No one ever said a successful author was lazy. No one ever said being a writer was easy, either. Since I last visited with y’all a month ago, I have learned (once again) truer words were never spoken.
For an author to succeed, she has to put herself out there. Take part in promotions and opportunities with her sister authors. She has to put time into social media, emails, writing groups. Marketing is a full time job, and in order to have something to market, you have to write it. And then there’s that crazy thing called LIFE that gets in the way.
Let me give you a peek into my month, in no particular order:
- I’ve taken 3 classes – one on Pinterest and one on Google apps at one of the local colleges. I’ve also taken a month-long online class on Goodreads through KOD chapter.
- I’ve re-formatted my historical western romance, WANTED! and uploaded it to Amazon as an ebook. It had been a few years since I’d done it, and it took a little refreshing. But the end result was very satisfying. #kindleunlimited
AMAZON - I’ve gotten deep into my latest work, another historical western romance entitled ELEANORA, which is Book #8 in the Widows of Wildcat Ridge series I’m doing with a group of authors. The book will be released on January 1.
AMAZON - Once I got WANTED! up, I knew I had to get my Christmas novellas uploaded. It’s the time of year when the novellas are super popular. First came ONE MAGIC EVE. Since it was a novella, it went much faster. Since it was my second upload in a couple of weeks, and the process was still fresh in my mind, it went even faster. #kindleunlimited
AMAZON - Then I got this idea that the fillies should have a big promotion to celebrate our Christmas books. We hammered out the details, I came up with some festive memes, and the blogs are coming together. Stay tuned! We’re super excited for this one. November 26-29.
- My husband was diagnosed with a detached retina, which meant not one but two urgent surgeries. Dang. It’s been an ordeal. He developed complications, and that meant extra trips to the pharmacy, the doctor’s office and me doing most of the chores he used to do because, darn it, the eye just wasn’t cooperating, and it HURT.
- I uploaded THE CATTLEMAN’S CHRISTMAS BRIDE to Amazon. Third time, the novella went pretty smooth. Again, satisfying. I love the book. #kindleunlimited
AMAZON - Halloween rolled around. Time to plan our family’s annual Halloween Bash complete with costumes and Halloween-themed food. Can you say Guacamole Ghouls?
- My new grandson was born. Theodore Samuel is our 10th grandchild, and oh, my, we are so in love with this little boy-angel.
- I was honored to be asked by my sister filly, Shanna Hatfield, to help in her 5th Annual Cowboys and Christmas Facebook Party to raise funds for cowboys who have suffered catastrophic injuries. You think I’m busy? That girl is something—she’s super organized for a big project like this one, with lots of readers and authors and enthusiasm. There’ll be games, giveaways and FUN. That’s today—and I’m up at 3:20 this afternoon CT. Looking forward to that a whole bunch. PLEASE JOIN US! The party starts at Noon CT. Just click on the Facebook link!
- Did I say I have to write ELEANORA? And time is ticking.
Ah, well. They say if you want something done, ask a busy person. I happen to be one of those people that thrive on deadlines. They make me focused and a little stressed (okay, A LOT stressed) but it all seems to get done.
That’s what I love about being a writer. Busy is good.
Tell me about your month. Have you been busy, too? Did anything unexpected happen to throw your month off kilter—like a detached retina or a new baby in the family?
Tell us about it, and you’ll be eligible to win your choice of ONE MAGIC EVE, THE CATTLEMAN’S CHRISTMAS BRIDE OR WANTED! ebook!
Pam has written 30 romances, most of them historical westerns, but she's proud of her contemporary sweet romances featuring the Blackstone Ranch series published by Tule Publishing, too! Stay up on the latest at www.pamcrooks.com
Well after I read your blog I feel like the laziest person in the world! I’m in awe of all authors, especially in this day of technology because y’all have so much more to do because of social media! Your rocking it that’s for sure. I read, cook, take care of my house, yard, do the social media thing and take care of daughters and pets. Then I just survive and try to not get a MS flare.
I had to smile at your comment, Stephanie. Lazy? No way! You’re a mom, too, and dealing with health issues is stressful. After taking care of my husband, I well know how taking care of one’s health is *very* time consuming!
Social media has its advantages. I have more friends online than I do in real life, I think. Not sure if that’s a good thing, but there are days when social media takes up too much of my day, and I need to unplug. A common observation.
Take care of yourself, Stephanie! Thanks for stopping by, as always.
