Lots of non-writing bits of the writing life in this Jan 19-Feb. 7 period. Been learning, or rather re-learning a lot of stuff that has nothing to do with writing, but has to do with the writing business.
State of me and how that impacts my work
Bouncing between depression and fury, political action, local caretaking and paralysis. So, yannow, like everyone else in the U.S. in the last 20 days or so. Been making calls to my Senators and Representative.
All of that makes writing very hard for me personally. Been supporting another writer whose work is flowing in amazing bursts of story; supporting my regular writing community, trying to overcome the "who needs my book in this world" self-defeatism myself. Apparently I need my book, so I'm starting to move forward, if slowly.
Also had jury duty orientation. Did some volunteer work for my choir. Sang some. Had friends over for dinner, visited another friend and took her to appointments, checked in on a few friends.
Reviewed my publication plan and created an updated list of tasks.
Changed the backend of my website slightly to shift away from google and create emails based off my website. Had to do that before I could do anything else because I wanted the emails working.
Renewed my membership in the Independent Book Publisher's Association, and purchased a block of 100 ISBNs with the discount that comes with that membership. (Which saved me about half the cost of their membership fee, and that was just one discount, so I'm pleased). Most people won't need that many, but I have three books at various states of being ready, and each format-- audiobook, MOBI, EPUB, AZW, PDF, trade paperback and hardcover if you're doing that-- requires a separate ISBN number. They come in bundles of 10 or 100, so three books times seven is 21 (I won't be doing all seven but I already can see I need more than 10, so.) I waffled on getting them and how many to buy for MONTHS, so getting my membership and buying them had become this huge mental hurdle. And, like most procrastinated tasks that feel like mountains, it took me a grand total of 15 minutes to actually make the purchase and ensure it had gone through and I had access to them.
Will I learn from this? Probably not.
In between doing that I submitted four short stories, critted six stories for others, straightened out a miscommunication with my editor about book three (only a minor panic attack, that) and got two rejections.
What I've learned/practiced this week
- One foot in front of the other.
- Don't tear your allies down, especially when you must confront a multi-faceted enemy. You fight your fight and let them fight theirs. You can't know which attack will be the most effective, and we're all the most motivated to fight for the things that matter the most to us.
- You can make political calls even if your voice shakes and you cry.
- Quoi qu'il en soit (what that it some is/might be) means "regardless" or "be that as it may."
- Joy is essential, even in hell. Feed your joy.
What I've been reading and what I've appreciated/learned from it
Finished reading both Teller of Small Fortunes and The Serviceberry this week.
I appreciated the warm coziness of Teller of Small Fortunes, the sweetness of the characters and the sense of "little people lost in a big world who still make a difference for each other." Leong wrapped up loose ends from various adventures in satisfying ways, and created endearing characters with relatable flaws and needs--an ensemble cast I wanted to succeed. Each of the character's desires were clarified in dialogue, narrative and action at various points during the story, so there was no hitting over the head with a single block of "as you know Bob" explanation. A novel gives one the space to do that, but the reminder that all three are useful to reinforce character is a good one.
Wall Kimmerer's Serviceberry is an expanded essay, an exploration of an alternate economy with a botanical example -- the serviceberry- at its core. As a plea for ecological sanity in a country gone nuts with capitalistic crypto fever, it feels both well-timed and ... sad. I could have enjoyed reading this much more during a Harris administration. But alternative economies may get us through yet, so I recommend it. Her descriptions of interconnected communities made me think about the assumptions I'd made about the communities in my own writing and how my background had colored how I'd drawn them AND what I'd left off the page and might want to at least hint at in a better fashion.
Projects status update
Books: Updated publication plan.
Next step: finish new intro to THWARTED.
Short stories: Four more submissions, two more rejections.
Next step: More submissions, write more tie-in ss.
Marketing: Next step: research hire versus DIY
S&W work: Everything listed above; website update, IBPA renewal, ISBN purchases, educational vids.
Next step: Metadata gathering and give to ISBN registrar and ... Amazon? I guess? Research metadata. Also finalize cover design.
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