOs/s4032/20230603_173244(0).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJaM0c33DlV7Nh0Atu2Jmg4HyKOoFtQr9Fs_TSqC3wv_K3ulR0udVLb2KSgAj9lEC198AJVNqqRg_Xnwia8aBGYj4IFqWgL3Mkc92SCf2dsV0g0rv8VGvife0EU0P2RQAR4-MBT1g_PGi0bi8ldGP7bPs3Ya1Jr4RqF-Hq_mxNtJ7Yg9DiIai1ZgGhOs/s320/20230603_173244(0).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magical Realm Fantasy Faire - Charlotte, MI</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ2H480sFvntAU9ZtI8f_AG-S5h00gVuscn_I39AKXHlA1574IKCaMurwY4pH0r7Zw1v3XubphweuV6jnwt1cgG3XcuYpAIwPtJeRXg4kc2gXb-90pKefklJ56WRmwlo5pS6oWUcKleDqpGlrncxek-FRr3fMUSa0dyn9KL9y23UQ7K0VE-8Cyp0_UaI/s1336/IMG_20230520_095615_135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="1336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ2H480sFvntAU9ZtI8f_AG-S5h00gVuscn_I39AKXHlA1574IKCaMurwY4pH0r7Zw1v3XubphweuV6jnwt1cgG3XcuYpAIwPtJeRXg4kc2gXb-90pKefklJ56WRmwlo5pS6oWUcKleDqpGlrncxek-FRr3fMUSa0dyn9KL9y23UQ7K0VE-8Cyp0_UaI/s320/IMG_20230520_095615_135.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Niles Renaissance Faire - Niles, MI</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Onward into July. I'm still slowly, oh so slowly, plugging away at Frayed in between events, an editing job, and both of my kids moving to different places, from different places, at the same time. One for the fourth time (youngest), one for the first (oldest). For those wondering, this is not a recommended parental participation event. Muscles are sore, schedules are tight, and already scant free time is non-existent. On the plus side, as of reading this, our house is officially spawn-free. Hooray! I mean, I love my spawn, but it was time.<p>Tears of the Tyrant is currently under other editing eyes. I have NaNoWriMo projects lined up for November. Writing things are happening. Slowly.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Where can you find me in July?</b></p><p>June 30 - July 2 Capital City Comic Con in Lansing, MI </p><p>July 23 Kogan Con in Grand Haven, MI</p><p>July 29 Island Art Fair in Grand Ledge, MI</p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><b>June's</b><b> Month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question was:</b></div><div><p></p><p><i>If you stopped writing, what would you replace it with?</i></p><p>I'd probably dive back into gaming. Back when I was a young person without children, I spent a lot of time in world building games (sim-anything and tycoon-anything) as well as games like Fable and Bard's Tale. Every now and then I get a little itch to sink back into that, but I just don't have time for it along with writing (and all 'writing' entails at this point in my writing career). </p><p>Or get more fully back into art. I had to pick my one thing to spend time on in addition to kids. Writing won. Now that my kids are grown and my non-work time is no longer eaten up with kid activities and parent volunteer obligations, I've had the opportunity to dip my feet back into a few artistic endeavors with painting and drawing. And sewing. And beadwork. And cross stich. Arts and crafts, oh my. </p><p>Or maybe I shouldn't stop writing. </p><p><b>And July's question is: </b><i>Where do your story ideas come from?</i></p><p>Everywhere. Conversations with people, dreams, random thoughts, watching tv, or reading an article or book. Sometimes a character name pops into my head and I start building a character around it and oh hey, then I need a conflict and a plot. Ideas are everywhere. If only the same could be said for motivation and time.</p><p><br /></p></div>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-78013276273900292052023-05-02T09:00:00.021-04:002023-05-02T09:00:00.130-04:00May Writing Updates and ISWG<p>Let's see what has happened since my last post? So many things. To sum up:</p><p>Kay-Kay The Littlest Chicken celebrated its release day! Link on the side bar or buy signed copies in the buy tab up top. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bJX-R0QxUYTzydpsUWwDtvaeJwDg-IaTOQzfjJHR2zZhIYQ-k-7Tys7muN6i3ZWgyOKcrnPwPly9uQH3C08girYQ-i8qIuIfa37NspbRAQjot8SWo52uEl9TpDO6Z1wh-734HJr7MyZ7BsgBGpdz3RsqmxvXp65-pM9eCdV6HsEeRxhplj3zi5_l/s4032/20230415_164829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bJX-R0QxUYTzydpsUWwDtvaeJwDg-IaTOQzfjJHR2zZhIYQ-k-7Tys7muN6i3ZWgyOKcrnPwPly9uQH3C08girYQ-i8qIuIfa37NspbRAQjot8SWo52uEl9TpDO6Z1wh-734HJr7MyZ7BsgBGpdz3RsqmxvXp65-pM9eCdV6HsEeRxhplj3zi5_l/s320/20230415_164829.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first in-person sale of Kay-Kay!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I met a lot of readers at the Grand Rapids Comic Con Spring Fling.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_D38476aYlFUJWHjnDOZx1ievJ6eWY2j57cgig1h_ZDCqbo44orTlD1AIXerrg_DZjRZneq7s2ooDMsViE0XQerbrVSmN5-_c9JxSW5IsW4o3yl_B4zOg3h5KA5zE6ZbC8THDgo7xr-J1-oHyGWFlFEH4RbCGrbtgDNbxMjTQbLz-1awt0pD-lz8D/s4032/20230415_145027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_D38476aYlFUJWHjnDOZx1ievJ6eWY2j57cgig1h_ZDCqbo44orTlD1AIXerrg_DZjRZneq7s2ooDMsViE0XQerbrVSmN5-_c9JxSW5IsW4o3yl_B4zOg3h5KA5zE6ZbC8THDgo7xr-J1-oHyGWFlFEH4RbCGrbtgDNbxMjTQbLz-1awt0pD-lz8D/w156-h295/20230415_145027.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><p>And then at the Tulip City Comic Con.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-avp4qKFMyyNDK9QXTav4MPjbiXE1xf2jzLm0V0SERz8zY3MFZZfxZ_Py8cDffDAoNb4gcz0hZgogUpPV7hrp2H0x02-4y_lp9MSfyUCJXOkWPiiCTLqtfdUqbowGp5x_2u7t99ajaKsBJGXjuqlKjVQ2gYRTIEBRD0aqWtenXx3YE2IAyMgVa0KR/s1084/Screenshot_20230501-202610_Instagram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1078" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-avp4qKFMyyNDK9QXTav4MPjbiXE1xf2jzLm0V0SERz8zY3MFZZfxZ_Py8cDffDAoNb4gcz0hZgogUpPV7hrp2H0x02-4y_lp9MSfyUCJXOkWPiiCTLqtfdUqbowGp5x_2u7t99ajaKsBJGXjuqlKjVQ2gYRTIEBRD0aqWtenXx3YE2IAyMgVa0KR/s320/Screenshot_20230501-202610_Instagram.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Kay-Kay and I attended Whitestown Viking Festival this past weekend. What a crazy weather weekend that was! It was sunny, cold, rainy, moderately warm, windy, and then there was a thunderstorm on Saturday that made us close for a about an hour and half. We thought we were good after that, but Sunday said, "Hold my mead." The day started out lovely, then it rained. Then it was sunny. And then there was hailstorm! That fiasco made us close two hours early, but we survived with only a few water damaged books and had a good weekend despite it all. Only four vendor tents were lost this year. Last year it was five. None of them were mine. Viking Fest is always an adventure.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDrdJtRTvVdXqPRMyJ5Z4mLlmx991I9w1Z_1BpLwRcnhyjjmF6-UiF6grzHkUXIeWXOqVrToEirGP0EZ0gRKi7IVDOaHVDvposSHy7gQxKy7I73MRZeTNXo1lPCsMnKUxmzDVI3Cpvd1i7M2WHfkiRdPvJd8cd6mKI528swadXlheIe7LZnGbu8f6/s3264/20230428_165158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDrdJtRTvVdXqPRMyJ5Z4mLlmx991I9w1Z_1BpLwRcnhyjjmF6-UiF6grzHkUXIeWXOqVrToEirGP0EZ0gRKi7IVDOaHVDvposSHy7gQxKy7I73MRZeTNXo1lPCsMnKUxmzDVI3Cpvd1i7M2WHfkiRdPvJd8cd6mKI528swadXlheIe7LZnGbu8f6/s320/20230428_165158.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3OQAayQ8k-gWq5rHEEMooxpwSnoPiiWFUIWcnaup00bInM3dqig5xMLfuCH-4rBaVBfIXccUYj-kKpiDAxnNgDlMd8YftkTi5Qo9aOtom1tQpFwoPHngzHSwwVPTcEADpVHy4531uNAqxICyBRxS02u1w0qGne_WX2LgT1GQ56L9tnxN5yWrsO7m/s4032/20230429_112909.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3OQAayQ8k-gWq5rHEEMooxpwSnoPiiWFUIWcnaup00bInM3dqig5xMLfuCH-4rBaVBfIXccUYj-kKpiDAxnNgDlMd8YftkTi5Qo9aOtom1tQpFwoPHngzHSwwVPTcEADpVHy4531uNAqxICyBRxS02u1w0qGne_WX2LgT1GQ56L9tnxN5yWrsO7m/s320/20230429_112909.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the time it was between 40 - 50F <br />so lots of layers kept us warm. I didn't quite need my cloak yet, <br />but there are five layers at this sunny moment.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><b>Next up, I'll be at:</b></p><p>May 6 - Bluestocking Bookshop in Holland</p><p>May 13-14 Royal Stagg Ren Faire</p><p>May 20-21 Niles Ren Faire</p><p>May 26-27 Cherry Capital Comic Con</p><p>June 3-4 Magical Realms Fantasy Faire</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Writing?</b></p><p>With all these events, am I writing? Honestly, no, not really. I'm taking a little break and delving into some of my many TBR piles. So far, I've managed to read 9 books this year. We'll see how long I can keep the reading train rolling before I dive back into writing - which is currently finishing Frayed. And yes, I have the ending written in my head. I just need to compel my fingers to convey those words through the keyboard.</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Which brings us to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question: When you're working on a story, what inspires you?</b></span></p><p>Short answer: Deadlines. I tend to make a writing plan for the year in December/January and then I align that plan with whatever story idea(s) I have and fine tune what I need to do to make those drafts or publication dates happen. Being self-employed for roughly 20 years has made me pretty good at time management and holding myself to deadlines.