update on writing and all things plus a surprise

I know. It's been awhile. But I've been really busy working hard on my next book: the Sequel to THE BEND!

I'm excited about this book but worried too. Readers have asked me over and over what happened to Seth and Kate after they left the Bend. 

I wanted to know too.

It's not often you get characters that stay with you and even though I created them, I found myself wondering. Does Kate still have her power? Will Seth ever tell her how he feels? Will they ever return to the Bend to see what Doc and David and all the others left behind are up to?

I'm going to select my cover very soon so hang tight--

I'll share here! 

In the meantime, if you haven't read the Bend, pick up a copy now and catch up with Seth and Kate.

Thinking about what I've been doing

Every time I release a new book, the same old doubts resurface. Why am I writing? The marketing is getting harder and harder and if you don't push your book, no one finds it. I think this past fall, I over did it. I was writing many words a day and had this big plan to rapid release a few romance books while my next suspense simmers in my mind.

What happened? I shut it all down. My first romance didn't garner that many reviews which I need, and I am so over begging readers to leave a comment--good or bad. But I'd written my newest book, Sunshine, and really found I liked it more than Mandy.

So I committed to releasing it.

It's up for pre-order but my heart wonders if I have what it takes anymore to get it in the hands of people who might enjoy it.

Gone are the days when a writer could write, give the book to a publisher and agent and they do all the work. I've been with a publishing house and self-published and today the writer must wear all the hats.

Maybe I'm due for a long rest.

Maybe my next book should be it.

I hate giving away my books or reducing the price to some ridiculous amount anymore. I work hard on my books and like any profession, we are due a decent wage. But to use many of the advertising platforms out there, you must do that. Do they work? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no.

Every writer knows they can't stop writing. I certainly do. I love the art of creating something from nothing. But I also need to look at the bigger picture. Is selling a thousand or so books worth the aggravation anymore?

Most people would say yes it is. Getting your book into that one reader's hands is worth it.

Then how does one stop the self-doubt? The insecurities and the burnout?

This post is an honest review of where I'm at right now. Good or bad, I need prayer to figure out my next step with my writing.

It's been a long run and maybe, maybe God has something else planned for me.

When finally you discover your genre--or I'm a slow learner

This is going to be one of those posts that I write more for myself than the world. You see, I've been self-publishing for over a year and a half. My first book, The Bend, had a slow start but now sells more than any others I've written.

 I joined this group that pushed to write faster and find a selling genre. The theory sounded great so I released a women's fiction, and then another suspense and then a romance.

What I've learned?

I really can't write romance or women's fiction the way I want to write them. I love twists and turns and short sentences and lots of what ifs. I love weird, I love taking that extra step.

I wrote my books and sent them out there and honestly, I'm not sure whether or not they will ever do as well as The Bend. When I wrote The Bend, I had this crazy idea about a town and a girl. I knew I had to give her something special, so I did--her gift to see death before it happens. It seemed to work. Another story has been spinning around in my head for years but instead of writing it, I veered off and took the easy route, writing and releasing stories that would get out there faster.

Not smart.

I've actually stripped my joy of writing, and when that happens, writing for money means nothing. I would rather not write.

I think sometimes I'm a slow learner and get caught up in pushing myself not always in the right direction.

Pressing the pause button today.

I can actually breathe again.

So this post is a letter to myself to remind me never to lose sight at what you love to do. If you love something, no matter what happens with it, you are going to be okay.

I am a suspense writer. (I'll tell myself that over and over until I get it.)
That's what I'm going to write .
I hope you'll let me prove that in my next book.

Eight months post self-publishing--will I do it again? Should you?

If you are a writer like me, you wonder how another writer's books are really selling. Is self-publishing as good as some claim? Is it as bad?

My journey into self-publishing still makes me happy. Why is it important I'm happy? Because I wasn't last September when I almost gave up writing completely. I told myself last February when I took the plunge to self pub that I would stop when it was no longer fun. Today I can report that putting a book out there is still fun.

