Not a whole lot going on right now on the writing front with regard to Desperate Choices. It has "gone to production."
I got my new business cards in today. They look pretty cool. The front has my contact information such as my name, e-mail address, and phone number. Plus the back is done in golden yellow with the name of the book (Desperate Choices) and www.carinapress.com and my release date (September 27, 2010).
I still can't believe after so long that all my efforts are finally paying off.
I was also asked to write an article for my local RWA chapter newsletter, which should be in the September issue.
I'm also working on a new story, which is what I was doing right before coming over to write this blog entry.
I really, really, really wish I was going to RWA Nationals in Orlando this week. Almost everybody I know is going. I couldn't get the time off work (and really couldn't justify the expense--but that's another story). Of course, this was the year after my first sale and I got invites to all the major Harlequin/Carina events. . . and I can't go!!!
Next year, though, I'm so planning to go. It will be in New York, so I've started saving already, because as we all know, New York is rather expensive. I don't care; I'll find a way to make it happen.
Okay, going back to work on the story now. Till next time. . .
Kathy
Monday, July 26, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
OOPS, I DID IT AGAIN . . .
Well, I’ve done it again. I keep meaning to post to the blog and time just slips away and before you know it, days have passed.
I did get a sneak preview of my cover for Desperate Choices and all I can say is “AWESOME”. The artists doing the covers for Carina Press have been doing a tremendous job. I don’t think I’ve seen a cover yet from them that hasn’t been terrific.
I’ll post the cover here on the blog and on my web site as soon as I get the final version from Carina.
In the meantime, all the edits (so far) have been turned in. The back cover copy has been done. Now I need to start lining up blog interviews, and promotional opportunities for Desperate Choices. Plus when it gets closer to release time (September 27, 2010 in case I haven’t shouted it from the rooftops loud enough for everybody to know), I’ll need to start getting reviewers lined up, too. Reviews—now that’s a scary thought.
I will be doing a blog interview on Vicki Batman's blog on 08/10/2010. I'll post more details before then with the link.
On the diet front, I have been a bad girl. Way too much celebrating the last few weeks. Everybody wanted to go out to dinner or lunch to celebrate the contract on the book. So the diet pretty much went out the window. Hopefully I’m back on track again now that all the partying is done (at least for the moment), and can get back to eating healthier again.
The good thing is that I’ve been able to at least maintain my weight loss. I've fluctuated a couple of pounds up and then back down but I haven’t put the weight back on. (For those who don’t know, I had to make a major lifestyle change 2 years ago—in the last 2 years I have lost 135 pounds.) Changing the way you eat is a daily struggle to make the right choices, and get back into the mind set of knowing that it has to be done. I’m trying, though. And I’ll keep trying every day until I reach my goal. It won’t stop there, though, as I’ll have to keep at this for the rest of my life in order to maintain what I’ve accomplished. I never want to be 350 pounds again—and I won’t.
Tonight its back to work on the current work-in-progress (romantic suspense).
Until next time, happy reading and happy writing.
Kathy
I did get a sneak preview of my cover for Desperate Choices and all I can say is “AWESOME”. The artists doing the covers for Carina Press have been doing a tremendous job. I don’t think I’ve seen a cover yet from them that hasn’t been terrific.
I’ll post the cover here on the blog and on my web site as soon as I get the final version from Carina.
In the meantime, all the edits (so far) have been turned in. The back cover copy has been done. Now I need to start lining up blog interviews, and promotional opportunities for Desperate Choices. Plus when it gets closer to release time (September 27, 2010 in case I haven’t shouted it from the rooftops loud enough for everybody to know), I’ll need to start getting reviewers lined up, too. Reviews—now that’s a scary thought.
I will be doing a blog interview on Vicki Batman's blog on 08/10/2010. I'll post more details before then with the link.
On the diet front, I have been a bad girl. Way too much celebrating the last few weeks. Everybody wanted to go out to dinner or lunch to celebrate the contract on the book. So the diet pretty much went out the window. Hopefully I’m back on track again now that all the partying is done (at least for the moment), and can get back to eating healthier again.
