Keeping it real

I could write my goals and progress on a scrap of paper, or even in a nice leatherbound planner, but what would be the fun in that? Who would laugh at me or poke at me for not hitting my targets? That’s correct: nobody but me, and I’m not nearly hard enough on myself.

My goals for the next few months are ambitious. I would like to complete the beta reading/re-revising process for The Gideon Effect by the end of June. Earlier would be great, but I’m not sure how fast to expect the beta readers to read and critique each chapter. I’ve scheduled a week per chapter. Concurrent with the beta reading, I’m educating myself on the next steps in the publication process. I have some significant decisions ahead:

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Writer or Author?

The terms “writer” and “author” are used nearly interchangeably, so why choose to call oneself one over the other?

Vintage Typewriter
About Writing

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

– Robert A. Heinlein

For me, it comes down to this: Writing is something you do. You pour words out on your keyboard to form stories, essays, articles, poems, etc. Writing is active, forward-looking, and a writer is something you cease to be when you stop writing. Authoring is something you have done – It’s backward-looking, an accomplishment, a legacy. You have something in print or e-print, with your name or nom de plume on the cover. You will be an author forever, long after you stop writing, should you do so.

I am a writer.

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Weekly Writer’s Roundup Volume 1 – Articles about Writing, Publishing and Promoting

Looking for something to read this weekend?  Want to learn what’s up in the world of professional and near-professional writing and authorship?  I’ve got you covered.

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Weekly Writer’s Roundup!  Each Friday, I’ll publish a list of articles about writing I’ve found, enjoyed and from which I’ve learned something.  Happy reading!

Vintage Typewriter
Vintage Typewriter

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Useful Stuff for the Indie Author Part 1 | C.S. Wilde

I ran across this blog article by C. S. Wilde in my wanderings today, and found it thought-provoking.  I’m still in revision mode with miles to go before I sleep.  I can hardly look out far enough to focus on the eventual task of finding beta readers.  Once in a while I think ahead to blurbs, book covers, etc., but it’s inscrutable.  I brush the thoughts away with an assurance to self:  “It surely will all make more sense when I get to that point”

This article and others like it shine a light on the path ahead.

As an indie author, I focus most of my budget on editing. One, because I want to get a FANTASTIC book out there, and two, indies in general have a bad reputation. And that bugs me. Some of us put r…

Source: Useful Stuff for the Indie Author Part 1 | C.S. Wilde