It only took a couple days before I got that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that said: ‘You’ve been had.’ Self-Publishing School was not what I’d hoped. After less than three weeks, I asked for a refund. I did get the refund, so I wasn’t fleeced. I did get started on two … read more Self-Publishing School: A review
Tag: writing
First day on the clock
I always end up breaking one of the “rules of writing”: Do it in the morning. I just can’t do it. This standard advice for writers is intended to give your freshest, most creative brain over to writing. It’s also to make sure you get it done. But I work with people who are 10 … read more First day on the clock
Self-doubt
There’s nothing like doing market research on a book to make you feel that you’re not so special. Hundreds of thousands of books are published every year in America. The top nonfiction sellers mostly are written by people who are already famous – actresses, comedians, CEOs and mainstream media investigative reporters. I’m not famous, not … read more Self-doubt
Sad stories
The top three bestsellers in Amazon’s “Memoirs” category: A young neurosurgeon gets cancer and dies A young woman grows up next to Rocky Flats, a secret nuclear weapons plant that is poisoning her town A letter from an African American man to his son, “a searing meditation on what it means to be black in America today” … read more Sad stories
It’s about time
For about a week now, I’ve been watching some free videos from the Self-Publishing School. Within the first minute of the first video, I was rolling my eyes at this guy, Chandler Bolt. So young. So enthused. So certain that he can make anyone a best-selling author. So obvious in his marketing style. So why … read more It’s about time
Alone again, part 2
Dec. 19 – I was alone again this afternoon. Ann left for New York, and Tom had wrap-up work to do at the condo before vacation could really begin for him. I didn’t have much energy to do anything. I laid on the couch, sobbing. Now that I’ve had company, I realize that being alone … read more Alone again, part 2
Day 97: Tired of words
Too many words. That’s the impression I have from reading a few chapters of a book I was working on in 1997-2004, “Difficult Places”. I felt literally sick reading it. So much effort to produce … a lot of words. Just two things today: Not that these two bits are so spectacular. One is an attempt … read more Day 97: Tired of words
Day 94: Seven days, seven books
As I’m nearing the 100-day mark, I figured it was time to get organized. I came up with seven categories of posts on this site, but each one is really the baseline (or maybe bass line) of a book. So I’m calling them Books. The left-hand column is where you can find this bookshelf on any page of the site … read more Day 94: Seven days, seven books
Day 85: Overwhelming the subtle
Here’s a tip: Don’t substitute feta for brie. Especially not in a lobster-brie dip recipe. Think this post is about food? It isn’t. The sharp taste of feta is great, but it overwhelms the subtler tastes. Just because you like feta crumbles on your salad doesn’t mean it should be rumbling in vats across your … read more Day 85: Overwhelming the subtle
Day 71: Scattered
I’m not sure if I should even be writing today. All day I have been unable to focus on anything for more than a few minutes at a time. Peck, peck, neck swivel, peck, check email, peck peck, think about painting, peck peck, add up some numbers, peck peck, peck peck peck. Ever done that? … read more Day 71: Scattered