How are you? I hope this finds you doing well and enjoying summer (or winter, depending on where you live). It's Miscellaneous Monday, which means it's time to share some interesting links. Hoping you'll find them useful too. :)
Six Ways to Self Edit & Polish Your Prose by Kristen Lamb is a primer on how to make our words shine. She gives us the brutal truth about adverbs (they're not all bad), "stage direction", and other effective tips.
Is It Time to Re-evaluate Your Blogging Commitment? Jennifer Brown Banks gives us 6 reasons for a regular "blog checkup" to help stay on target and avoid frustration in this recent post.
Want to write a book readers will love? Best selling author Jerry Jenkins offers insight in 3 Powerful Storytelling Secrets. He encourages us to "engage the theater of the readers' minds". This, I'm thinking, is good advice.
Hindsight is 20/20, right? C.S. Lakin agrees, and shares tips on making the journey easier in 3 Tips I Wish I'd Been Given When I Started My Writing Career on her blog, Live Write Thrive.
A quick reminder - the Coffeehouse for Writers' offerings include blogging, fiction, queries, journaling, writing for Chicken Soup for the Soul, Basic Boot Camp (taught by yours truly) and more. Instructors are friendly, classes begin monthly, and it's guaranteed to be a "Mind Brewing Experience." :)
Announcements
As of mid July, I've parted ways with my publisher. This was a tough but necessary decision. My two books, Write for Life and Homeschool Co-ops 101 are temporarily unavailable online. I have copies of HC 101 and Write for Life available, so if you/someone you know are interested in purchasing them, just let me know.
I'm taking a break until September 12. It's time to regroup, consider publishing options, and get ready for my autumn teen writing classes. When I return, we'll kick off fall with guest posts by Tyrean Martinson and Jeanette Levellie, and interviews with Laurel Garver and Amber Schamel.
Congratulations to Susan J. Reinhardt! She's the winner of Ann Gabhart's book, Murder Comes by Mail in last week's interview.
What projects are you working on this week?
Enjoy the rest of August. See you soon! :)
Happy writing,
Karen
So sorry that you decided to part with your publisher. That must have been such a hard decision. Have a good rest of the summer while you regroup and enjoy time with your family before the busy fall starts.
ReplyDeleteBummer you had to part ways. Hope you'll find a way to get your books out there again.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break!
Natalie,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Yes, it was a tough decision. Have a great week! :)
Alex,
Yes, I'm sorry it worked out the way it did. Moving ahead, though! Thanks so much. Enjoy the week! :)
Happy writing,
Karen
Karen,
ReplyDeleteThanks so kindly for the mention. Have a great break; you deserve it. :-)
Hi Karen - I popped over to Jennifer Brown Banks' blog. I'm on a blog break until 9/12, so her observations were timely. Thanks for the links.
ReplyDeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome! It's a share worthy post. :)
Susan,
I agree, they are timely. Glad you found them helpful! :)
Happy writing,
Karen
Karen: I follow Jennifer Brown Banks' blog. I like what she said in this particular post.
ReplyDeleteMy writing project for the moment is a collection of meditations on various topics I journaled about last year. We are in the middle of a revamping of our enclosed front porch. Got it cleared off and painted.(The stuff mostly went into a new yard barn.) I plan on getting it carpeted with indoor/outdoor or astroturf and purchase some patio furniture for it. Also, some roll-up shades for the windows.
I'm sorry to hear that you parted ways with your publisher. I hope that the next publisher you find is exactly the right fit!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to your blog post in the fall!
Cecelia,
ReplyDeleteJen shares great stuff, doesn't she? :) Sounds like you have your hands full of projects. Wishing you well with them!
Tyrean,
Thanks so much. Hated to do it but it was for the best. Looking into other options at this point. Looking forward to your visit here too! :)
Happy writing,
Karen
Thanks for the links, Karen--I've checked most of them out. Some great stuff here :-) Enjoy your break. May it give you the perspective and direction you're hoping for...
ReplyDeleteHi Karen - obviously a right decision though to leave your publisher ... other doors and opportunities will open. We all need time out to readjust to changes in life ... enjoy the time though ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry you had to part from your publisher. Late royalty checks seems like the main complaint for a lot of authors who do that. I promised myself I'd never be late sending out checks to my authors.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all these links, Karen. I will definitely read Jerry Jenkin's post.
ReplyDeleteI commend you for taking a stand you believed was the Lord's leading in breaking with your publisher. God will honor you for that!
Can't wait to be with you next month, and offer a free copy of my newest book, Touchable God!
Grace, Jen
Kenda,
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. :) Glad you liked them, and hope they are useful in the future. Appreciate your support!
Hilary,
Yes, it was the right decision, for sure. And thanks so much for your encouragement! :) Looking forward to what's ahead, changes and all. Good things ahead for all of us!
Diane,
Thanks so much. Yes, late payment is a big issue with authors I'm learning. Learning something from every step. Appreciate your kind support! :)
Jen,
You are most welcome! :) Hope you find them useful. Thank you for your encouragement. Our adventures aren't always easy, are they? But they get us where we're going, in His plan.
Happy writing,
Karen
This is a great list, Karen. I'm off to check #2 out right now. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the links!
ReplyDeleteJoylene,
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. Appreciate your input. Hope they are helpful. :)
Lisa,
Happy to do it. Hope they are useful! :)
Happy writing,
Karen
I bet parting with you publisher was a hard decision, however it moves to making another decision right for you. I look forward to your upcoming guest posts. I love all those ladies!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your next step. I've seen all sorts of things through others as well as with myself concerning publishing. Congrats to Susan.
ReplyDeleteHave a good break Karen and we look forward to your return :)
ReplyDeleteLynn,
ReplyDeleteIt was, and I appreciate your kind thoughts. :) Looking forward to moving forward! I agree, love these ladies too!
Medeia,
Thanks so much. Thankful there are so many options out there now. :)
Keith,
Thank you! Appreciate your kind support. Enjoy the rest of the month! :)
Happy weekend,
Karen
Oh man! I hope things come together well and that you find success with independent titles. I can only imagine the stress of transitioning, but you've got this. And if you don't, have some cheese, eh?
ReplyDeleteBummer on your publisher. That's hard. But thanks for these links.
ReplyDeleteCrystal,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words and for cheering me on. :) Planning on self pubbing soon. Keeping cheese on hand for emergencies, celebrations, and other occasions. It always comes in handy! :)
LD,
Yeah, it's been challenging, but live and learn, right? Good to see you. :)
Happy writing,
Karen
Old doors closing means new doors opening. All the best!
ReplyDeleteBig change and probably one that you've had to think about for a while. I hope your next adventure with a publisher will be exciting and successful.
ReplyDelete