</p><p>More fun answer: I'm most inspired to write when I'm kicked back in my comfy chair with no one bothering me, a blanket on my lap, probably a candle burning, an adult beverage beside me, something chocolate within reach, and the lights turned down low. That's my ideal writing zone both mentally and physically—which means the highest probability of making words that don't suck happen. </p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-81477928530166812842023-04-05T06:00:00.016-04:002023-04-05T11:20:58.278-04:00Upcoming release and ISWG <p> It might be spring? Maybe? It's supposed to be, but the weather hasn't taken the time to fully read the memo. While I deal with snow alternating with rain and the occasional showing of sunshine, here's what's going on in the busy life of this author.</p><p>April brings the upcoming release of <i>Kay-Kay The Littlest Chicken</i>! Release date will be announced shortly, but look for this picture book at the end of the month. A children's picture book? Yep. And now for something completely different. :)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kDXylUDtIFsXJBWDybH2O2y-J6Ou5dOaXleT1lRq6HzmgwFITkp6j1Kc0hBzQyO8b5OIKTBrOPw1KVAWfq7543Dlueg8J6NLu3bYaGfza_QFH3nUAIYEMUooXV2ceoxiNyLumADAG-ZV8gZT3m7wrBB1jGlPiBY9uY2n4Vzm-9xExo11mx2kmwsV/s579/kay%20kay%20cover.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="579" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kDXylUDtIFsXJBWDybH2O2y-J6Ou5dOaXleT1lRq6HzmgwFITkp6j1Kc0hBzQyO8b5OIKTBrOPw1KVAWfq7543Dlueg8J6NLu3bYaGfza_QFH3nUAIYEMUooXV2ceoxiNyLumADAG-ZV8gZT3m7wrBB1jGlPiBY9uY2n4Vzm-9xExo11mx2kmwsV/w320-h319/kay%20kay%20cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The early version of the cover. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="text-align: center;">So much painting. Now that the book is finally complete, I can put my paints away for a little while and clean off my desk. While all the painting was fun, I'm looking forward to a break.</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>We had a little photoshoot for the back cover photo. Kay-Kay decided she would attempt to fly while she was so high in the air already. Her little wings can't actually do the job, but she gets an A for effort. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRc-Ux3yItQm3fC3uR39N6UFzkHYHld396TtZpPpFnY201bLMHWOtbWeem9iyp84xG4vXRGbsN-bUMublzDYpitfeszQRnE4vjaUgH5_AyuG63eBEovpp9nNE6pqmvMQGX154-I6ZPf6dj5VTUd_9Py5xbLTwscGvTc61lC-9Q0eJbKLyBcIQIgD_/s2208/kay%20flying.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRc-Ux3yItQm3fC3uR39N6UFzkHYHld396TtZpPpFnY201bLMHWOtbWeem9iyp84xG4vXRGbsN-bUMublzDYpitfeszQRnE4vjaUgH5_AyuG63eBEovpp9nNE6pqmvMQGX154-I6ZPf6dj5VTUd_9Py5xbLTwscGvTc61lC-9Q0eJbKLyBcIQIgD_/s320/kay%20flying.jpg" width="277" /></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's a 10 month old silkie paint hen with one unusable leg.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table>While I wait for the proof copy and make any changes before release day, I've been busy reading. I have so many TBR piles around the house, I can't even keep track of what is new or old other than by how much dust is on the cover. One day, I may get to the bottom of at least one of them. <div><br /></div><div><b>Upcoming events:</b></div><div>April 14-16 Grand Rapids Comic Con Spring Fling - Kalamazoo, MI</div><div>April 23 Tulip City Comic Con - Holland, MI</div><div>April 28-30 Whitestown Viking Festival - Whitestown, IN</div><div>May 6 Bluestocking Bookshop - Holland, MI book signing with Kay-Kay for the release of her book. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: left;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><h3>And that brings us to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question.</h3></div><div><i>Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? </i></div><div><br /></div><div>That's a lot of questions!</div><div><br /></div><div>#1 Yes. The first book (a very rudimentary effort) that I wrote was what eventually became <i>Trust</i>. The finished piece only very vaguely resembles that first effort. Before that, I wrote a lot of short stories (which were terrible) but made for good learning experiences. </div><div><br /></div><div>#2 Writing as a career path is an exercise in extreme patience. While you might be lucky and achieve blockbuster success with your first book, the odds are not in your favor. I work a day job to pay my bills. I write as my second job to pay <i>some</i> bills, but it is not my primary income. Maybe one day, but this is not that day.</div><div><br /></div><div>#3 Currently, I'm releasing book #14, or #15 if you count the co-written one. I spend most of my weekends meeting readers and selling books. As far as second jobs go, it's quite fulfilling and I enjoy doing it. It's also nice not having it be my sole source of income so I don't <i>have</i> to rely on every event going well or specific sales numbers that I have to reach. I set my deadlines and goals. It's not high pressure, which means I can relax (sort of) and have fun with it.</div></div>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-78771514141749722542023-02-28T20:11:00.040-05:002023-02-28T20:11:00.231-05:00Marching into Chaos<p>February has come and gone in another flurry of productivity. It's also my monthly Insecure Writer's Group post so we're gonna talk about book stuff. </p><p>Everyone Dies was released and I can't keep enough copies on hand. Click the link right over there on the left if you'd like to check it out. The ebook is only $1.99. Go on, you know you want to.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jtsaLbD72QLZgoJ1MuW-zGVouOYUkeXTsqmu_XC1mZ7DjFSHvri5wfSzr5MbxqXEaRcpO_gs2pSwSD8ed0fsW5CuLqhUwhq07wnuJEj-tr7yPKQa6mjHpyf6MvAubY8yQQVOkbl96Z6t03OzWywH5mXAXJPMPmNUn65j4tPyKMd2U81TuPL7opo6/s3415/20230222_205437.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3415" data-original-width="1781" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jtsaLbD72QLZgoJ1MuW-zGVouOYUkeXTsqmu_XC1mZ7DjFSHvri5wfSzr5MbxqXEaRcpO_gs2pSwSD8ed0fsW5CuLqhUwhq07wnuJEj-tr7yPKQa6mjHpyf6MvAubY8yQQVOkbl96Z6t03OzWywH5mXAXJPMPmNUn65j4tPyKMd2U81TuPL7opo6/w104-h200/20230222_205437.jpg" width="104" /></a></div>I attended my first two book events of 2023. Little Byron Rec Comic Con gave me an excuse to try out my new book display racks. They performed wonderfully! I also got to visit with many of my con vender pals whom I haven't seen in a month or two. We're getting the gang back together!<p></p><br /><p></p><p>The Lansing Women's Expo was a blast! I spent the weekend with 11 other Michigan Authors and chatted with lots of new and returning readers. There were author antics, slap-happy conversations, and we made some great book-business connections with each other. In fact we were so busy, I didn't get a chance to get the T-rex suit out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysPyQJGwFw992JJM_szs0hWR7oX0mjhBJ0UtHxgek7o1j3EYkCtYvGg-2CcMHsAOGMuosnoy2AP3bRqtO8Stgiq5hbROSH-KvWnCuCiy4h4U3DRsmQfU35j6ah3xi60spHAdjGya1TsSOy_Q5VMlivZd9heyDws4nDTSSvkLG21PNMqLxsKDrKINf/s4032/20230212_150806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysPyQJGwFw992JJM_szs0hWR7oX0mjhBJ0UtHxgek7o1j3EYkCtYvGg-2CcMHsAOGMuosnoy2AP3bRqtO8Stgiq5hbROSH-KvWnCuCiy4h4U3DRsmQfU35j6ah3xi60spHAdjGya1TsSOy_Q5VMlivZd9heyDws4nDTSSvkLG21PNMqLxsKDrKINf/s320/20230212_150806.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I worked on some more behind the scenes Amazon stuff. Never one of my favorite tasks, but crossing more things off of my 2023 to-do list.</p><p>I finished a quick edit job for an author friend on her newest novella, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Zombaes-Vera-West-ebook/dp/B0BVMNNVPV">Zombaes</a>. Who can resist a zombie rom-com?</p><p>While away at an author friends house for the Lansing Expo (sans internet on my laptop) I actually made progress on Frayed! Hallelujah. It's not done, but at least the ball is rolling again.</p><p>Kay-Kay the Littlest Chicken is also in the works. I'm just over the halfway point on the illustrations and the story is complete. So much painting, but fun to dabble with watercolors again after thirty years off. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG81DWPcAOSXfGdnpPexVyIcMXGFddT0N3wEIKexO6JbVzfSsF6Ij3oQCq4Sd4goVo2ufPw90rvJYZXGKRSYraiMK8xyfPxteES5ySYk8vw6bYPHvgodSf_Tg2V-DeMQsOdc02jX-rWkk5vfrQhnZGuq1SwhZWb4gG0QgLjywcxFLMvHnFA2-a-Dml/s4032/20230219_205920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG81DWPcAOSXfGdnpPexVyIcMXGFddT0N3wEIKexO6JbVzfSsF6Ij3oQCq4Sd4goVo2ufPw90rvJYZXGKRSYraiMK8xyfPxteES5ySYk8vw6bYPHvgodSf_Tg2V-DeMQsOdc02jX-rWkk5vfrQhnZGuq1SwhZWb4gG0QgLjywcxFLMvHnFA2-a-Dml/s320/20230219_205920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Tears of the Tyrant is back on my editing plate. Mostly because my brain needed a break from painting and Frayed is hard. I'm really loving this book so it's currently my happy place. Ironically, is a super sad story, but hey, no one ever said I was right in the head. The plan is to wrap up this edit and send it off to Stella to work her editing magic so it's off limits to toy with for a while. Which likely means I'll have to resort to toying with cover art to further procrastinate on Frayed. Oh, the crazy author games we play.