#Row80 Check-in
I’m just gonna dive right into my check-in this week. Here’s how it’s going with my writing and blogging goals:
Finish my quirky Texas travel book by January 31, 2014: OK. I got the draft done and I sent it to my editor yesterday. As the pages churned out of the printer, I caught several errors right away. Isn’t it funny how much easier it is to spot typos in print than on screen? Does that happen to you, too?
Full disclosure: my editor is my dad. Lucky for me, that was his profession before he retired. Like him, I actually find editing relaxing. Must be genetic!
I’ve gotta say, seeing the book formatted as an actual paperback with ISBN numbers in the front, front matter, a table of contents and all that is pretty exciting. When I showed my husband the manuscript at breakfast, he burst out with, “It’s alive!” a la Gene Wilder in “Young Frankenstein.” It fit the mood, perfectly! (Although the cat seemed less than impressed.)
Design a Snazzy eBook & Paperback Cover: I need a break from my book, so while it sits my next goal is to download the CreateSpace book cover template and polish up my cover, add a blurb on the back, along with a head shot of me. Once I’m happy with that, I’ll give my book another read-through while waiting to see what Dad – I mean – my editor found with the manuscript.
Re-do my Self-Publishing To-Do List: There is such a big mess of things that I need to do: press releases, author website, book blog tour, business cards, book swag, book reviewers, book release date, format ebook, finish formatting the paperback, et ceteraaaaaaaaaaa!
It’s a big jumble in my mind and notebooks. So, my next goal is for me to re-think and re-write a detailed self-publishing to-do list. I’ll let you know how that’s going in my next ROW80 check-in.
Blog 3X per week: My 2014 blogging schedule is to post each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Mondays are for Texas travel, Wednesdays are for #Row80 and self-publishing updates, and Fridays are for quirky and/or world travel posts. Yup! Still doing this, although I posted Friday’s post on Saturday this week. Works for me!
Reply to all comments, visit all commenter’s blogs & comment on them: This is a new goal. I will also retweet posts from those who use Twitter.
Visit at least 10 other ROW80 blogs: This is a new goal, too. I’ll report next week.
Daily writing check-in via email: Morgan Dragonwillow and I are dutifully checking in with each other every night via text and email. It’s so helpful, plus it gives my hubby a break from hearing me blab about my book all the time.
What is ROW80?
ROW80 is short for A Round of Words in 80 Days. It was created by the author, Kait Nolan, who describes it as, “an online writing challenge that knows you have a life.” Basically, ROW80 is a way for writers to connect online and share progress on their writing goals. Click on the aforementioned link for more information.
To join in and cheer on other ROW80 writers, check out the A Round of Words in 80 Days website. You may also simply click on any of the blogs in the following list:
Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in North Texas travel, cemetery symbols, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!”
Snider’s best-selling books include Paranormal Texas , Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and 100 Things to Do in Dallas - Fort Worth Before You Die.
Snider has several more books in progress, and enjoys connecting with writers and readers all over the globe through social media, her newsletter and her website: TuiSnider.com.
I am so excited about this being completed and can’t wait to have a fresh, signed, new copy in my hands! “It’s Alive!” Priceless!
Oooh, Morgan! The anticipation is really building. I can hardly wait to hold the paperback in my hands! :D
How exciting. Can’t wait to see the finished product. =)
You & me, both! I’m getting very antzy. I’m channeling my angst into decluttering of the house, though, so that’s a good thing!
Congratulations! It’s an exciting moment.
I’ve always found it easier to write and edit with paper & pen rather than on a computer screen. I believe I read that handwriting better taps into the creative side of the brain and allows you to focus better. I’ve also been told that doing something as simple as changing the font & color on your screen can help you spot errors because your brain interprets it as a different document than the one you were working with. Oh the brain–it’s an amazing tool.
Hi Skye! I like the idea of changing the font. I’m gonna try that tomorrow when I do my final read-through before requesting a proof copy. Thanks for dropping by my blog. It’s always nice to see a new face. :D
Congrats on finishing your manuscript and sending it off to your editor. I bet that gives you such a feeling of accomplishment. And your husband’s Frankenstein reference is true–once you finish a story and send it off into the world, it is alive outside of your own head where the rest of the world can see it. When I’m struggling with my WIP, imagining that feeling can be the carrot on the stick for me.
Have a great week, Tui!
Hi Denise,
It’s such an exhilarating step – although there is still soooooooo much more to do. I’m enjoying it all.
Thanks for dropping by and saying hi. I see from the “linky love thingy” that you’ve been decluttering. I have a lot of that to do, too.
See ya on the web and over at your blog! :D
I am really looking forward to your new book Tui!! Great job!!
Hehe – you think YOU are looking forward to it? I can hardly wait, myself! Thanks for all the encouraging words. :)