DECISIONS, DECISIONS!

It's 11:30 on a Friday night and I'm exhausted! (Isn't that sad!)

Maybe I'd better explain.

I have spent the better part of this whole week, sitting in front of the computer screen but I haven't been writing. No, I've been READING. I'm trying to learn everything I can about self-publishing and the ins-and-outs of ebooks.

Can I just tell you? My head hurts. My eyes are dry and my printer's out of ink. Writer's platforms, marketing, formatting, templates...the list just goes on and on. I fear I will be overtaken by all these pieces of paper.

The one thing I have learned (though I long suspected it anyway) is something that my writing partner told me a long time ago. "Nobody's gonna do it for us. The ultimate responsibility lies with us." Yeah, okay. I kinda knew that but this is ridiculous! That is also the part that I most remember when someone sees me behind a book table at a signing event and quips, "You know, I think I'll write a book someday." Good luck, Huck.

Writing a really good book is VERY hard work. I mean, I'm passionate about the story line and the characters but, honestly? That's just the tip of the iceberg (cliche, I know. Sorry.) Then I was fortunate enough to find a wonderful editor/publisher that took me under his wing to publish "Contessa" and "Trust In the Yord: Hunter's Story" but the burden to sell still lies with me. And that, ladies and gentlemen, brings me to my other dilemma: I loathe self-promotion - always have.

That is a problem, you see, when the whole idea of getting your book published is to get other people to become interested enough to want to buy it so they can read it and see what all the buzz is about.

Okay. I've whined enough. I'm convinced there is no end in sight - at least not for the time being. So, I shall soldier on and learn all I can. I guess it's that way about anything new we try, isn't it? It's all about being flexible and keeping an open mind. Yeah. Okay. I'm as flexible as a 50+ (watch it!) year old woman can be and my mind is open (pretty much). I feel better already.

Back to the keyboard. I have a story to write for Peekaboo Magazine and a presser for an upcoming event. EEK! There's that self-promotion again! But there is also the time I can find to sit down and re-visit/revise "City Girl" and make it as wonderful as it can possibly be before I release it to you. Yes, I'm making strides - or should I say, I'm taking baby steps? Regardless, I'm moving forward and for that, I'm extremely grateful to everyone that has bought one of my books, actually read it and gave me honest feedback or review. (One more thing I've learned: always ask for a review!)

Thank you, sweet friends. (Notice, I didn't say "fans"? I won't be using that anytime soon!) I appreciate your encouragement and support more than you'll ever know and, someday soon, if you keep checking back - I just might have an e-book for you to read! Wish me luck!

Until we meet again~

Can you weigh in?

Hey Gang! 
I think Spring has sprung (at least I hope so!). The grass is lush and green and Mrs. Robin has already raised one bunch of kids and may be preparing for another brood soon.

Spring isn't the only thing that has me excited right now. I've just finished a new romance called, "City Girl". It's about a (you guessed it) gal from the city named Dani, running away from her past in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This girl has some big problems and they only seem to get bigger as she makes an unscheduled stop in Starlight, Texas and runs headlong into a country boy named Beau Blackwell. It's not pretty at first and a battle ensues.

I'm not gonna tell you anymore because...I want you to read it! 

At present, I need an idea for the book cover before it goes to publication. Here's the dilemma - I think I know what I want on the cover: a picture of a bunch of cowboy or dirty work boots with a high heel stuck somewhere in between them, all sitting on an old porch step. Problem is, I can't find anything like that and believe me, I've been searching. My writing partner says I should just compose a picture like it and use that but I was going to try one more thing first. 

If anyone out there in "blogger land" has a picture similar to what I've described or knows where I might find it, please give me a shout. I'm also in process of offering it as an e-book as well so I want the cover completed before I make any more commitments. I would really like to have it all completed BEFORE I hand it over and not let someone else decide on a picture for the cover so...if you have any great pics like I mentioned OR you know where I might procure one, I would be grateful indeed.

Okay, okay. Stop whining and I'll give you a little taste. ;-)

“What in the world was that all about?”

            He closed his eyes in disgust as he took a deep breath in. “I’m sorry. I forgot she’d be workin’ tonight.” He fidgeted with his hat for a minute. “Jody and I…we used to…uh…”

            Dani held up her hand to stop him. “I’m sorry. You don’t owe me an explanation.”

            “No, it just caught me a little off guard, that’s all. We go back a long way but all that’s over with now. She’s on to greener pastures.”

“You talk like she’s a cow or something.” She grinned. “Forget I even asked. Tell me something. What’s up with the black cowboy hat?”

            Puzzled, he looked at the hat he held in his hand. “What do you mean?”

            “I thought the good guys always wore white hats.”

            “What makes you think I’m a good guy?” His eyes twinkled.

                                                                      ~     ~     ~

Interested? Oh good. Well, let's find this picture and maybe you can find out what happens next.

'Till next time...