</p><p><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>For once, I'm skipping the optional ISWG question of the month and going right into the chaos that I created on two fronts. </p><p><b>Part #1</b>: Anticipating a spring release for Everyone Dies, I scheduled March heavy for book events. It's usually slow for day job work so I figured that was safe. This means my event schedule looks like this (in case your in MI or IN and looking for something fun to do):</p><p>March 4-5 Hall of Heroes Comic Con in Indiana</p><p>March 11 Muskecon in Michigan (close to home)</p><p>March 17-19 Grand Rapids Women's Expo in Michigan (close to home)</p><p>March 25-26 Alma Con in Michigan (mid-state so staying overnight)</p><p><b>Part #2</b> One of our new big customers at the day job offered us two big jobs that require travel. They pay really well so we don't say no. Which means besides having all my weekends tied up:</p><p>Feb 26-March 2 we'll be in Minnesota </p><p>March 7-9 we'll be be in Mid-Michigan</p><p>And I just quoted three more jobs for the this customer that may also be packed into March.</p><p><b>The result: </b>Chaos (but my bills will be paid. So yay?) The usual part of the day job continues to pile up if we're not here to do the work so not only will I not be able to catch up on work over the weekend, I won't have the option of taking an actual day off during the week to make up for book working on the weekends.</p><p>So if you see me at an event this month and I can't make words go in our conversation or I'm zoning out, this is why. Donations of chocolate or Diet Coke to the exhausted author are always welcome. ;) </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-52935024532525672412023-02-05T13:42:00.004-05:002023-02-05T13:42:48.001-05:00New Release: Everyone Dies - A Collection of Dark Tales<p> It's release day for Everyone Dies: A Collection of Dark Tales!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu3rvMDE28-cJ2uj14h7HeYl9sF0Vy6U7thQwQJSnmAwnfQni3ZiBh-OI0FLvelPHFv_dDDAppIb1Y8-sQWGw9GiBEW_irAd88QYd9CWdVpj0jf1nR9v-C4H8RdRjLss5GOQwVHrEcN7lcRe39mAa68POs0PG9pJGTMRgMiSKdOQW419w6iv9rB1E/s1140/20230204_211237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="980" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu3rvMDE28-cJ2uj14h7HeYl9sF0Vy6U7thQwQJSnmAwnfQni3ZiBh-OI0FLvelPHFv_dDDAppIb1Y8-sQWGw9GiBEW_irAd88QYd9CWdVpj0jf1nR9v-C4H8RdRjLss5GOQwVHrEcN7lcRe39mAa68POs0PG9pJGTMRgMiSKdOQW419w6iv9rB1E/s320/20230204_211237.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Twelve short stories, some newly written, some pulled from the story vault, all tied together with one common thread. Everyone Dies.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; tab-stops: 99.0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><i>Death lurks in the choices we make.</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><i>Alex is awarded the best birthday present ever, a full
exclusive weekend pass to the Spindle, a space station high above the Earth.
There, everyone is healthy, the food is real, and there are even living trees.
Being one of the chosen will set him and his family up for life, but in winning
he may lose everything. <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><i>Fray Farm is up for sale but the current occupants are very
particular about who the new owner will be. They have no intentions of leaving.
Long-term ownership only, no kids, cats are optional. <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><i>Fate landed Ashleigh in a thankless job. At thirty, she’s
nowhere close to what she’d envisioned. She never saw herself in a dungeon-like
basement at any age, but no one ever said fate was good at do-overs.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><i>Otherworldly creatures, the not-so-dearly departed, fellow
man, and creations of our own demise patiently wait while we bumble through
life, thinking we are in control.</i></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><i>The end is always near.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBcJDryaI3Bb7IKUKUT-J3TWouUTYcTJhKj0_jlNF34eny-pYQLKHGeTWffAWh3z3yNBuHoZ16ObB2BhnBJqjrHA8pQMrKeOqa84kvYofepoAX4I-raDpPr-2HBtHXZ3wOsSnU-REwRgwKBpjchC1dLDR4ND3o5TJ2oLkZYh8G2iXCgp_kpWeeFQ2/s1062/20230204_211325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="980" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBcJDryaI3Bb7IKUKUT-J3TWouUTYcTJhKj0_jlNF34eny-pYQLKHGeTWffAWh3z3yNBuHoZ16ObB2BhnBJqjrHA8pQMrKeOqa84kvYofepoAX4I-raDpPr-2HBtHXZ3wOsSnU-REwRgwKBpjchC1dLDR4ND3o5TJ2oLkZYh8G2iXCgp_kpWeeFQ2/s320/20230204_211325.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">Click the link off on the left for Amazon, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/everyone-dies-jean-davis/1143014052">Barnes & Noble</a>, get your signed copy shipped from me to you (US only) from the tab at the top, or find me at any of my upcoming events over there on the right. More online shopping availability is still being populated. Ebook links should be live soon as well. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-82015793878813788542023-01-31T17:38:00.088-05:002023-01-31T17:38:00.217-05:002023 and GO!<p>January was a productive month! Hooray! Each year I try to get the behind the scenes stuff done that I don't necessarily enjoy doing but must be done. Kind of like cleaning the toilets first thing in the morning so you can enjoy the rest of your day with the dirty work out of the way. Does anyone else do that or just me?</p><p>Things I accomplished in January:</p><p>Updated my blog, joined IBPA, bought Publisher Rocket, explored a lot of publishing resources, watched several publishing related webinars, created new book display racks and book labels, reorganized all my event gear, and developed new promotional items </p><p>On my existing books: updated book descriptions and online formatting of them, tweaked cover artwork on existing books, updated book content on all platforms to the most up to date versions, changed Amazon keywords for e-books and print books, took inventory and ordered books for upcoming shows and sat down and updated my schedule with everything I currently have booked/confirmed. (You can find that over to the right -->)</p><p>Awards: Both Not Another Bard's Tale and Spindelkin were announced as "Recommended Reads" by the 2023 Author Shout Reader Ready Awards.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZmD59c1Iw169v79wtxKKzOwHmSCgJG70lK3AkL3O32QNdkAkCitIOjV15V-Yd1lpBR6TLIKxletTOawWmbMii5jdL59F2aZZNawWRWrTUVTMh_gN76myqWVppjE4liZ83yqFbpLQoMaFUhjQTyNNkfsz9nMeRNPQ4Cjwd-d5ENpZ7bGz2Y_y4JbY/s1080/Not%20Another%20Bard's%20Tale%20-%20RECOMMENDED%20READ%20-%202023%20Author%20Shout%20Reader%20Ready%20Awards%20INSTAGRAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZmD59c1Iw169v79wtxKKzOwHmSCgJG70lK3AkL3O32QNdkAkCitIOjV15V-Yd1lpBR6TLIKxletTOawWmbMii5jdL59F2aZZNawWRWrTUVTMh_gN76myqWVppjE4liZ83yqFbpLQoMaFUhjQTyNNkfsz9nMeRNPQ4Cjwd-d5ENpZ7bGz2Y_y4JbY/w200-h200/Not%20Another%20Bard's%20Tale%20-%20RECOMMENDED%20READ%20-%202023%20Author%20Shout%20Reader%20Ready%20Awards%20INSTAGRAM.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2pzu2xUidBdegO9qCsUmC-I6M9jX8_C2ut_YcN_fvMTj7nElya0zdvS_cOjjsc9RffOlXozV4fGHRPQYx29EmgWh9u5_nDqQhj9C9eCdXdTRqP70LhdopQcgJYA6Pg7wbJ9ZtrfOM1HBDLdbyiHMoMeSqa5YEXLjxb7qRdQn0YgVNdBlyWIE5CMl/s1080/Spindelkin%20-%20RECOMMENDED%20READ%20-%202023%20Author%20Shout%20Reader%20Ready%20Awards%20INSTAGRAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2pzu2xUidBdegO9qCsUmC-I6M9jX8_C2ut_YcN_fvMTj7nElya0zdvS_cOjjsc9RffOlXozV4fGHRPQYx29EmgWh9u5_nDqQhj9C9eCdXdTRqP70LhdopQcgJYA6Pg7wbJ9ZtrfOM1HBDLdbyiHMoMeSqa5YEXLjxb7qRdQn0YgVNdBlyWIE5CMl/w200-h200/Spindelkin%20-%20RECOMMENDED%20READ%20-%202023%20Author%20Shout%20Reader%20Ready%20Awards%20INSTAGRAM.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p>And on a new book note: Everyone Dies will be released in just a few days! Which means I've been busy creating the cover, doing the formatting and drawing the interior illustrations. I also planned out the artwork for Kay-Kay and sent the story through my critique group. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXRGFZXpGWRpZWnVftH2CSTMQUju_Fb__ZsDgnyNVwDzLl_63IJk3hPti1uSxsdRFCtsrju1IEEQduvAPqqk_YCJZtzkgRnK3DggMjwezGyHvMY-2rItah--qKOZwq2rHlyOtSfRllWKIbgidZBJ8BQykCw_hsAHsAQtASbXM4BqdX4uRp1USSFxn/s2475/Ed%20cover2%20front%20only.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1589" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXRGFZXpGWRpZWnVftH2CSTMQUju_Fb__ZsDgnyNVwDzLl_63IJk3hPti1uSxsdRFCtsrju1IEEQduvAPqqk_YCJZtzkgRnK3DggMjwezGyHvMY-2rItah--qKOZwq2rHlyOtSfRllWKIbgidZBJ8BQykCw_hsAHsAQtASbXM4BqdX4uRp1USSFxn/w128-h200/Ed%20cover2%20front%20only.jpg" width="128" /></a></div><p>Unplanned: after another editing pass on a yet untitled project I'd wrapped up... surprise it's another Narvan Novel...I decided to move forward with publishing it. I also gave it a title: Tears of the Tyrant. If all goes well with editing, that will be out later this year. </p><p></p><p></p><p>2023 is off to a good start!