That Good Ol' Comfort Zone

Recently someone said to me, "No growth happens inside your comfort zone." Okay, so she said it to about 200 people, but she may as well be talking right to me.

Lately I've had all sorts of crazy ideas about my writing career. Most of them have to do with getting more books out to readers. How is anyone going to know they love my writing if they don't know it's out there? The simple answer is: They WON'T.

When I started down this path a few years ago (5, 6--but who's counting) in earnest, I abandoned all those things I used to love. Hiding from people. Doing my level best not to draw attention to myself. Coming in under everyone's radar as much as humanly possible. I knew I'd have to step out of that shell in order to sell books.

But it was hard. Sometimes I'd creep back in. Being "out" all the time was like standing on the sun without any SPF 3000.

Writing is what I love. It's that part of my soul that was missing. It's what makes this wife and mom a complete being. For a while I let my job and having to home school my daughter and my husband's two jobs serve as my excuses for not spending as much time out of my comfort zone as I should.

I paid for that, in a way. The Peasant Queen didn't sell enough copies to justify the publisher picking up the sequel. That was in large part due to my choices, and in small part due to the economy. Publishing is a business. They are there to make money. I understand that, and I'm at peace with it. My past choices have put me on a different path for The Tyrant King, and I own my responsibility for that.

Self publishing means an utter destruction of my comfort zone. Nobody is helping me sell books (aside from loving, caring friends and family) to strangers. I have to do that. It's up to me. There is no such thing as an overnight success. What people don't see are the years of crushing disappointments that came before. Just because you never heard of someone before they're "breakout debut" doesn't mean they weren't working toward that goal all along.

This is me. Writing is my life. Publishing/marketing is my job.

Yesterday I spoke to the local librarian about a book signing in May. I came away with a tentative offer to teach a creative writing class to kids in the summer.

Not a bad first step out of that comfort zone, I think.

My Review: We Lived in Heaven by Sarah Hinze

First of all, this is such a sweet cover. And it's perfect for this inspiring book.

From the back cover: This book is a remarkable collection of accounts of families who have had the opportunity to meet the souls of their sons and daughters before they were born. Read about the vivid memories of life in heaven by young children, and dramatic stories of prayers answered by guardian angels who watch over us.

This book combines stories of people from different faiths who share similar experiences. I loved it. Some of these stories are so touching and poignant, they will leave tears in your eyes. I received the book in the mail to review, and sat down immediately to read through it. It's that compelling.

You can purchase the book HERE or go to the author's WEBSITE and learn what motivated her to compile such wonderful stories to share with the world.

Hee Hee

Listen. I love you.

I woke up about 10:30 Monday morning and haven't been to sleep since. Basically I'm writing this post now to see what happens. Should be interesting/embarrassing/informative/none-of-the-above.

Insomnia's a kick in the head. I was tired when I went to bed last night, but for some reason couldn't make that magic sleep happen. I tried all the usual tricks. No soap. Around 2 am I gave up, figuring if nothing else worked than THAT will.

Nope.

Instead, my brain wanted to revisit some of my favorite characters. So, in my head last night I:

--Wrote two battle scenes.
--Wrote a tear-jerking reunion scene.
--Wrote a funny/confrontational scene.
--Invented two--yes, TWO--magical creatures.
--Sorted out the logic behind two magical items.
--Figured out where/how the dagger will be within my MC's reach for that one critical scene.
--Figured out which character will be named for the winner of my naming contest from last year.
--personalized that autograph for the book I'm sending to my cousin.

I think I figured out my problem. My characters don't SLEEP. So I don't SLEEP.

Yes?

No?

Yeah, you're probably right. It's time to get the kids up for school anyway.

Writer-Ish

I've been struggling with this post because I don't feel like I have anything NEW to report, so I'll just be rehashing the same stuff. At least in my writer world. In my family, my beautiful daughter just finished performing in her first community play, has been utterly consumed by the acting bug, and is thoroughly crushed she can't be in the next play. But she will audition for the one after that. Guaranteed.

My last POST on Mormon Mommy Writers has my big news. The Wild Queen is now available in PRINT! This is the book that isn't like any book I have or probably ever will write again. It does not have a happy ending, but all of my beta readers solved the 'mystery' so I felt confident releasing it to the world. This is the book I'd love to see a book club read, because the endless debate about the ending would be stimulating. I'm actually kind of surprised when someone misunderstands what happens at the end of the book.

