“Would You Be Willing To….” #MFRWAuthors #26

Before 2009:

“You’re doing WHAT?  Oh, that’s cool.”

“How’s the writing going?  Oh, wow….you’ve got THREE finished?  When will you get your advance?”

“Molly, we love the excerpts you’re posting….have you thought of submitting to the smaller presses, and trying to get into e-books?

“You’ve submitted?  AWESOME!  Keep us posted!”

After 2009:

“Hey, your 1st book is LIVE on Amazon!  That’s amazing!  Whoo hoo!”

“Mol, did you know All She Ever Wanted is currently sitting at #3 on the Best Seller List over at ARE?”

“You’re published?  Oh that’s so cool….I’ve always wanted to write a book…..how do I get started?

After 2013:

“You’ve got TWELVE books published?  I’m so glad I met you; I wrote my 1st book a few months ago and don’t know what to do with it.  Can you recommend a good editor and publisher?”

“Molly, would you be willing to come to our writer’s group and share your experience with us?  How you got started, any advice you can give to those of us starting out?”

After 2018:

*blinks*  “Did you say 25?  OMG…..and you don’t mind if I EMAIL you, or PM you on FB?  That’s AWESOME!”

“Would you be willing to look at my 1st chapter and let me know what you think?”

“What was the name of your editor and cover artist?  How much do they charge?”

“You mean you’re willing to HELP ME?  So if I tell you I think I’m ready to publish, I can come to your writing group and you’ll help me with formatting, cover art, and editing?  That’s so cool!

“What about marketing?  Oh….you can help me do that too?  Fantastic!”

In other words, becoming published has finally made me credible.  It’s no longer just a ‘cool hobby’ (unless, of course, you’re talking to my immediate family….they still call it a ‘waste of time and money’, but that’s only because I haven’t hit the NYT Best Seller list or getting that $10K advance!), or just something I ‘do’.

When I meet potential writers, I’m peppered with questions about how to find editors, cover artists, publishers, or even how to publish through KDP (create space was sooooo much easier!).

I love it when I meet writers/authors in all stages of their careers.  I pick the brains of successful ones, offer suggestions to new ones with their 1st book, and encourage those who have barely finished Chapter One.

How Has Publishing Changed Your Life?

I’ve got a busy Saturday ahead, meeting my parents at the Beef House in Covington, in order to celebrate 3 birthdays, then off to a class reunion.  Sunday, I can sleep and laze around the house before returning home on Monday.  Have a great weekend and see you back here next week!

How Dreams Change #MFRWAuthors #25

Remember play-acting Wedding Day?  You and your friends would take turns wearing an old lacy bedspread complete with a pillowcase, or even a lacy doily ‘veil’, and walk down the ‘aisle’ to a poster of your pre-teen idol (at first, mine was Leif Garret, then Shaun Cassidy, before I settled on a young Han Solo, Harrison Ford!).  Then after you said ‘I do’ and blow kisses at your new ‘husband’, turned around, whip off the veil and say, ‘Who’s next?’

From the time I got my first boyfriend at the tender age of twelve, I dreamed of my future wedding.  In my church, with a packed audience, wearing THE Dress, ballet slippers, and walking down the aisle on my father’s arm to the man of my dreams (again, this part changed over the years, ha ha!).  We’d smile through our vows, then dance the night away at a reception held at a local hotel, complete with DJ, champagne fountain, good food, and of course, plenty of cake, both white and chocolate.  Thirty-five years ago, NO ONE had a chocolate wedding cake.  I was going to break tradition and have both white and chocolate layers in my dream wedding cake….the one with no less than seven tiers!

Then it was off to my dream honeymoon destination, Disney World!

Needless to say, I didn’t get my dream wedding.  My church, yes, but not a packed house, and our reception was at my parents’ house, with plenty of good food, and surrounded by friends and family.  I did break tradition with the cake, but we had a modest 5-layer one.  No honeymoon at Disney, but a night in an expensive hotel, courtesy of my parents, since it was May, and my new hubby had to be at work on Monday.  We’d take a nice honeymoon later.

Fast-forward fourteen years:  My parents decided to take the kids and I to Disney, so I went on my delayed honeymoon without him, ha ha!

My oldest son is getting married next year, and it’s going to be Harry Potter-themed.  I’m looking forward to dancing the night away with my BFF (provided this damn heel spur can be removed next winter, and I’m pain-free!), so I can live vicariously through their celebration.  No word on what they plan for the honeymoon, since he will have just graduated college and will be looking for a job in his field, while continuing his education.

Daughter has stated she’s probably never going to get married, and if she does, it would probably just be a trip to the courthouse.  She’s not girly, but my granddaughter is, so maybe in twenty years we’ll be planning HERS?

