I said I’d never use a pen name, but I broke that vow. I’m now working on my second book for a company. I can’t talk a lot about it; I’m essentially ghost-writing, although I will market for those books when they’re released. The cool thing is, I’m managing to average 5,000 words a day for them while still having time to work on my own projects. I’m currently preparing to release a novella and have another in the final editing stage. Covers for both are done; it’s a matter of finishing touches and promo materials at this point.
The most exciting thing, though, is that Story Empire (a blog I write for with five other authors) made Positive Writer’s 2018 Top Fifty List. We’re all really excited to have come so far in so short a time. Our blog isn’t even two years old yet! It’s an honor to have been nominated, let alone to have made the cut. And when you check out the list (and I encourage you to do so; there are great resources on it), I’m sure you’ll recognize many if not all of the names. Like I said, it’s quite an honor, and we’re all super-thrilled.
I chose this quote today because I feel like I have come a long way, and I’m proud of that fact. I also have a long way to go, and I’m looking forward to the process. As such, I thought Michael Josephson’s words were more than fitting.
What about you? Do you take the time to celebrate your victories, or do you just write it off as luck and move on to the next project? I admit, I’ve had low-confidence days and have questioned my successes. This week, though, I’m looking through my rose-colored glasses and taking the win. I hope you do the same. Let’s talk about it.
As always, wishing you productivity and balance.
And now, this week’s links:
Posts by me, about my work, or at sites I contribute to:
- Author Beware of Facebook and Pen Names (Story Empire)
- Turning the Frown Upside Down (Romance University)
- Observations (Story Empire)
- Location, Location, Location (Romance University)
- Friday Book Cover: Bow of Hart Saga (Story Empire)
- No More Fat-Shaming (Romance University)
Posts by others in the industry:
- Positive Writer’s 2018 Top Fifty ListΒ (Positive Writer)
- Five Quotes to Establish Character (Fiction University)Β
- Love Scenes: The Eyes Have It (The Write Conversation)
- Moving from CreateSpace to KDP (Nicholas C. Rossis)
- 5 Facebook Tips for Book Marketing (Nicholas C. Rossis)
- Three-Phase Book Launch Plan (BookBaby)
- Three-Step Formula for Better Book Blurbs (Kill Zone)
- Revision, Redraft, Rewrite (Fiction University)
- Building Your Author Brand (AutoCrit)
- Literary Device: Repetition (Connie J. Jasperson)
- Advancing the Plot (Live, Write, Thrive)
- Five Reasons to Use Google Plus (Buffer App)
- Sense of Smell/Fiction Descriptions (Nicholas C. Rossis)
- Make Your Blog Posts as Good as Your Books (The Write Conversation)
- Cohesion and Resonance (Helping Writers Become Authors)
- Maps and Settings (Writers Helping Writers)
- Developing Character Voice (Well-Storied)
- An Authorβs Promise to Readers (The Write Conversation)
- Blog Topics for Authors (Fiction Writer By Choice)
- Write Memorable Characters by Focusing on the Little Things (Writers Helping Writers)
- Author Visits (Fiction University)
Thank you for including my post, Staci. Sorry for my late reply.
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You’re welcome, Sue. And no worries. You’ve been technically-challenged, and this post isn’t going anywhere.
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Congrats all around! π
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Thank you, Bette!
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Congratulations on all the great things you’re working on and accomplishing! Yay, you! This is my first week back to writing on a semi-normal schedule, since we finally wrapped up hurricane rebuilding a week ago. It feels GOOD to be productive, so I know how excited you must be to have all of these things coming together. And a special congrats on Story Empire’s success. When I am able to blog the way I most enjoy (which has also been on hold recently), that’s one I always look forward to checking, as well as your personal one. Keep on keepin’ on! You’re on a roll!! π β€
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I was just thinking I hadn’t seen much of you online lately. Glad to hear hurricane recovery is in your rearview mirror.
Thanks for the kind words, Marcia. {hugs}
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Congrats to Story Empire, you all deserve the recognition!
As Mae said, you’re on fire. Keep up the good work, but don’t forget to take some much-needed you time!
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Many thanks, Jacquie.
You’re right about the “me” time. It’s a balance I haven’t mastered yet. But I’m working on it!
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I’m beyond thrilled about Story Empire and the top writing blogs lists. What an honor to know our readers value the content we provide.
You’re doing amazing things with your writing. And at 5K a day (plus more) you’re on fire! π
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Thanks, Mae. π
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Congrats on making the list – well-deserved! You’re an inspiration with 5K words per day.
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Thanks, Teri. On all counts. π
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A lovely achievement by Story Empire, Staci. You have every right to be proud. What is ghost writing? Is it writing for a series that is published under a brand like Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew?
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Thank you. All of us at Story Empire are really excited. It’s a great team, and we all worked hard, but we couldn’t have done it without our readers. We’ve been truly blessed with a great following.
I have to be careful about how much I say regarding the ghostwriting position. Contractually, I don’t own the rights to the pen name or the titles. I’m writing with a different identity for a publishing company who has several imprints. I started in the romance line (which would be the logical fit, given my current body of published work). I wrote an 80,000-word draft in 16 days, which they loved. But the story is a cross-genre piece that’s hard to pigeon-hole, and therefore, hard to market. And my latest interests are leaning away from romance and into darker genres, so they moved me to a different line. It’s day five for me, and I’m almost at 25,000 words. (I’ll be there before the day ends.) I think the new position is a better fit. Sorry to speak in generalities, but I don’t want to violate the terms of the agreement. But I’ll have further updates as release dates approach.
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Thank you for sharing, and good luck with you amazing news. May you continue to be blessed!
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Glad to share, Connie. Great content should be spread far and wide.
Thanks for the kind wishes. Back at ‘cha!
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out these great writing links from Staci Troilo’s blog.
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Thanks for sharing, Don.
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You’re welcome.
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You have come a long way! Excited about the award. I love helping other writers and therefore am excited to be a part of Story Empire.
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I’ve come a long way since I started, but it’s barely a step considering how far I want to go. I’ve decided to (try to) stop worrying so much and try to just enjoy the process. Writing should be a fun adventure, or it’s not worth doing. I forgot that for a while. Trying to keep it front and center now.
I’m thrilled about the award. We all worked hard for that, and we owe so much to our readers.
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Wow, quite the week indeed! Congrats on the well-deserved successes–and many thanks for both the great links and for including my posts here π
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Thanks, Nicholas. You always have such great content; I’m glad to share it. π
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Congrats on making the top 50 list:) Sounds like a fun project you are doing on the side! Glad you are having a good week!
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Thank you, Denise! Professionally-speaking, it was a good week. Hoping to finish strong today and maybe actually enjoy some downtime Saturday and Sunday. Wishing you a great weekend!
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