IWSG for October 2017: Book Releases

Once again, it's the first Wednesday in the month and time for a post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. It never fails to amaze me how quickly the month passes by. Faster every month, it seems.

So this month, I'm stressed about book releases. Did I do enough pre-release marketing? Am I doing enough on release day? Will I do enough post-release?

Book Launches

Marketing is the part of publishing a book that I dread. I use Facebook. I use Twitter. I use this and two other blogs. But it never seems to be enough anymore. Each release gets a little worse and I wonder why I am still writing? People tell me they love my books, but my sales sure don't reflect it.

• My one romance novel, Home Again, sold 100 books in the first five months. Not bad.
• The first book in my Klondike Mystery series, Not a Whisper, sold 321 books in the first five months. Happy camper!
• The second book in my Klondike Mystery series, Barely a Spark, sold 130 books in the first five months. Sigh....

So how are sales this year? Here are my YTD sales so far:

• Home Again 18
• Not a Whisper 22
• Barely a Spark 16

Sigh...of course, Kindle Unlimited is a factor but even the sales there don't make much of a splash.

Book three in my Klondike Mystery series, Almost a Touch, was put on pre-order September 23rd. Five days in, I had 10 pre-sales. Just prior to going live, it had made it all the way to 22 pre-sales.

Book one, Not a Whisper, was free from 9/28 through 9/30 with almost 4100 downloads. Will that translate into sales of Barely a Spark and Almost a Touch? Only time will tell. 

I've got a contest going and so far have four - FOUR - entries over the last two days. I even listed it with half a dozen contest/sweepstakes sites.

Yes...it's discouraging. At this point, I plan to write the third in my Lei Crime Kindle World Trilogy, Paradise Drift. I have no further writing plans after that...at least in the near future. So this will be my final IWSG post. It's been a fun ride!

#IWSG for September 2017: Writing Surprises

Once again, it's the first Wednesday in the month and time for a post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. I rarely remember to check for the question prompt, but this time I did! So.....

This month the prompt question is....

Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing?

This is an easy one...I always assumed I'd be an outliner. After all, I came from an accounting and computer background. I love organization! I envisioned myself compiling a detailed outline, scene by scene, plus full character profile sheets for all the people in my book. I tried that...I still have the trilogy outlined, waiting to be written.

But I made the mistake of writing a book by pantsing. I loved it and it worked for me. I have now written three Klondike mysteries, two Lei Crime Kindle World novellas, and one romance novel - all written by the seat of my pants.

The upside is I love writing this way. I love discovering characters as they pop into the story, I love finding romance where I hadn't expected any, and I especially love letting the characters evolve and tell their own stories - not mine.

The downside is remembering to record the timeline as I write it - otherwise, you can end up with some strange happenings. Yup, been there, done that, rewrote it to fit. Same for recording details about the characters as I write them. I've ended with two names for the same character (thank you beta readers), not remembering what color hair/eyes, etc. a character has or what vehicle they are driving.

But in the end...it's all worth it!

#IWSG for August 2017: Perserverance

Once again, it's the first Wednesday in the month and time for a post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group.

This month I'm going to use my own prompt - continuing the saga of QUITTING & EXCITED and now on to....

I must perservere!

I managed to make it through the month of July, a very busy month. Busy with daily household things (like baking my first Blueberry Banana Bread)

and adding a new puppy! He has his own Facebook page and Instagram account. Spoiled puppy...just look at all the toys he has and he wants to play with an empty milk bottle. LOL!



But still I persevere... I have one week left to get my latest novella, "Paradise Dead", to my typo hunters. Keep your fingers crossed that I get it done!

#IWSG for July 2017: Excited

Once again, it's the first Wednesday in the month and time for a post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group.

The last two months have been hectic but I finally got my cataract surgery done on both eyes and now am looking forward to getting my permanent glasses. I can see distance very well since my nearsightedness was corrected with the lens implants, but now I'm very farsighted. I am using +2.50 reading glasses to even see what is in front of me to eat. LOL!

This month I'm going to use the prompt shared by our hosts at the Insecure Writer's Support Group because it fits what has been at the back of my thoughts these past few months.

Last month we talked about quitting.
This month, the excitement of writing has set back in.

I managed to get my middle grade fantasy short story compilation, 7 Days of Seven, loaded up to Amazon. Phew! Although I had no deadline for this, I am glad to finally get it done.

This sets me up to start back on my WIP, Paradise Dead, novella two in my Lei Crime trilogy. I have a personal deadline of August 1st and a hard deadline (final publication date) of August 15th. I feel confident (and excited) that I will make it this time. I hated missing the last deadline.

I would love to be working on the edits for book three in my Klondike Mystery series, Almost a Touch, in August with September as my target publication date. Fingers crossed!

Once that is done, I'll tackle the finally novella in my Lei Crime trilogy, Paradise Drift. November first is my target date. Phew!!

I'm full of excitement!!! What's got you excited?

#IWSG for June 2017: Quitting

Once again, it's the first Wednesday in the month and time for a post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group.

If I thought April was crazy, May was just as bad. Full of medical appointments, a family wedding, catching up with family and friends here in Maryland, lots of rainy weather to keep us housebound and more.

This month I'm going to use the prompt shared by our hosts at the Insecure Writer's Support Group because it fits what has been at the back of my thoughts these past few months.

Did you ever say “I quit”?
If so, what happened to make you come back to writing?

I haven't quit writing - yet. But I have been considering it. I turn 70 this year and I find myself treasuring my time with my husband as well as pure "me" time. When we first got together back in 2008 and on through 2012, I wasn't writing (other than a blog or two). We spent a lot of time doing things, seeing things, riding through beautiful scenery and more.

Since I took up writing, other than our two years in Ecuador, I find I have to schedule time off. And at 70, time is getting shorter. I am finding it harder and harder to choose between family time and writing time. So I hibernate, getting/giving too little to each.

I am committed to finishing and publishing two novellas in the Lei Crime Kindle World series, the third book in my Klondike Mystery series and one children's short story compilation of fantasy stories.

Once that is done, I think I am going to quit....

What about you?

#IWSG for May 2017: Resilience

I almost missed the last two months posts for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Imagine my surprise when I dreamt about the one for May coming due soon!

It's been a crazy April. First we moved the RV from our lot in Florida to our new house in Tennessee. We shuffled things in and out and quickly got settled. Chores galore, but I was getting in some good writing time.

Then I got sick. Twice. The writing stopped. The stress started. I had a May first deadline to have my new novella, Paradise Dead, ready to publish for the Lei Crime Series. We had company coming. We had things, financial and legal, that had to be done. We had...well, you get the idea.

I finally realized the deadline was artificial. It was a personal goal, set for a reason, but still personal. What was the worst thing that could happen if I didn't meet the self-imposed dealine? Would I lose sales by not making the deadline? Yes. The push from the marketing promotion I planned to join would give the book a big boost. But I knew that wasn't the end of the world. There would be another promotion in the fall and I could use the push then.

So I sat back and relaxed. The book could and would wait. I took a huge jump and I landed okay. The stress is gone and I'm taking care of all the personal things I need to address right now. Getting ready to move the RV to Maryland for two months and dealing with cataract surgery on both eyes. I have no idea how much reading or writing will get done during that month.

So my word for the month's IWSG is RESILIENCE, because that's what I need to have right now.

#IWSG April 2017: Compromise

I almost missed this months Insecure Writer's Support Group post. I know, I almost missed it last month, too. This time, it's not due to cruising. Instead, it's due to my participation in the April A to Z Blog Challenge.

I pre-wrote and scheduled all my posts, thinking I would be ahead of the game. Well, in that aspect, I am. But I am still spending 2-3 hrs a day replying to comments on my posts as well as commenting on the posts of other participants. LOL!