August was my best month so far. Overall, I've made almost as much money in the KENP program as I have selling e-books. So for now, that's where my books will remain.

How much have you made? you ask. Honestly, more than I did with my first book that was with a mid-sized publisher. I think that's because I have actively promoted and advertised The Bend more than I did The Mulligan. But since I'm doing it all my self online, I have more opportunities to set up the advertising, especially through Amazon.

Would I do it again? Of course. I hope to be much smarter about the next one--doing a low pre-promotional price, better book inside design, and being positive there is not one error in it as much as I can prevent. I will also choose better categories to set it up in, and start my Amazon advertising immediately rather than months later.

Already I am sharing the next cover and blurb and will heavily promote it as the time grows closer.
Honestly, selling is all about advertising. Who will find your book and buy it if you don't put it in front of them?

So my best advice to those who want to take a similar plunge? Write well, be brave, advertise and just do it. 

Five Months Post Self-Publishing

Five months after self-publishing THE BEND, I'm still learning so much. If I'm going to repeat this process again next year, I wanted to learn as much as I can with my first.

To date, I've earned more royalties with this book than with the traditional publisher and my first book. But those earnings come with a price--marketing costs. I committed to using as many marketing opportunities as I could to get my book out there. Every day, a zillion books come onto Amazon. How will someone know about mine if I don't advertise it? At least until word-of-mouth kicks in and that may never happen. I scoured the Internet for promo sites and of course, BookBub is  #1--but cost-prohibitive for this writer. So I started smaller.  Bargain Booksy, Ebook-Soda, My Book Place, Book Reader Magazine, Book Man, Bargain E-Hunters and Amazon ads. I tracked those that worked (sold my book) and those that didn't. I did not reduce the cost of my book for any but I plan to do a 99 cent sale in the coming weeks using the site that produced the best marketing for THE BEND.

Overall, the Amazon ads have given my book the most exposure but I'm breaking even on cost to sales. But since my book is still new, I prefer to have my cover in front of readers using this method. It's hard to count the pages read KENP but those have continually increased over the months so I feel there is residual effect and that is money earned.

Along with monthly promotions, I've connected with a producer to create an audio version of my book through ACX. I've read where many readers prefer to listen to a book on their phones or IPad so going that route might be worthwhile. It costs nothing and again, Amazon does most of the work for you through their program. My timeline for delivery is early fall in time to promote for Christmas shopping.

Finally, my biggest challenge has been garnishing reviews. I added a request to the back of the book hoping that would help. I've found more readers leave reviews on GoodReads than Amazon and trying to bridge that gap frustrates me. More reviews on Amazon help sell the book.

I also tweaked my book cover to add words that are used in search engines when a reader is looking for a particular genre --like psychological thriller, heart-pounding, etc. In my Amazon ads, I added search words that come up when I typed in thrillers. I also studied the top sellers in my category and used words from there that worked for my book.

Overall, the marketing of a book takes more work than writing the book. There have been days when I wanted to stop and let it go but then I remembered how long it took me to write THE BEND. It deserves a good shot. Plus, think about this--ads are run for famous writers' books long after they first come out--a year or more. Why should I settle for less for my book?

Happy Marketing!

When Mediocracy is Good Enough

I watch America's Got Talent every week, crying when a contestant gets a standing ovation or the gold buzzer. Excited that they found their courage to take the step and share their talent with the world. But not all have that something. Most of them are average people hoping and dreaming they have that something special.

Aren't we all like that or am I the only one? Hoping deep inside, there is a talent that you can share with the world. Not to be famous, or make money but to be really really good at something. I have tried to learn so many things in my 60 some years. Ice skating, (could not do it) music--piano and the guitar and finally realized I am not musically inclined. Same with singing--my father told me to give it up. Ouch. And then I dreamed of acting but instead was given backstage duty in my senior play. I tried out for cheerleading, couldn't do the flips, and so I tried color guard. Not a chance. The list goes on. Is yours similar?

