Wait! You
mean without the family constantly interrupting me, wanting their piece of my
time? You mean not feeling like I’m wasting precious time writing because no readers
are waiting for my stories? Wow! Let’s see… It’s not like I want to be stranded
on a deserted island with internet hook-up and a fresh pot of hot tea and scones or anything,
but a little uninterrupted thinking time would be great. And maybe if I could
just stop comparing myself to other writers who seem to have an infinite amount
of time to complete stories that people are waiting to read, and have infinite
time to do social media.
But if I were “living the dream” of
a prolific, published writer, I’d probably have an assistant who was tech savvy
to help me keep up with social media and marketing. I’d have an editor and/or
agent whom I trusted with my newborn stories and memoirs, who would understand
my concreteness in concepts and who would continuously affirm that I was on the
right path and that I could complete my next story. I’d enjoy the satisfaction
of knowing that whatever I was working on would, in fact, get published.
And who knows? I might even have
someone to field all the questions and calls from family and friends while I’m
working on my next story to be sure I only need to answer the desperate ones. I
might even find someone to help out around the home and gardens while I wrote.
Ahh…in the words of Eliza Doolittle, “wouldn’t it be lovely”?
But as it is, you dear followers and
commenters, you are my assistants, my sound writing and tech savvy advisors. While
I write and pray that what I have written will sell, I turn to you all for
advice. And I trust all of you to share your experiences with me.
So, could anyone
advise me about getting a short story ebook published? These are YA stories, about
1,800 words, where I assume I need pictures that either I create [Yikes!] or
have created for the story. Could anyone suggest a reputable online ebook provider
for me to check out?
Eventually, I’d
like to make a hard copy collection of short YA stories. Perhaps I’ll start
with traditional publishing for the hard copy. I don’t have that infinite
following or social media groups. Any advice on either of these endeavors? Feel
free to leave links that might be helpful for me in your comment.
I’ll be interested to see how
you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a topic to share our
thoughts on each month. And I am extremely thankful for all of you for being my
sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing game.
Thanks so much for visiting!
Please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already and connect with me
online. Leave your blog link in your
comment so I can be sure to do the same for you.
This post was written for the
Insecure Writer’s Support Group. We post on the first Wednesday of every month.
To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
I'd take an assistant to go to work for me.
ReplyDeleteI don't think young adult books have pictures. If you're looking to sell it, we have a lot of open markets listed at the IWSG site. Or if you want to self-publish, we have those as well, plus a ton of authors who can advise you.
You guys are the best, Alex! I'll hop on over to the IWSG site to check out my options. Thanks! I was only mentioning pictures because the bunch of stories I sold to Cricket all had artwork with it. I do NOT own that artwork, of course. Only the story. But I have lots of other stories. What do you think, Alex? Do I need art with my stories? My protagonist is 13 or 14 years old.
DeleteI can't thank you enough for sharing your insight with me here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your comment. Enjoy your Holiday!
I like your dream of an assistant but, like you, would be happy with more uninterrupted time. I agree with Alex that YA books don't have pictures. I haven't seen short stories but have seen short stories in anthologies, which is similar. Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this, Natalie. As I told Alex above, the short stories published by Cricket Magazine all had pictures. I was thinking of first publishing a few short stories one at a time. I do want to create an anthology of YA short stories for sale as well.
DeleteI truly appreciate your insight, Natalie. Thanks so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your Holiday!
Ohhh, the appropriateness of this dream life. A family who doesn't interrupt constantly? A tech savy assistant? SIGN ME UP.
ReplyDeleteMe too, S.E.! Man, do I need help with the "tech" part. Thank you so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your Holiday!
DeleteI bet you had fun answering this month's question (and dreaming away), Victoria! All well said and some of it - except for the entire family interruptions - sounds very familiar! If only all that writers had to do was write, now that would be a dream world... :-)
ReplyDeleteNo tips or insights from me for you, this month, as I'm not familiar with YA stories or publishing e-books. Have a productive end of the year!!
Oh if only, Liesbet. Wouldn't it be perfect if we ONLY had to write and not do everything else? It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your note. Enjoy your holidays.
DeleteIf I were living in a dream? I'd definitely have a butler to save me from my over-loving cat:) And to explain all the technical details of their mobile devices to my grand-uncles and aunts:)
ReplyDeleteHello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Laureen! Thank you so much for stopping by.
DeleteTechnical details, Laureen? They are the problems for me. And yes, I'd LOVE to have a butler to help run my house and keep things organized for me. Thanks so much for your note. Enjoy your holidays.
An assistant is a nice part of the dream.
ReplyDeleteAn assistant is the best part of the dream, Juneta! It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your note. Enjoy your holidays.
DeleteGreat answer to the question. So glad that someone else also needs and invites help for the different aspects of writing.
ReplyDeleteActually Dawn, I think it's a good idea for all writers to seek input and assistance with their writing projects. It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your note. Merry Christmas, my dear.
DeleteI echo your wishes, Victoria Marie - and your insecurities. However, I find IWSG is an encouraging and supportive community. It sounds like the nearest group to assistants and advisers. IWSG and WEP are the groups keeping me sane and focused.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Roland. I agree, I'd be lost without IWSG and all of you helping me keep my head on straight with my writing and offering your support and insight. I'm not quite sure I know who or what "WEP" is. Could you identify them for me?
ReplyDeleteIt's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. All best to you sir. Have a beautiful holiday.
WEP is Write Edit Publish - a group linked to IWSG. We do a bi-monthly flash and comment on each other's entries. My latest posit - https://rolandclarke.com/2019/12/11/wep-iwsg-december-challenge-footsteps/ is for the WEP-IWSG Challenge, and there's a link to the WEP site.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this, Roland. I truly appreciate all you do to assist in my understanding both with IWSG and with writing. I'll have to check this out when I have time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your Holiday!
Yes, Victoria, if we dream, we need to get butlers and all sorts of servants to help with out work.
ReplyDeleteDon't we though? But I always was a dreamer. Still am. Thanks so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing. Merry Christmas, my dear.
ReplyDeleteI have tech issues as well. I feel your pain. I wish I was more savvy in that aspect. If I had any advice, I would give it to you. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. Alas, I keep trying, but technology keeps changing. It seems as if I can't keep up.
ReplyDeleteI wish you and your family health and happiness in 2020, Michelle. Thanks so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing.