The Crow's Nest

National Write a Novel in Month Challenge

2011-11-01T23:28:00.001-07:00

Well, I've committed to try this challenge again. Not the full challenge-- too much to do, but at least 500 words a day. That's nearly 15,000 words. that's a bunch. But, I've started out well. I've written 1,300 new words this evening. A short memoir of a scene in my childhood. I think I will see how many of these scenes I can produce this month. At one a day, that's almost novella length, or a short e-book I could self-publish? Maybe. I'll have to see.

Stay tuned!

Death, Taxes and Writing- Can't avoid 'em

2011-01-25T07:19:00.000-08:00

And so I write. I've lost another friend today. That makes three this week. I know now why my mom got so depressed her last few winters. She lost many, many friends. I guess I'm beginning that cycle and I really don't like it one bit.

What did I do to cheer myself up? I completed my state sales tax report for my business sales in 2010. Hey, hows that for a cheery activity during an eight inch snowstorm? GRRR! Leave it to the state to complicate what should be a very straightforward exercise. But it's DONE! On Time!

But that process made me do a mental evaluation of my business, my writing and why I still do it, after fifteen years of banging my head on the wall, so to speak. Yes, I have several novels published. But my non-fiction work is easier to sell, and brings in more in the short term. So why write the long stuff? Evidently, that retorical question slipped out loud. Hubby glanced up, gave me his teacher-look over his glasses and said "Because you enjoy it."

I sighed, nodded and went back to my taxes. He knows me well and he's right. I do enjoy creating worlds and sharing the stories and characters that run uninhibited through my brain. He knows they wake me up at night, banging on the inside of my skull. They inisist I write them down, so I don't forget them and their story when I wake. That would still happen, even if I stopped writing tomorrow.

I guess I won't. I do like sleeping. So I'll keep writing. Emile, the hero in the third book of my Regency trilogy, has a very heavy cane and a very interesting story. He'd never let me rest.

Chat with the Children

2011-01-21T19:30:00.000-08:00

Every writer needs a bit of inspiration from time to time. I'm no exception. I spent the afternoon with an amazing group of young writers Thursday afternoon. We talked about good beginnings, no sagging middles, and ending with feelings. All very important parts of any story. The inspiring part? These were kindergarteners at a local school. The oldest in the room was 5 1/2 years old.
Their teacher is a good friend. I took my current manuscript to show them how much work I have to do to research and edit and revise. The teacher reinforced and reminded them that they did all the same things. Then we broke up into small groups and I listened to several children's stories (phonetically written to be sure, but it was all theirs). Not only did they write the stories, they created covers, illustrations and the backpage with the feelings. They were so excited to write. They were anxious and eager to share with me. That's the feeling I take away. We a need to maintain that excitement, that eagerness to share with our readers. Leave it to the children to cut to the chase. They will remind you why you started writing in the first place. You have a story to share with others. Hugs,

New Year, New Ideas, New Book

2011-01-19T18:01:00.000-08:00

Well, I've resolved to do better this year. My publisher is insisting all of his authors either have a website or a blog. Hmm. I can't even imagine fooling with a web site, so here we are. I have a blog. I will admit it's been pretty sketchy so far, thus the resolution to do better.

I'm going to broaden my horizons this year. Instead of focusing on e-books, I'm going to try to just write about the creative process of writing as I go through it.

Sloughing through the everyday business of writing; trying to put another word on the paper of an unfinished manuscript. Nursing a tiny spark of an idea into the flame of a new book to be written.

We'll see how it goes. Hang in there with me. It should be and interesting year.

Hugs!

Back to the writing Life

2010-10-03T22:22:00.000-07:00

Well, this weekend I attended a top drawer writer's conference put on by Nebraska Writer's Guild. Yes, the sessions and work shops were great, and the facilities in Grand Island excellent, but the best part of the conference was the gathering in of the clan- this crazy bunch of writers who love what they do and are willing to share and encourage others who are driven to write as well.
That includes meeting new folks, members joining us for the first time, wide eyed, like sponges walking around, trying to absorb every word from those of us who have been "under the sea" a long time, sometimes face down in the writers pool.
It also includes renewing friendships, greeting others we haven't seen in years. Nothing beats face to face for really seeing how we're all faring in this rat race we call life.
I loved it. And now I must do it justice. I must write more. My characters were awakened this weekend. They will bang on the inside of my head until I let them out. Hmm. Conferences will do that.

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T16:05:00.000-07:00

What a delightful, happy Easter. The weather is beautiful. We went for a long ride in the country and looked for signs of spring. They are everywhere. The fields are greening up, jonquils and daffodills are blooming and there are baby cows in the pasture! We must have counted half a dozen calves. They are so cute. These are still awkward, so they're not very old. Hopefully the freezing temps are over. The ice was gone from Summit lake, although we did see one stubborn snow bank. This is one of myfavorite times of the year. Life does renew, no matter what.

