Ciao, amici! What a week! My release date was moved up… by five months! And I’ve been scrambling. I just revealed my new pen name and the first cover in my new series. Now I’m trying to get some marketing pieces done and guest spots lined up.
I never do NaNoWriMo because it happens in the same month as Thanksgiving. I need significant prep-time for holidays. Now I find myself trying to promote a book in the same week as Easter! (After I write this, I have to go to the store, then bake my ham and make three kinds of potato salad. Tomorrow is cheesecake and homemade sauce. Saturday we have our meal, as we have travel issues to work around. And of course there’s cleaning and laundry, and Mass on Sunday…)
I remember when I used to be over-prepared for everything. Lately, I’ve become the Queen of Catch-Up. I don’t like it. I’m the kind of person who gets ready for everything well in advance, plans for every possible contingency, has backups for my backups. Not so, this time. I’m on cruise control, panicking over getting where I need to be but unable to steer the course. The wheels are in motion. I’m along for the ride.
But none of that matters. I’ll get done what I get done. The book’s coming out, regardless. And that’s the really exciting part. I have a book coming out! That’s why I thought this quote by Neil Gaiman was so appropriate:
The world always seems brighter
when you’ve just made something
that wasn’t there before.
I did that. I made something new. Something I hope the world finds as interesting as I do. Time will tell; I can fret over that later (and I will). Now is the time to celebrate bringing a new story into the world. And I think we can all celebrate when something positive, something bright, happens.
My week was busy, but it was also bright. And I can’t ask for more than that.
I hope you had a bright week, too. Why don’t you take a few minutes to share a bit of your good news with the rest of us? You know what to do…
And now, this weekβs writing links:
Posts by me, about my work, or at sites I contribute to:
Me
Story Empire
- Is Cursive Dead? | Mae Clair
- Using IFTTT with Twitter | Harmony Kent
- Friday Writing Question: Draft or Edit? | Mae Clair
Posts by others in the industry:
- User-Friendly Blogs | Myths of the Mirror
- Smell Your Story | The Kill Zone
- Four Classic Conflict Types | Fiction University
- How to Hook Your Readers | The Creative Penn
- Occupational Thesaurus: Coroner | Writers Helping Writers
- 20-Step Guide to Writing a Novel (plus giveaway) | The Write Practice
- Anymore or Any More | Nicholas C. Rossis
- 21 Questions to Help Sell Books | Just Publishing Advice
- Why Conflict is Hard in Romance | Fiction University
- Researching Settings | Re:Fiction
- Amazon Book Category Changes | K-Lytics
- Writing Realistic Teenagers in YA | Fiction University
- What Rivets Readers | Writers Helping Writers
- Read Like a Writer to Boost Your Writing Skills | The Write Practice
- Character Arc in Six Stages | Live Write Thrive
- Narrow Your Focus/Raise the Stakes | Fiction University
- 5 Ways to Market Audiobooks | Jane Friedman
- Iconic Characters | Writing Forward
- How to Build an Author Platform | David Gaughran
- Writing Believable Conspiracies for Thrillers | The Kill Zone
- Consulting Experts for Novel Research | Standout Books
- Amazon Ads Case Study | Kindlepreneur
- Itβs Okay to Hate Your Work | The Write Practice
- Motifs | Well-Storied
To make you smile:
- Bibliophile Humor | Bluebird of Bitterness
- Sunday Funnies | Bluebird of Bitterness
- Monday Funnies | The Storyreading Ape
- Dear IRS | Bluebird of Bitterness
- Lucy and Twiggy See Changes | John W. Howell
And when you’re done with these links, don’t forget to check out the sidebar, where you’ll find more links to some of my favorite sites.
Have a great week! Arrivederci!
Huge congratulations on The Gate, Staci! I love the quote. Have a terrific Tuesday!
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Thanks, Teagan! Happy Tuesday to you, too.
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I’m late! Travel and moving my son last Friday. You’ve got a lot on your plate right now, Staci – but it’s filled with good things. Congrats again!
