Beautiful Blogger

 Siggy Buckley gave me this award a couple days ago, saying: "She is also a reliable follower, passionate tweeter and FB friend to many other writers- but the only one I know in Alaska."

I'm so flattered. Siggy is one of the busiest people I know. I'm flattered to think she has the time to notice little old me. haha

Here's what I have to do since I was awarded this:
• I must write seven facts about myself (see below)
• Link to the blog of the person who nominated you (see above)
• Link to seven bloggers who you think deserves the award (see below)
• Let those bloggers know they have been nominated! (that'll take some time)

Seven facts about me:
1. I'm a much better shot with a rifle than I am with a pistol
2. I have a small collection of rock found along the river
3. I am a serious creature of habit - I hate change
4. I drive a boat to work every day.
5. I'm pretty good at skinning critters large and small
6. I don't hunt for my meat (anymore)
7. I love roses
how's that for random hahaha

Seven bloggers who deserve this award.
1. Healing Morning
2. John Mountain
3. Derek's Home and Business Blog
4. Thoughts on Writing Blog
5. Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent
6. Alisha Paige
7. S.M. Carrriere

The Thrill of a Sale

Not really so long ago me becoming a published author wasn't even a tickle in my imagination. Even after I started writing, the thought of publishing, though a thought, was nothing more. I had no idea how, and no clue how to find such a thing out. Google, you say, but Google requires an internet connection and I had none at the time.

Today I took some books to work - what was there had been sold. The other day a guest met me and told me his wife bought my book - I was more than thrilled to sign it for her. This morning, another guest told me he had bought my book too, though I don't think he bought one through the lodge (not sure though). Each sale is such a rush, such a thrill. That book was published in '08, but still, each sale I hear about is exciting. I mean really, someone I don't really know is reading something I wrote, and they're reading it because they want to, not because they met me first or because they are a member of my family or a high school friend.

Something I wrote is a real book. It is still a concept that is alien to me, and look at me, I have a second book out there now; and even more astonishing, it's a trilogy, which means two more are sure to come out in due time. Every once in a while someone on Facebook will tell me they have, will, or want to buy my book. I mean, yeah, I keep links to buying my books active every day, but I have never asked anyone to buy one.

When I was a kid, you never heard about authors. Someone who paid attention to names much better than I ever did might buy further books by certain authors, but authors were never on TV or in the paper, not that I ever heard of anyway. Blame it on the lack of internet at the time, I suppose, but even so it seems that the big authors are still untouchable. I've tried, though I confess I didn't try very hard really, but still I've looked up one or two authors of books I like. Never once did I get any kind of a reply. I certainly don't intend to follow suit. There's room for comments nearly everywhere on my website, though most comments are spam of a sorts - not blatantly, but still I suspect. And then there's my blog(s). I've read blogs who get upwards of a hundred comments on every post. Will I ever get that kind of a following? Only time will tell. In the mean time, I'm just happy someone is buying and liking my book(s).

Life gets in the way - sometimes

It does. I've been working at my summer job for roughly three and a half weeks now and I'm tired. Start-up work is always the hardest part. Cabin walls get washed, all the beds get made up. And then there's lots of other things around the yard to clean up, and flats of flowers and herbs to plant. That's not so bad really. I had plenty of time. All I needed to do is tick off the chores, one cabin at a time and keep the flowers watered. But what made it so tiring is the fact that I get up at four in the morning to check emails and do my advertising.

Last year I got up at five to do all that. What's changed? I get more emails every day. I subscribe to more blogs. My list of things I post has probably doubled. In an effort to compensate I've merely saved most of the emails to read later, and my blog novel is finished now. I've even downgraded how many games I'm actively playing :-( Ah well, summer is short. Sorry I haven't been around much but I'm never very far.

Now at work, all the start-up chores are finally caught up. Tomorrow marks the first full 'normal' day and Sunday will be my second day off; I'm so ready for it.

On my list of things to do this summer (other than work) is to get a cover for my blog novel, meaning I need to send the guy a check since I still don't have any money in my PayPal account. Or maybe I'll put some in there myself; I haven't decided yet.

I also have plans to have The Trials of the Youngest Princess published, but the editor/publisher is currently busy getting her mother moved so that won't start until a little later. That's also another reason to get money in my PayPal account since that's the only way she will take payment.

I got an awesome idea for the cover for book 3 of my Making of a Mage-King series, so I need to see what I can do. I loaded Paint for Mac a couple weeks ago; we'll see. I drew what might be used for the cover for book 2 on Paint.

Starting a little later this summer is, I'll be sending book 2 of my Making of a Mage-King series off to the editor. Crystal was so excited to be doing book 2; she really liked book 1.

And always on my mind, The Speed of Dreams will come back after a visit to the editor and I'll need to work on that. That book isn't due for release until February, and I hear they like to make things happen kinda all at once so I might not get that until sometime this winter.

I'm sure I managed to forget to mention something, but that's the bulk of it. It's still daylight out but it's 9:30 at night. Good night, folks. Bear with me; I will be reading all your blogs eventually. Help me think of things to write each week; come Friday nights I'm usually rather brain-dead. haha