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Let's get to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question: <strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">If you are an Indie author, do </strong><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?</strong><p>Covers are one of my favorite parts of putting a book together. So yes, you can gather that I put my own covers together. Trust is the only cover that was done by the small press that originally published the first books of the Narvan series. </p><p>Most of my covers are composites of artwork that I purchase from art sources, alter, and put together. Spindelkin is my own original art. </p><p>I'm fortunate that I do design work as part of my day job so I have the programs and resources readily available.</p><p>When I was with a small press, I did have input on the cover art, but with my first two books - A Broken Race and Trust, I really didn't have anything in particular in mind other than I wanted Trust to have a green tone. That left a lot of leeway to come up with something. Now that I've been doing this on my own for a while, coming up with ideas for cover art is much easier and integrated into my whole writing process.</p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-31983423090316887042023-01-03T17:10:00.158-05:002023-01-03T21:03:48.755-05:00Heading into 2023 with Goals and One Word<p>After a successful and fruitful 2022, I'm gearing up to continue the wordy ride in 2023. I've already got 25 book signing events lined up, one new book slated for a spring release, and lots of projects in the works.</p><p>Let's start with a glance at <b>how I did with my 2022 goals:</b> #1 - Publish Seeker and Spindelkin. Check and check! #2 - Cut back on my event schedule from 28 to 26. I ended the year with 27 so...sort of check. Sometimes opportunities pop up that I can't refuse.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>2023 goals:</b></p><p>• Release<i> Everyone Dies: A Collection of Dark Tales</i></p><p>• Finally finish <i>Frayed</i>, because OMG this has been a tough one to get from brain to page.</p><p>• Illustrate <i>Kay-Kay: The Littlest Chicken </i>(new)</p><p>• Write/finish one of the following projects: <i>Godmother</i> (new), <i>I9 </i>(new), or <i>Interface </i>(2016 WIP). </p><p>• Release one of those five projects.</p><p>• Don't keel over.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Which brings us to... <b>This month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question of the month: Do you have a One Word resolution for 2023?</b><p></p><p>As a matter of fact, I've had a one word resolution since 2012, so yes, I do! My 2022 one word was: <u>Recover.</u> I did a pretty good job of that. I wasn't near as burnt out at the end of the year as I was in 2021, so hey, I might have found a bit more balance for once. Hooray! </p><p>Previous words were: (2021) <u>Better </u>- the year HAD to be better than the previous one. (2020) <u>Read</u> - joined a book club so that helped me make time to read more. (2019) <u>Sleep</u> - still struggling with this one. (2018) <u>Speak</u> - started doing panel presentations at cons. (2017) <u>Enjoy</u> - indulging in quiet moments with candles, warm blankets, binge-watching, and non-mom-duty time. (2016) <u>Relax </u>- still haven't figured out what this is. (2015) <u>Time </u>- allowing myself to take the time to write. (2014) <u>Write</u> - making an effort to write more regularly. (2013) <u>Me</u> - remembering to make time for myself. (2012) <u>Less</u> - put an end to over-obligating myself for other people. </p><p>And the word for 2023? <b>Embrace</b></p><p>The chaos. The moment. The whim. The idea. <— All of this.</p><p>Looking at my schedule and my goals, it's going to be a wild ride even before whatever life throws into the mix so I'm just going to embrace whatever it is and roll with it. We'll see how I come out at the end. </p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-80916148454456079712022-12-07T09:00:00.004-05:002022-12-07T09:00:00.214-05:00Thank Goodness It's December!<p></p><br /> I lived through another November! Whew! Deep cleansing breath.<p></p><p>Let's see what was on my list for the crazy times:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjij7rEafo5tX-p1upMdIKuKp2W1E8kaJQgf1z_B0e1I3ebjE6AGbq0V48TTVdAOA6uKfbNXBovecs7GP-c2svrYv0kAXZp-8nXKWWzX6YkIXgg5Qt-jF0_xW8nPe-XQQ27ARfyC3sMt5ovUunGEunpM8GQg-2zU3_9xFCoijmQOTsiIV5QOOMzvzZ7/s3264/20221111_113844.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjij7rEafo5tX-p1upMdIKuKp2W1E8kaJQgf1z_B0e1I3ebjE6AGbq0V48TTVdAOA6uKfbNXBovecs7GP-c2svrYv0kAXZp-8nXKWWzX6YkIXgg5Qt-jF0_xW8nPe-XQQ27ARfyC3sMt5ovUunGEunpM8GQg-2zU3_9xFCoijmQOTsiIV5QOOMzvzZ7/w150-h200/20221111_113844.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><u>Yard work</u>:<span> </span>Pond goldfish moved indoors, stuff put away, and chicken coop winterized. <b>DONE</b><p></p><p><u>Day job:</u> Still going crazy, but hey, bills are getting paid. <b>SURVIVED</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><u>Comic Con</u>: It was a loooong three days, but I met so many new readers and had good turn outs at both of my panels. And people asked questions. We love when you ask questions! Can't wait to do it all again in 2023. <b>SURVIVED</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><u>NaNoWriMo:</u> I wrote several short stories for my collection, mostly wrapped up the personal project, wrote the rough draft for my children's chicken book, and made progress on Frayed. <b>WON</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">In other winning news... Spindelkin is a Fantasy novel finalist in the 2022 American Writing Awards.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXB6JB48X-bpBa0kmR7oyeQx6qtpb3Tp5unxU72MYLvWXB0g6w7TEWrECF0tS_CgpQnKhnUEXxr-aYBOjonjpNGa1sGnR6o1HiLNewiZ7dqBYca54GbdXNVTQNluqq_VMT7dg9z0I_VCyGFOI7zPpR0enBx5whyMTI4ki6lHkBY9aj2upD5EMqAmd/s1961/20221125_193242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="1961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXB6JB48X-bpBa0kmR7oyeQx6qtpb3Tp5unxU72MYLvWXB0g6w7TEWrECF0tS_CgpQnKhnUEXxr-aYBOjonjpNGa1sGnR6o1HiLNewiZ7dqBYca54GbdXNVTQNluqq_VMT7dg9z0I_VCyGFOI7zPpR0enBx5whyMTI4ki6lHkBY9aj2upD5EMqAmd/s320/20221125_193242.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">and find <span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">participating <span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">What's on the agenda for December? Funny you should ask, since that's this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question:</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?</h3><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I think the trick there is setting workable goals fit your holiday schedule, but to answer the question...</p><p style="text-align: left;">Mid-December things start to slow down (typically, knocking on wood) at my day job so I have more time and energy to devote to editing or completing NaNo projects. I also only have one book event in December so that will leave some weekends free to enjoy my comfy writing chair. I suppose that means I will be "catching up". Which is good, because I need to work on getting books ready to publish for 2023. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Happy Holidays!</p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-32235682331185406522022-11-01T21:11:00.016-04:002022-11-01T21:11:00.188-04:00November: The Crazy Times<p></p>And so we again arrive at November, AKA The Crazy Times. <div>Why so? <p></p><p>1. November is the busiest time of the year for all aspects of my day job so, yay...overtime. </p><p>2. It's NaNoWriMo - 50,000 words in 30 days</p><p>3. It's Comic Con month - meaning there are 4-5 days I will likely not have any time or energy to write and also work will be piling up at the day job while I'm off signing books at cons. </p><p>4. It's prep for Winter month. In addition to everything above, I'll have to find time to winterize the pond, hopefully pull out the goldfish that have survived the ducks and set up a tank inside for them, get the plastic up on the chicken run, and put all the yard stuff away before snow starts to stick around. </p><p>Can she do it all? Tune in next month to find out.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">You can find me this month at:</span></b></p><p>Nov 11-13 Grand Rapids Comic Con where I'll be doing two panels</p><p>Nov 19 - Fantasticon </p><p>Nov 26 - The Bluestocking Bookshop</p><p><br /></p><p>Which leads neatly to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group Question: </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Have you ever </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">participated in NaNoWriMo?</b></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">and find <span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">participating <span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>This will be year 17 of NaNo for me. So a resounding YES on participation.<p></p><p>I've won 15 times so far. The only year I didn't (2014), I was in the middle of building our current house, as in doing the general contracting, installing cabinets, helping with wiring, and doing a lot of tilework. I was kinda busy, but I did manage to get 25K in on a project I haven't touched since. Someday, I'll get back to it.