Sad Baby Dog News

2010-03-11T20:08:00.000-08:00

It's been a hard week. My "baby" dog, Lady, has been diagnosed with canine leukemia. Doctors says it's just a matter of weeks until we lose her. She's still smiling and doesn't look sick, but she's refusing food, even ice cream and chocolate. We've had two different vets look at her and both confirm the initial diagnosis. They both say there's nothing to be done. Chemo in Brittanys causes liver cancer and secondary infections that are as bad or worse as the initial cancer.

So we're taking it a day at a time and loving her, for as long as we have her.

Hugs and tears,

Connie

Apple's New E-Reader

2010-01-31T19:53:00.000-08:00

Apple has weighed in with its 800 lb gorilla. I'm not impressed. It's too big, too fragile and too expensive to be the workhorse serious readers want. The techno-nerds still don't "get it". There are two very different markets, techno-delighted folks and those who read, not play with devices. And $500? Nope. I won't be one of the early adaptors on this one. It reminds me of the Lisa, Apple's early computer, which cost $7,000 when it came out. That didn't sell in the mass market either. Jobs may be a genious, but he's missed the bigger audience this time, IMHO!

Best Buy for the New Year

2010-01-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

Here's a way to start the new year right. Before you decide to buy yourself an e-book reader, ignore all the hype from Amazon and Sony and all the others and take a look at what may be the best buy of all, The eBookwise-1150. It's a compact reader that has lots of good features, holds lots of books, fairly easy book buying capability and it's under $100!

You read that right. The 1150 sells for $89.95. It's the closest reader to my old favorite the Rocket e-book. It's the only one that's backlit as far as I can tell. I love that feature. Check out http://www.ebookwise.com/. I own a Reb 1100, which was the precursor to this device.

While it's not as flashy as the Kindle, it's a solid workhorse and will serve you well, I think. It will read multiple formats, including files you've created yourself, without a lot of fuss and bother.

A good way to start out the new year! Read on!

It's a new Decade

2009-12-31T09:42:00.000-08:00

Here we are, 2010 is upon us. Time to reflect on the last decade. Remember the milinnium scare? The world coming to an end in 2000. Hmm. Didn't happen.

What di happen is that e-books have finally come of age. In 2000, I had been writing and selling e-books for 4 years. Not that the "big publishers" noticed, but our small band of "non-traditional" writers and publishers were gaining ground. Dispite everything we weren't going away. And we didn't.

I have five books out now in both e-book and print and all five are available for both the Kindle and the Sony e-reader.

Despite many health problems I am working on a sixth book. Here's hoping this decade is easier than the last. It's been a tough 10 years.

Happy New Year

Christmas Catch up

2009-12-26T19:27:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a while. I've been busy. I had a total knee replacement in November and I've been recuperating since then. It's going well. I'm off the walker and just using a cane.

It's been a very quiet Christmas since I've been in, not able to drive and ignoring the rest of the world. However, Mother Nature got my attention with the snow fall. We had 11 inches on my back deck two weeks ago and another 13 inches over Christmas weekend so far. It's Saturday night and it's still snowing. Three days straight. Oh well, it's beautiful, I don't have to be out in int and we need the moisture.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.

Nebraska Writer's Guild Conference

2009-10-14T22:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I trudged to Kearney and back, braving Nebraska's fall snow storm to listen to very smart people tell me how terrible the book buying business is these days. I'm sure they're correct, my royalties show it, but I'm forever the optomist. I'm working on the new book, the sequal to No Place for a Lady. Perhaps the market will turn around by the time it's done.

Anyway I need something to do while I'm recupering from knee replacement surgery. Hmm. I hadn't shared that, have I? I'm finally sick of limping and hurting, so November 9, we're going to get a NEW KNEE!

They're so much better now I have two friends who've had them done in the last 4 months and theyre both doing well. I should too.

I'll keep you posted.

Writing Weekend!

2009-07-22T15:56:00.000-07:00

I spent a wonderful weekend at a writer's retreat. The Nebraska Writer's Guild hosted "Write Across Nebraska" a new event. Those of us in the eastern region of the state met in the historically rich village of Brownville, NE. With a room overlooking the mighty Missouri eagles soaring overhead, we couln't help be be inspired. One could almost hear Mark Twain on the upper deck, describing his beloved river.
We stayed in the Floating hotel bed and breakfast, the River Inn. It's a darling place, a converted riverboat casino that's a great place for writers.
I completed 19 new pages on my current work in progress. Yay! The peanut brittle of my mind seems to be melding back together. I must tell you, anesthetic does terrible things to your mental processes. It takes much longer than one would ever imagine to get back to "normal".
I needed that time away from everything, but it's always good to come home.

