Wednesday, February 3, 2016

IWSG - A Full Plate, February 2016

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Ever had one of those weeks when everything happens at once? That's been my week so far. Sunday I was a bleary-eyed mess, having stayed up until 2:30 that morning for my daughter's cast party. She was a villager in her middle school's production of Shrek, The Musical and Saturday night was the final show. Wow, what a performance! What an experience! Here she is with (left to right): Fiona, Donkey, Gingie, Fairy Godmother, Shrek, Lord Farquaad (show stealer), young Fiona, and the Dragon:


As a cast member parent and volunteer, this activity consumed our lives for the past two weeks, but it was worth it.  

Also on Sunday, the authors included in the upcoming IWSG Parallels anthology started an email frenzy over marketing ideas. (Thank you, Hart, for taking the initiative.) This necessary work got me both excited and nervous at the same time. 

And I received several emails from my publisher. Over the past couple of years, Wormhole Electric has published nine of my stories ranging in length from 4K to over 20K. Now they're moving on to other pursuits and sent my books and covers back to me. On Monday, the stories vanished from Amazon, releasing a dreadful feeling of panic in my gut even though I knew it was coming. My first reaction: must repost, STAT!

But hang on. Besides panic, there is also a feeling of power. I can do anything I want with these stories. For the two collections Wormhole published, I could rearrange the order, put in more stories, or take some out. Yes, it's going to take some work, redoing the covers and figuring out how to post, but there are so many options to consider. Can I do it? (I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.)

But that's not all. I did the Lost and Found Valentine's Blog Hop Monday (if you missed the post by Elizabeth Seckman's mom, do yourself a favor and check it out), sent back the first round of edits for the Parallels anthology story Tuesday, and am co-hosting today's IWSG hop (along with are Allison Gammons, Eva E. Solar, Rachel Pattison, and Ann V. Friend). Whew!

Instead of turning into Chicken Little, I gotta embrace the challenge and realize that even though the plate is full, this is the good stuff.

Have you ever posted your writing on Amazon? Any advice? Gone to any plays or watched Shrek, The Musical on Netflix? What's keeping you busy these days?




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63 comments:

  1. I feel your excitement, Tamara. You can do ANYTHING with those stories that you want. How marvellous is that! The play looked like a lot of fun. Thanks for co-hosting after all this!

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  2. Sorry your books vanished. But now you can work on them, make them even better, and publish yourself!
    Cool you guys are working on a campaign for the anthology.
    Thanks again for co-hosting today. You'll be exhausted by the end of the week.

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  3. If I started listing all the plays and musicals I've been to, we'd be here all day :D
    I think you have a great attitude when it comes to your stories! It's great that you can now do whatever you want with them.
    Thanks for co-hosting!

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  4. Having the power to do what you want with your work, and that is a lot, is exhilarating. Good for you! Embrace it. :)

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  5. It sounds like you do have a very full plate, but I love that feeling! It makes me feel like I'm being productive and getting something done.

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  6. Having the power to do what you want with your work, and that is a lot, is exhilarating. Good for you! Embrace it. :)

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  7. Take out the word 'think' Tamara! YOU CAN DO IT!!! I believe in you! It will be a lot of fun and you know that your work is of quality. Congratulations on all your accomplishments so far and let us know when you've tackled the self-publishing bit. Have a great month.

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  8. Sounds like your daughter had a great experience and I did read the post by Elizabeth's mom. And I think you can do it do. Go your own way with the stories you own.

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  9. Oh, congrats on getting your rights back! Definitely do something with those! Elizabeth Spann Craig has written a bit on re-putting out stuff after getting rights back if you want a starting place for how to go about it! Also--maybe seek some of their other authors and think about collaborating--some of those sound like the right length to go into a multi-author collection and you can take advantage of each others readership.

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  10. Great idea/reminder about turning panic into power! And it looks like most of the things on your plate are pretty much delicious. Enjoy! :)

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  11. That's wonderful that you got the rights back. Those story-babies can go on to live new lives, maybe in anthologies! Nice to meet you, and thanks for hosting.

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  12. Sounds like you've got your hands full with lots of exciting things! Enjoy the power!