Then I turned to my love of writing. Surely someday I would be another Stephen King. Someone would read my book and make it into a movie. I'm sure all writers dream that dream. I'm no different. Finally reality stumbles through my door and reminds me that a zillion people write books. Few rise to stardom. Few books turn into Hallmark movies. Instead you must read reviews that make you cry, market into a vast void of emptiness and pat yourself on your back that at least you "did it."

I count the years I have left to pull out of average--out of mediocracy. Maybe if I studied harder. Wrote more often. Hired more editors. Maybe, maybe. Maybe I'm just not that good.

Ugh.

Like my musical ability or my physical abilities, maybe these other talents I'm trying to cultivate will always be hobbies and nothing more.

The question is: Is that ok? Can I live with being an average writer, photographer, etc. What if the one thing I'm good at will never be publicly applauded or recognized? What if the one thing I'm good at will always be between God and me? Is that enough?

Of course I know the answer. It's the answer that pops up each time after I work through another meltdown. Another reality check.

I have one audience and that is always enough. His applause deafens anything the world can bring at me.

Self-Publishing Insights

I thought it was time again to share about my experience with self-publishing. I sent The Bend into the world on Feb. 17. Recently I decided to go Amazon exclusive and take advantage of one of their giveaways. I priced my book free for four days, heavily pushing it on all my social media for two days and let it ride the other two days. I ended up giving away 1800 plus books.

Hopefully doing the giveaway will increase exposure and sales. What I've found so far: I still continue to sell books at full price. But mostly my pages with the KNEP program where I get paid approximately a half a cent a page has soared. I don't know what is normal but readers are borrowing my book through Kindle Unlimited. That usage translates into books sold, and my overall rating numbers improve.

What else do I wish I had done? Probably advertise my sale on a site where you pay a fee and they send the book to their list of people who like my genre--like BookBub--but I wanted to save $$ and see what happened with my own social media.

Also with 1800 people now having my book on their Kindle device--there is opportunity for increased reviews. And that's what all writers need for books to sell.

Because I don't want to be a nag, I have limited my subtle encouragement of posting a review on Amazon to a now-and-then gentle reminder and a little begging. I need at least 50 reviews to be considered serious. As of this writing, I sit at 28. A tough pull. Even a bad review is something but it's only been a week. I'll update you again in the future.

Next I played with my categories on Amazon--realizing The Bend is not Women's Fiction but more suspense and thriller. Changing categories to bigger categories can change your ranking but I feel it is better that future readers can find the book.

I'm enjoying my self-pub journey. I've made mistakes--and learned from them.My next book will come out stronger, with my marketing plan intact. In the meantime, I'm thankful for the reception of this book, the readers and friends who have encouraged me.

ENTER- The Fear of Submitting your Book

It's one word. One push of a button. One second of my time after all I've done to prepare.

My finger wavers over the key. If I push the button, my book  gets published. Self-published. I've written the cover blurb at least a hundred times. I've revised the cover over and over, seeking advice from other writers and friends. My story has been edited by Beta readers, critique partners, my ex-agent and a professional editor.

I should be ready.

But is any writer ever ready for what comes after they submit their work to the world?

The other day, I read a few nasty comments on Amazon about one woman's book. I endured a bad one myself on my first novel. But this is different. I don't have the backing of a publishing house. I have me. Only me.

The me who did my best to present the best product I can at this point in my writing career.

My husband reminded me how he bid jobs in construction for so many years. Some of his customers loved his work, others complained. He couldn't please 100 % of the people 100% of the time.

I won't either.

Yet still...

I've set the release date. My mother's birthday and the day my father died. Perhaps I chose that date so I can remember it but perhaps to remind me it's just a button. A push of the finger.

So much more in life is important.