Last month I told you I hoped to finally finish the first draft of the third book in my Klondike Mystery series, Almost a Touch. Well - I DID! And then I immediately set it aside.

During the cruise I did start work on my next novella in my Lei Crime Kindle World series, Paradise Dead (Paradise Down was the first). It was fun to be able to chat with the real life characters on the cruise ship (the band members) and pass along little tidbits and get their reactions.

But I had hoped to finish the first draft and that didn't happen. Then we arrived back in FL and had four days to get a new storage shed installed on our RV lot and pack up to head to our house in TN. Well, hubby got sick, then I got sick...then April happened.

So my word for the month's IWSG is "Compromise", because that's what I'm doing.

#IWSG for Mar 2017: Stickwithitness

I almost missed this months Insecure Writer's Support Group post. But I guess I could be excused, I'm on a ten day cruise. But while I am cruising, I am also writing. A LOT!

In fact, I will finally finish the first draft of the third book in my Klondike Mystery series, Almost a Touch. I know my faithful and patient readers are happy to hear that...

In fact, if I'm lucky, I might even make a jab at starting my next novella in my Lei Crime Kindle World series. Initially it was to be Paradise Drift (Paradise Down was the first). But the characters in Paradise Dead are talking to me. No, they're ranting at me. So that one is next.

So my word for the month's IWSG is "Stickwithitness", because that's what I'm finally doing.

My Writing View Today
Dominica Island, West Indies

#IWSG for Feb 2017: Social Media - Is it worth it?

I haven't been doing many IWSG posts recently, too much personal life. Same with my newsletter and blog posts. Very sporadic. Twitter? I can't remember the last time I visited. Facebook? Well, I do auto post a quote of the day every day.

My stats are abysmal but in talking to other indie authors, it seems as though I'm not alone. The market is flooded, book sales are lower than they have been in years, the bullying continues in many online places...so what to do?

Do I ramp up my online presence or do I follow the advice I read recently? The blog post, 17 Changes Indie Authors Can Expect in 2017, opened my eyes a big. It sounds like I'm not the only one reconsidering my social media relationships.

I didn't do much active marketing in 2016 and my sales reflected that. I did a price drop on the first in my series in November/December timeframe and bought a few inexpensive ads. It made a big difference. I think I am better served by doing that 2-3 times a year and worrying less about social media. I also need to develop a plan to grow my email list, that means more newsletter interaction from me.

What are your plans for social media this year? Will you become more or less active? Or will you stay at the same level?

#IWSG for November 2016: TIME (Where has the year gone?)

The year is almost gone and I find it's time for another IWSG post. The last time I posted was in July. Eeep! So what is IWSG? Direct from their site:

To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is TIME.

It seems like yesterday - we were moving back to the US from Ecuador. So many plans. SO BUSY! Time has flown. Personal stuff has taken precedence over writing. I feel like so little has been accomplished.

I did get some writing done on our spring cruises. I finished the first draft of my middle grade fantasy short stories and I got a couple of chapters written in my third Klondike Mystery, Almost a Touch. But that is all until the past two weeks when I got the second round of edits done on the 7 Days of Seven short stories. I also got a cover done (updated since my last post since the title slightly changed). I am entering the last of the edits and then it goes to my first editor for reading. I still hope to get it published this year.

Oh, and I did get a short story published in an anthology benefitting those on the coast of Ecuador impacted by the earthquakes. Check it out: Omnibus: Friends in Foreign Places-The Complete Works: An Expat Anthology, Volumes 1-5.

And I almost forgot, my novella for the Lei Crime Kindle Worlds, Paradise Down. It has been well received and next year I hope to write two more, making it a trilogy.

Recent Review: 

"McNicol writes with a voice much like Toby, so both characters and stories feel familiar. Plus, it's fun to meet new characters and reacquaint with old friends. Well done!"