</p><p>10 of those NaNo projects have gone on to be published.</p><p>Knowing this is crazy times, do I intend to win again this year? Yes, unless something major gets in the way. </p><p>What will I be working on? I'm spreading my 50,000 new words over several ongoing projects and one new one. Last year's half finished Urban Fantasy, a horror themed short story collection, the mysterious personal Narvan project, and a children's book centered around my tiny handicapped chicken.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Jf1VfOp8s0wLHnsLJItJKSAx9VTG867I9ow-8W9ggjXZYT1uwgBtcjxtGFLEgnrkk7RvKKaliN5ohJez9S6XQMCGmpRxLK_InysS0HjaqOUADVATtCNTzNDpcNpZranaAGYrBlHJDewYO8nJt49g4lwoNNutpeuEIMFrHWF0QIeyIy0-2wsu_v3w/s4032/20221005_175817.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Jf1VfOp8s0wLHnsLJItJKSAx9VTG867I9ow-8W9ggjXZYT1uwgBtcjxtGFLEgnrkk7RvKKaliN5ohJez9S6XQMCGmpRxLK_InysS0HjaqOUADVATtCNTzNDpcNpZranaAGYrBlHJDewYO8nJt49g4lwoNNutpeuEIMFrHWF0QIeyIy0-2wsu_v3w/w320-h240/20221005_175817.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Kaykay. She fits in one hand.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tips for NaNo success:</b></span></p><p>Write something everyday. On days you have more time, write 2K instead of 1,667. </p><p>Build a buffer in the first week while your ambition is high so when life gets in the way, you can squeak by with a few 500 word days and still be on track.</p><p>Know that you can pound out 10K (or more) a day if you really put your mind to it so if you fall behind, all is not lost.</p><p>Realize that the middle of the novel is often a slog for first drafts. Allow yourself to make notes in slow sections and jump ahead to where you're motivated to make words happen.</p><p>Don't have two or three consecutive hours a day to write? Write in 15 minute bursts scattered throughout the day. I often find this my most productive way of writing.</p><p>Do most of your writing NOT AT THE KEYBOARD. When you're washing dishes, taking a shower, are doing something mindless at work, in the bathroom, driving, or eating lunch, think about your next scene. Then, when you have a chance, sit down and write it. Get back up and go for walk, give the kids a bath, ride a bike, fold the laundry, and think of the next scene. Repeat = novel.</p><p>Get involved with your local region or, if you don't have one, connect with others doing NaNo and support/encourage each other. This is one of those times when peer pressure is a good thing. </p><p>Good luck to those participating this year! Go make words happen!</p><p><br /></p></div>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-22110415860181263042022-10-04T22:01:00.003-04:002022-10-04T22:01:52.496-04:00Falling Into New Projects<p>Things are finally slowing down this month. More of a catch my breath before November hits sort of quiet than anything, really. Only two single-day book signings this month and an actual vacation! It's been a few years since I've had a real vacation and here's the big one, my husband and I haven't had a vacation with just the two of us since before we were married. That was twenty-five years ago as of this Halloween. We figured we were due for an anniversary trip. Okay, overdue. Looong overdue. We'll be heading off to the Smoky Mountains later this month.</p><p>On another fun note, since I'm semi-prepping for NaNo, I'm considering an idea for a book that might require the need to dust off my long neglected painting skills. I've been spending the occasional evening doing watercolor lessons for a refresher. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7BPcMmZEWGaK6_YbDK_go38BV2ouy03nM_ydw39-pSSbnOjkniIj3dPmJ9Yut3ZjCwPR5XjwOgdBkkbTEC4bYQEf1Usc0fpK2J-EW93_crRoIN8HMh1-vSLLmyKv4keamqqzwt31sKKkV0Y2CSVqBC9tTGKU4LEpwTsIQId8R-Rdc-oMAeoFXWdk/s4032/20221004_211538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7BPcMmZEWGaK6_YbDK_go38BV2ouy03nM_ydw39-pSSbnOjkniIj3dPmJ9Yut3ZjCwPR5XjwOgdBkkbTEC4bYQEf1Usc0fpK2J-EW93_crRoIN8HMh1-vSLLmyKv4keamqqzwt31sKKkV0Y2CSVqBC9tTGKU4LEpwTsIQId8R-Rdc-oMAeoFXWdk/s320/20221004_211538.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgxQDYQTQyN68dqL6jGPeJPd7Jr_Ugq0Pc-jpKxEYm9Xvuy5TvHIW9fp179v1Kw-wtyQUmIZtxDocL9sxcPJhWGJ-de9zSCjc1eWlMaq-wOYXWiCVAH32nhjmuQTOhCSAyB_CscIhtJQtmPRyNXpSiItdhCorR58A8fJWDKOmA0H_1LC5d419m2Wc/s4032/20220930_222344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgxQDYQTQyN68dqL6jGPeJPd7Jr_Ugq0Pc-jpKxEYm9Xvuy5TvHIW9fp179v1Kw-wtyQUmIZtxDocL9sxcPJhWGJ-de9zSCjc1eWlMaq-wOYXWiCVAH32nhjmuQTOhCSAyB_CscIhtJQtmPRyNXpSiItdhCorR58A8fJWDKOmA0H_1LC5d419m2Wc/s320/20220930_222344.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>If you are looking for books, I'll be at the Geeky Experience Comic Con in Holland this weekend but then I'll be off until November. Hooray!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9W1nTCuDMTbg_PYrstdekQck6th-OIZz1qO1DusquXe8H1LPs24HgkCeDGwt0CIgyJ56P5rLaNxHqOvJGFjlZA8uNUxIbPYIRODipPmX0N307cSYUi8YTVHBb5bYoNaeCOouCZ3AiOPi67sUuUnKBoNT2pcyPbGDsHO5i410h0iMOa6vo7QMYihEJ/s4032/20221001_090656.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9W1nTCuDMTbg_PYrstdekQck6th-OIZz1qO1DusquXe8H1LPs24HgkCeDGwt0CIgyJ56P5rLaNxHqOvJGFjlZA8uNUxIbPYIRODipPmX0N307cSYUi8YTVHBb5bYoNaeCOouCZ3AiOPi67sUuUnKBoNT2pcyPbGDsHO5i410h0iMOa6vo7QMYihEJ/s320/20221001_090656.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I got to hang out with author Vera West in Kalamazoo last weekend.</i><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h3>Projects on the agenda for NaNoWriMo this year include:</h3><p></p><p><span> </span>1.<span> </span>Actually, for really really sure this time, working on Frayed</p><p><span> </span>2. A horror short story collection</p><p><span> </span>3. A children's book</p><p><span> </span>4. Being entirely unproductive publishing-wise but working on my personal project if all else fails.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">November's book signing schedule:</h3><p><span> </span>Nov 11-13 Grand Rapids Comic Con</p><p> <span> Nov 19 Fantasticon </span></p><p><span><span> Nov 26 Bluestocking Bookshop Indie Author Day</span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">and find <span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">participating <span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span><span>And that brings us to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group Question: </span></span>What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre?</h3><p>Answering for Speculative Fiction because I'm kind of an umbrella term author, the best part is the freedom of imagination. Followed closely by being able to write whoever and whatever best serves the story without being tied to real world rules or expectations. Spec fic allows us to shine lights on all kinds of real world issues, but through a more distant lens that often makes those topics more palatable and easier to digest. Getting out of our world and into an entirely new one is also a great escape from daily life, a vacation in book pages. </p><p><br /></p><p><span> </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-42609397199327963242022-09-23T14:56:00.012-04:002022-09-23T14:56:00.226-04:00Guest Post: Nick Wilford's New Release<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Please welcome Nick Wilford, who is here to talk about characters and his newest release!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukjwuKVz1uGyh8BQm6LvkuXsKyqYmiFyJE5oM56d_tSltYr4NQpJjp_qseYH7HN_ot3-AAloZIOLflgofH-F4S3iRqJdGZVn-Xm8VBgRrkf2QPRF3TGnvP2EeAYSN6_GWn6-b8083mTFXa2mU7sG2JF9j01pjMt1Yyjucrm6UyKGGOOW6JsbIMg0Z/s2240/Reckoning%20Blog%20Tour%20Banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukjwuKVz1uGyh8BQm6LvkuXsKyqYmiFyJE5oM56d_tSltYr4NQpJjp_qseYH7HN_ot3-AAloZIOLflgofH-F4S3iRqJdGZVn-Xm8VBgRrkf2QPRF3TGnvP2EeAYSN6_GWn6-b8083mTFXa2mU7sG2JF9j01pjMt1Yyjucrm6UyKGGOOW6JsbIMg0Z/s320/Reckoning%20Blog%20Tour%20Banner.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Today I’m going to
talk a bit about what happens when good characters go bad and how it might
affect the rest of your story. This can be really fun for both the author and
reader because it can turn everything you thought you knew about your story,
and your protagonist, on its head. That opens the door for all sorts of twists
and revelations, adding layers of intrigue.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are two main
ways in which a previously good character can go dark: making that choice to
cross over themselves, or being influenced by some kind of outside agency so
their thoughts and actions are not entirely their own. In Reckoning, my main
character, Wellesbury, falls into the latter category. (He’d been so determined
to fight for what’s right the entire series, I didn’t think he’d ever make a conscious
decision to go to the dark side.) But even if your character has made the move
consciously, there’s room for a lot of nuance. Maybe they feel they don’t have
a choice: for example, doing something bad is the only way they can get what
they need for their family, such as something that would save a dying relative.