When Self-Publishing Looks You in the Mirror

I can't believe I'm writing this post. Maybe I am because I want to make 2017 count. Maybe because I wasted time last year or maybe because I made major writing changes in the past six months. Who knows but as I type these words, part of me is screaming to run.

For over ten years, I've been against self-publishing. I felt it was only a last resort, not a viable option. I'd seen too many books with poor editing, misspelled words, and horrible plots. I didn't want to be one of those writers.

Was I a snob or what? Only Traditional for me. An agent. A publishing house. I wanted to be a real author. How else would I be valid?

Oh, I had it bad. 

If you read my last post, you remember I parted ways with my agent and have grown tired and frustrated and disillusioned with the writing process. My first novel was published traditionally. Since then, I've had what you call close but no cigar moments.

I realize a lot of factors come into play with the acceptance of any book, article etc. I also realize how scary it is to think your book is good enough to send out  without a team of experienced publishing people behind it.

But I also hope one or two more people might want to read what I have to say. That's all. I'm not expecting an avalanche of readers. Already did that and have found if you don't do the marketing, not much happens. So either way, it is work.

After spending so many hours, months and years in the publishing industry, starting with buying and selling books in my bookstore, noting what sells, what returns, and then finally writing myself, I'm not a newbie. I understand what it takes to sell. 

Not trying is giving up, though. 

Last night, a good writer friend and I played with a sample cover to start the process. I've written a suspense book and asked for her input as she was my beta reader. I told her I had a year to do this. I need that time to learn, ask questions, push my fears aside, and pray.

Publishing this book might be the last book I ever publish. Or not. For now I'm taking that first step. A baby one. Of course. But at least I'm doing and that's what counts. 

In the meantime, between panicking over this post and process, I'm writing a story for my granddaughter like I said I would. A romance. A modern-day find-your-prince book.

Just can't stop writing. Hope you don't either.

Around the Corner--An update

I can't believe six months have flown by. I promised myself to update this blog occasionally and I think that time has arrived.

We have moved again! We left SW Florida behind to move to the NE coast of Florida. Another husband job change--one I can report he loves. February proved to be a rugged time for us as we lived in an extended stay hotel, applied for a loan and finally purchased a home. Finally is the word as we didn't want to pay rent any longer while we worked in Florida.

For over two months, we renovated the house. Painted, put in flooring, cleaned and updated. I loved the experience. Now I'm decorating with thrift store finds for when we sell someday. Yes, we still own our PA home that we now call our retirement place.

As for writing, I'll finish my edits this week on The Bend and send it to my editor before handing it back to my agent. Publication takes time starting with a good story. Hoping my current story will find a home soon.

But God has given me so many fun activities to do along with writing. I'm redoing furniture, learning photography and playing my guitar. Sunday we visited a new church. Hopefully, we won't need to visit any others.

I never thought I'd be living in this part of Florida. Never thought I'd ever own two homes after our loss in 2007. I never thought I'd be enjoying so many new hobbies.

But as I always say: God knew.

Keep your eyes open. You never know what is around the next corner.

Is your Dream becoming a Reality?

It’s time.


As a writer, we get to a point in our journey where we need to take the next step. Maybe it’s entering a major contest, maybe it's attending a writers’ group or maybe it's joining a critique group.

But there is always another new step.

My next step is teaching at the writer’s conference in Spokane this next Saturday. On Friday, after a week of activity, I board a plane and fly to the west side of the country where I will be staying with an awesome blogger friend and the director of the conference—Jan Cline.

In a previous post, I mentioned how a few years ago, I turned down a similar speaking opportunity. I was too afraid. Too worried about not being good enough. Too worried about fainting or dying in front of a room full of people.

Amazingly, I don’t have that same intensity of fear today. Yeah, I’m nervous that I will bore everyone or that my voice will disappear, or I’ll get a migraine or I’ll blank out. I have  fears like anyone trying a new experience.

But I also have this undeniable assurance that this is God’s plan and not mine.