It was fun to see you at Shanna Hatfield’s party today, Stephanie! Small world, eh?
I am babysitting my grandson which wasn’t too bad until my son-in-law took a new job and his hours changed. He is fun but at 17 months he is a handful. I started tow online course and they are more time consuming than I though but I love them. In the midst of all this, I had an allergic reaction to a new med. Bummer but all is well now I think. Keep going I admire you.
Debra, I don’t know how old you are, but I used to watch my grandsons when they were babies/toddlers/pre-schoolers, and they wore me out!! Because they were busy, *I* was busy. They had so much energy, I had to grab a short nap after their mama picked them up. That’s why God gives babies to the young, I guess.
Good for you for taking online courses! I still love to learn new things. Going back to school isn’t my thing, but online courses are a great fit for me.
Sympathies on the allergic reaction! They can be scary!
Thanks for stopping by.
My month is pretty much average, nothing different. I hope your husband is feeling better now.
Nothing wrong with nothing different! There’s a lot of comfort in that. I appreciate the well-wishes and am glad you stopped by.
YES we are busy since Hubs farms full time – with the rain that started on Halloween we still have 200 acres of corn to shell and it keeps raining – on top of that the corn is going down, which means he had to install a machine on the head to lift the stalks off the ground – makes it very slow going!
Oh, my goodness, Teresa. I have family who are farmers, and the weather will either make you or break you, won’t it? Farmers revolve their days and lives around the crops that depend on them. I know farm wives are just as busy as their husbands.
It was fun to see you at Shanna Hatfield’s party today, too, Teresa!
My month hasn’t went so well because I caught the crud that was going around which was a trip to the doctor for breathing treatments, steroids, and antibiotics. About the time I think I was getting over it I woke up last night running a temperature again so I am afraid I am taking it all over again.
I am praying your husband eye gets better.
Oh, Quilt Lady. Yes, the crud is going around!! Can’t believe it came back on you, darn it! Probably a virus that doesn’t respond to antibiotics. Take care of yourself. Being sick just knocks your whole routine out of whack!
Thank you for the well-wishes for my husband!
I am a slug! No, a sloth! My word, you are a busy gal and I loved hearing all about it!
Hee! This past month has been unusually busy. Which is why it deserved its own blog. Not sure I could keep up this pace twelve months out of the year.
And no, you are NOT a sloth!!!
Nothing really big for me lately… just some baking, chauffeuring my nephew to school, yard work, etc.
Hey, Colleen! Little things add up and fill our days. This time of year, yard work alone can be consuming and tiring.
Thanks for stopping by!
Reading your post aboulities was exhausting:)
Ha! Before I wrote this blog, I listed everything I was going to write about. I got tired all over again just seeing those words on the paper.
Thanks for making me smile.
Wow you have had a crazy month! We’ve had a crazy month too although I’m not sure it’s as crazy as yours though ha ha Ha. We have been busy Seems like the whole month. Having birthday parties, dealing with specific doctors appointments, trying to buy a new car and sell our cars, tons of school functions and field trips and more that I’m I will remember later lol. It even let up until right before Christmas ?
Oh, yes, Cori! You’re definitely busy. Even though things are somewhat ordinary, when they start piling up, they consume the day, then the week, and before you know it, you’re exhausted from doing it all. 🙂
I can’t believe how busy you’ve been and all you’ve achieved. I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s detached retina and hope it heals quickly. All the best to you and your family.
Thank you, Eliza! We can always count on you visiting us here at P & P.
Congrats on the new grand baby! My month has been quiet.
Thank you, Caryl. These days, my daughter is the busy one with her new baby. 🙂
Wow, you have been busy. And I thought the life of a writer was to relax on a chaise, nibble chocolates, scribble out a few words and wait for the money to roll in! Hope you husband is recovering well. October was not what I expected. Health and family issues cropped up and my days are filled with driving back and forth and appointments and all kinds of things. But, just started to make holiday plans and the great-grands will be here again for Christmas, so I can get through anything!
Sally, I had to laugh at your vision of a writer. Ha-Ha. Sounds like your month wasn’t too different from mine. Hope the issues have resolved by now because appointments, sitting in waiting rooms, and driving take soooo much time. And that’s on top of everything else that needs to get done.
Such is life, eh? Thanks for stopping by tonight!
It’s been a crazy couple of months.
You are so sweet to include my party, Pam. It was a pleasure to have you join us! And I hope you get some time to rest, relax and enjoy that new grandbaby! 🙂