While the monsoon season is upon us, I can't help but think about the similarities between nature and the author game.
With the summer storms, come rising water. Owners of property near the Fox River and the DesPlaines River in Illinois are anxiously sandbagging, some already experiencing flooding.
Mosquitos are hatching. West Nile Virus is a possibility, to some an actuallity. Yet the rains continue, with brief respites. While some people hope, others' hopes are already dashed.
Similar occurrences take place in the author game. With each day, new promotional opportunies arise. There are countless ways to get ourselves and our books known. Which are the best? Which are a waste of time? How many are too many? Or is that possible?
Can we maintain our existing websites and blogs, attend conferences, booksignings, do everything else to get known and still lead a normal life or will we drown from all the pressure?
Writing is not for the faint of heart. It's a game of sink or swim, where the fastest and strongest survive.
The waters are rising. Are you a good swimmer?
Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
www.myspace.com/morganmandel
http://bookplace.ning.com
http://mysteryturtles.blogspot.com
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Blow'n in the Wind
The wind is howling, debris is flying. It looks and feels more like Fall than the beginning of Spring. Illinois weather is famous for being unpredictable.
So is writing. My work in progress is still half done. I keep telling myself this could be my Breakout Novel. I must finish it.
Circumstances keep getting in the way. My already completed novel, TWO WRONGS, was published by Hard Shell Word Factory last February and I don't want to skimp on its promotion. I need to get my brand out and let the world know I and my novel exist or we'll both get nowhere.
I've got two other completed novels to get into publication. I don't want to neglect them.
Plus, I've got a husband who works all day and deserves attention when I get home, and a dog who's all by herself all the day long while we're off at work. She makes sure I notice her by grabbing things from my pockets or nudging my arm and making the mouse go flying when I'm sitting at the computer.
So my work in progress often gets blow'n in the wind.
The good thing is, it's not always windy, especially when it's kind of late and the husband and the dog are sleeping or when I'm on the train commuting. That's when I utilized the peace and quiet and continue on with my new creation. I will finish it. That I promise myself.
My advice to other writers is to look for your own peaceful spots. They're out there. You just need to look around and find them.
Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
www.myspace.com/morganmandel
http://crimespace.ning.com/profile/morganmandel
TWO WRONGS by Morgan Mandel is available at
www.hardshell.com, www.amazon.com, or by order at bookstores.
So is writing. My work in progress is still half done. I keep telling myself this could be my Breakout Novel. I must finish it.
Circumstances keep getting in the way. My already completed novel, TWO WRONGS, was published by Hard Shell Word Factory last February and I don't want to skimp on its promotion. I need to get my brand out and let the world know I and my novel exist or we'll both get nowhere.
I've got two other completed novels to get into publication. I don't want to neglect them.
Plus, I've got a husband who works all day and deserves attention when I get home, and a dog who's all by herself all the day long while we're off at work. She makes sure I notice her by grabbing things from my pockets or nudging my arm and making the mouse go flying when I'm sitting at the computer.
So my work in progress often gets blow'n in the wind.
The good thing is, it's not always windy, especially when it's kind of late and the husband and the dog are sleeping or when I'm on the train commuting. That's when I utilized the peace and quiet and continue on with my new creation. I will finish it. That I promise myself.
My advice to other writers is to look for your own peaceful spots. They're out there. You just need to look around and find them.
Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
www.myspace.com/morganmandel
http://crimespace.ning.com/profile/morganmandel
TWO WRONGS by Morgan Mandel is available at
www.hardshell.com, www.amazon.com, or by order at bookstores.
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