“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something—anything—down on paper. What I’ve learned to do when I sit down to work on a shitty first draft is to quiet the voices in my head.” - Anne Lamott
This morning, at around 3 AM, I awoke with a headache. This happens to me when I’m relieved about something - like something being over. Which seems counterintuitive. But this week, I was preparing for vacation!!!
I was also working on my book. My developmental editor gently pointed out that we had only 7 more weeks to work together and my chapter outline was VERY ambitious. I’ve been re-working things to consolidate chapters but I still realize that I have a very hardcore 7-weeks ahead of me. Oh Fuuuuddgggeee…
I am in a program that partners with a specific, hybrid publisher (who shall remain unnamed at this time). Hybrid publishing basically means that the author is the one to assume the financial risk for their book. Rather than paying an author an advance, the hybrid publisher charges the author a fee for their publishing services. Other publishing options include self-publishing and traditional publishing. The “Big Five” are what’s most often thought of when people discuss traditional publishing. Recently, author Stephen King, testified in a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department to block Penguin Random House from buying Simon & Schuster. King testified that the merger of two of the country’s largest publishers would make it harder for writers to earn a living. Well, I’m here to tell you it’s fucking amazing to realize any authors make a living writing. Because the traditional model pays the author even less than they could make with a traditional publisher. Also - self publishing and hybrid allow the author to retain all rights to their own work. There’s an interesting Taylor Swift story here but I’m likely losing you already. Here’s the thing - I don’t know that I want to hybrid publish with the publisher that is paired with my program. So I’m keeping my options open. Sure - there’s the big five but there are also smaller, traditional publishing houses too. This past week alone, I learned of an author, whom I admire, is hosting a webinar in September on writing a pitch letter. I’m also attending an info session in September presented by a hybrid publisher who publishes women authors. Hybrid can be expensive - so some authors crowdfund on sites like Indiegogo. This makes me cringe a bit - I’ve saved a lot of the money I made through coaching and consulting to invest in my own publishing if I go the hybrid route. But I do want a mini book launch tour to Massachusetts and Illinois so I am considering this approach. Right now though, I have a shitty first draft and will be writing my ass off for the next 7-weeks. So now you understand why I awoke with a headache.
Plus, last night, Andrea entertained us with dramatic readings of the bad google reviews of the “resort” where we are staying. I laughed so hard, I cried and almost peed. There were plenty of good reviews and the average reviews shake out to 4.6 stars on Google. But good reviews are not fun to read. Our favorite review was by “Amy”. Amy had harsh words for the resort as well as many other establishments. We read them all. So good, Amy!
Water smelled of rotten eggs (farts). Stunk the whole cabin up. Couldn't shower, brush teeth, cook, coffee, Jacuzzi, hot tub or pool because Couldn't shower afterwards. Just washing hands you could smell on your skin.
….and the one restroom only had like 6 squares of toilet paper in it that was supposed to last 4 days!
And Amy, god love her, was really pissed off that the grass was not mowed while she was there: Some of the areas of grass are taller than our Yorkie breed dog.
Other people were kind of alarmed that there was wildlife? Uh. You’re staying in a cabin in the woods. That’s where the wildlife lives. You’re basically a guest in their home. I’m personally excited about this. A lot of reviews had pictures of bears & racoons. Andrea is less excited. We are bringing our dogs so caution will need to be exercised when taking them out. The resort has hiking trails that I had imagined walking Wrigley on (Georgie, God love him too but he’s honestly as bad as Amy). Now I think I’ll explore on my own. Should have brought the bear alarm maybe.
We are definitely not running around like crazies on this trip but we are planning a trip to Dollywood (Dolly is an American treasure) and to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Today is our 11th wedding anniversary. I asked Andrea, “If you were going to give our relationship a Google review, how many stars would you give it?“. I think we landed on 4 - there’s always room for improvement and, after all, I potentially booked us into a cabin with fart smelling water. I mean - imagine us, reeking of sulfer after bathing? Happy anniversary!
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