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It’s never too late for a visit. Sounds like you had a busy weekend. I hope your son got settled in.
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Congratulations on the upcoming new release!
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Thanks so much, Mark!
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Happy Easter, Staci! I also used to be on top of every tiny detail and preparations made well ahead of time. But, I have come to live in a constant state of being behind on everything. Sigh!!! Oh well. The world hasn’t stopped turning yet because of it. π I LOVE the Neil Gaiman quote!
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It’s nice to know I’m not the only one running behind. Nice to know the world keeps turning, too. Thanks, Jan.
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Reblogged this on Nicholas C. Rossis and commented:
Staci’s writing links of the week.
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Many thanks, Nicholas.
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Excited about your new release. Wishing you a Happy Easter.
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Thanks, Joan. Wishing the same to you and yours.
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My good news is, after submitting my new Grafton County book to my publisher, I’m flying through the next Mayhem book. Don’t you just love it when a story flows faster than you can type? If this continues, I may even finish it before my deadline. That’d be a first. π Wishing you and yours a blessed Easter! β€
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A submission and a well-in-hand WIP? That’s two bits of good news. You deserve double cheers! π»π₯ That’s awesome, Sue.
Sending the same wishes for you and yours. π
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All good news, Staci! THREE kinds of potato salad? You’re a trooper. Congrats on your book and have a great Easter. I’m still up for hosting you.
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Everyone likes something different, and I want to make everyone happy. Besides, if you’re boiling a few potatoes, what’s it hurt to boil a few more? (Or pounds. The action scales up pretty easily.)
Thanks for the hosting offer. I’ll happy accept. I’ll be in touch soon.
Have a happy Easter!
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Okay, I’m embarrassed after reading this- we’re having… Pizza, lol. With the kids on the east coast and the rest of the family a province away, there’s only DH and Mom here, so pizza it is π
Even though your weekend will be hectic, I can feel the love and excitement in your words- enjoy your familytime!
By the way, my blog is open for promoting the Big Release!!
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I bake Easter pizzas every year, and I’m ashamed to have let it go this year. It’s a family tradition, but this Easter is so low key (in comparison to how we usually do things) and I’ve been so busy, I had to let something slide. And while you might not be having a huge family blow out, you’re with your DH. That’s important. Enjoy the easy holiday.
And thanks for the blog offer. I will definitely take you up on that.
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Without my kids here, my Easter celebration will be muted but fun. Husby and I will have a good time without stress, deadlines, or dessert. I love that you changed it to Saturday. We regularly do that with holidays to accommodate arrival times of our kids.
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A good, stress-free day with your husband sounds wonderful. I hope it’s everything you are looking forward to and more.
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Have a lovely holiday and avoid the stress. Slow week for me the way my flex days lined up, and with company coming in. Not a lot of good news to share either. The family visit will be fun though.
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Focus on the fun family visit. The other stuff can wait.
Wishing you and yours a lovely holiday.
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Wow, I’m exhausted just reading what you have to accomplish this weekend! I’m a planner too, but I’m often able to adapt and just wing it (although there is usually plenty of terror along the way, LOL). My good news is that I almost–almost–have a first draft of a synopsis for my WIP. I hope I can finish it today to tomorrow and then spend next weekend tweaking it.
I can’t imagine having a book moved up a whole five months, but it’s wonderful news for readers like me who can’t wait to see the new worlds and characters you’ve created.
Wishing you and yours a happy Easter. My family is celebrating on Sunday with a gathering at my sister’s home. I’m so looking forward to it!
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For someone who often has to wing it, you do a phenomenal job. I’m thrilled with your good news and can’t wait to hear what your publisher says.
Sunday at your sister’s sounds lovely. Wishing all of you a joyous Easter.
