A Long Winter

I’m in the middle of my work week here, and I feel the need to write a post. It’s been a pretty hectic week – lots of stories going on, rushing around from here to there. I’m tired, and I’ll be honest – since my last post, I haven’t read a single line from any of the books I’ve mentioned. Though, to be fair, that was my spring reading list. And it’s been just about anything but spring here in Central Oregon. It’s the longest winter that I can remember since I’ve lived here.

So, what I’m saying is that it’s been hard keeping a positive outlook on everything.

Sales for Drowning in the Dark haven’t been bad, but I want more. I’ve finished my first draft of the sequel, and am now in the process of revising and editing. That’s always the part I hate the most – where you have to go over your work and look at every detail. It drives me nuts! Though, it’s probably the most important part of the whole thing.

I’m shooting for the first week of May for the sequel to come out. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get the trilogy out in time for my birthday in July, but it will for sure be ready by October. Bring on Halloween!

I guess you just have to realize that you have up days, and you have down days with this business, and the trick is just to ride ‘em out. So that’s what I’m gonna do. It’s just about keeping your eyes on the prize – no matter what.

And, it’s not really so bad – we’re onto the latter half of the week, and at least we’re moving away from the cold weather. Or that’s what the Calendar’s saying anyway.

I hope it’s gonna be a long, hot summer…

Long Time, No See!

Wow. I’ve really neglected the blog! I guess my last post was about a month ago, but I’m getting back on that horse, and will try and check in more often. This is probably just the nature of blogging. Sometimes, you’re full of enthusiasm for it, and other times it’s a struggle. Even just thinking about it causes groaning.
My writing’s been kind of that way too for the last two weeks. Writing the sequel to Drowning in the Dark has been like walking uphill through sand. I’ve just been lacking ideas, and enthusiasm, for it, and have been getting distracted too easily.

But this week, I had a major breakthrough and feel much better about it. One day, I ended up writing about 1,200 words, and more importantly, 1,200 words worth of good writing I think. So along with this writing this blog, I’m climbing back up on the writing horse.

The sequel is at about 25,000 words, and I think it will be ready to go by the end of this month – maybe the first week or second week of April. I’m hoping to have the trilogy finished by my birthday in July, after which, I’m planning to have one killer party – hopefully funded entirely by all my book profits. J Which to me, would make the party all that better.

When I first put Drowning in the Dark on about a month ago, there was a small trickle of sales, but honestly, it was kind of disappointing. But lately, I’m not sure exactly what has happened, but sales are doing better. On Barnes & Noble, my publisher changed the categories, so that may have helped. The sales aren’t amazing or anything, but it’s better than nothing. In fact, it’s pretty fun going from nothing to well… more. At this point, it’s some fun going-out-on-Friday-night money to spend on beer and drinks. I’m hoping soon, it’ll be paying-minimum-due-on-credit-cards kind of money. And from there, I hope it’ll be paying-off-the-credit-cards kind of money. And from there, I’d like it to be all-the-fun-that-money-can-buy kind of money.

But for now, I’m content with beer and taxi funds, and I’m content putting all my efforts into the sequel. I’m excited about where I am, and where I’m going. And I’m thankful that I get the chance to have this much fun while getting there.