Maybe they think what seems bad right now will lead to good in the long run.
Use this as an opportunity to add complexity to your protagonist.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">At the same time,
think about how their actions affect everything and everyone around them. It’s
going to have a chaotic ripple effect: those close to them might try to help
them, or perhaps get sucked into this different way of thinking themselves. It’ll
move the goalposts if there’s a villain your good guys are trying to defeat
because the line between good and evil might now be very blurry. Or if you have
a “sidekick” character to your protagonist, they might have to shoulder much
more responsibility by both taking on the antagonist themselves and trying to
bring their associate back on the right side. This is the position Ez, Welles’s
partner, finds herself in in Reckoning.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Overall, this is a
case of no character being completely black and white, to borrow the name of my
series. Everyone has good and bad within them. Just as your villain will be
much more rounded and convincing if they’re not purely, completely evil, so
will your protagonist be if they’re not purely and completely good. Have fun
playing with the boundaries and you’ll end up with a much more satisfying
reading experience.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Title</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Reckoning</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Author</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Nick Wilford</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Genre</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: YA dystopian</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Series:</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Black
& White</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Series #</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: 3 of 3</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Release date</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: 20th September 2022</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Publisher</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Superstar
Peanut Publishing</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhT7C3Z7CLhhRqujoPXEUXPC2-nnP-uAQtmiEKbmEblLtdA96uI1AahXPGjB6FJt2VNzrJbu6rqnAvgSqURn_s8ZnD8K7vCnkeJJxE0JTmtlNOXbrEWRtObtcOHXIIZQpSebCo3uJLr8gYaM_vYc8GocyxYiAoT6MAPixHSKJRNpGobUZy6Xiqitej/s2700/Reckoning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhT7C3Z7CLhhRqujoPXEUXPC2-nnP-uAQtmiEKbmEblLtdA96uI1AahXPGjB6FJt2VNzrJbu6rqnAvgSqURn_s8ZnD8K7vCnkeJJxE0JTmtlNOXbrEWRtObtcOHXIIZQpSebCo3uJLr8gYaM_vYc8GocyxYiAoT6MAPixHSKJRNpGobUZy6Xiqitej/s320/Reckoning.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Blurb:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The time has come for those who perpetrated wrongdoing
and suffering on the land of Loretania to face their judgement. Lord Histender
and the other members of the deposed Reformers’ Government are in jail awaiting
trial for keeping that country in a state of disease-ridden deprivation,
alongside other heinous crimes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Wellesbury Noon and Ezmerelda Dontible, the kind and
benevolent new rulers of Harmonia, are looking forward to seeing justice
finally being done. But nothing is that simple. Lunkin, the psychotic former
Chief Scientist, has one more trick up his sleeve and is wreaking havoc even
from behind bars. Soon, Loretanians who have come to make a new life in
Harmonia are falling victim to hate crimes and brutal attacks. And things take
a turn for the desperate when Wellesbury himself becomes compromised.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Can Welles and Ez turn the tide of public opinion and
secure justice for the people of Loretania before it’s too late?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Purchase Links:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Reckoning-Part-Black-White-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0B6BPLH8L/"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Amazon US</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> / </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reckoning-Part-Black-White-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0B6BPLH8L/"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Amazon UK</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> / </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1155696"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Smashwords</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> / </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reckoning-nick-wilford/1141765122?ean=2940165885556"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Barnes & Noble</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> / </span><a href="https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/reckoning-part-3-of-the-black-white-trilogy"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Kobo</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Add it on </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61328199-reckoning"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Goodreads</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Author bio:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVF2F4_x9D-nP2hKlS5aR8eP-9VNdAgcjMw5lGvBChGJAXLVqOjQwJ2fUEXipbUQE_bSVyzqCuuprb_TLt4vO-Vj7erUizNUMliymnTKb5YYc7zG9eiVfZntReAg5E5dLP9Mt8UTAlL07DllpwBTluwxdvyq37EZX72FGPv14PrKJE3X7gzddkBiFT/s715/Author%20headshot%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="577" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVF2F4_x9D-nP2hKlS5aR8eP-9VNdAgcjMw5lGvBChGJAXLVqOjQwJ2fUEXipbUQE_bSVyzqCuuprb_TLt4vO-Vj7erUizNUMliymnTKb5YYc7zG9eiVfZntReAg5E5dLP9Mt8UTAlL07DllpwBTluwxdvyq37EZX72FGPv14PrKJE3X7gzddkBiFT/s320/Author%20headshot%202.png" width="258" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style=" font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Nick Wilford is a writer and stay-at-home dad. Once a
journalist, he now makes use of those early morning times when the house is
quiet to explore the realms of fiction, with a little freelance editing and
formatting thrown in. When not working he can usually be found spending time
with his family or wrangling his six adorable dogs. His first traditionally
published novel, a YA sci-fi adventure entitled <i>The Becalmer</i>, will release from
Creative James Media in August 2023. His other books include the<i> Black & White</i>
trilogy, a YA dystopian series, and <i>A Change of Mind and Other Stories</i>, a
collection featuring a novella and five short stories, four of which were
previously published in <i>Writer’s Muse</i> magazine. Nick is also the editor of
<i>Overcoming Adversity: An Anthology for Andrew</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://linktr.ee/nickpwilford"><b><span style=" font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Linktree</span></b></a><b><span style="background: font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-44959518262873137432022-09-06T20:03:00.042-04:002022-09-06T20:03:00.186-04:00Book signings, Breathing, and IWSG<p>As I mentioned last month, this is the crazy times. I'm in the middle of a four weekend book signing frenzy before things start to settle down for the rest so the last few months of the year. Relatively, anyway. I'd make this a longer, more informative post, but my brain is jelly. </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Currently up on my schedule:</b></span></p><p>Charlotte Frontier Days - Sept 9 & 10</p><p>Monroe Pop Fest Sept 16 & 17</p><p>Kalamazoo Expo Center Craft Show October 1</p><p>Geeky Experience Comic Con October 8</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Where I've been: </span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSYeeMhl7DnF0gqwCxhWbUerMWZMtz2qrngLMiNEX1-UijSK7HOY6jPWHhqxDTeSrG4E58YKdfm0sIUXQ6jRA5zoUz6Lli2scqu4cvrIC3W72ncAwQG-7FczJr6Nk-oqHyuHJ1k6gyhx7gaKRUqzoeYe6zpDbqYZVzDwYUz8hznnNqlkeA4FQDSio/s1000/FB_IMG_1662324701057.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSYeeMhl7DnF0gqwCxhWbUerMWZMtz2qrngLMiNEX1-UijSK7HOY6jPWHhqxDTeSrG4E58YKdfm0sIUXQ6jRA5zoUz6Lli2scqu4cvrIC3W72ncAwQG-7FczJr6Nk-oqHyuHJ1k6gyhx7gaKRUqzoeYe6zpDbqYZVzDwYUz8hznnNqlkeA4FQDSio/s320/FB_IMG_1662324701057.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newaygo Logging Festival with Laya the chicken<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSVb9fK1CbDKB8m7aa50eYmG-btCUx-L3AmgfYUpSdvDI9wejKY0sjffahqTmhNg0Ba4WE710j4zKcPNgYaExcfTa1OYFGVntPzFo7CJ_rtiJ81amlxIPE4-DbmHPSNLCDY73IaSU0CzQaQ2GF_4ImPAdx1AgyIzxWQfzvdFtWdIRLOzDIYYmcmF_/s3024/IMG_20220827_123241_651.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSVb9fK1CbDKB8m7aa50eYmG-btCUx-L3AmgfYUpSdvDI9wejKY0sjffahqTmhNg0Ba4WE710j4zKcPNgYaExcfTa1OYFGVntPzFo7CJ_rtiJ81amlxIPE4-DbmHPSNLCDY73IaSU0CzQaQ2GF_4ImPAdx1AgyIzxWQfzvdFtWdIRLOzDIYYmcmF_/s320/IMG_20220827_123241_651.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally got to use my newly modified tent cover at the Michiana Renaissance Festival<br />This was a super show and I'll be back next year! <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhE0z349v0EUj9g5r17O24Mirfhx1lcP8Kzw2qVKXcCszBJimmW6igdLPfqnM2qwo3ODMDoHo67_G8HZq2h225FZTF4Xl23FtOet0ThlOorD5SABKgDtdl3gA27kIax4byWWFjHt9TmXUpOZlAylnxKJxQBPU2KvJcTEEB-gkJJsg6JMgEC970XLR/s3264/20220827_101555.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhE0z349v0EUj9g5r17O24Mirfhx1lcP8Kzw2qVKXcCszBJimmW6igdLPfqnM2qwo3ODMDoHo67_G8HZq2h225FZTF4Xl23FtOet0ThlOorD5SABKgDtdl3gA27kIax4byWWFjHt9TmXUpOZlAylnxKJxQBPU2KvJcTEEB-gkJJsg6JMgEC970XLR/s320/20220827_101555.