The good thing is that I’ve been able to at least maintain my weight loss. I've fluctuated a couple of pounds up and then back down but I haven’t put the weight back on. (For those who don’t know, I had to make a major lifestyle change 2 years ago—in the last 2 years I have lost 135 pounds.) Changing the way you eat is a daily struggle to make the right choices, and get back into the mind set of knowing that it has to be done. I’m trying, though. And I’ll keep trying every day until I reach my goal. It won’t stop there, though, as I’ll have to keep at this for the rest of my life in order to maintain what I’ve accomplished. I never want to be 350 pounds again—and I won’t.
Tonight its back to work on the current work-in-progress (romantic suspense).
Until next time, happy reading and happy writing.
Kathy
Thursday, June 24, 2010
EDITS CONTINUE AND BACK COVER COPY
Tonight I'm continuing to work on the line edits for Desperate Choices. I'm almost finished with these and should have them done very soon. I also got the back cover copy this afternoon from my publisher (how great does that sound--my publisher). Carina Press has been absolutely terrific to work with, and I couldn't be more pleased.
Other than one minor change, the back cover copy looks good to me. I'm going to think about it overnight and look at it with fresh eyes in the morning, but I like it and hope it will attract people to want to buy and read the book.
Once I've sent the back cover copy through and the line edits/revisions, I hope to start on my next project, a romantic suspense (of course). I'm going to talk to a former police officer this weekend regarding some research that I need for the book, so I'll be sure to make lots of notes.
Okay, till next time. Happy reading and happy writing!
Kathy
Other than one minor change, the back cover copy looks good to me. I'm going to think about it overnight and look at it with fresh eyes in the morning, but I like it and hope it will attract people to want to buy and read the book.
Once I've sent the back cover copy through and the line edits/revisions, I hope to start on my next project, a romantic suspense (of course). I'm going to talk to a former police officer this weekend regarding some research that I need for the book, so I'll be sure to make lots of notes.
Okay, till next time. Happy reading and happy writing!
Kathy
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
PROGRESS--SLOW BUT STEADY
Well, I got all of my revisions, rewrites, etc. back to my editor at Carina Press on the 18th. (They were due on the 19th). She really liked them and the new scene that I added.
Things seem to move really quickly with e-publishing. I've already gotten my line edits back from her, so that's what I've been working on yesterday and today (and will again tomorrow after the day job is done).
It still at times seems a bit surreal that somebody actually bought my book. I've been writing seriously for the last five years, and this validation that I'm on the right track really means a lot.
I need to go and update my website in the next couple of days, as well as continue to blog my progress on the road to publication. I haven't been very diligent about updating my website, but my web mistress, Rae Monet, does a fabulous job and created a wonderful design for my site.
I've also started scheduling guest blogs for when the book comes out (in September). I'll also be having guests blogging here in the coming months as well, so keep your eye's peeled for that, too.
That's it for tonight, gonna wrap up the writing and make a fresh start in the morning. G'night everyone.
Kathy
Things seem to move really quickly with e-publishing. I've already gotten my line edits back from her, so that's what I've been working on yesterday and today (and will again tomorrow after the day job is done).
It still at times seems a bit surreal that somebody actually bought my book. I've been writing seriously for the last five years, and this validation that I'm on the right track really means a lot.
I need to go and update my website in the next couple of days, as well as continue to blog my progress on the road to publication. I haven't been very diligent about updating my website, but my web mistress, Rae Monet, does a fabulous job and created a wonderful design for my site.
I've also started scheduling guest blogs for when the book comes out (in September). I'll also be having guests blogging here in the coming months as well, so keep your eye's peeled for that, too.
That's it for tonight, gonna wrap up the writing and make a fresh start in the morning. G'night everyone.
Kathy
Monday, June 14, 2010
BIG, STUPENDOUS NEWS!!!
I know its been several months since I posted to my blog. Time just got away from me. Life has been taking some unexpected twists and turns lately on the writing front. If you read my posts back in January when I first started this blog, I had established some goals for 2010.
I did actually accomplish a few of those things. I have been doing some writing on a new manuscript. I did enter some work in a contest--where the scores I received were okay but nothing spectacular. But along the way something happened I wasn't expecting.
