I'm Back!!!

I'm back!!! Literally. I was in Connecticut for a while. I'm back from my hiatus too. And hopefully taking on some new adventures.

The MFA residency was great. I learned a lot about the business side of things including things like work for hire, which I'm checking into. And the writers I met there have a whole different mentality than most of the writers I know from everything else I do. Some of them are working on professional writing or creative nonfiction (memoirs, and historical storylines) and lots of them are working on fiction or poetry. But where as in the blogosphere I feel like a hack if I haven't hit 2000 in a day, many of these writers spend years working on one book. And lots of them are more concerned with the process than selling it. It was interesting to see a new perspective.

I also realized that I need to put my focus on getting a PM "very nice" or "good deal" and try to start moving away from digital deals and self-publishing. I still don't think there is anything wrong with self-publishing if you are professional about it (use an editor). But because I want to work in academia I need some strong publication credits. And as for moving away from digital presses, I'd pretty much already decided that. It puts the risk on the writer. You'd usually be better off self publishing.

I'm anticipating some changes this year, and I hope things work out.

Big Dreams Bloghop

The Big Dreams bloghop is hosted by Misha Gericke and is a chance for writers to check-in on their goals. I have two goals: earn a million dollars by 2024, and to help me do this write a million words. (You become an expert at a million words). My goals for December were to complete a couple of test manuscripts as part of the selection process for a paying gig, critique two manuscripts for my CP, and self edit Perfect Harmony and get into the hands of readers. I've done everything but getting Perfect Harmony edited. I hope to do that by the end of the month though. I still have a few days ;). My goals for January are to find a day job, complete a second round of agent edits on Finding Hope, survive my first MFA residency, and write 40,000 words of The Last Marlowe Girl.

What are your big dreams? What's your goal for the month?

Blog Break

Let's face it. I haven't been around for a while. Partly because I'm disillusioned with nothing to say, and partly because I've been so busy I feel like a candle burning at both ends. It was recommended to me a while back to put up a blog hiatus. I didn't because I wasn't really on hiatus and I was convinced I would soon be struck with blogspiration. I wasn't. And I didn't get less busy either. I haven't even been around to comment in ages. I feel kind of horrible about it. So it's time to announce a break. This time of the year is always hard for me, but I'll be back again. I'm traveling to north Texas this weekend to see my family (which might not sound far but I was closer in Arkansas), then when I get back it's time for Christmas with the Freds ;), and on the 2nd I'm leaving for my MFA residency. I think you can expect regular posting and my blog's plan for the new year mid-January.

Big Dreams Blogfest

The Big Dreams Blogfest is hosted by Misha Gericke. And on update day (which was actually Friday but Beth did not have access to a computer and blogging from a phone... is just rough) we come together to talk about what we've done to help reach our goals.

I have two goals. Write a million words. Make a million dollars. So far I'm still 0 for 2. In November, I was supposed to edit Perfect Harmony and get it to my cps and get most of the way through if not finish The Last Marlowe Girl. I got forty pages of Perfect Harmony edited. I wrote 0 words. For the month. I really didn't even blog and I owe my cp two manuscripts. Yep. Beth's behind. Basically, I accomplished nothing in November. My goals for December are to get my cp's books back to her. Edit a couple of test manuscripts for potential jobs and hopefully edit PerfectHarmony and get it to readers. My production schedule is officially whacked.

So how are your goals going?

Monday Mishmash

1. The House-- I'm closing on my first house today and while I hope having the house junk behind me will free up time for writing/editing/blogging the truth is now it will be time to MOVE. And I hate moving.

2. Book Babe-- My friend Tara at Book Babe is looking for strong and sexy heroines to promote. Their strength can be anything you want, but she'd like their sexiness to be more than just physical. If you have a book you're looking to promote, you can find more here.

3. Edits--Have been non-existent as has writing, and apparently blogging. I've got to get back on my game. Blah.

4. MFA-- I've bought plane tickets and reserved a hotel room, only to realize I never registered for classes! Whoa. Way to go, Beth. Way to go.

5. There is no 5. I was doing good to get through 1-4. And now I'm off to email my department head to get registered. Wish me luck.

Monday Mishmash

1. Sick--OMG! I'm fairly certain I have bronchitis but I'm too stubborn to go to the doctor. The fever got better but the cough has gotten worse.
2. Comments--I know I've been a horrible blogger lately. I'm trying to get my rounds in again guys. I still love you all, but things have been more than a little crazy around here lately.
3. Edits--I got the Finding Hope edits into my agent last week, but I have barely started the Perfect Harmony edits. And I have to do those before making the baby book that I must make before I start drafting.
4. Overwhelmed--Piggybacking off of #3, I'm feeling overwhelmed. I still have one book left on my production schedule for this year. And I think we'll be closing on our house this week, if not then definitely next week. Which means another move. 
5. Day job--I'm finding I need one which is scary. I don't know how I can keep writing, work eight hours a day, and play with ELF too. For those of you who do all three how do you manage it?

So that's me. What's up with you this week?

Ashelyn Drake's Nothing To Tell

Disclaimer: This is not PG-13, so if you like clean romance this one may not be for you. But Ashelyn Drake is a very supportive and brilliant writer, and I love promoting her work.

Nothing to Tell (Campus Crush #.5)

by Ashelyn Drake

Release date: October 29, 2013

S.B. Addison Books

Some guys have the art of hooking up down to a science.

They know all the right words to say and all the right games to play.

Except...for guys like Mike Hannigan.

The dude has got no game, his pick-up lines never work, and to make matters worse, his wing-man is his female best friend, Mindy.

Until one day, a mysterious raven-haired beauty catches Mike's eye and he's determined to have her. He doesn't care what lengths he has to go to. He'll do whatever it takes to perfect his game and figure out what to say without sounding like a sleaze.

But...

There's always something strange about mysterious girls.

They're usually mysterious for a reason and this girl in particular might be more than Mike bargained for.

This is a FREE short story prequel to the Campus Crush Series. Add it on Goodreads.

Check out the other books in the Campus Crush Series:

And to tempt you more, here's the Campus Crush trailer:

Find Ashelyn Drake online: