This picture is of my daughter Brandi's mare, Lantana. I love this picture because of the way Lantana's ears are up and she's looking ahead, down the trail. She's excited about what's coming up, looking forward to seeing what's around the bend.I know how she feels.
I feel this way about writing lately.
A lot of exciting things are happening and I feel good about them.
1. I have a full out at Supers. It has been there awhile and this is a good thing, I think.
2. I'm almost finished with Branded. I'm really getting excited about tying the plot threads together. I'm anxious to do some revisions that will make the book better. And I'm ancy to get done and move on to the next thing.
3. For a long time, I didn't have a place I felt comfortable. Now I do. It was there all along. I'm a contemporary western suspense writer. Period. That's my brand. I always had it, I just never named it until I began introducing myself, and there it was!
4. I have several projects in mind. Sunny? Burn? Or start something thing brand new? I can't decide yet. The possibilities are endless and I'm jumping to get to them.
5. For the first time ever, I'm considering self-pubbing an old manuscript or two. A couple of writers who I really admire are jumping in, and they're encouraging me to do it, too. The water is looking a little more inviting all the time.
6. I feel the future of publishing is actually brighter than a lot of people do. With all the options, there's a place for everyone. If not the Big Six, then self-publishing or e-publishing.
I could keep going, but for now, these are the trails I'm looking down. I'm anxious to saddle up and ride.
What excites you about writing?
Great post! I in my last rounds of self-edits with my completed MS. Then I have to decide to hire a freelance editor and self-pub, or try submitting to publishers. I also have a few other projects I'm excited about diving into.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, D'Ann, I'm feeling down about writing. I'm almost finished with Dark Moon Magic and yet for the first time since I don't know when, I don't have that next book percolating in my head. I think that kinda scares me since I've always had a ton of ideas before. I hope it's just this crazy thing called real life getting in the way right now.
ReplyDeleteI love that I CAn write. I thank God everyday that I have this gift. Publication though, is the tricky part. The thought that I may have to self publish has me weak in the knees. Oh agent, where art thou?
ReplyDeleteI got word from my publisher that THE TRUTH SLEUTH will get a large print publication. The hardcover has now been ordered by a good number of libraries. I started working on the 4th Kim Reynolds romantic mystery feeling encouraged. In February, Harlequin Worldwide Mystery will bring out the second book in this series THE DROWNING POOL in paperback. I hope it will make the novel more available to readers who would like to buy it. Meantime, I'm working with another small publisher to bring out THE DROWNING POOL and THE INFERNO COLLECTION in an inexpensive e-book version.
ReplyDeleteHey D'Ann...great blog! I can feel the excitement in your words. It's wonderful when everything fits and is positive. I'm with you on the changes in the pub world. There is a spot for everyone, and everyone can enjoy to be in several spots, not just one. I have one book coming out from an epub, I'm still looking for an agent and want to get pubbed in the traditional world and, like you, I'm hoping to try self pub within the next six months or so. It's all exciting stuff!!!
ReplyDeleteYour excitement is contagious, D'Ann! I'm so happy for you. Good things are coming :) Reading this inspires me so thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe unknown excites me - all of it! Starting a new story and not knowing where it's going, sending a manuscript out (to CPs and to agents/editors), brainstorming new plot twists...thinking about epub, self-pub, traditional pub...it all gets me going.
ReplyDeleteI'm more excited right now about my writing than I have been in years. Most of this is because things are happening. For years I've felt like I've been stuck in place, trading water.
ReplyDeleteBut now I've taken control of my career and I'm shaping it, pointing it in the direction I want to go and coaxing it along.
The most exciting thing is that I can see my hard work already having an effect. With every review by someone I don't know, I know someone has read my book. With every sale posted, I know someone has found my book.
It's easy to promote through guest blogs and reader interaction when you can see the effect of the promotion within a day.
So right now I feel incredibly excited and energized. I can't wait to see what's around that corner.
D'Ann - I love the optimism! Wonderful attitude. I am saying a little prayer that that editor at Supers falls in love with your story.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward too. Sending a WIP to the publisher today. Wish me luck.
Good post! I agree right now is an exciting time for writers. We're showing the world there are good books beyond what NY deems are publishable.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all your writing endeavors!
Lia--that's great! New projects always fire me up!
ReplyDeleteJerri~ You've been in a slump for awhile now. I worry about you. I've gone through this before, where I just don't want to write, then it comes back with a fire. Hugs, take it easy on yoursef.
ReplyDeleteEm~
ReplyDeleteI so agree! We're so lucky that we can write. You'll find your agent, hang in there.
Wonderful, Jacqueline!
ReplyDeleteThat is such great news! Happy for you.
Very exciting, Christine!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read your book.
Thanks, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteWe're good for each other, I think. :>)
So agree, Kristi. The unknown, yeah, that's it. SO exciting!
ReplyDeleteTrish, you have really inspired me to look at few things differently. I thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteBIG LUCK, Casea! You don't need it, though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paty!
ReplyDeleteWe all have a place, so there, NY!
Great Post D'Ann!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to doing a rewrite with my newly obtained knowledge from the book I am reading called Sin and Syntax. It is opening me up to an awarness of nouns and verbs that I was missing before and will make my writing that much stronger. SO excited! Each step we take as writes comes with a heady mixture of fear and anticipation. All I can say is CHARGE!!!! ;) Brenda L.
I'm so glad to hear this!!I can feel your excitement. Yay!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pic btw. Much success is headed ur way!
For the first time in a long time, I haven't stared at the ground in front of me. Like Lanata, my head is up and I'm looking down the trail. And guess what? I'm grinning.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching my friends get requests for fulls, signing with agents, and pubbing their books. Maybe it's the changing climate of publishing that has everyone's flow on the go. Not sure what's got me so amped up, but I do know I want to see what's around the next bend.
I'm taking a one week hiatus from writing and guess what? The characters from ALL my wip's are screaming at me. It's got me psyched, but now I can't decide which one to work on.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Your excitement is contagious! I really needed that boost.
ReplyDeleteI self-pubbed for the first time, and the short's been on and off the top-100 list for bestselling anthologies on Amazon. Seeing my name up there with big names like Debbie Macomber and Lora Leigh tells me I'm doing something right.
So far self-publishing seems a great way to go, especially for those stories that won't fit into any one niche well.
I'm excited because you're excited!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the submission!!!!!!!
I'm right there with you. A lot of good things are happening.
Great post!
(yes, I'm exclaimation point happy tonight... :-)
I couldn’t agree more!
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting time writers are in. With all the available options everyone should be able to fulfill their dreams and goals.
Do what feels right to you. That’s what matters.
Great post, D’Ann.
Everyone who came by late yesterday, thank you! I really appreciate comments.
ReplyDeleteAs usual lately, I'm late to the party. But I loved your post. Great to see and hear the enthusiasm in your voice! I'm wading through edits, but it is satisfying. And I'm always looking ahead too, like Lantana. Let me know about that Super and the self-pub. You go, girl! :)
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