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also got to wear my newly modified blue dress on a very hot day. <br />It fits much better now and is more comfortable. <br />I was super excited about being very very hot. Does it show?</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What am I working on?</span></b> Breathing mostly. It's allergy season. On the bright side, I've figured out my publishing goals for 2023, but that's a blog post for later month.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">and find <span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">participating <span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Let's get to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question of the month: <b><span style="font-size: medium;">What genre would be the worst one for you to tackle and why? </span></b><p></p><p>Historical Fiction. As much as I enjoy reading it. Writing it requires research. Research of that magnitude requires focus and detailed notes and keeping everything accurate to the period. My head hurt just thinking about it.</p><p>Yes, I keep detailed notes on facts and characters in my books, but there's a lot more freedom when you create your own world rather than having to maintain the accuracy of history and knowing all the things. Yes, that's my detailed description of, you know, the things: the stuff that makes historical pieces entertaining but also educational. </p><p>I'll stick to enjoying the hard work and diligence of other authors in that genre.</p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-25894716396733308222022-08-02T17:36:00.074-04:002022-08-02T17:36:00.183-04:00Goodbye July, Hello August<p> I spent July traveling across Michigan meeting readers. From Lansing, to Lake Orion, and then back to Grand Haven in West Michigan. Whew! It was a fun filled month of books, dragons, presenting writing panels, and even superhero wedding! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUwxlDCE0h99MVn-c3rxFDv3JwMyp9kREuOJwKTx0aKvJjh3eQ54FwqQ81gRD6SN92Uzc6gsvXo9KNw3ezOkDPt_Y3NME8B3h6IG_ioTPOp6pZ2SDAnLyZn70RyZ4cQI_gMtTV3bap5Wbpt_CSxnmBZ7FcVzrKocXDXYN5tWp7wc45Jk0nIZeGal4/s4032/20220723_181950.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUwxlDCE0h99MVn-c3rxFDv3JwMyp9kREuOJwKTx0aKvJjh3eQ54FwqQ81gRD6SN92Uzc6gsvXo9KNw3ezOkDPt_Y3NME8B3h6IG_ioTPOp6pZ2SDAnLyZn70RyZ4cQI_gMtTV3bap5Wbpt_CSxnmBZ7FcVzrKocXDXYN5tWp7wc45Jk0nIZeGal4/s200/20220723_181950.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kogan Con - Grand Haven, MI</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PboZfg-Rj-UxHeLv-LaEz_ktqnhyRSTTiYuIOxg0b-YIBpwY8RwuZboXqLx7S-8acz_Wwk8WRNs4QUrjktDeHqbjeqfldSZ4uuU-VqQqvIYdoWoyiCkymMb5u0-jq2UVr9sdOCzhg72sa4FzVMCrKSDMDxiDe--wdRxRmTquHR6kY1DauLxnXfpQ/s3264/20220716_120955.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PboZfg-Rj-UxHeLv-LaEz_ktqnhyRSTTiYuIOxg0b-YIBpwY8RwuZboXqLx7S-8acz_Wwk8WRNs4QUrjktDeHqbjeqfldSZ4uuU-VqQqvIYdoWoyiCkymMb5u0-jq2UVr9sdOCzhg72sa4FzVMCrKSDMDxiDe--wdRxRmTquHR6kY1DauLxnXfpQ/s200/20220716_120955.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michigan Medieval Faire - Lake Orion, MI</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGt3v4BnC50LGK6VmgQGGzL4RsYAa5XzE23mbczpd25nA98Luqywf4rWO6UiRXgOi_6p-Jpuo15Eu4bugR76w5cnzrsO0U73vLpy8bSSgWLrPZlkU2w3xbOkz5f-EzlyP4nhEzCGIldjBjN5tm7MzC28WI4lUX2r-gSUk4Lx2Qqer5se1wBoMOV9x/s1440/FB_IMG_1658929815250.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGt3v4BnC50LGK6VmgQGGzL4RsYAa5XzE23mbczpd25nA98Luqywf4rWO6UiRXgOi_6p-Jpuo15Eu4bugR76w5cnzrsO0U73vLpy8bSSgWLrPZlkU2w3xbOkz5f-EzlyP4nhEzCGIldjBjN5tm7MzC28WI4lUX2r-gSUk4Lx2Qqer5se1wBoMOV9x/s200/FB_IMG_1658929815250.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capital City Comic Con - Lansing, MI</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>July was also Camp Nano, in which I plugged away at a book I'm writing for me at this point, wherein *spoiler alert* I'm killing people, crying about it, and processing the fact that they are dead. In theory, this may free me up to delve into other non-Narvan stand-alone books...like the pile of them on my hard drive glaring at me to be finished. As of the end of the month, I added 40,000 new words to the novel. Since my original goal was to add 20K, I'm calling that a definite win. Yes, Seeker is still the last book of the core series. If this tragic tale eventually gets to your eyes, it will be a companion novel like Minor Years. </p><p>Oh, and dammit, I already have ideas where I could go after this. But no! No! Must, concentrate on stand-alone books for a while! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw9Vz_MhAeGjyISEzgVLetdmCkrw-KFwmkbo_PYU8s9wL_0wIe9iTMkZQiX9PTOwsZJfT5fodb5GGvGf3Yba9d_b0xxxGO_Y47QzJ8-cQMrB4ZZNCB5IXVAXOv4_gzun9YkmtytgE76JzEwQbG_aE-Ngm0yNnT-qhnU7AnowZOSWoW6alpu45VSP0/s1157/nano%20camp%202022.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1157" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw9Vz_MhAeGjyISEzgVLetdmCkrw-KFwmkbo_PYU8s9wL_0wIe9iTMkZQiX9PTOwsZJfT5fodb5GGvGf3Yba9d_b0xxxGO_Y47QzJ8-cQMrB4ZZNCB5IXVAXOv4_gzun9YkmtytgE76JzEwQbG_aE-Ngm0yNnT-qhnU7AnowZOSWoW6alpu45VSP0/w200-h200/nano%20camp%202022.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I'm also still percolating on the last 2/3 of Frayed, which is slowly making its way through my local writing group chapter by chapter and finishing it is currently slated to be my project for NaNo 2022 unless I can make this Narvan book shut up and work on it before then. </p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">After such a busy July, I'll be spending August resting. Right? Ha. You're funny.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">You can find me:</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">August 6 - Holland Art in the Park</p><p style="text-align: center;">August 13&14 - South Haven Blueberry Festival</p><p style="text-align: center;">August 27 & 28 Michiana Renaissance Faire </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>That brings us to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question: <strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> When you set out to write</strong><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?</strong><p></p><p>The first draft of everything I write is for me. Sorry, readers. But hey, I'm a reader too and I have to wait for the words to leech out of my fingers onto the page to enjoy them. Trust me, you're getting the far better end of the deal here. Once the story gets to you, it's a smooth ride (hopefully) and far more coherent (definitely). </p><p>Readers get much more consideration once a draft enters editing. I often move things around or cut bits entirely to make the story flow better, faster, or be more engaging for everyone who is not in my twisted head.</p><p>As far as being original, I would think that's something we all strive for. Originality comes with adding your own voice to any story. All the plots may have been done before, but its what you do with them that makes them unique. </p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-57226878743889174622022-07-06T11:10:00.072-04:002022-07-06T11:10:00.200-04:00How is it July already? <p>Yes, I'll be asking a similar question all year. When you stay busy, time flies by. </p><p>June was full of fun with Laya the chicken. Laya is a naked neck silkie and the most laid back of all my chickens. Books and a chicken? Yep. She often comes with me to outdoor events to draw people over to my booth, and because hey, chickens are fun! Have you ever pet a chicken? Visit my booth and you can check that off your bucket list.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnFF-kPkvT28UIOdzEpmOLs_vuIpYr9Q1fl5aM-Dj6zfpX9b-hpOXLXioWnUJxebpVpyYPWb4W2RJPyauq9wr3YshcZM3uTIHgfUSqSfctuyW3sFSPDqpBSwMQWd5aCvOuvyWtV3zkYmHSb0tMEGDn2S9vy2LtAfwxkoSCrNxnB_2J1kr1vR54MtY/s1440/FB_IMG_1656232102165.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnFF-kPkvT28UIOdzEpmOLs_vuIpYr9Q1fl5aM-Dj6zfpX9b-hpOXLXioWnUJxebpVpyYPWb4W2RJPyauq9wr3YshcZM3uTIHgfUSqSfctuyW3sFSPDqpBSwMQWd5aCvOuvyWtV3zkYmHSb0tMEGDn2S9vy2LtAfwxkoSCrNxnB_2J1kr1vR54MtY/s200/FB_IMG_1656232102165.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a walk at the Lakeshore Art Festival</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15jeg439V-DxTk2wR0Q9OvushHLUIQWTWJXVOMv-9wu9SiL0Wri5RGO-j7JOEBPZ4ksyEsFy0bTEFIgynaKPu3nH1bkhxBY8aU0z9xOn2WX24EtrB_i5VevtuwKVI_1NSb8AT2t8vIYzQpHxwrdmgfOi_PVpSL244G9GiJCUIklogm9yeBDcoo3e8/s3264/20220619_133804.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15jeg439V-DxTk2wR0Q9OvushHLUIQWTWJXVOMv-9wu9SiL0Wri5RGO-j7JOEBPZ4ksyEsFy0bTEFIgynaKPu3nH1bkhxBY8aU0z9xOn2WX24EtrB_i5VevtuwKVI_1NSb8AT2t8vIYzQpHxwrdmgfOi_PVpSL244G9GiJCUIklogm9yeBDcoo3e8/s200/20220619_133804.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting pretty at the White Lake Arts and Crafts Festival</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjttlCvZs1qc6JmZoZ_2uhRVncq2ophQu7BIUPr8aU4RyPVnEvlUbrrwtR1orHnNSOxqwR8Y7jxdVAnfL4bqGC7NFwt5vOjpPgAVerZCJcJEIQEVxWVyEivSIiC5C_Ht0Fa90r2ACEiZhqk1xtRg9QNFcqGPXLKSMoDnpt2r8W_7M2DjH1M2BoLJA/s200/20220604_094207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting all the love at Magical Realms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>I've been doing a little work in my garden as time allows. So many weeds to pull. The chickens love to eat them though so that give me some extra incentive to get weeds pulled beyond making the flower hill look nice. <p></p><p>Have I been writing? The answer was supposed to be no, because I'm taking a break. However, Camp Nano got brought up in my local writing group and I did have an already started project I was mulling scenes over for...so yes, I am now writing. Sitting at 11K words so far for the month. I expect the fantastic pace will slow down now that my long holiday weekend is over. </p><p>On the subject of taking a break, I have been reading and watching Netflix. Refilling the well, as it were.