Not sure if I’ve ever used the above video before, but I like the song. Also I’m exhausted and blah. Last week was the first full week of the wife having the full-time job and the toddler (now to be called the son due to 5 no longer being a toddler) not having school. It started out well and then degraded. There were several tantrums and I had no patience by the end of the week. This week might be the same, but I’m hoping a day trip on Tuesday and another on Friday can make it easier. Monday and Thursday might be the bigger challenges since I’ve already done the playground and library. Places that charge are an issue due to money. I’d rather go out for frozen yogurt with the little guy after running around a park.
The only thing I accomplished this week was finishing an editing project and getting some of the September posts done. I’m going to try to finish those up today and then free time next week will be with notebook ideas. I think I had one or two new story ideas, but everything in my head is rather jumbled. You can tell because my thoughts might be a little all over the place. It was so bad that I almost made another post about Project Phoenix, which really shouldn’t be named that any more since there is neither a project or a phoenix involved in the current version. Anyway . . . topics for September:
- Special, non-number author rewards. (Fan Art, Fan Mail, etc.)
- Superman Poems. Originally hero type poems, but I started with Superman-type and realized how he covered a few others. I was really out of it and I’m too lazy to think of a replacement topic or write one.
- Hero types (those that didn’t fall into Superman)
- Cores of the Windemere Champions
- . . . Something written on a piece of paper that is too far for me to see from here. How to write an ending or something like that?
- AS USUAL I’D BE HAPPY TO TAKE A FEW TOPICS FOR OCTOBER. I’M THINKING OF DOING ANOTHER MONSTER NAME GAME DURING THAT MONTH.
That’s really it. The Compass Key is selling pretty well for an end of summer period. I can’t seem to give it a boost beyond the 4,000’s, but I’m hoping things pick up in September. I spread the marketing out over 3 months like last time and the book already has two 5-star reviews. So I guess things are going well. I can’t do much in the way of marketing during the day beyond Hootsuite helping me with Twitter. Then again, I can’t even think of anything else I can do.
So the goals of the week!
- Finish the posts slated for September.
- Entertain and wrangle the son.
- Dust exercise bike even though it won’t be used until school starts.
- Fiddle with some notebook work.
- Maybe jot down a few ideas on scrap paper.
- Continue doing a rain dance to cause a ‘stay inside’ day. Screw you, weather channel, for promising a storm two times this week and it never friggin’ happened. I can’t rationalize keeping the son inside when the weather is good.
- Apparently, I’m doing the ice bucket challenge too.
Legends of Windemere 
Good for you Charles for soldiering on with looking after The Little Guy and keeping your sanity intact! I know what you mean about the weather – over here they seem to frequently get the forecast wrong so either you’ll go out without a coat and it rains or vice versa and it doesn’t rain! And you end up not hanging washing outside on the line and then it’s sunny. I can never win!
My sales aren’t going great at the mo, I’ve taken your advice re marketing which has helped me to promote it – but I’m gonna give it another push in the autumn, maybe semi re-release it if you see what I mean. I hope yours pick up OK. Soon everyone will be back from holiday and hopefully ready to buy books! 🙂
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It’s supposed to be all sunny and hot this week. Means I might have to keep going to the playground with him.
The book is moving along. What kind of marketing have you done?
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Well really just promoting it on Facebook and Twitter. I wasn’t sure what else to do really. I’m still relatively new to this and I’m unsure of all the ins and outs when it comes to marketing books. Anyway I’m reading an interesting book recommended to me called ‘Let’s Get Visible’. It’s about learning how the algorithms on Amazon work, the ratings and so on and how to use that knowledge to your advantage as an author. So we’ll see.
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Look into Bookpinning, Goodkindles, and AskDavid.com. The last two cost a little money, but they’ve helped me a lot. Those two also required unique blurbs that are more from the author talking. You can check the sites for examples.
Hope the book helps.
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Is the shore an option? Not sure how far away you are . As far as subjects I would like to see a ranking of casters according to their overall strength and power. I’m thinking of a matrix with god sponsor power and individual powers ranked somehow and then an overall ranking. (If you have done this I missed it)
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There is the beach, but it’s rather crowded this time of year. It’s on the possibility list though.
Not sure how to do a caster ranking without it being pure favoritism. If you consider only the ones that have appeared in the books then it gets a little weird. Nyx and Trinity have the most raw power, but Isaiah could take them due to experience and knowledge. That’s not even counting priests, gods, and dragons like Fizzle. Might have to think about this.