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  13. You sound like the Little Engine That Could. "I think I can, I think I can..." Good luck to you.

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    1. Forgot to say Thanks for co-hosting this month.

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  14. Getting your rights back is a good thing. Now that the play is behind you, you can focus on those stories.

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  15. Well that's huge--having your publisher disappear. You're right though--it's about opportunity, not a closed door. It sounds like they're handling it professionally, which is a blessing.

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  16. Hi,
    Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG.
    I know you're going to come up with some great ideas for your stories. That is neat. You're already on the right track by thinking that you can do it because you really can.
    Shalom,
    Patricia

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  17. A plate full of good stuff doesn't so terrible. Hopefully there won't be time for the nerves to take hold.

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  18. Owning the rights is a wonderful thing, go for it!
    Amazon has a book that tells you how to do everything, and it's free.

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  19. I'm anxious to read your anthology story!
    And oh my gosh the play looks like it was so much fun!
    Kudos to your daughter.

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  20. Congrats on getting the rights back. You are right you have many options now. Wishing you much success with it too. You definitely sound busy, but that is good thing too. Congrats to daughter too.
    Juneta Writer's Gambit

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  21. Congrats on getting the rights back. You are right you have many options now. Wishing you much success with it too. You definitely sound busy, but that is good thing too. Congrats to daughter too.
    Juneta Writer's Gambit

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  22. It's all good--sounds like you've got the right attitude!

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  23. Thanks for co-hosting today! I think you can do this. It’s my first time posting work on Amazon as well. And one of the things I’ve found a bit helpful was by doing a book description comparison of Amazon’s top 50 in your book’s genre. See how their books description are drawing in readers and purchases. And using that as a guideline on what you can do for your work. And nice thing about is that it shows you the best-selling books in real time. Other than that, I’m still learning. As for what’s on my plate, poetry and short story submissions, a YA urban/portal fantasy novella draft, a contemporary fantasy draft, revise/edit YA supernatural work in progress, drafting my first full length poetry collection, setting up my first blog tour, etc. So yeah, a full plate over here too.

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  24. You're right! full plates are work but also a blessing because it means our lives are full of enrichment. Thank you for the reminder :-)

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  25. My parents are both having health issues, so that's been keeping me busy. Hopefully, my dad will be on the end, but it's my mom's turn for all the craziness.

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  26. Wow! You have been busy, busy, busy. The Shrek musical sounds like it was a wonderful time. Glad you and yours enjoyed the success. It certainly has been a busy week blogging-wise as well. Monday saw a clash of many blog hops happening at the same time. I'm in the Battle of the Bands blog hop and most involved in that were also involved in the question blog hop and the Lost and Found. Needless to say, much to go over. I think for some, readership has gone up, and for others readership has gone down because of how busy everyone is. Then of course today is the IWSG posting. I'm trying to keep on top of everything and keep myself motivated in my writing as well. I hope to be published one day, which is on the top of my goals check-list.
    I suppose I should be asking you, how you manage it all?

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    1. Take several deep breaths when I feel overwhelmed and remind myself this isn't brain surgery. Plus naps. Nothing like sleep to cure what ails ya.

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  27. Hi, Tamara. Thank you for co-hosting this month. It's good and mind boggling to having a full plate. I love musicals, though, have never seen the Shrek musical.

    Sounds like you have a good handle on that full plate. Keep up the good work!!!

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  28. You have lots of exciting things happening. Shriek the musical sounds and looks like it was a lot of fun. I haven't posted anything on Amazon myself, but I'm sure you'll figure it out, and it might be nice to have control over your stories. Thanks for co-hosting this month.

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  29. HI Tamara. Yes, many days I've wondered why a collision of events all happened at once, but somehow I think the universe gets a good laugh by adding more and more just because it can. LOL. I made valentine's boxes with my two kids and that always takes up a good deal of time and planning. A musical? Shrek of all productions? I Bet that was amazing! I haven't seen it, but Im sure it will be a must down the road. I love musicals. My two kids are pretty involved and have high imaginations. Dance for the girl, karate and piano for the boy, but I love every minute of busyness. Many good wishes and thoughts for you and your family. Erika

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  30. Wow, this is an exciting time for you. There are so many options before you and I wish you the best. I think its a good thing to have the power you now posess. Thanks for sharing with us today and thanks for co-hosting. Oh, and the musical looks like a lot of fun.

