tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post106295640387414888..comments2023-04-06T04:37:39.726-04:00Comments on Wicked Writers: Writing Goals for 2011Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-58957929707488234382011-01-10T22:39:56.393-05:002011-01-10T22:39:56.393-05:00Thank you, David. I appreciate you taking the time...Thank you, David. I appreciate you taking the time. Some of this is the seat of my pants, but it's working so far.<br /><br />-JimmyJames Garcia Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-60966051341552430142011-01-10T19:59:07.459-05:002011-01-10T19:59:07.459-05:00Hi James,
A great set of goals, well achieved. I&...Hi James,<br /><br />A great set of goals, well achieved. I'm begining to feel (ever so slightly... well, perhaps a little) behind the times with my slavish refusal to admit to setting my own! I certainly wish you the very best for this 2011 round! As they say round my parts... "more power to your elbow!" :)David Sartofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02925919930070976747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-51930457192776387252011-01-07T20:02:25.048-05:002011-01-07T20:02:25.048-05:00Greg, we should hold a Wicked Writers Roast!! To h...Greg, we should hold a Wicked Writers Roast!! To hear you and C.J. go back and forth is priceless! We'd better not put her in the chair first, however. Aren't our evaluations coming up? Lol!<br />Thanks for the words of wisdom. One reality is the fact that were I still real young (newly married w/o kids), I could just quit and focus everything on my writing. Yet, I wasn't really ready to be a writer then, was I? There was a ton of maturity that I needed, too. I know this.<br />Have a great weekend.<br />-JimmyJames Garcia Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-51676906737205135802011-01-07T19:51:35.689-05:002011-01-07T19:51:35.689-05:00Thank you, Arletta. That was very sweet of you to ...Thank you, Arletta. That was very sweet of you to say. I sometimes wonder whether people might be tired of hearing about how I am going about all of this, but it's real, isn't it? Thanks for sharing and good luck to you.<br />I will look for you and follow your progress.<br /><br />-JamesJames Garcia Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-74547455214589122242011-01-07T19:47:43.713-05:002011-01-07T19:47:43.713-05:00Sharon, it is great hearing from you. Thank you fo...Sharon, it is great hearing from you. Thank you for the pep-talk. *sigh* Perhaps my concern is a defense-mechanism. I work too many hours, have a family that deserves attention, and then (here's the kicker) am attempting to squeeze every last minute of this writing gig into not enough minutes each day. It's a lot of juggling for someone who can't juggle.<br />This is why we all need one another so much...for the support.<br />Thanks again,<br />-JimmyJames Garcia Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-53077811600301906902011-01-07T19:41:21.025-05:002011-01-07T19:41:21.025-05:00Thanks, C.J. I am half way through "Vampire V...Thanks, C.J. I am half way through "Vampire Vacation". I read a chapter and take a cold shower, read a chapter and take a cold shower, etc. We're on a meter now, so it's getting fairly expensive. :) I'm kidding.<br />I really appreciate your advice. Now that the paperback is available, I have entered into a new phase. Because of this, I will need to really develop a strategy to better focus my efforts with the time I have each day. I'm doing that now.<br />-JimmyJames Garcia Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-11545291305992299772011-01-07T15:01:07.596-05:002011-01-07T15:01:07.596-05:00Really C.J.? A $2 hooker? I have yet to haggle a h...Really C.J.? A $2 hooker? I have yet to haggle a hooker down to even $10.<br /><br />Anyway, James, congrats. As for juggling family and writing, I always take a cue from Stephen King. He once said "I live to write, not write to live." He worked odd jobs to support himself and his family before his writing took off. And then, only when his income from writing was enough to support his family did he quit working.<br /><br />Besides, writing can be therapeutic. Working 11 hours a day and having teenagers might put a lot of people into a mental institution. But, sitting someplace quiet for an hour or two of writing can send that stress away for a little while.<br /><br />My advice would probably be to not let the writing become as much of a job or chore as your regular job (and this goes for my fellow writers as well -- C.J., J.D., Ana, hmm??????)<br /><br />Don't feel forced to start that third novel. You'll know when to begin because you'll have it all fleshed out in your head and will be talking to yourself (and answering). That's normal for writers.<br /><br />Isn't it?<br /><br />Oh, by the way. Don't ever model yourself on Phillip K. Dick and his family. Not unless you like horse meat.Gregory Marshall Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046473659340557062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-26553659309118484222011-01-07T13:17:55.408-05:002011-01-07T13:17:55.408-05:00Thank you for opening up about your process and wh...Thank you for opening up about your process and where it has taken you so far. You have truly come a long way! and should be encouraged by that to keep at it.<br />I also started writing seriously in my early 40's while working full-time at a very stressful job, with two teens, a husband, house, cats, goats, dogs, etc. My efforts were spotty, mostly short stories because I could complete them in a weekend. I set aside a novel and a memoir.