I SOLD MY BOOK!!!
Desperate Choices is a book that is near and dear to my heart. I wrote it a few years ago and loved the story. I shopped it around, as all writers do when they finish polishing their work. While I got good feedback on it, mostly I heard it "wasn't what they were looking for" or "it wasn't right for them."
In March I had e-mailed my critique partner about a new publisher I thought might be interested in one of her stories. After a bit of back and forth mailing, she finally said: "I'll send mine if you'll send yours."
So that's how Desperate Choices ended up on the desk of an editor at Carina Press. On May 11, 2010 at about 10:30 a.m. I got "the call" from Angela James telling me they wanted to offer me a contract for Desperate Choices.
After I picked myself up off the floor, of course I told them I was interested.
So, in the last month I've received the call, made the sale, am working on revisions/edits, and sent the art fact sheet back so they can start working on my cover.
I'll be posting more as things progress, but tentatively the release date is scheduled for September 2010.
Till next time--hopefully it won't be several months from now.
Kathy
I did actually accomplish a few of those things. I have been doing some writing on a new manuscript. I did enter some work in a contest--where the scores I received were okay but nothing spectacular. But along the way something happened I wasn't expecting.
I SOLD MY BOOK!!!
Desperate Choices is a book that is near and dear to my heart. I wrote it a few years ago and loved the story. I shopped it around, as all writers do when they finish polishing their work. While I got good feedback on it, mostly I heard it "wasn't what they were looking for" or "it wasn't right for them."
In March I had e-mailed my critique partner about a new publisher I thought might be interested in one of her stories. After a bit of back and forth mailing, she finally said: "I'll send mine if you'll send yours."
So that's how Desperate Choices ended up on the desk of an editor at Carina Press. On May 11, 2010 at about 10:30 a.m. I got "the call" from Angela James telling me they wanted to offer me a contract for Desperate Choices.
After I picked myself up off the floor, of course I told them I was interested.
So, in the last month I've received the call, made the sale, am working on revisions/edits, and sent the art fact sheet back so they can start working on my cover.
I'll be posting more as things progress, but tentatively the release date is scheduled for September 2010.
Till next time--hopefully it won't be several months from now.
Kathy
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Pantser versus Plotter, which am I?
Well, I've been finishing up the character profiles for my WIP, a paranormal (werewolf) story and trying to get down to some serious writing. First chapter is done, and I'll be starting on chapter 2 today, after the day job and once I've gone and worked out at my local Curves.
I've done a mini-outline so that I know where I'm at least beginning the story. I don't always write up an outline/synopsis of any sort when I'm writing, but for some reason this story just seemed to need it, so that's what I've done.
I'm not a "pantser" or a "plotter" per se. I'm basically a hybrid of the 2. I'll get the idea for a story, that kernel where the spark or inspiration comes from. I'll try to get that written down quickly, because if I don't, it will sometimes go out into the ether, never to be seen again. Then I'll try to do some character development, getting to know the heroine, the hero, and the villain. Then its a lot of seat-of-the-pants writing, hoping that the story will flow.
Whenever it doesn't, or I hit a roadblock, that's when I'll start outlining pertinent areas. The things I want to happen or the locations I know will be in the book. Sometimes this will be enough to break the logjam and get things rolling again. Other times, my procrastination gene kicks in, and I'll let things sit for weeks at a time without every sitting down to the computer (or even picking up pen and paper). That's when it's really hard to get back into the flow, at least for me.
I find that if I write on a fairly consistent basis (or try to), the story seems to appear on the page much easier. If I take long breaks in between, it's much more difficult to get the rhythm back that was there in the beginning.
As I stated in earlier posts, I plan to be much more proactive with my writing this year, so plan on seeing blogs at least once or twice a week, and well as updates on my website.
If there's anything about my writing, how I do things, or any other topics you'd like to see here, drop me a line in the comments or e-mail me and I'll try to get to those.
That's it for now. Happy writing, everybody!!!
Kathy
I've done a mini-outline so that I know where I'm at least beginning the story. I don't always write up an outline/synopsis of any sort when I'm writing, but for some reason this story just seemed to need it, so that's what I've done.
