As writers we often have to worry about our creative process. We need to think about structure characterization, conflict and plot, blah, blah, blah…
But sometimes we also need to focus on the business. That’s where my head is out now. I’m almost ready to announce my new website that has all the bells and whistles it needs. Links to things… links are good.
I’ve dotted every I and crossed every T on my indie publication which will be released in December. (Where I will post a big splashy picture and ask everyone who is anyone to please buy this book because I really like it.) I’ve made decisions about branding, cover art and book titles. Yeah me!
Now I have to sit down and think about 2012. I have a book to finish and a new proposal to write, that’s for certain. But do I want to write 2 or 3 category books? Do I want to schedule time to try and fit in my new historical? Do I want to focus more on the indie work and see if I can gain any traction in that market?
Hard decisions. And not creative at all. It brings home to me again that as “authors” we need to be both things – creative writers and logical business people. I’ve met author’s whose work I thought was okay – but did an amazing job of marketing themselves. I’ve met author’s whose work is amazing, but so few people have ever heard of them. Either group can get lucky – but I think long term success requires a blending of both skills.
If you are reading this blog – you know that we never say the easy things about writing and publishing. Was it you, Molly, who said realistically hitting it big in publishing is not all that different from winning the lottery? And that’s the truth. But know that writing the great the book, crafting the best query, landing an agent, publisher, whatever… all those things are great things. Once you've done that, then it’s… okay what’s next – Are you tweeting?
(I am tweeting and some day I’m going to figure out how to tweet my blog – 2012 to do list!)
5 comments:
It's funny, sometimes I like the planning process - looking at the calander and putting it all together - as long as I have the ideas. If the ideas aren't there, or there's any kind of doubt - the planning part is a nightmare. I'm excited for your 2012 - what else does everyone have on tap???
It's always been hard to plan in this strange business, but now with so many more choices, it's both more exciting and harder to decide. ;)
It might have been me who made that lottery comment. I was quoting Barry Eisler I think. I also remember Jennifer Crusie saying years ago at the first PRO retreat at RWA that it was like getting struck by lightning.
Fine, I thought. I'll just build more lightning rods, higher ones, ones that attract more electricity. (Clearly I have always been deluded.)
I think you're right. If you have skills in both those areas, you're much more likely to be successful although it still might be like getting hit by a lightning bolt.
At the moment, I'm not feeling like I have skills in either area, but that's mainly because I've been playing with family and friends and not working hard enough. Time to change that tune!
As to 2012 . . . my third Messenger book is due in March and they're rereleasing books 1 and 2 in mass market. I want to do a novella/short story to put up on my website and FB page as part of the publicity for that.
Then it's proposal time. We'll see what bug bites me this year . . .
I have no idea what is on tap for 2012.... I have an idea but not sure how to pursue it and willing to let it percolate for a while before I do.
It's a new strategy for me, or maybe just laziness... not sure.
Yep, your schedule sounds familiar. I, too, have a book releasing the end of this month - excited about it and relieved to move on to the next book cuz I've read this one a million times - lol!
So, which one do I focus on next? The one that's finished but must make some big changes per feedback or finish the first draft of my wip that keeps with the beach theme of 2 of my other books.
Don't think I'll know until it's time to work on it - I think my instincts take over and do the "planning" for me. :)
Post a Comment