The Big Stupid: Making Adult Decisions Like an Adult (and How Not To) IWSG edition

What is your big dream? Something you thought impossible?

Every year I feel my age more and think about things I want to do. The things I have done. The things that are no longer realistic.

My husband is the same way, and this year he decided to do something about it.

So he took back up rollerblading.

At first, he was lucky to keep his balance. I kept my mouth shut...until he came home bruised from a fall.

He bought protective gear.

He watched YouTube videos and learned how to fall, new techniques, then practiced them in our garage. 

Occasionally, he came home with another booboo, but for the most part, he did pretty well -- until he could go out for an hour each day, cruising the neighborhood.

The rest is his story, and you can read it if you'd like: 

Click on me!

It boils down to this: he chased a dream, he achieved the dream, he got confident, he made a bad decision.

And now he's recovering from reconstructive shoulder surgery. For his dominant arm.

Chase your dreams. But stay humble. Listen to that little voice that warns you when you're about to make the big stupid. Hubris goes before the fall.

Our awesome co-hosts for this month are: Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray!

The question: Is there anything you'd like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?

So, so much! Alas, if wishes were lollipops... (Don't ask me where I'm going with that. LOL!)

I think the biggest problem with the industry used to be barrier to entry, and now it's the opposite.

Everyone should have the opportunity to reach for their dreams, but it doesn't seem there's much reaching when it's too easy to obtain. I'm not saying writing a book is easy, and there are many things to learn when it comes to publishing.

I mean that with the ease of publishing, the market has been flooded by scammers, AI agents, etc. who are looking to make a penny. And I can't blame them. Everyone needs to eat. There are even people who sincerely put out their best work...whether it's ready to see the light of day or not. And my heart aches for them -- because this is a brutal world and you learn that through reviews.

The sheer number of books releases (good and bad) make for a lot of noise and sometimes a breakdown of trust between readers and the publishing world. Where is our quality control? I guess that's what I'm trying to say--because we've gone from one extreme to the other. There's a perfect middle ground somewhere. I think.

What dream are you holding back on? Have you ever made a big stupid? Broken a bone? What are your feelings on the publishing industry?

Where Book Dreams Go to LIVE

 We've all had it -- the dream we're hoping to fulfill.

That sits.

And sits.

And sits.

Years go by while we walk by and shine that little dream and imagine it breaking free.

My little dream is finding its wings, one day at a time, inch by painful inch. Today, that means I'm about a week away from finishing the rewrite of IMMORTAL the book. (First penned in 2004.)

(Not a true representation of the cover)

Which means I'm looking for potential beta readers (in about 2 weeks to a month). 

What is a beta reader?

When a book is fully drafted, the author puts it in front of other eyes. The first reader is:

The Alpha Reader -- a trusted reader who helps iron out major plot/character issues.

Followed by:

Beta readers -- a small group who shares their reading experience with the author, often helping iron out minor inconsistencies or weaknesses in the writing.

The working blurb:

Rage. Isolation. Thirst…

For 300 years, an immortal cursed to live on blood has traversed the earth—hunted by a single family sworn to destroy him.

England 1792.

When the present-day hunter, Phineas, injures him, Lucas vanishes into the night. Weakened and desperate, he stumbles into his neighbor’s ball and meets Justine. His silent heart beats for the first time in centuries. If he is capable of love, is he capable of redemption? And will Justine’s uncle, Phineas, end him before he can discover?

Would you like to be a beta reader? Leave a comment or shoot me an email.

Welcome to our IWSG buddies! Huge thanks to our hosts, Victoria Marie Lees, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and C. Lee McKenzie!

June 3 question - Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?

I started writing because of literal dreams: Story dreams with fully fleshed out plots, an awesome cast of characters, unexpected twists, and usually a resolution. My first 10 page story came from a dream when I was 10 years old.

But.

We grow, right? These days, story ideas/components come from everywhere, but my subconscious usually forms them as I write without conscious effort. It's helpful that way.

What about you? Where do you get ideas? Have you ever beta read for someone? Do you like getting in on the ground floor and giving your ideas?

Book Reviews 101: 10 Ways to Review a Book

 I know how intimidating it can be to write a book review--even when you're elbow deep in the industry.

The first time I volunteered to review a book for a friend was Kerri Cuevas' Deadly Kisses. Kerri and I had rubbed shoulders and exchanged laughs over our efforts with three separate Choose Your Own Adventure bloghops. I didn't want to get this wrong. And yet, when I stared at that blank text box on Amazon, I totally froze.

What?!?

I mean, I've written my whole life. How hard should it have been to say a few nice words about a book I really liked for a friend I totally adored?