I'm not a "pantser" or a "plotter" per se. I'm basically a hybrid of the 2. I'll get the idea for a story, that kernel where the spark or inspiration comes from. I'll try to get that written down quickly, because if I don't, it will sometimes go out into the ether, never to be seen again. Then I'll try to do some character development, getting to know the heroine, the hero, and the villain. Then its a lot of seat-of-the-pants writing, hoping that the story will flow.
Whenever it doesn't, or I hit a roadblock, that's when I'll start outlining pertinent areas. The things I want to happen or the locations I know will be in the book. Sometimes this will be enough to break the logjam and get things rolling again. Other times, my procrastination gene kicks in, and I'll let things sit for weeks at a time without every sitting down to the computer (or even picking up pen and paper). That's when it's really hard to get back into the flow, at least for me.
I find that if I write on a fairly consistent basis (or try to), the story seems to appear on the page much easier. If I take long breaks in between, it's much more difficult to get the rhythm back that was there in the beginning.
As I stated in earlier posts, I plan to be much more proactive with my writing this year, so plan on seeing blogs at least once or twice a week, and well as updates on my website.
If there's anything about my writing, how I do things, or any other topics you'd like to see here, drop me a line in the comments or e-mail me and I'll try to get to those.
That's it for now. Happy writing, everybody!!!
Kathy
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Changes and procrastination
Well, it's finally warmer outside. The ice has thawed, but now they are predicting rain. Winter just gets blah, blah in January.
Writing has been a little slow, but I'm progressing bit-by-bit. I'm working on my outline/synopsis for my werewolf story as well as finishing up chapter 1. Trying to start things off with a bang, and keep the momentum rushing forward.
I tend to be the queen of procrastination, and getting my huge backside into the chair seems to be the biggest obstacle. Once there, my muse can take hold and fly, but I can always come up with something that needs to be done first. Dishes, laundry, floors, changing the sheets, all those pesky things that can be put off until I'm done . . . nope, "I'll just think about the plot as I'm washing the dishes." That's all well and good, but once they're finished, do I sit down and start? Heck, no.
I'm thinking about the story (or stories) all the time, taking down copious notes on things to add, delete, etc. But actually getting my fanny in the seat takes willpower and determination, which recently I seem to be lacking, at least as far as my writing goes.
On a side note, for those new to me, I've been changing my lifestyle and eating habits for the last 18 months, trying to loose a LOT of weight. As of this morning, I've lost 127 lbs in that 18 months. This feels TREMENDOUS. I'm happier, definitely healthier, and my family and friends are thrilled with the changes that I've made.
So, the question that I pose is this? If I can be so focused and determined to stick to a healthier eating plan and lifestyle, why can't I stick my backside into a chair and do the thing that I love doing (writing)?
Till next time,
Kathy
Writing has been a little slow, but I'm progressing bit-by-bit. I'm working on my outline/synopsis for my werewolf story as well as finishing up chapter 1. Trying to start things off with a bang, and keep the momentum rushing forward.
I tend to be the queen of procrastination, and getting my huge backside into the chair seems to be the biggest obstacle. Once there, my muse can take hold and fly, but I can always come up with something that needs to be done first. Dishes, laundry, floors, changing the sheets, all those pesky things that can be put off until I'm done . . . nope, "I'll just think about the plot as I'm washing the dishes." That's all well and good, but once they're finished, do I sit down and start? Heck, no.
I'm thinking about the story (or stories) all the time, taking down copious notes on things to add, delete, etc. But actually getting my fanny in the seat takes willpower and determination, which recently I seem to be lacking, at least as far as my writing goes.
On a side note, for those new to me, I've been changing my lifestyle and eating habits for the last 18 months, trying to loose a LOT of weight. As of this morning, I've lost 127 lbs in that 18 months. This feels TREMENDOUS. I'm happier, definitely healthier, and my family and friends are thrilled with the changes that I've made.
So, the question that I pose is this? If I can be so focused and determined to stick to a healthier eating plan and lifestyle, why can't I stick my backside into a chair and do the thing that I love doing (writing)?
Till next time,
Kathy
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