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Take your time. How about just a listing of god sponsor and what they do?
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Not sure I know what you mean by god sponsor. That makes me think of priests and I’ve only had Aedyn Karwyn there.
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I thought most of the characters had a god which could be considered a sponsor. I know there is a group which can and cannot interfere in the affairs. (I’m thinking of NYX’s punishment for mis-using a spell) If I am all wet just ignore me.
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Those are the gods, but only priests treat them like power sponsors. Everyone has a patron deity that they pray too, but it doesn’t usually include miracles. Maybe a few subtle pushes, but that would be it. The main goal of such a thing is to be claimed in the afterlife.
As for Nyx’s ‘punishment’, it wasn’t caused by the gods. More a spiritual/physical response to severe trauma. Almost like the body and mind needed time to heal before attempting to utilize her aura again.
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Oh man! That’s a tough one! My friends with toddlers usually hit the children’s museum in the area. But children’s museums aren’t cheap. A lot of parents head to storytime at the library in this area. Plus the children’s part of the library has toys.
Glad Compass Key is selling well!
I’ll give the post topics some thought.
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We go to the library a bit, but it doesn’t last for more than an hour or so. After that I’m left with the rest of the day to figure things out. Hate to say it, but this was a little easier when I had errands that took up the whole morning.
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Saw your ice bucket challenge. Too cute! I could never be a teacher. I really admire them for their patience. Good luck with the marketing and congrats on the ranking 🙂
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I tried being a teacher and it didn’t work out well. It was too much paperwork and covering my own butt than actual teaching.
I’m hoping I can find a way to give a nice boost to the book, but I’m out of ideas.
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Good luck, bro! I don’t see how you can stay so focused. I shake my head as I read your first book, trying to understand how someone can stay creative and committed to the degree it takes to, not only write a book, but finish, edit, publish and market it…
Blows my mind!
I can’t even stay focused on what I want for dinner, much less a creative process.
I’ll never write a book. I don’t have that kind of dedication or attention span. Lol!
Cudos
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It takes a lot of hard work, but I’ll admit that I’ve always taken to it rather naturally. At least the initial writing and some of the editing. The marketing can still be a pain these days. Honestly, I take more enjoyment from the creation part of the process.
You could always try a short story or a collection of small works. 😉 Also I just realized I need to figure out dinner. Got caught up writing and scheduling posts for September. Hope you enjoyed the book. 😀
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I totally echo your thoughts 🙂 Finding time on school holidays is not easy and then when you do get the time, you can’t remember what you were supposed to be doing. If you’re anything like me, you just about get back into it when something else demands your attention. I am not sure how long you have left but I have another week. I love having the boys home but it is tiring as you say. Good luck and I have kind of remembered that I am doing your blog thingy. I just need to get around to scheduling it so please don’t forget to email me in case I forget between now and then! 🙂
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I’ve got about a week and a half. I’ve only got 7 more September posts to write, so I can get a bunch done. The rest of what I accomplish might only be jotting down notes on 2-3 new ideas. Though one might become a blog post for feedback.
I’ll try to remember to email you. This is a chaotic week. Do you remember which day you had?
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Heck- tomorrow I think!!! I’ll schedule it today. 🙂
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It’s the 27th.
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Okay – thanks 🙂
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Going to post that ice bucket pic on your blog, right? 🙂
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I put the video on Facebook. Nobody took any still photos of it. Probably for the best. 🙂
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May have to run over to FB. 🙂 Congratulations!
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Thanks. Enjoy.
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Congrats again on the your new book, Charles. Great seeing you complete September posts. I don’t think I’ve come across another blogger writing in advance in order to keep ahead of the game. That’s another congrats for you.
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Thanks. Not sure when it started either. I remember pushing to be a week ahead, but there was a point where all the projects were on pause. So I ended up writing more blog posts. Unfortunately, I’m out of topics that can last throughout a week. Hopefully something else comes to mind.
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5 is a difficult age for holding interest in something too long – plus they’re just so active and filled with energy at that age.
I’m for the yogurt idea and running errands together – those could be done during the hot early afternoon hours. Also an hour of quiet time is helpful. Breaks up the day.
I’ll check in for daily updates.
I’m always happy to hear you good book news, Charles!
Ellespeth
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Unfortunately I don’t have any errands to do. So I need to figure something else out. Supposed to be a hot week too.
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