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Oh, what a great recap post this week, Staci! Still congratulating you on the new book/series. Am pre-ordered and waiting on mine. And the quote is lovely, but then again, I expect wonderful, witty, and often very funny quotes from Neil Gaiman. (A favorite of mine.) You found a perfect one. And I want to come to YOUR house for Easter dinner!!! OMG. If you even get half of your normal stuff done, it will be a veritable feast!
I am a lot like you in that I set impossible tasks for myself when I’m expecting company. Not as much on the cooking part (I really do NOT like to cook), as the cleaning, the planning of what we’ll do, the racing around wanting the garden perfect, and the floors shined, etc. But what I am slowly, slowly learning is to accept that you can only do so much, and after that, let it go and enjoy your friends and family. They mostly don’t care about any of it, anyway.
So, I hope you can get things done, but can also let some things go without fretting. The important thing is being with those you love. Happy, happy Easter to you and your family! Blessing on your day together! π β€
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I love to cook, and you’re welcome anytime. If you don’t mind the mess I don’t quite get around to dealing with. π
Thanks again for your support. I do appreciate it. Have a fabulous Easter!
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Again best wishes on the book, Staci. Also, Happy Easter, and finally, thank you for the lovely link.
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Thank you, John. And you’re welcome. (It always seems weird saying both on the same line.)
Happy Easter to you and yours.
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Yes it is. π
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Happy Easter!
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Thank you, Priscilla. The same to you and your family.
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Eek! So much to do, so little time. Like you, I try to be prepared, but lately it seems all that prep work has gone missing. You’ll get through it! Heck, I’m still trying to figure out how to use Instagram …. π Happy Easter!
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Instagram. Another thing I’ve let fall through the cracks. Sigh. I keep forgetting to post there frequently. Much to my daughter’s chagrin.
Happy Easter, Julie!
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You sound SO busy, Staci. But your accepting attitude about what does and doesn’t get accomplished is a healthy one since the alternative is just a helping of stress. Wishing you a wonderful Easter. And thanks again for sharing my post. π
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I won’t lie, Diana. Sometimes I do get stressed over it. But I’ve gotten a lot better over the years. Must be the wisdom that comes from old age. π There really is nothing I can do about the passage of time. What I manage to complete gets checked off the list. The rest doesn’t get done. Fretting won’t change that. Actually, I think it slows me down.
Glad to have shared your post. Wishing you and yours a lovely Easter.
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New pen name, new cover, new series! What a great Easter π
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I can’t complain. Thanks, Nicholas.
I know yours is a week later, but wishing Easter blessings (this Sunday and next) for your and yours.
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Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere.
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Thank you, Charles.
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I love that quote, Staci. Congratulations on the new book. I’ve pre-ordered mine, and it’s something to look forward to when I return from honeymoon! π Like you, I need to line up all my ducks well in advance. The wedding is all sorted for 12 sleeps hence, except the wedding cake, and it’s driving me nuts not even seeing it until the day before, when we collect it and take it to the hotel. I so get where you’re coming from. Also, I’m always nervous at every book release. That shows we care. Very best of luck, and have a lovely Easter weekend. π
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Thanks for all the support, Harmony. I really appreciate it.
So excited for you! Twelve sleeps are going to go by so fast! I can’t wait to see pictures. What flavor cake did you get? What shape? What decorations? I can’t believe you have to pick it up. Here the bakery delivers it. Just think, once you check that off the list, all that’s left is to get married!
Wishing you and yours a happy Easter.
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The base is fruit cake and the top layer is sponge. Iced with icing pearls around bottom of each layer and cascade of icing flowers to match colour scheme π. We went for a square cake π°. Thanks, hun x
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That sounds delicious. And lovely! I can’t wait to see pics!
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I’m so excited for your upcoming release!
I used to always be prepared for holidays too…now not so much. We are doing the meal on Saturday as well. Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend.
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Thanks, Denise. I appreciate it.
As soon as I’m done with email, I’m baking my cheesecake. It’s going to be hard not to taste the batter, but we have strict (fasting and abstinence) rules on Good Friday.
Enjoy your meal tomorrow. Happy Easter weekend to you and yours!
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