Overall, I have to say I’m pretty happy with it. I published my first novel, White Pickups, in August. Sales haven't been what I'd like, but it takes time to get things off the ground. I kept on writing, finished the sequel (Pickups and Pestilence, scheduled for release in April), and wrote several novellas.
 |
| Too awesome to not post again… |
So those long droughts, when nothing seems to happen, aren’t really droughts. Those are the times we lay the groundwork for the next story, or take care of all the non-writing things that need to happen before Launch Day. Writing stories is definitely not the thing for someone who expects instant returns on everything. No matter how tempting it is to just blast something out there, we owe it to ourselves to get it right. We aren’t going to be lined up and shot, if we release something a week later to get those crucial copyedits done, right? (Besides, I have the Launch Cannon, I can shoot back.)
I’m looking forward to seeing what the other writers have going today. Hop back to the Indie Life page and see what they’re talking about…
"Writing stories is definitely not the thing for someone who expects instant returns on everything."
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of newbies who need to learn that!!!
best of luck with your new releases and blog hop!
Yay for 2012 being a great writing year for you! It SOUNDS like it was great! (I want to be as devoted as you when I grow up, Larry.)
ReplyDeleteDude! You just reminded me that Smash has EPUB now! #awesome (I'm in the middle of re-uploading some files, updating backmatter, and I think I'll give the EPUB option a try!)
ReplyDeleteWe aren’t going to be lined up and shot, if we release something a week later to get those crucial copyedits done, right?
LOL! So true and easy to forget! Here's to a great 2013!!
Sometimes that quiet time inbetween novel is needed - so we can just write. Even though releases are way more exciting! :)
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't long ago that I remember being told novellas were a waste of time, as a writer--and now i see people embracing them everywhere, which is great, because I love reading novellas! Good luck with your upcoming releases :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the upcoming releases Larry! You are so right about owing it to ourselves--and our readers--to take the time to make sure our very best product is hitting the shelves and not just our knee-jerk "it's done!" versions!
ReplyDeleteHi all, and welcome to the free-range insane asylum!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sean. What was the old commercial? "We will sell no wine, before its time."
Cathy, you don't have to wait. I never grew up, after all!
Susan, I'll drink to that.
Laura, that's true. And sometimes, you just need a break to let your brain sort out the next three or four things.
Faith, I think novellas might make more sense for eReaders than for paper… then again, I remember those "double" paperbacks that had two novellas.
Thanks, Ali. I launched White Pickups about 11 months after my first planned date. Those 11 months allowed things to really come together, though, and I have no regrets.
Off to read the other posts… some now, some later tonight…
Great post about keeping on writing and not expecting instant successes.
ReplyDeleteCongrats for your novel and novellas. Best of luck!!!
ReplyDeleteI admire how hard you're charging forward on publishing. You'll have a healthy backlog in no time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. The funny this is, some people *do* get instant success, and that makes everyone else think it'll happen to them too. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Laura!
Thanks, John. I hope you're right.
Nice to meet you! So happy to find a group of indie authors ready to talk about all it takes to do what we do. I hope you do great with the works your releasing in the next few months! Sounds like you're absolutely making the most of those "droughts."
ReplyDelete