Reflections on a Book Launch

This last week has been insane on so many levels.

For my day job, I run the election for my city. Last week we had eighteen (yes, you read that right) people file for council and five for mayor. We have also lost both of our office clerks who left to seek higher pay in the private sector. My deputy and I are going crazy as we try to carry our regular work load, the additional work that comes with an election, and the work our clerks used to do. Ha! And now we're going to be doing interviews. Like we have the time.

Crazy time to launch a book, wasn't it? But I was too busy during the day to worry much about the book launch.

Blog tours are interesting things, very much in flux. Real life happens and some of the people who signed up to help either couldn't, forgot, or posted late. And it's all good. I was just thrilled so many people were willing to help a debut author. I got to meet some awesome new people while wanting to hug so many that I already know. Thanks so much to my trooper followers who visited my blog every day and commented (Alex and Pat, you know who are).

As for the physical launch, I loved being able to do it with another author. It really lowered my stress level, and I'm so grateful to Jordan McCollum for suggesting it. If you aren't following her blog, you should. She's a great resource on writing. Her book, I, Spy, is a dang fun read. We had so much fun we're going another joint event (different theme) on June 19th at the American Fork Library.

Because of an arthritis flareup, my son, Paul, created some artwork to make a stamp to help with the signing. Pretty cool, huh? His wife, Kelsey, came to take pictures. In spite of her camera dying, she managed pretty well with my camera.

Some things I learned from watching the footage:

• I talk a lot with my hands. How did I never realize that?
• I'm a podium hog.
• I open my mouth a lot and make funny expressions. Embarrassing.

Following is a video montage of our Saturday event.



What's your experience been at book launches--either ones for your own books or that you've attended? What have you liked or not liked?

Reflections on NaNoWriMo 2011

After my epic fail attempt at NaNo last year I wrote this post. At that time I did not expect to try NaNo again.

Um, I so did NaNo this year and whupped its sorry arse. Can't tell I'm proud of myself, can you?

So, what was the difference between last year and this?

1. I joined an online critique group full of some pretty amazing people with lots of insight. They've taught me a lot.
2. I've attended writing conferences and critique bootcamps (LTUE, Storymaker, UVU Book Academy).
3. I've joined associations for writers (iWriteNetwork, ANWA, Authors Incognito, LUW)
4. Through blogging and conference attendance, I've met and become friends with lots of other writers, many of whom I've met in real life.
5. After attending my second critique bootcamp, some of us formed a local in-person critique group. We range in age from a 15-year-old boy (he's amazing, btw) to grandmothers older even than I am.
6. I learned how to use sprint writing and the pomodoro technique to help me focus and really crank out the words. I love using their timer and will continue to do so when writing and editing.
7. I forced myself to keep writing even when I wasn't sure where to take the story, knowing it was going to change some in the editing process anyway.

When I did NaNo last year, I was very much alone. I had no cheerleader or people with whom to bounce ideas off (except for my sons, who are wonderful but not writers). This year, if I ran into a snag I had three different sprint writing locations  and social groups via Facebook and Yahoo Groups I could go and there'd be writers I could bounce ideas off or get ideas from.

I hear often that writing is a solitary business. It can be, as it was for my first year. But methinks times they are achangin'. I know that not all writers/authors are made of sweetness and light, and I realize many find themselves on different sides of the debate about where the future of publishing will end.

Overall, however, I've found this community to be full of helpful, giving people who are happy to share from their experience. Rather than feeling threatened by potential rivals they are out there cheering us on and more than willing to give us a helping hand.

I think that's why NaNo was such a different experience for me this year. Next year? Real life will determine that but I'm hopeful. I had a tight schedule what with putting on a municipal election that I won't have to worry about next year (I'll be able to attend the writing retreat--squeee!).

What about you? Have you found the writing community to be as friendly as I have? Did you attempt NaNo this year? If so, how are you doing?

And a humorous note, I stole this from Stina Lindenblatt over at Seeing Creative. It made me laugh.

Blogging Challenge K(indness)

Something I've experienced quite a lot of in this writing journey is how very kind writers can be to each other. And helpful and supportive. I find this in my day job as well, but I know it's not always the case. I think you fellow writers rock.

Things have been crazy with the blogging challenge and my trip to Ireland, so I haven't had a chance to thank Deirdra Eden-Coppel at A Storybook World for giving me two awards: