Writing is a Real Job

Day 4 of my vacation and I am currently at 35,293 of my 90,000 word goal. Moving right along nicely.

I really wish this was my full-time job but one day it will be. Just gotta keep working hard. I have a few short stories that I need to edit and re-submit to magazines.

My poetry book sales are not as good as I want them to be except when I hand sell them myself to my co-workers. They love to know other people's business any way so I've given them alot to gossip about.

Well let me get back to work. Maybe I'll get to 45,000 by Monday which will make me feel alot better because I will be halfway there. I plan to have the book completed, editing and all, by the end of this year. If I keep up the momentum I'm sure I'll make.

Trying to Finish This Book

Day two of my vacation... Man, this feels good. I wish I could take off a whole year.

I'm trying to get to at least 90,000 words on my novel, I'm at 32,918. I guess I got alot of work ahead of me.

I've read a few biographies about writers and all of them talked about how they sat at their computers everyday for 8 to 10 hours until they could put something on the blank screen, even if it was only one line.



Well I work a little differently. While I'm reading, listening to music, watching TV and sometimes sleeping, I'm thinking of things my characters could be doing Arguing about money or another woman. Screwing each other's brains out or screwing up some project they are working on. Then I'll grab paper and pen and write down my thoughts. Usually it's dialogue, which helps the story move faster than big, long paragraphs of scenery description.

Once I've written done what I figure is at least half a chapter, then I'll sit down at my computer and begin to write. I always end up adding to what I wrote when I type it out. That's probably why they stress doing so many re-writes.

I probably won't reach 90,000 before I return to work next week but I'm going to give it the old college try and get as close as possible...as close as government work.

Newbie on the Scene

I just finised J A Konrath's e-book, A Newbie's Guide to Publishing. It's a compilation of over 300 of his blog posts, and I must say, J A Konrath is a "JAK" of many writing trades. Or shall I say "Jack" since he is the author of a female detective series, the main character's name being Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels.

His Newbie e-book is really helpful because it gives new writers advice on how to have a "sticky" online presence, which basically means having a website with alot of links, contests, and free stuff. The site should be informative as well as entertaining and J A's is definitely all of the above.

I like J A because he explains how much hard work goes into being a professional writer. Yes, writing a good book is essential but if you really want your book to sale, you can't leave all of the promotion up to the publisher. It's your book, your thoughts, who better to talk about it than you?

You have to check out J A's website . I also have a link to his blog in my links.

Book Review - Sail

On the drive to and from work for the last few days, I've been listening to the reading of Sail by James Patterson and Howard Roughan. Talk about being on the edge of your seat (car seat).

The Dunne family experiences problem after devastating problem when they embark on a sailing trip on their private boat. This formerly not so closenit mother and her three kids take this trip to get closer to each other. But they didn't know that someone very close to them would be happy if they didn't come back...ever.

This story is the ultimate exampe of "what goes around comes around" because every bad guy gets his due, no matter how cunning they thought they were.

I totally recommend this book to anybody who loves to read about a great adventure with a happy ending.

Best Marketing Book I've Read

If you are an author or a publisher and you are trying to think of different ways to market your book, I suggest getting a copy of "1001 Ways to Market Your Books". This is the 6th Edition of this book, which means author, John Kremer, tries to keep his readers in the know about any changes or improvements in advertising, promoting, and gaining book reviews.

Dude, Pull Your Pants Up

What's the deal with these dudes walking around with their pants hanging of their butts. Is that suppose to be attractive? And if so, to whom? I've never heard a girl say, "I sure like how his jeans sag, girl. That is so sexy."

One guy told me that sagging is what they do best. I'm sure he was joking but GET REAL! If that is supposed to be a talent, these guys have alot more issues than I gave them credit for. When a guy approaches me, I do a quick once over just to see how he's looking. Nice hair cut or neat-looking braids-check. Nice smile, not alot of gold teeth-check. Clean t-shirt or polo shirt-check. Nice jeans, Sean Jean maybe uh oh-STEP AWAY, STEP AWAY, DRAWERS SHOWING, DRAWERS SHOWING. After that I just smile and walk away.

That is not the type of example I want for my son. And it is definitely not the type of man I want to be seen ANYWHERE with.

Can't Fix Stupid

I know many people want their significant other to look a certain way, but to me that's not the most important thing. I'm like this--as long as the guy smells good, doesn't have "butter" on his teeth, doesn't weeze when he talks, and can bend over enough to tie his own shoes; it's all good.

One thing I absolutely cannot stand though is a guy that can't carry on a descent conversation. I have no patience for dum-dums. He could take a class, read a book or two, do something to gain some knowledge every once in a while. It's cool to talk about music and sports sometimes, but I need a guy that can be a little deeper than that. If he can't handle that he has to go. I can't fix stupid but I sure can get rid of him.

That Sounds Like Heaven

I was always reluctant to get into leadership roles but my pops always taught me that if I was a floor mopper, I should strive to be the best mopper there is. And if I could, be the head floor mopper, which is what I've always tried to do. But this has been a very daunting tasks when the people below me don't do what they are supposed to do, and when my manager is breathing down my neck because something was incorrect or not done at all.

I'm at the point now where I want to be just a regular employee. I don't want to have to worry about reports, reviews, inputting timesheets, answering questions, going to dumb meetings, and teaching unproductive training classes (because the people are still gonna do the same thing they've always done). Being responsible for my inventory only sounds like heaven. I want to be able to go to work in the morning and get off at a descent time. I want to be able to go to poetry readings to perfect my spoken-word abilities so I can make the next collection twice as good. My novel will be finished by the end of the year if I stop worrying about folks on my "day job".

I am a writer, a poet, and a crafter. I should not be in a place that stifles my creativity. Independence Day was yesterday and I can't help but to think about being freed from my corporate prison. One day ... I will escape.