If it was mine, I’d be staying home in my comfortable routine, still dreaming about possibilities.

Dreaming--not doing.

What have you been dreaming about but the doing is coming harder?

PS--I would appreciate prayers for this conference and that all the writers attending would be blessed beyond measure!

A different path

Three books by three different authors. All women’s fiction.


Ann Tatlock, Patti Lacy, and C.S. Lakin.

A new direction.

I chose these books as part of my revision plan. I hope to read them within the next two week period to boost my awareness of what makes a great book.

Yes, I’m going to study them for structure and plot and conflict and even how many times they use a familiar phrase. But mostly I hope I get sucked so deeply into them that I forget to analyze each page.

That’s my first desire.

My second desire is to apply what I learn to my own work.

I’m not talking voice here or copying any of their techniques. I’m only talking about finding that overall thing that makes a story one you can’t put down.

I hope each of these books will do that for me.

So this is only one of many steps I’m taking in this revision process. It might help—it might not. But it’s a shot.

What new direction have you taken recently?

Share with me

Hello revisions.

I’m in that awkward stage where I’m trying to read my MS as though I didn’t write it. Just to see what a reader might feel.

I got to about chapter 11 and said, “Whoa, what on earth were you doing here?” Not my best work for sure.

So I drew a big sad face and marked the spot. For later. When I go back through and fix and fix until I can actually say I’m proud of it.

It’s a process—coming up with a piece of work that will hold up to the test when I send it to my critique partners, beta readers and maybe an editor BEFORE I query it.

It’s a process that can’t be rushed.

I’m trying to think of everything I’ve learned and put it all together even if it takes forever.

I know—sounds like a song. But in a way, my book should sing when it’s done.

It should sing like a Hallelujah choir.

So that’s where I’m at in this fifth novel process.

Where are you with your writing today?

Choosing Your Story - Part One

Before I start to write a story for Chicken Soup, I go to their site and skim through the possible book titles. Some I can usually rule out immediately. Twins, no … special needs children, no…but then I might come to a few that might work. High School—yup, that’s me. Beaches—me again.

Here’s where the next step begins. Once I pick a book title that I think I might have a story for—I focus on the story itself. So I went to high school—but what was so special about it? What made my days roaming the halls of Sayre High School any different than someone else who went there?

Have you sat down ever and read some Chicken Soup stories? Don’t try writing one until you have. There are a few common threads that run through them. The first thread is what happens when you read one of them. The stories usually touch a nerve—an emotion—a tear duct.

When I first mull over story ideas in my mind—I stop at the one that most makes me feel—something. That’s step one in writing a story for Chicken Soup (in my opinion). I try to pull up a memory that makes me cry, sigh or feel something deeper than a passing comment to a friend might. I try to remember a moment in my life that I would share with my best friend over a cup of hot cocoa after a successful day of shopping.

But this is only the wind-up.

You can’t just write an emotionally packed story—it must relate to more people than just yourself. It has to have a general universal appeal.

Tomorrow, I’ll share more on this aspect as well as how to be sure you create what I call the AHHA factor as well.

Living Your Miracle

A little more than ten years ago, a couple approached us about buying an existing Christian bookstore. We prayed about it for twelve months. When I finally heard the asking price, I knew I was experiencing a miracle.

One dollar.*

I almost feel guilty today; because once again, I'm experiencing a miracle. As a writer, I see a miracle every time one of my stories is accepted. Every time someone reads my words, and I make a difference--it's a miracle. Best of all, I'm doing the work I most have a passion to do.

Not everyone is so blessed. Two close family members of mine are working jobs they hate. They anxiously wait for the right opportunity to come along to do what they really want to do.

I'm there all ready and even when I receive disappointing news from a rejection, I try to remember the other miracles of acceptance. Some days I feel positively guilty but then I thank God and enjoy His gift again.

Are you living your miracle? What's holding you back?

*Read the entire story in Women of Passions book.