I wish I could ninja-write at work
But I have a writing/communications/marketing related job which means I'm writing...just not MY writing. Also, I am in lots and lots of meetings, and I'm usually one of the "OMG, Winks, quick, say something before I kill our fellow coworker with what she's promising to the client" types in meetings. So I can't multi-task, as I have to be listening for warning signs of imminent "YARGH, nooooooo, we don't do that" or "has wandered into dangerous territory where Winks needs to pull data out of her bum to save the day".
My job is always interesting.
I have heavy months and light months at work. Sometimes I have days with no work at all... thus ninja-writing. But that's balanced out by 12 hour days during busy-time. However, even the 12 hour days have pockets of 'I can't finish my work until he finishes his part', so I can sometimes squeeze in a bit of writing then.
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So remember when I mentioned that an author completely skipped out oh me after verbally agreeing that I'd edit his novel? (maybe you don't but that's okay) So he's a friend my hubby's so I did give him a discount when I gave him that quote. I had seen a sample of his work and frankly, it needed a LOT of work. I mean, think on it, first novel, of someone who doesn't read much in the first place, has no experience with writing. So basically every newbie mistake ever was just in the sample. I told him to expect a full rewrite when I edited the piece. I truely think he expected me to write his book again for him. I did explain and give an example of what I meant by edits.
But anyway, he ran an unsuccessful Kickstarter to pay for stuff. (Not really how KS works there dude) Then I heard crickets, even after I asked him when the novel would be ready for editing.
Then he states he's going to be published by some author house and has signed on as their graphic designer. I checked out the "house" and it skates the line between vanity and micro press. (not going to mention the name)
Then he starts spaming with his graphic design services and for me to join his book launch. (less than 6 weeks after the book was supposed to be finished. In no way has there been a developmental edit, structural then a copy/final edit. Which this book REALLY REALLY needed all 3.
I don't look down on self-publishers or those who chose to work with small press. Heck I'd be happy to have a small press pick up some of my work, though I know it's probably not likely with a few series. But do it right. Learn the craft. Create a good book that's going to make people come back and read more. Heck do promotion right. It's not just about spamming links on every promo site there is.
I've been working on this for 10 years. I want to do things right, including creating well-rounded stories and characters. And creating an experience (website coming in the future) that readers are excited about. That's how you do success. Sure there's some wrong turns and dead ends, but that's part of the experience.
Rushing through gets you nowhere except unhappy readers who won't pick up other books.
Ugh, double ugh and triple ugh. Now, I went with small press, and they have professional editors and copy-editors on staff. But that varies widely with which small press you go with, I'm well aware! And the fact that they accepted it in that state... doesn't make me confident, from your description. Ugh.
This weekend was great fun at the New York Faerie Festival! Three days of faeries, goblins, trolls, more wings than I could count. Horns and tusks and all things hippie and pagan
I met new friends and made some sales (not a lot). This was always a one-weekend festival, but this year they've expanded it to two weekends. This first weekend was the 'extra' weekend, so attendance was naturally lighter. Also, it was graduation weekend for most of the local high schools, so many families were probably out and about doing graduation things. Next weekend should be even more epic.
Saturday night, on my way to have dinner with a couple of the other artists, I saw a lovely rainbow. Also, the rain held off all day until the MINUTE we closed at 7. Sunday it held off until an hour after closing, at 8 - just in time for me to close up and start driving away.
The sky on the 1.5 hour drive home was amazing. First, layers of storm clouds over a setting sun. Then that preternatural gold light that comes when the sun is peeking out from under stormclouds. Then a full double rainbow that followed me for a full half hour of my drive. Then pink glowing sunset clouds. Amazing stuff
KITTIE!!! Poor sweetie! He seems quite at home in the luggage, though
to everyone who needs them.