Also, in that post, is an invitation to join me on Mormon Mommy Writers this Friday. I'm going to reveal the plot of my most recent project, and ask for help with the title. Usually the title for a project comes easily to me, so I'm really stumped and bothered by the fact that I can't think of one that sits just right in my head. I'm really looking forward to getting some help with it. Please join us Friday!

In Case You Missed it: Big Cover Reveal!

I'm putting up the cover for The Tyrant King (May 2012) for anyone who has not seen it yet. Because I love it. And it's just so cool.

From the back cover:
Her heart paused, but Krystal remained defiant. “You lie. You would never do such a thing to my child.”
“You think not?” He laughed again and she recoiled. “I’ve sworn an oath to decimate my dear cousin’s present and future, take over his kingdom and his crown, and fulfill my father’s dreams. And you think I would hesitate to murder his offspring? Come now, Krystal. I know you are smarter than that.”

The kingdom of Fayterra is abuzz with preparations for Princess Alana’s wedding, but the arrival of a stranger threatens the peace of mind of the entire royal family. Soon, their people are under attack. War is declared. And not everyone will survive.
As the future becomes bleaker and the mystery continues to unravel, Krystal’s enemies will learn just how far she will go to defend the people she loves.
Excited yet? :)

Today's the Day!

Don't forget to be part of "Books are for Lovers" and buy a book today from your local bookstore. Let's keep those brick-and-mortar stores alive!

In other news, Cedar For officially passed on The Tyrant King last week. I've been so busy (with LOTS of help, trust me) getting The Wild Queen print books in order it's actually taken me some time to process this latest rejection. I immediately moved forward with plans to self-publish the book, but I didn't really work through how I felt. Consequently, my emotions have been on a roller coaster ever since. Today, though, I think I've struck a balance.

Am I sad/confused/distraught that my publisher didn't feel my work was worth a second chance? Hello? I'm human. Of course it affected me.

Am I going to let it stop me? No way!

Lately I've been a veritable fountain of worthy story ideas. So they don't want this one. Yes, it means I'll be self-publishing TTK and TLP, but that doesn't mean I'll be self-publishing forever. And, even if I am, so what? I write my very best then I send it to other writers and readers for opinions on improving it. Then I make it better. THEN I send it to a professional editor to show me what else I'm missing. Then I make it better. And that is what the reader sees--the very, very best I can show in my writing.

Self-publishing means control. I control what goes into the book. I control what the cover looks like. It also means responsibility. I control the advertising/promotion of said book. So if it doesn't sell, then I'm the weak link here. :)

The Tyrant King will be out in May/June. The Lost Princess will be out in 2013. I can't wait to be able to show you the cover for TTK. But, for now, enjoy this one!

The Wild Queen print version is looking amazing. I did find some errors in my proof copy, so I will need to order another proof to make sure it's all fixed. (at least what I found, lol) I'm hoping copies will go live in March. Yay!

Launch Fail

Today was the day I planned to announce the arrival of my newest short story--just in time for Valentine's Day--Tea for Two. It's a cute, Victorian romance full of mystery, lies, and intrigue. You know, just like a romance should be. :)

Launch fail.

In a world of self-imposed deadlines, this one's a fail. I have this fantastic cover, and a story I've loved since the first time I wrote it over ten years ago. But, as I edited and changed and cleaned and polished this fun story, I realized the zest was gone. The zeal. The interest. And if I couldn't feel the love, how could I write a good romance? It would be bland, boring, without spark. DULL.

After much soul searching and good kick in the pants from my husband, I dropped it. It does no good to work on a project I'm not passionate about, because the reader can tell.

Please don't think I'm just sitting around, though. I want let you know I've still got two irons in the fire, and they're heating up nicely. One is the PRINT version of my book, The Wild Queen, which will soon be available for sale. The other is a brand spanking new contemporary YA called Intersect. It's so new, I'm still working on the first chapter. But I think that's what I needed. I've been editing so much over the last year or so that I just needed to start something fresh. Already I can tell it's going to be amazing. :)