Would I get married again if something were to happen to my spouse?  I’ve thought of it over the years, and would like a trip to Vegas.  Wouldn’t it be fun to be married by an Elvis Impersonator?  If that’s really a thing….

What About You?

Saturday, I’ll be at our local PrideFest….I had reservations about being a vendor last year, but several of my karaoke buddies who are members of the LGBTQ community thanked me supporting them, and I sold four books, plus generated interest:)  On Sunday, I’ll be at the Corning Irish Festival, where my sales have increased every year I’ve been back.  Looking forward to seeing the Celtica Fae musical group again!

Update On The Daughter:

Living arrangements didn’t work out; my stepdaughter knew my daughter had orientation at noon, but had an appointment which took longer than expected, so wasn’t home to watch my granddaughter for her.  Daughter had to call to explain child care had fallen through, so she was sorry; thanked the supervisor for the interest in her, but would have to turn down the opportunity.  She and the granddaughter moved back home yesterday.  Long story short, my daughter was sold a pipe dream, living arrangements-wise, so it’s not her fault.  Kudos to her for not being dragged into the drama!

 

Plant Hospice Worker #MFRWAuthors #24

A few weeks ago, I saw the perfect meme on FB…..it says ‘instead of a green or black thumb, mine’s more of a ‘gray’ one….I help plants go to their final resting place!’

I’ll do you one better…..I’m a Plant Hospice Worker…..I’ll stay with your plant until it dies.

I’m serious; the only thing I’ve successfully kept alive is a cactus, or a philodendron.

Even my Joseph’s Coat (something my grandmother gave me….’fool-proof’, she said….’just keep it in water’)….didn’t survive curious kittens.

Okay, so that last one wasn’t my fault.

But yeah, I once killed a thistle by exclaiming, ‘Look at that beautiful purple flower!”  Two weeks later, it was so dry, it crumbled to the touch.

So yeah, if you want healthy plants, don’t ask me to weed or even LOOK at your garden!

I’m surprised the Lawn and Garden area at my store survived me working in that area for two weeks…..though quite a few plants were on the discount rack the second week!

What about you?

The women of Catered Romance have been interviewed!  Want to know more about them?  Come over to Dawn’s Reading Nook!

Family Update:

My 2nd chick is leaving the nest!  Daughter received a job offer in Indianapolis at FedEx, and orientation begins next week.  She and the granddaughter will be packing up and leaving on Sunday, and staying with family until she is able to afford her own place.  Not making any plans to enroll her in school just yet; she wants to assess the situation and see how things go.  A might very well end up living with us again next year, in order to give her the smaller class situation she needs, so pray for us?  Thanks!

In other news, I will be at Celebrate Main in Washington, In on Saturday, and right now, we’re PRAYING the rain holds off until after the event.  Last week, at our local Spring On Main, the rain left right before set up time and we had a lovely evening with lots of people downtown!  N and I sold equal amounts of books, and the temp was fantastic!!

Catching Up #MFRWAuthors #22 and #23

Last week apparently got away from me.  Holidays will do that to you!  I picked a good week to slough off, since both last week’s topic and this week’s were pretty much short answer, ha ha!

22) Gifts I always wanted, but NEVER got:

For years, I always circled ‘Talking Tessie’, the ventriloquist dummy.  Can we just say Thank God for unanswered prayers?  And for wise parents who don’t kowtow to their child’s every whim?

But the main present I wanted at age 12 was to go to the Shaun Cassidy concert…..on Palm Sunday.  Mom said, “No, it was a Family Day.”  BUT…..when we arrived at my grandparents’ house, who was MIA?  My cousin…..SHE was at the concert!!!  I was so mad, I think I fumed for three days.

Now he’s touring again…on the East coast!  I’d dearly love to go see him…..

Gifts I seldom got:

Books, books, records/tapes, more books….or at least MONEY for more books, ha ha….nowadays it’s Amazon gift cards or B&N gift cards.

 

23) True love:  Does it exist? 

One word:  YES!

My ‘benchmark’ was 3 months.  If 6 months, a year, or even twenty, have passed by, and the sight of my favorite man can still turn me to mush, then yes, true love exists.

If only I’d married him…..

To see what others have to say on this subject, go here.

Job Update:

I’ve been offered a M-F position, so I no longer have to worry about asking off for my weekend events through the summer and fall!  I’m guaranteed 30 hours a week, so sweet!  The problem now, is finding time to WRITE.  I may have to cut down on sleeping…..currently, I sleep 8-9 hours a night, and even squeeze in the occasional nap.  Not sure if it’s the bone spur and being in constant pain, but my custom orthotics arrive hopefully this week, and I’m hoping I can cut back on my painkillers.

In other news, Catered Romance released, and I’ve already sold six online and three in person:)  My next event is tomorrow night, so hoping to do well.  See you next week!