Geneology Finds

2009-07-13T23:36:00.000-07:00

As we get older, we seem to be more and more interested in family geneology and finding family we didn't know we had. My sister has turned into the family ancestry sleuth. She's found lots of intersted people, including a half-brother her hubby didn't know he had.

That's a real surprise, especially when you're both retirement age. We are finding my hubby's cousins that he's never met. We're swapping photos and family stories and finding that some of the family legends he learned as a child may not be true at all.

Be careful when you shake the geneology tree. You never know what may come down on your head.

Spring Update

2009-07-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a busy spring and I've been very ill. Chest pains and heart caths are no fun. But the good news is, I didn't have a heart attack and I'm now sleeping like a baby.

Makes it tough to work on the new book, but it is coming along. Yay! A trip to Tennessee provided lots of ideas and pictures of new family members (hubby's cousin) and old family members (my relatives) It was a good time, even though it was hard on me.

We'll travel more slowly next time. More walking, less riding, fewer problems afterward. Take care of yourselves. I was abruptly reminded that hearts can be damaged. Look after yours.

Hugs,Connie

Between The Holidays!

2008-12-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

Hmmm. Well, Christmas has past and we're ambling toward New Year's Eve. I'm actually doing writerly things--like meeting with two very new "think they want to be "writers. Had a great conversation. Perhaps I can help them on their way to publication. Of course they're making all the mistakes every beginning writer makes. At least I can encourage them to NEVER GIVE UP! And to go shopping for their new "want-to-be-an-author's" THICK SKIN. Writing is and art. Publishing is a business. Never confuse the two. We'll see how it goes. I've agreed to meet with them again. Hmmm.

I'm starting over on the sequel to No Place for a Lady. It's amazing how much trouble an obscure volcano eruption can cause to a plot. At least to a tale set in 1816. Whew! It's a whole new book.

Stay tuned. The feathers are ruffled and flying in the nest.

Holiday Spirit

2008-12-19T19:27:00.000-08:00

Hooray! I've found the Christmas tree. Now the nest is decorated for the holidays. One wouldn't think a bird could lose a tree, right? Well, think again. AFter seaching the attice a second time, the tree and its decorations magically appeared. Now we're all set for the presents and good times. I think all my family will get books for Christmas. Sounds like a plan!

Award Nomination!!!

2008-11-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

Yay! The Long and Short of It review site has reviewed No Place for a Lady and has nominated it for Best Book of the Week! How Cool! Long and Short Reviews

I"m excited. It's my first Regency, so I'm nervous about it.

My newest e-book

2008-11-15T10:32:00.000-08:00

Hmm. Here's the latest book taking up space in the nest. No Place for a Lady is a Regency Romance, but not-quite a traditional one. I don't write traditional anything. It's available in both e-book and print.
It is available on Amazon.com and is available in Kindle format. So of course I had to buy a Kindle copy as soon as my Kindle arrived. Just worked slick. Makes it way to easy to buy books. All five of my books are available as Kindle editions as well as print copies.

Of course, many other formats are available from my publisher on Awe-Struck Ebooks.

Happy reading.

Kindle: It's here.

2008-11-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

Hmmm. Well, I'm more impressed than I thought I would be. The Whispernet ordering is slick. Makes it far too easy to buy books. Six books purchased in 3 minutes. Is that a record? Might be. It's not as awkward as it looks and it's very light. If I'm not careful, I might like this one. But it's not backlit. Makes reading in the nest, in the dark, very difficult. We'll see. . .

E-Books- What??

2008-11-11T19:57:00.000-08:00

Hmm. Well since I write e-books, maybe I should talk about them.

Or maybe more about the silly e-books readers coming out. I never claimed to be a techno-junkie, but I'm beginning to think I am. I just ordered one of the rediculously overpriced Kindles. Why? Because all my books are available in Kindle editions. But of course, nothing with Amazon goes smoothly.

I found out they sent my new Kindle to an address that doesn't exist any more. EEEKKK!!!
Nothing like throwing nearly $400 in a an empty lot. But I got an actual person on the Kindle "Call me right now!" help line. She says she got it fixed. We'll see if FedEX shows up in the right place tomorrow. I'm not taking any bets on it.

I've had at least one of nearly every model of e-book issued ( in the US) since 1996?(I think) We'll see how this latest one stacks up.

Stay tuned birds of a feather- the e-skies may get crowded before long.

There's Always a first time.

2008-11-10T08:07:00.000-08:00

Hmm. Gotta have a blog. It's the latest thing. Everybody's doing it. Hmm.

Is there room for a blog in this cluttered nest? In this cluttered mind? I have writing to do. My next book is still an idea, a pile of feathers in the corner. I don't have time to write a glog -- oh blog.

Hmm. Will anybody even care? Will they visit this twiggy old place clear up here in the sky- hidden in the clouds of my imagination? Who knows?

There's always a first time.