As to Almost a Touch, the third in the Klondike Mystery series, I'd love to promise it will be written by the end of the year, but realistically, that's not going to happen. Why? Well, it's that personal life stuff. The next three days are moving days - driving the RV (our home) from MD to FL for the winter. Then in two weeks we fly to California and will be either visiting friends or cruising for a month. We no sooner get back home to FL, then we move the RV to Disney World's Fort Wilderness campground for Christmas. Then, it will basically be the end of the year.

So, my current goal (and hopefully a realistic one) will be to get the first draft done and in editing by March. Note I didn't say WHEN in March...LOL!

Time is NOT on my side....how about you? Did you hit your goals for this month, quarter or year?

#IWSG for July 2016: Promotion

Half the year is officially gone and I find it's time for another IWSG post. Every month seems to pass by faster and faster. What is IWSG? Direct from their site:

To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is PROMOTION.

As an independent author, I find it harder and harder to figure how where to get the most BANG for my BUCK. My inbox is deluged with offers to advertise, to purchase services to advertise, etc. The names that used to be good are either going under or raising their prices sky high (at least for a mystery author).

What are you doing for promotion and marketing? Do you have an assistant? Do you spend your valuable time using social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)? Do you wish you could just write the book and have someone else do the marketing? I sure do!

#IWSG for June 2016: Encouragement

Once again, it's hard to believe, but it's time for my monthly IWSG post. Every month seems to pass by faster and faster. What is IWSG? Direct from their site:

To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is ENCOURAGEMENT.

What are you doing to encourage others, whether it's to follow their dreams, pursue their passion or just keep on plugging? What are you family and friends doing to encourage you? Do you have a good support group? Are you discouraged or encouraged?

19 Reasons to Ignore Everyone and Follow Your Dreams

Are you guilty of discouraging others? Yes, there are times this is necessary, but be sure you're right. Just because their choice might be wrong for you doesn't mean it's wrong for them.

11 Reasons Why It's Important to Follow Your Dreams

We work hard, we try to be all we can be, we want our children to do better than us - but is that done with encouragement or discouragement?

It's your choice.....

#IWSG for May 2016: Memory

Once again, it's hard to believe, but it's time for my monthly IWSG post. Every month seems to pass by faster and faster. What is IWSG? Direct from their site:

To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is MEMORY.

What is memory? According to The Human Memory:

Memory is our ability to encode, store, retain and subsequently recall information and past experiences in the human brain. It can be thought of in general terms as the use of past experience to affect or influence current behaviour.

There is a difference between an aging memory and one afflicted with dementia or Alzheimer's. How to tell the difference? Here is a good guide I found online.

Normal age-related memory changes	Symptoms that may indicate dementia
Able to function independently and pursue normal activities, despite occasional memory lapses	Difficulty performing simple tasks (paying bills, dressing appropriately, washing up); forgetting how to do things you’ve done many times
Able to recall and describe incidents of forgetfulness	Unable to recall or describe specific instances where memory loss caused problems
May pause to remember directions, but doesn’t get lost in familiar places	Gets lost or disoriented even in familiar places; unable to follow directions
Occasional difficulty finding the right word, but no trouble holding a conversation	Words are frequently forgotten, misused, or garbled; Repeats phrases and stories in same conversation
Judgment and decision-making ability the same as always	Trouble making choices; May show poor judgment or behave in socially inappropriate ways

Cleveland Clinic explains some other differences in our brain memory as we age.

Preserved memory functions	Declining memory functions
Remote memory Procedural memory (performing tasks) Semantic recall (general knowledge)	Learning new information Recalling new information (takes longer to learn something new and to recall it)

What does this have to do with writing? A lot...at least for me. I am finding it harder and harder to bring out the words I'm looking for. It's becoming more of a struggle to craft that perfect phrase. I find myself writing simpler sentences.

And I have to admit, I'm not happy about this. It becomes quite frustrating to KNOW you know a word, but you can't remember it. Yes, it happens to everyone at some time but for me, it is happening much too regularly. Am I worried about dementia or Alzheimer's? Not right now. I am more worried about spending time producing a poor product for my readers and frittering away what is left of my life as I struggle with this.

I will revisit this topic at the end of this year. For now, I'm hanging in there - by a hangnail at times, but hanging nevertheless.

#IWSG for April 2016: Fear

It's hard to believe, but it's time for my monthly IWSG post. Every month seems to pass by faster and faster. What is IWSG? Direct from their site:

To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is FEAR.

I haven't written or published a new book since Barely a Spark in September 2013. During the last three weeks I have been writing feverously, working hard to get the first draft of a novella done. Titled Whispers in Paradise, it will be part of the Lei Crime Series Kindle World.

So what's the problem? FEAR. Fear that it won't be any good. Fear that I'm rushing it. Fear that I can't write a full-length novel anymore.

Are my sentences too short? Am I giving my characters room to grow? Is there enough action? Is there enough dialogue? Is there too much dialogue? Am I painting an image of the setting, Hawaii? Am I doing justice to the other novellas already published? Am I doing justice to the original series? Will I finish the first draft in time to start writing Almost a Touch during the April Camp NaNoWriMo?

FEAR!

#IWSG for March 2016: Too Much

March already and it's time for my monthly IWSG post. The first quarter of 2016 is closing soon, I'm not sure where the time went.


The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is TOO MUCH.

Since coming back from Ecuador I've indulged in TOO MUCH. Too much snacking (comfort foods), too much TV time (favorite series I missed), too much shopping (mostly online from Amazon), too much procrastination (again), simply too much of all the things I should be doing in moderation.

So March is the month to break the TOO MUCH cycle. Getting back on track with diet and exercise as well as following the WIBBOW phrase (Would I Be Better Off Writing).

Do you ever have trouble with TOO MUCH of the wrong things?

#IWSG for February 2016: Take Two

2016 is upon us and it's time for my monthly IWSG post. Last year is history and it's time to make plans for the new year. No fretting over what was or wasn't done, it's time to move on (yes, I'm coaching myself).

The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is TAKE TWO.

I've sometimes wondered why I write. Many of my author friends say the HAVE to write. I don't feel that way (until I am in the middle of story). I can go forever without ever writing another book. My readers keep me writing.

I enjoyed my two years off from writing much of anything except blog posts. I enjoyed the writers group that I started while living in Ecuador (and am proud it continues on with me gone). I enjoyed keeping in touch with my author friends. And I especially enjoyed getting time to read!

But now it's time for TAKE TWO, time to get back to writing. My goals for this year are:

1. Finish the rest of my 8-12 (or maybe 6-10) year old short stories and get them published at Amazon.
2. Write and publish book three in my Klondike Mystery series, "Almost a Touch".
3. Ambivalent here - either book four in the Klondike series of book one in my new Lia Rules series (kick-ass PI, probably in the YA genre).

Have you ever had to put your writing on the back seat for a while? Did you come back?

#IWSG for January 2016: Renewal

2016 is upon us and it's time for my monthly IWSG post. Last year is history and it's time to make plans for the new year. No fretting over what was or wasn't done, it's time to move on (yes, I'm coaching myself).

The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is RENEWAL.

I've not done well in the last two years, writing-wise. Living in Ecuador was a wonderful adventure but it didn't help me get motivated to write. Just too much to do and enjoy in that beautiful country.

We are now back in the states and I'm committed to getting more writing done. So I am renewing my efforts, renewing my motivation and I WILL WRITE!

Of course, this blog had to be rescheduled because I am currently on a 14 day cruise. Eeek! Will I get any writing done? I hope so - we've been to all the ports before, we repeat so hubby can get in lots of scuba diving. For me, hopefully, it will bring lots of writing!