Book reviews are book food. If you love a book and want it to succeed (or to see more books from the author) YOU BETTER get out there and leave them a review. Reviews boost visibility in Amazon's store. Which means they boost sales. Which means the author is motivated to put out more content.

But wait, that book already has thirty reviews. Why does it need another one?

People are lemmings, or sheep. I hate to say it, but it's true. They say, "Ooh, everyone is reading this book--see, it has two hundred reviews. I bet it's awesome."

A book cannot have too many reviews. 

But you really didn't like something about this book. Boo hoo. I bet there were a TON of things you did like, and good vibes always come back around. Say what you can that's positive and reward the author who put their blood, sweat, and tears into it. Don't be an author killer.

Now to the 

All of these ideas can be used separately for a simple review or a few combined for a longer one. When I review a book, I usually include one to three of these aspects.

1. THE SHORT REVIEW: If you're not confident writing a long review, don't. One sentence is sufficient. "I love this book." "I can't wait for the sequel." etc.

2. THE COVER: Did it get you? Were you intrigued by it? What questions did it have you asking?

3. THE EMOTIONAL RESPONSE: What did this book make you feel? 

4. THE HOOK: When or how did this book grab you? The end of the first chapter? The first page? The first line?

5. SETTING: How was the story world? Realistic? Beautiful? Uninspired? Strange? A place you'd like to visit? Somewhere you're glad you'll never live?

6. THE CHARACTERS: Was there a character you absolutely loved or hated? Tell us about it. (This can comprise an entire review with multiple characters.)

7. PLOT: Book reviews aren't book reports. You don't need to rehash the plot. In fact, please don't. Only summarize when you need it to expound upon a point you want to make. Was there a twist in the story that took your breath away? What was your favorite scene? Did the story move too fast, too slow? Any glaring plot holes? Did you like the way it ended?

8. ORIGINALITY: What makes this book stand out from others? 

9. STYLE: What is the author's writing style? Poetic? Filled with imagery? Abrupt? Gritty? Comical? 

10. RECOMMENDATION: Do you recommend this book, and if so, to whom? (Age and genre preference.) 

  

 And there you have it, ten approaches to writing a book review. Go, read, share the love!

Welcome to our IWSG buddies! Huge thanks to our hosts, Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun, and Kim Lajevardi!

The optional question this month is: What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?

I'm going to skip the question but I'd love to hear what everyone has to say.

Do you leave book reviews? What techniques have you discovered to make it easy? 

Pull Back the Curtain, It's Reveal Time!

I feel like there's a lot of this lately, but what can I say?

There's nothing better than a REBOOT! So here we go. REBOOT away!

We just hit our ONE YEAR anniversary of the professional staged reading of IMMORTAL the Musical. It was epic. A rush. Such a HUGE endeavor.

And I thought life would be smooth sailing afterwards.

At any rate, we've spent the last YEAR editing music, video, rerecording, creating a business plan, setting up social media platforms, getting on Spotify (et all streaming sites), building a recording studio, recording podcasts, sharing hundreds of videos via social media, editing the NOVEL, hiring a marketing specialist... 

And finally, REDOING THE WEBPAGE! This will be its third rebirth. Want to see the evolution?

2003 Webpage

In 2011

From 2023

And now. Are you ready for this? 

SQUEEEE!!! There is actual video playing in the background. You scroll and find cool things like a timeline, characters, faces, song clips, story...

Whew! 

Check it out, eh? Give me your feedback. We're still refining and could use all the thoughts.

And while I'm losing my mind (getting messages from podcast hosts, small producers, and fans), we must march on. Working hard every day. Recording more content. Writing more words. Finding the movers and shakers who will take us all the way, at least walk with us for part of the journey.

Now the magic question: How long do you think it took to build this new webpage?

Answer in the comments and let's see who gets it right. (The answer is likely to shock you.)

And now for IWSG. Thank you to our awesome hosts Melissa Maygrove, Cathrina Constantine, Kate Larkinsdale, and Rebecca Douglass!

The question for this month is: If you have a playlist (or could put one together) that either gets you in the groove to write or fits with one of your books, what is it? What type of music or what songs?

To NO ONE'S surprise, I'm listening the IMMORTAL the Musical soundtrack nonstop in my head (and sometimes out loud). Gee, could it be because I'm redrafting the novel? 😂

Actually, I usually listen to cinematic music without lyrics, like Two Steps From Hell, or the occasional rock song that really carries the mood for the chapter or book I'm working on. That is, when I listen to music. My husband tells me it's not normal to ALWAYS have a soundtrack playing in your head. I don't know that I believe him since I've been listening my whole life. (Which sometimes makes external music overwhelming.)

How about you? What soundtracks carry you through the day? How long do you think it took to revamp our webpage? And do you have some feedback for us on the new site?