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  31. What a memorable time for you and your daughter with all the activity and fun involved in such a production. My daughter was very active in theater in high school and I lved every mnute of it, but I was as nervous as she was on performance nights!! Enjoy this full plate!

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  32. What a memorable time for you and your daughter with all the activity and fun involved in such a production. My daughter was very active in theater in high school and I lved every mnute of it, but I was as nervous as she was on performance nights!! Enjoy this full plate!

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  33. Sorry about your publisher, but so glad you have all your work back! Best of luck deciding what's best for you!
    Thank you for co-hosting!
    Heather

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  34. Sounds like you're doing a lot! You must've learned a lot about stage productions as a volunteer.

    Sorry to hear about your stories disappearing. Good luck with your next steps.

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  35. Seems lately I'm either too busy, or dead stop wondering what happened. Republishing sounds like an intriguing hiccup, good luck with the adventure.

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  36. The world is your oyster! Post those books! Took my grandson to see Shrek the Musical (7 at the time) and he was enthralled! What a great production. Made me feel like a kid again.

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  37. The world is your oyster! Post those books! Took my grandson to see Shrek the Musical (7 at the time) and he was enthralled! What a great production. Made me feel like a kid again.

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  38. {{{hugs}}}} are all I can give you, Tamara. I'm nowhere near such a decision. Good luck!

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  39. My son is going to be in an 8th grade play this year, playing Simba (or whatever the bad guy's name is) in the Lion King. A couple of years ago, he didn't even want to speak up in class. What a turn around. I'm sure both my wife and I will be sweating bullets during the actual play.

    Thanks for co-hosting this month's IWSG bloghop.

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  40. Thanks for co-hosting Tamara! Wow, great photos and what a fun post to read. I'm happy for you and your upcoming "new" releases! I'm glad you see it for the opportunity it is. Both of my novels are on Amazon...

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  41. You are busy, for sure, and that's good. The program sounds like such fun. Great pictures. One of my granddaughters has been in several plays, mostly musicals, with a local group (forget what they're called). They do programs that are family friendly, like Into the Forest. Fun to watch. Thank for co-hosting.

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  42. Busy busy! I hope you enjoyed the journey. Sometimes we have to learn to say no. I'm still working on that part. :D

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  43. It's wonderful that you keep writing despite all the other things that keep you busy. Sounds wonderful though :)

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  44. Sometimes writing is what keeps us sane, and it always keeps us honest. LOL Good job!

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  45. Best of luck with your Amazoning adventures. It might seem a bit scary, but isn't it nice having the power in your hands to decide?

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  46. I can understand you being in a spin, but as others have said, it puts the power in your hands. Sounds like ideas are whirling around in your head.
    Lovely pics of your daughter.
    All the best!! And thanks for co-hosting.

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  47. Wow, you are busy! But at least you are getting some good things done :) Shrek, the Musical sounds like it was fun, I hope your daughter enjoyed participating. Thanks for co-hosting this month!

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  48. What a crazy week for you! I'll bet the Shrek Musical was fun and a great experience for your daughter. Getting your stories back sounds like it will be a wonderful opportunity for you to take things in a new direction. Go ahead and fly with it. Good luck! Thanks for co-hosting!

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  49. It's great that you're keeping a positive attitude. Whatever you decide to do with the stories, have fun with it.

    The only play/musical I remember seeing was a production of Cinderella when I was a kid.

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  50. Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG this month.
    With a full plate, at least you won't have time to be bored.
    It's great that the authors of the Parallels anthology are collaborating with regards to marketing ideas. Now that's initiative.

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  51. I have tried to figure out this Amazon thing. It seem like it's difficult for me to publish anything on Amazon, since I live in a small country where Amazon has no servers, unfortunately

    Cold As Heaven

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  52. Now that was a week. So glad you survived! Some days I look back and wonder, "How am I still breathing after all that?" Such is the joy of parenthood/early-middle career, eh?

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  53. What a week! Sounds like you have been busy- but also having fun! The show sounds like a blast. :)
    ~Jess

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