I’m now a little over a month post-release of my fantasy and sci-fi fusing novel, Trials of the Innermost. What am I doing these days? For some of the projects I’m working on, check out this blog post on my co-author site. Read on for what I did in June and a question of the month from the Insecure Writer Support Group.
What I am:
- Reading: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
- Drinking: Blue Raspberry Tea
- Watching: The Hunger Games Series
- Playing: Mass Effect
What happens after book release?
June was a bit of a calm after the storm. The storm being all of the months leading up to my book release and first book signing. The calm being my utter confusion of what on earth do I do next. I took a step back from marketing on all of the social platforms as, honestly, I was burnt out after trying to find creative ways to hook potential readers. I plan to get back into making images and videos but scaled back a bit. There’s only so much time on this planet and I also have books to read, more books to write, and family to enjoy.
Writing Progress
I wrote a short story that I had started late last year and set aside. It’s a retelling of the Persephone and Hades myth, but very loosely based as it has sci-fi elements and a bit of the exploration of the underworld vs being focused on Persephone’s capture (which doesn’t happen in my story). I plan to include it in my eventual release of Legend Has It – a collection of fairy tales and myths reimagined.
Support Me
Last month I also launched a Buy Me a Coffee site, though I call it buy me a tea since I don’t drink coffee. Instead of running a patron, where I would need to delivery frequent content, I’d still love to have the support of those who love my writings. Thus, anyone can donate toward some of the projects I have. Currently I have two listed that people can contribute toward. Editing, cover design, ISBNs to bookstores and libraries will take it, and other little costs certainly add up.
Also, are you interested in being an ARC (advanced reader copy) reader for my novels, novellas, and poetry books? Being an ARC receiver gives you the chance to read early, and post reviews for others to get hyped about the release. Sign up here.
Family and Fun
What other things I’ve been up to? I finally got around to watching the Hunger Games series since I couldn’t get into the books. I was almost finished with Mocking Jay Part 2 when Amazon Prime Video suddenly made it not free. So I’ll finish eventually. My initial reactions to the first three movies were me saying “Aww, Peeta,” at varying degrees of sadness and irk.
Our family had a great, although hot, Fourth of July. We took the kids to a splash pad (spoiler, they had a blast) and then fireworks. My oldest wee one told me the fireworks were beautiful. Be still my heart.
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IWSG July 2023 Author Question
It’s a IWSG Wednesday (what’s that? read on!) and the question posed this month is about ideas.
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group post on the first Wednesday of the month. “Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance.” You can find my previous posts here. The group poses a monthly question to answer as well.
IWSG Question of the Month
Where do you get your ideas?
Everywhere. I’m inspired by my favorite sci-fi/fantasy books, movies, video games, and shows as well as anything new I’m reading. It could be as small as a unique plant on another planet that then gets the ideas spinning for a whole civilization. Or I’ll see a character I like and wonder what it would be like if that character were a pirate in space. I’ve had ideas from dreams, or discussing dreams and thoughts with my husband while we drive to pick up the kids. Most of the time my ideas are in a setting: I’ll see an event like it’s a scene from a movie and then the idea spins from there with me trying to figure out how a story could come out of that small scene. Poetry is inspired by life around me, from the thoughts and feelings of being a mother to the regrets of the past, or the beauty of spring flowers. Music used to conjure scenery for me, but I don’t use it as much to generate ideas as I have a running document with all of these random ideas just wanting to find a story they fit within.
Where do you get your ideas?