Hey, What’s the Dilly?
Remember when I made all kinds of exciting announcements about me and my blog?
No? Don’t feel bad, I forget a lot of things, too. It’s actually good that you don’t remember because one of the things I told you isn’t even true any more.
I know! If I hadn’t almost forgotten about it, I’d be upset about it, too.
Okay, let’s start again, now that you’re really confused and I’ve got your attention.
My Career As A Contributing Blog Writer
Perhaps I should hire a Public Relations Manager. Or a Handler. It was a conference in Boston, there was an open bar… Need I say more?
My career as a contributing writer on The Dark Globe, which has been renamed Legends Undying, had an expiration date about the length of unpasteurized milk. I introduced myself in one post and wrote another post about student bloopers. Then the site closed down. I don’t think it was my fault. I keep repeating, “I am not omnipotent, thus I don’t control everything that happens around me.” But it’s hard not to blame myself when things fall apart so soon after I touch them. Just in case, I’ve hired someone to pet Scrappy for me…
This probably is especially bad news for Phil, our Phil versus my Phil, who just invited me to be his first official contributing writer on his blog, Random Thoughts. I just posted my first post, Parents, This Could be Your Son or Daughter, over at his place. It’s about my experiences as a college professor. Go check out his blog. It’s great even without me.
If his blog closes down soon, I swear I’ll stop accepting invitations to be a contributing writer on people’s blogs.
My Career As An Aspiring Author
I hope my book signing has at least as many people.
Lot’s of news on this front. Work is going well with my professional editor. She knows how to smooth out sentences and make me sound better than I am.
I was wavering about how to get my book to the public: self-publishing, traditional publishing, pony express after photo-copying it… So many options. I decided to save myself the time and ego-stabbing experience of waiting for rejection letters from agents and/or publishers (plus the daunting task of writing a knock-their-knickers-off query letter) and try self-publishing. My Phil is a computer genius and promised to help me all the technical conversion blah-bliddity-blah-bleck.
My younger sister and her daughter are both artistically gifted and agreed to do my cover art. For free. Lest you’re thinking, “Whoo, boy, family and free. That book cover art is gonna be bad.” Fear not! Here’s what my sister can do.
A still life done in oils.
A charcoal sketch of me done 30 years ago. I seem a bit pensive, but you can tell it’s me, right?
I want print versions of my book, so I don’t have to figure out how to autograph Kindles, which might be defined as “defacing.” I’ll figure that out when the time comes.
I’ve already started my next book. It’s based on the true story of my parents and their parents–mostly my mom and her mother. It’s fiction, though, because I have to fill in so many gaps with what might have happened.
Sneaking a Peek…
Are you sure it’s okay to take a look?
I hope so because this is just too tempting.
A little while ago, Diana Douglas, from a blog of the same name, tagged me for a rather unusual challenge. It’s for authors who are writing or who have written books and is a way to let others sneak a peek at their work. It’s called The Look Challenge. Here’s how it works. You search your manuscript for the word “look” and copy the surrounding paragraphs into a post to let other bloggers read. Then you tag five blogger/authors, like Diana tagged me.
To keep this post short (something I’m committed to doing from now on), I’ll save the excerpt for my next post, but I want to tag the following bloggers, hoping that you’ll find their sneak peaks so tantalizing that you’ll just have to read the whole book! The following bloggers, you’ve been tagged for The Look Challenge!
Stay tuned for an excerpt from my upcoming memoir, How Was I Supposed to Know? Adventures of a Girl Whose Name Mean “Lost.”
Yes, that’s the girl whose name means “lost.” That was 54 years ago, but you can tell it’s me, right?
Thanks, Lorna. Just really got a chance to read this. It should be fun! As for print copies of your book, CreateSpace (related to Amazon) is a great option. xo
Thanks, Victoria! I was going to look into that. Now I certainly will. And glad you enjoyed the little snippet of my book.
[...] Gauntlet Thrown For several months now I’ve been following Lorna’s Voice, a blog always humorous, well-written, and showered with many awards. Of course, those descriptions [...]
Look: Gauntlet Thrown « Casey Comments said this on October 10, 2012 at 2:47 AM |
Sounds like it’s all going well, I’m particularly looking forward to regular updates on your route to self-publishing, you know, what you learn along the way so that we don’t make the same mistakes as you if we decide to go that route…not that you’re going to make mistakes, but, you know…what I mean is, so that we can follow your good example! (Phew, I think I got away with that).
Oh, I expect that anyone going through this for the first time will make mistakes. And I’ll be sure to tell you all about them to save future self-publishers the pain. I can tell you this, having a book professionally edited is expensive. I’ve already spent $1000 and I’m we’re only a little over half way through the book. I hope this book does well enough to recover my investment in it.
Such good news about your book progress! And so much talent in one family! It will be a lovely work inside and out just like you.
