This week happened . . . I did stuff . . . I’m still getting over a cold.
Really nothing else going on beyond that. I do more work on a future story and I wrote up a bunch of guest posts. I can’t send them out until The Mercenary Prince goes live and I’m really hoping that’s tomorrow. Don’t hold me to this because some delays have appeared, so it’ll be cutting things close. This makes me wonder if I should attempt a Christmas Day release. Not sure how effective that would be. In the past, I’d assume everyone is off-line with their family. Now, I wouldn’t be surprised if people were on-line to escape family or indulge in new toys.
Beyond that, I’m still scratching my head in terms of marketing. I’m doing the same stuff I always do, but I can’t find anything new. Seems a lot of stuff requires that I have more free time than I actually do. Guest posts and promo sites are great, but there has to be something else. Damned if I know what it is though. At least stuff where I don’t have to sacrifice my dignity and self-respect. Removing those from the equation means one could do anything to sell books. Not my style. Though going by my numbers it seems my style is to fall into oblivion. 
Seeing ‘Star Wars’ on Monday in the morning and then Wednesday is the first day of the kid’s 2 week break. I don’t know how often I’ll be around during that time because health and weather are factors. I will be trying to edit Crossing Bedlam at night and get the promo posts for it ready for the later half of January. I might be getting a day or two solely for editing, which will be nice. Some days I’ll be the lone parent while the wife takes on-line skill modules to up her resume. Small chance I can edit during those periods if the kid decides to play on his own. I’ll carve out my author time when I can.
Sorry this isn’t more interesting. Then again, WordPress has been quiet this week and I simply am not an exciting person. Since I stopped revealing future ideas, I haven’t had much excitement to report. I don’t do much during the week besides writing and parenting either. Those don’t scream blog hits and I don’t want to use my son as clickbait or whatever. He makes an appearance from time to time, but that’s really it. Next month will see more insight into what I’m writing and the creation of the next two releases. I hope that garners more attention even though I’m doing a week of ‘interviews’ that might flop into the mud.
One thing I need to figure out is my next project once the kid goes back to school. I have Book 13 of Legends of Windemere, the next Ichabod Brooks short story, and the sequel to Raven’s Hold. The 2nd option won’t take very long and the last one isn’t needed until October. Though I really want to get into the big series and see if I can writ the last 3 books before the end of the year. Could always edit Book 12 too. Maybe Ichabod and Book 12 to keep the workload low as I prepare for Crossing Bedlam to get released. Then get the paranormal thriller out of the way and give myself a clear push for Legends of Windemere and I’m just rambling now.
What are the goals for the week?
- See ‘Star Wars: Force Awakens’. Never speak about it in public.
- Edit Crossing Bedlam. Little by little.
- Release The Mercenary Prince as soon as possible. Connect to marketing sites and send posts out to others. I will be doing it in HTML like usual, but feel free to mention if you need it another way.
- Prepare January posts.
- Entertain son during his break.
- Figure out what movie to take him to on Christmas.
- Get over this cold.
- Drink tea out of ‘Squirrel Whisperer’ mug from Ionia. Love this thing. 🙂
Legends of Windemere 
Reminds me of a used car dealer we used to have out west. Cal Worthington would stand on his head, or eat a bug to sell a car. I really don’t want to go that far. I have a Christmas post in mind, but I’m doubting myself. It’s designed for Christmas Day. Many people won’t see it until later, so I may run it out on Christmas Eve. I wonder if other authors worry about all the stuff we do? I imagine them doing all the right things without a second thought.
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I’ve heard of people doing that to sell cars. Wondered how many times they’d be dared to do something by someone who never intended to buy. I’m aiming my Christmas post to go live around noon. Figure most people will be up and the morning present rush will be done. I have a poem on that day too, I think, but only because I scheduled and forgot about the holiday.
I think some authors do and others take it in stride. There’s probably a third camp that promises to eat bugs or pounces on every bandwagon that they find to sell. Guess it also depends on how serious the author is about the trade.
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Is there a difference between serious and obsessed? I’ve tried lot of stuff, with differing degrees of success. Maybe I could run a campaign of “Buy a book, or Bunny becomes Christmas Brunch.”
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I would say serious are those that are professional, but not rabid when it comes to writing. Obsessed are the ones that make you want to hide the sharp objects and switch to TV only storytelling. That or the obsessed are the ones that do whatever it takes including stuff that’s immoral.
Interesting idea. Everyone loves bunnies.
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Every writer needs a squirrel whisperer mug. Hehehe.
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Makes the tea/coffee/whiskey taste even better. 🙂
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Have a good weekend.
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Thanks. I’ll even be happy with a decent weekend. 🙂
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Enjoy the movie, and I hope the weather/health shapes u and gives you nice holydays!
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Weather is cold and supposed to rain, but we’re just resting. Seems we have a wet Christmas too. So our plan is to do a double-feature at home with the little guy.
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Star Wars isn’t released until Thursday over here. Although I doubt I’ll be able to see it right away. Not with a 10-day-old baby at home 🙂
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I’ve been there. Forgot what movies I missed in that period, but it was worth it. I’m sure it’ll be in theaters for a long time and you’ll get a chance to see it. Might want to try for twice since there’s a chance you’ll fall asleep in the dark, comfortable theater. 🙂
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Lol – sounds pretty enticing right now 😀
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Baby is a big ball of nocturnal energy, huh?
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Sure, but worth every minute of it 🙂
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I saw the new Star Wars movie this afternoon. Awesome, awesome, awesome move! ‘Nough said there. Anyway, I hope everything else is working out for you. Sounds like you’re trying to figure out what’s next–and that’s okay. It’s good taking a breather in order to regroup. I’m doing that until Jan. 1st where I’m not doing much of anything other than hang with the family. It’s been great. Then again, it did take a lot of planning to do that–doubling and tripling my writing effort in November in order to have December off. Nonetheless, enjoy the movie!
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I do need to figure out what to do next. I’m going to see how I’m feeling when my son’s break is over. The next 2 releases are going to factor in as well. Last thing I want to do is attempt a new big book while I have other things on my mind. Ichabod might end up winning out.
Really looking forward to the movie. Need to relax and I hope it does the trick.
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I’m sure you’ll figure out what you’ll need to do next. You’re resilient that way.
The movie is awesome–that’s all I’m going to say. 🙂
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Resilient, but rather tired. I really do wish I could relax entirely and I still might get a chance. Just have one more thing to do this year and almost have all the pieces together.
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I saw Star Wars yesterday! Loved it!!!
Please let me know at my comcast email what you decide to do. My Christmas post is going up tomorrow, but I can’t promote on Wednesday if you decide to go live tomorrow.
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I might be making a post today with the info. It’s been pointed out that doing it so close to Christmas runs a risk. People might be leaving for trips and the debut would happen on deaf ears.
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(I’m just seeing this on Monday morning, so by tomorrow, you might have meant today.)
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At this point I have no concept of time.
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Congratulations Charles… I didn’t realise you had a new book imminent. .. I’ll be happy to help in any way, maybe an excerpt and bio plus links, for the Friday Fiction? Let me know. Cheers and Happy Christmas! Ps… I feel your pain at not being able to write when the kids are off school; same here. Its like an itch you just can’t scratch, isn’t it?
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Sure. I’ll put you on the list for the promo post I’m sending to volunteers. It has an excerpt, bio, and blurb in there. I almost got to writing today. Ended up cleaning stuff though. Might get a chance tomorrow afternoon.
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Great! Have a lovely day tomorrow! 😊
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You too. Merry Christmas.
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