<br /><br />It's 30 years later and I am feebly published, ie, just a little. Am working with a great critique group on 1 completed novel and with an editor on the second. I see self-publication in 2011, have set up my blog and facebook accounts. The question comes down to how to make the most of the last two and I know you have the expertise in that. <br /><br />You are showing us that publishing can happen with a sense/plan of direction and diligent effort. Don't give up your day job, or your second career for it is really your first but it may well take longer than you'd like before you can devote yourself full time. Hopefully, you won't have to wait until retirement like so many of us.<br />Arletta<br />www.arlettawrites.wordpress.comArletta Dawdyhttp://ww.arlettawrites.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-41840033474532672182011-01-07T11:19:04.181-05:002011-01-07T11:19:04.181-05:00My apologies for the typos. I do know better. Argh...My apologies for the typos. I do know better. Arghghgh!Sharon Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09733653906932403080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-68794268958335274542011-01-07T11:10:07.669-05:002011-01-07T11:10:07.669-05:00I think having two books out in less than 2 years ...I think having two books out in less than 2 years rocks! And I'd be willing to bet that over 70-80% of the writers out there have a day job and family too. You have accomplished a lot, and I think your efforts to get reviewers and "spread the net" is going to pay off big time. It goes somewhat viral, at some point. And I'm not meaning something you have to take Penicillin for...<br /><br />Allison Brennan wrote a post some time in 2009 about breaking all the rules, and she is a chapter mate of mine in SF. With 4 kids and a pretty responsible job working for the Calif. legislature, she pulled off two best sellers in a row, because she was so prolific, which I see as the best path to success as a writer. In fact, all new authors who really crash onto the scene are very prolific. So, focusing on the writing part, I think is smart. <br /><br />Blogging is also writing, and you meet great people who will help you out, make suggestions and be a champion of your books. That's how I found you and the other wonderful writers here.<br /><br />You're on the right path, my friend. And you have 2 books to proove it! Thanks for the thoughtful post.Sharon Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09733653906932403080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-2272647913939979842011-01-07T10:55:05.093-05:002011-01-07T10:55:05.093-05:00Hey! My ears are burning! ;-) I don't think J....Hey! My ears are burning! ;-) I don't think J.D. meant my book, but Jimmy, did you read it? It's not heart attack inducing behavior for a married man. It's called being happily married! I bet a little V V behavior would set you right as rain in no time... leaving you refreshed and ready to tackle ANYTHING life hands your way.<br /><br />Or maybe that's just me ;-)<br /><br />You've done an amazing amount in the time you've been doing PR and getting yourself out there. Perhaps what would work best is to examine where you reach the most readers and focus your efforts there.<br /><br />It's incredibly hard to blog all over the place and sell your self like a $2 hooker. Ask yourself this - you've been an avid reader your whole life, but did you ever read a blog before you became a blogger?<br /><br />The answer for me was a resounding NO. So I try to focus my energies in two directions - one is to reach readers, the primary goal. The second is to reach out to my peers and learn as much as I can while continuing my career in this industry.<br /><br />But if I had to choose - I'd dump everything not directly involved with readers. My peers are great and they give me support. But it is the readers I need to reach in order to get ahead.<br /><br />Try re-focusing your efforts and energy for a bit. Experiment to see what works.<br /><br />Wishing you the best this year!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01534284446634705363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-64361515887102645102011-01-07T08:23:16.659-05:002011-01-07T08:23:16.659-05:00That's great news, J.D. I'm very happy for...That's great news, J.D. I'm very happy for you.<br />You cracked me up with that Vampire Vacation line! However, at nearly 42 years old, I think that might be heart attack-inducing behavior, so I'd better stay home. ;)<br />It's always great to hear that there are others going through much the same things for the support factor.<br />Thanks for the note and much success to you.<br />-JimmyJames Garcia Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-29938048406526833872011-01-07T02:20:56.121-05:002011-01-07T02:20:56.121-05:00*Hugs* Wishing you the best of luck, James! It'...*Hugs* Wishing you the best of luck, James! It's good to know you wouldn't have any regrets if you had to leave, after all, with 2 books published, you can proudly say you did it! But we would all miss you if you did. :) Go forth into 2011 with optimism! Positive thinking and good vibes works, I swear. And hey, maybe it's time for a vampire vacation?<br /><br />Just know that you are not alone. Most writers have a day job and a family. We don't become writers to get rich. We do it because we have an excess of passion and because we're crazy.<br /><br />Also ... I have good news to share. A short story I wrote is being published by MuseItHOT. I sent the contract in this morning. Yes, I DID IT! I'm a published author too! :DJ.D. Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01848555338136682070noreply@blogger.com