First, Last and Always
I'm not sure where to begin. I want to tell you everything "first," but I haven't mastered that ability yet :)
The First First
This week, IN NAME ONLY, is on sale for 99cents at Amazon. I would love if you'd share this with your friends.
The Second First
The first book of my trilogy is drafted. I finished the initial draft in the middle of May, so only a couple of weeks past my goal. However, my 60K goal turned into 74K. I learned that my story had more going on than I thought.
I'm currently in the middle of a quick inspection pass before sending it to my critique partner - mostly filling in the notes I made while drafting. My goal is to have it to her by mid June.
I'm also working on the timeline for the second book. My goal is to begin drafting it on or before the first Monday in July. And to complete the first draft by the end of September. As with Book One, my goal is 60K. We'll see how I do this time.
You've probably noticed I still haven't shared anything much about titles or stories. It's way too early for that, so you'll just have to wonder. I will say this story fits my Crime Fiction with a Kiss brand, just in a slightly different way since it's a trilogy.
I'm also going to share the current first paragraph - the one that starts the whole shebang rolling. Just remember it's subject to all kinds of changes since it's first draft.
Slaton Enloe relaxed in his desk chair, his booted feet propped on the windowsill. Spread beyond the glass, as far as he could see, was the rocky, rolling land that had been in his family for generations, since 1851--six years after Texas became a state in 1845. Patches of bluebonnets paraded their beauty in the early morning April sun.
The Third First
It took me a little more than four months to draft the first book. That was with blogging every week in January and February, and twice a month in March, April and May.
My goal to finish the second book in three months means that during the summer, I'll only be here the first Monday of each month with a new post.
It's open-ended as to when I'll return to twice monthly blogging, as I'll still have the third book to draft and all three books to edit. So for the foreseeable future, I'll be here on the first Monday of each month only.
It probably also means I'll be straggling by your blogs to visit at various times during the month. So if I don't respond to your comments right away, give me a couple of weeks. I'll get there. I'll also be sharing what's going on with me on Facebook and Twitter. Links are in my left sidebar here.
And remember ... I don't love you any less. I'm just getting my priorities in order. Finally.
It would be much easier if I didn't love you and blogging so much ♥
The First First
This week, IN NAME ONLY, is on sale for 99cents at Amazon. I would love if you'd share this with your friends.
No Home. No Family. No Place to Hide.
For Summer Newcombe, that's only the beginning.
IN NAME ONLY is the story of a young woman who learns she's been trapped inside the Federal Witness Protection program her entire life.The Second First
The first book of my trilogy is drafted. I finished the initial draft in the middle of May, so only a couple of weeks past my goal. However, my 60K goal turned into 74K. I learned that my story had more going on than I thought.
I'm currently in the middle of a quick inspection pass before sending it to my critique partner - mostly filling in the notes I made while drafting. My goal is to have it to her by mid June.
I'm also working on the timeline for the second book. My goal is to begin drafting it on or before the first Monday in July. And to complete the first draft by the end of September. As with Book One, my goal is 60K. We'll see how I do this time.
You've probably noticed I still haven't shared anything much about titles or stories. It's way too early for that, so you'll just have to wonder. I will say this story fits my Crime Fiction with a Kiss brand, just in a slightly different way since it's a trilogy.
I'm also going to share the current first paragraph - the one that starts the whole shebang rolling. Just remember it's subject to all kinds of changes since it's first draft.
Slaton Enloe relaxed in his desk chair, his booted feet propped on the windowsill. Spread beyond the glass, as far as he could see, was the rocky, rolling land that had been in his family for generations, since 1851--six years after Texas became a state in 1845. Patches of bluebonnets paraded their beauty in the early morning April sun.
The Third First
It took me a little more than four months to draft the first book. That was with blogging every week in January and February, and twice a month in March, April and May.
My goal to finish the second book in three months means that during the summer, I'll only be here the first Monday of each month with a new post.
It's open-ended as to when I'll return to twice monthly blogging, as I'll still have the third book to draft and all three books to edit. So for the foreseeable future, I'll be here on the first Monday of each month only.
It probably also means I'll be straggling by your blogs to visit at various times during the month. So if I don't respond to your comments right away, give me a couple of weeks. I'll get there. I'll also be sharing what's going on with me on Facebook and Twitter. Links are in my left sidebar here.
And remember ... I don't love you any less. I'm just getting my priorities in order. Finally.
It would be much easier if I didn't love you and blogging so much ♥
See you back here on Monday, July 6
HAPPY early 4TH OF JULY!
HAPPY early 4TH OF JULY!
Comments
Nick - Thank you!
Beer - Thanks! If you ever see ANY FB game from me, you'll know I've been hacked. I don't play them. I may, however, have a little fondness for kitty videos :)
Southpaw - It's going well. I'm hoping #2 will be speedier.
Diane - I hope that it will be. I'll be staying on top of things, so I'm hoping nothing gets out of hand.
Bish - It does take time. At one point I was spending about three hours every day blogging. I can write a lot of words in three hours :)
L.G. - I feel much better when my focus is focused :)
Rachna - Thanks! Aiming for three months on the second one. Not sure I can draft a novel any quicker than that.
VR Barkowski
Will share about your sale right now. :)
Robin - The timelines help a lot. Meeting my goals has been a long time coming. It's taken a lot of work, but it feels so good!
Teresa - I'll be around...probably when you least expect me :)
VR - Thanks, all the way around.
Patricia - My pleasure! Thanks, and enjoy :)
Julie F - I'd hoped to slowdown only for the summer, but then I learned about something I get to do in October, and then the holidays . . . so I'm leaving it open. Thank you for sharing :)
Happy 4th of July to you too!
~Jess
Totally understand that you need to focus on your writing endeavours. Blogging is there when you feel it's the right time. A blogging schedule can just add a bit too much pressure. Your own pace, twice monthly, monthly, or in my case, every six months.
I'm sensing a blogging orgy, um, blogging love-in here :)
With that, Happy early First of July, eh!
Gary
I'm with you on priorities. Totally understand. I feel like such a blog slacker, but I had to do it if I was going to finish my WIP, and I still didn't make my self-imposed deadline.
Julie
Jo-Anne - Yes, it surely is. It's great!
Gary - You're so funny! I love "blogging orgy" :)
Melissa - But you finished! That's the important thing.
Helena - I'm glad you like my books. I'll do my best on the fun part :)
Julie - Thanks! And I'll take all the good luck wishes I can get.
SO impressive. Congrats on the first draft! I wish I had the drive to make such incredible goals as you...
You first paragraphs reads great! It certainly pulled me into the scene immediately. All the best!
I think we ALL have cut back on blogging for various reasons, but mostly for time restraints. No need to worry. We LOVE you, too....
Denise - More hours would be awesome. My reading is so backed up. I'm hoping to read six books this year. I've read four so far. I used to read a book a week.
Joy - As right as I can make them at the moment. It's an ongoing balancing act.
Michael - I'm glad you like the paragraph. It's a little like that first shot in a movie. At least that's the plan. You're so sweet for understanding - sending you a big cyber hug :)
Jennifer - Same for me about the inspiration from others.
Medeia - So far it's fun. I have much of the second book in my head. We'll see how I feel when we get to the third :)
Romance Reader - Thank you!
Beth Ellyn - I'm seeing this seems to be a common feeling.
Nas - Thank you!
Loni - Cool, and thanks.
Ava - Cool. Tweetie buds :)
Crystal - I did twice a month for a while, too, but I needed more. I miss chatting so much. I hang out on Facebook and Twitter more. It's not the same, but it takes much less time.
You're on a roll! Yay!