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Recently watched and finished: </h3><p>The Last Kingdom</p><p>Legacies</p><p>Bridgerton</p><p>The Ted Bundy Tapes</p><p>The Letter for the King</p><p>Cracow Monsters</p><p>Vikings Valhalla</p><p>The John Wayne Gacy Tapes</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Recently Read:</h3><p><i>Ravishing the Heiress </i>by Sherry Thomas</p><p><i>The Kingmakers Daughter</i> by Philippa Gregory</p><p><i>Sometimes We Fall </i>by Yong Takahashi</p><p><i>Year One </i>by Nora Roberts</p><p><i>Patrick </i>by Stephen Lawhead</p><p><i>29</i> by Vera West</p><p><i>Bromance Bookclub</i> by Lyssa Kay Adams</p><p><br /></p><p>Now that I've enticed you with Laya the chicken, I'm sorry to say that she won't be back with me until August when I'm at closer to home outdoor events. However, this month, you can find chickenless me at:</p><p>July 8-10 Capital City Comic Con - Lansing, MI</p><p>July 16 &17 Michigan Medieval Stroll - Lake Orion, MI</p><p>July 23 Kogan Con - Grand Haven, MI</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>And now to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question: <strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">If you could live in any book </strong><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">world, which one would you choose?</strong></p><p>I'd have to go with my own Narvan world because I know the rules and the people there, and most importantly, who to avoid in order to stay alive. Alive is good. </p><p>That whole world (universe?) has been with me for so long I can't imagine living any where else outside of the real world. Plus, my characters have aged with me. They're not moving as quickly as they used to. They suffer from aches and the occasional bad back day. I could fit in there in some quiet little background character roll without having to get into the plot chaos with main characters, but maybe still be close enough to see some of the action from a safe distance. </p><p>Where would you go?</p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-40980461695609743422022-06-01T09:00:00.001-04:002022-06-01T09:00:00.187-04:00IWSG: June Monthly update<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">Rolling into summer already. It wasn't the best of spring weather, that's for sure. Hopefully the heat holds off until my body can acclimate to something other than 38-65 in wild shifts and then throw a random 88 degree day in there. ugh.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">In non-writing life, my youngest has moved out but the oldest still lives at home. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">I haven't weeded a thing. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">My pond still isn't up and running. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">The chickens and ducks are doing great. </span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">So what's up on the writing project list? I'm slowly toying with another companion novel for The Narvan and slowly editing Frayed. Mostly, I'm fried after releasing two books a week apart and everything that led up to that. So I'm taking it easy for awhile. No deadlines. Actually reading books and diving into the occasional Netflix binge. </span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">Up next on the book event list:</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">June 4 & 5 : Magical Realms Fantasy Faire</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">June 18 & 19 : White Lake Arts & Crafts </span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">June 25 & 26 : Lakeshore Art Festival</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9XTzXtCDh4/VrNTArgKXtI/AAAAAAAABNY/L8WpSjLrKIoaBjTjA67gPWykXExWMZJmQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're not familiar with </span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support </a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Group, check it out here</a><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>and find </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">links to all the other </span></div></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>participating </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">writers.</span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">This month's Insecure Writer's Support Group Question is:</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the </strong><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">end? </strong></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">This happens a lot for me when I'm about one third of the way into the book. I've introduced the characters, the world, the conflict and now I've got to start figuring out how to get from all the drama I've just created to a resolution. So yes, the other 2/3 of the book. Once I bridge that gap, I'm usually good to go. However, if I can't figure it out, the story stalls and it sits on my hard drive until a solution hits me or it gathers virtual dust forever. </span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">How do I keep that from happening?</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">#1: Stop writing and start making a rough outline to figure how what needs to happen.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">#2: Write a short note of what needs to happen in the troublesome scene(s) and skip ahead to the next part.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">#3: Try something different to get the words flowing again - such as switching POV or dive into some dialogue if its a narrative section.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">#4: Give some thought as to why the story is being tough. Have I made the plot too convoluted? Are the characters not properly motivated? Do I need to set something on fire to spice things up?</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">#5: Am I having a burnt out moment and need to take a few days off to recharge?</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;">Usually there's a reason and it's just a matter of having the patience to figure out what it is to keep myself writing. </span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;">What's your solution?</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955548665653773708.post-86196842107921048412022-05-25T18:13:00.000-04:002022-05-25T18:13:26.585-04:00New Release: Seeker - The Narvan Book 4Guess what Narvan fans? <i>Seeker</i> is finally available! If you subscribe to my newsletter, you got an early start before the release date. *hint*<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnNfRHrp1-fl7TQuNrcyxPm6NKsZqraQJ5S0RyWrSQHH6cHc9N9WyhMjKgNGZalmJMHiKMz_mYmmo2qc6FxQTphiHDBrML-PHdj4rnb4jW39z_Lx9vohZoe6q_ACOed7hGQzloe6Qn_rg6do7Rhyr5l2ZQi_8lmMIQxynoTKr0T1bIyotgk9Ysg7X/s2501/Seeker%20cover%20front.jpg" style="clear: right; display: block; float: right; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2501" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnNfRHrp1-fl7TQuNrcyxPm6NKsZqraQJ5S0RyWrSQHH6cHc9N9WyhMjKgNGZalmJMHiKMz_mYmmo2qc6FxQTphiHDBrML-PHdj4rnb4jW39z_Lx9vohZoe6q_ACOed7hGQzloe6Qn_rg6do7Rhyr5l2ZQi_8lmMIQxynoTKr0T1bIyotgk9Ysg7X/s320/Seeker%20cover%20front.jpg" /></a></div>Book 4 closes out Vayen's story and I'm excited to share it with all of you. Without a doubt, he's been my favorite character to write. I'd say I'll miss him, except I'm toying with another companion novel that takes place after Seeker. It's not in his POV though, so I can say that his leading time in the series is over. Will any of you ever see that book? That's up for debate. I'm a third of the way in. See my next blog post as to what that means for a story.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enough about that dangled tidbit, let's get to <i>Seeker</i>:</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Political upheaval threatens to erupt into a war that will
tear the Narvan apart. The alteration undergone by Vayen and his hunters may
have saved everyone from the Arpex but it also created the possibility of
bullet-proof soldiers. Vayen’s fellow advisors will do anything to get that
prize for themselves.</i></div><div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Not only is Vayen’s daughter not speaking to him, he’s been
stuck at home for weeks recovering from surgery and being smothered by
Anastassia’s efforts to keep him safe and healthy. Attempting to advise three
worlds from his home office has him on his last nerve.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Vayen slips out to search for a new bodyguard. A few strong drinks later, he ends up on a
distant colony, busting up a slave
operation. The adrenaline rush and possibility of having done something good to
get back into his daughter’s favor offers a momentary release. He even has a
host of well-trained bodyguard slaves to pick from. He’s also gained a new
enemy, discovered his bond to Anastassia isn’t what it used to be, and
reawakened his old drug addiction. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>In spite of doing everything he can to be good, the public
has labeled Vayen a mutant and a tyrant. To bring peace to the Narvan and
beyond, he’ll need to become exactly what they say he is. </i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Where can you get a copy? </p><p class="MsoNormal">Find me at any of the events I do throughout Michigan and Indiana.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Click on the "Buy signed copies" tab above to get your own copy shipped from me to you (within the US)</p><p class="MsoNormal">Click the link to the left to go to Amazon.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Find it on any of your favorite online bookstores.</p><div>
</div></div>Jean Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com1