Yes, I was excited that my sister agreed to work on the cover. Thanks, Janice!
Lorna,
Sleep deprived here, but where do I post these paragraphs surrounding “look”? Describe me confused. My blog? Yours? Somewhere else?
On your blog, Casey. You just mention the challenge came from me, post the excerpt, and link to five other authors you know whose books may need a bit of publicity. But you do it all on your blog.
When I post my excerpt, I’ll explain this again. Sorry if I was unclear…
Don’t apologize. Remember I’m sleep deprived and need more explanation than a stone.
Is it clearer now?
What an interesting post, I look forward to the portions of the book from all those you have challenged or tagged… I’ve add those that I have not been following, to my list and wait to see the posts… wonderful idea…
Glad you like the idea (not mine, of course) and thanks for your support!
I’m going to try this again, for some reason it doesn’t want to take. Probably our computer! Hi Lorna, we are new to your blog, just started following, and are already fans. You will do well with self-publishing as you make those who read your work feel like old friends who should sit down have some tea and gab. As for the pic., we just watched a concert on HBO, James Taylor who sounded phenominal. He held up a picture of a woman from his youth who inspired him to write a song. Yours looks just like the woman. No chance is there? We look forward to reading your posts in the future.
Thanks for the wonderful words of kindness and support. I’m so flattered!
As for the James Taylor concert, lucky you! And, no, not a chance. But that must have been some lucky girl. Which song was it? I’d love to know.
Thanks for your persistence in getting this comment to post (and sorry that you had so much trouble). Let’s hope it’s a glitch that never comes back!
Her name was Karin. He said he met her, in between recording two albums when he was vacationing near Spain on an island. She was Sweedish, and evidently, the muse that inspired the song “Carolina In My Mind.” He said she made him realize how the simple things in life give you pleasure and the best memories. The similarities are uncanny no joke. We look forward to reading your blog/posts in the future. Luv the pics., by the way sweety!
Interesting!
From one dizzy blond to another, congrats on your new gig as a contributing writer on Random Thoughts and also on making the decision to self-publish. It’s a lot of work but I think you’ll do great. There’s tons of help out there & I’m finding new resources every day.
Looking forward to your excerpts in your next post!
Thanks, Diana. I read a book on changes in the publishing industry, and that convinced me to go the self-publishing route.
I’ll direct people to your site and talk more about your books when I post my excerpt. I was trying to be brief in this post.
Hey, did you see my Amazon review?
I think with the talent you have just in your own family, you should be able to self-publish just fine. Your sister is very talented…and yes, I could tell it was you in both the drawing and photo.
Have fun at Phil’s and when I get settled and up and running where I move…I’ll pay a visit.
As always, thanks so much for your kindness and support, Gayle. I hope all is going well with the move and this new adventure with being with your girls!
Love your sister’s art. That one of you will be a family heirloom for generations.
I’ll be sure to tell her. I love that piece, too. I was her favorite model when she was going to college for her Art degree. I named that piece, “Her Sister.” She idolized me when we were growing up and we’ve always been close. It’s an heirloom in more ways than one…
Lorna, I’m thrilled you are a contributing author at my place. No worries about crashing it, since my traffic is a lot lighter and slower. My site is more like bumper cars; you never know who you might run into over there.
I’m excited to hear all the news about your book – getting closer to reality with each passing day. Nice charcoal sketch! Suzanne is right, the eyes haven’t changed at all – striking then and striking now.
She’s good, isn’t she?
I think this collaboration is going to be fun. If ever your life slows down and you want to post on my site, you know I welcome you with open arm.
I can relate to Dark Globe I started as you did with two posts…
Do you do NANOWRIMO, I did it last year, was successful but still never finished novel,, still trying to.. lovely post again Lorna enjoyed your read…;)
I know you can, Gerry.
Oh well, should you feel like it, maybe you’ll find another photography blog and be a contributing artist.
I never tried the NANOWRIMO thing. I don’t know if it’s for me. I like to start what I finish and I don’t know if my health and life allows me to do that.
Thanks for reply,, you mentioned health etc I hope this is not serious for you…:)
AWESOME!! Thank you Miss L ! This sounds like a wonderful idea
…I proudly accept the challenge…. I COULD tell it was you in both pictures…those eyes don’t lie….your sister does amazing, beautiful work! Can’t wait to see what the cover looks iike…
I’m glad you accept the challenge, Suzanne! And, yes, I’m so proud of my younger sister. She is an awesome artist. I’ll have another original piece of her work on my very own book. How cool is that?
Really, really, Special…:)
Hey Lorna,
Do the Authors who I Link need to be people who are, or have already Written a Book? Or just any Writer?
DJ-
I think the challenge is to help people promote their books (for sales and marketing), but it can be used to promote their profession and increase their reader base, I suppose. Good luck!
Thanks Lorna
DJ-
NO problem!