Who needs a calendar? As the economy flounders deeper into the toilet, everybody and his dog (or accountant) is sending out their monthy bills earlier and earlier. Do they they think you'll make a mistake and send them two payments? Not until I and the rest of the people pinching pennies and clipping grocery coupons start getting those checks of ours twice a month. It's just not going to happen.
Wouldn't it be nice, fellow writers, if the accountants who get out advance and royalty checks did that too? Oh, well, I know that's just not going to happen either.
On a brighter note, the book I talked about in my last blog is out now. STRANGER IN PARADISE came out in hard cover from Five Star. And I actually got a royalty check for the large print of SPANISH EYES that came out in Nov. of 2008.
Last month I was asked to speak at the opening of a beautiful new library in Jacksnville, Arkansas (eleven miles away from Cabot where I live.) I have always had a soft spot in my heart for librarys and said fine - I'll be there. Then I found out they wanted me to speak on "How to Write a Novel." That was a challenge, since there are as many ways to write a novel as there are recipes to fix spaghetti or homemade chili.
I approached the problem like I write (I hear those who know me chucking already). I just wrote down all my thoughts, problems, hopes, wishes, everything except profanity (and I don't write erotica either) then eliminated about 90% of it and voila!
This brought me up to questions from the floor which is always fun. The best thing about writing is the people you meet. Writers, other readers. And the friends you make along the way. Not to mention the fun it is to read all the good novels you hear about.
The main things I stressed was if money is your main ambition, you should find another line of work. If you love to write, write. And never ever get discouraged. One of the best quotes I've heard from another writer I've got typed out and taped beneath my monitor. "Nobody can call you a failure until you quit!"
Break's over!
Jackie