An Author's "In-Between" Time (and Book Giveaway!)

         My initial idea was to tell how a typical author spends their time between books, their "down time."

But when I thought about it, the reality of what most authors do to maintain a career in publishing ruled out all of the following periods:  

 

 

a.  After the first draft is done 

This isn't down time, though a short celebration is in order.  Now it's time to edit and polish, which is often harder than writing the first draft.  

b. After you edit and polish--the book's ready for the world!

This isn't down time unless the book's already contracted and you can send it to your editor. (The work resumes when galleys arrive, but by this stage there isn't usually much to do on the text.)

If it's not under contract, it's time to write a proposal for your agent, or hunt for a publisher on your own--or Indie publish, which opens another can of worms!   

 

c. After you send it with a proposal to your agent  

Not down time because you're either working on marketing materials, interviews, media contacts, your website or newsletter, or returning to an incomplete manuscript and/or starting a new one.

d. After you Indie-publish 

Don't stop now, because much of the work has just begun. Unlike "Field of Dreams" it doesn't work to think, If I write it, readers will come. Un-uh. Indie publishers have many hats to wear, and marketing is a big one. 

e. d. After a good sales uptick   

You'd think that would be a good time to take a break and indulge in some "real" down time, right? Experts say the opposite is true. To stay on a readers' radar, you need to put out more books! Fast! 

Question: IS there such a thing as downtime for today's author?

In the past, writers wrote. Publishers marketed and sold books. Today, writers are expected to do it all, no matter who publishes the book. Yes, a big publisher will ease the burden, and prior success paves the way for easier marketing with each new book. But every author I know spends time on marketing and promotion, whether they've got a big name publisher or Indie publish.    

   

Note: This is why you can be eternally beloved by an author simply by taking a few minutes to post a good review of their book on Amazon or GoodReads or even Facebook. We need and appreciate the help in spreading the word!

So what is down time for me?
Like any professional in any field, I take breaks often. I hope you do, too. Productivity experts say output and quality of output increase when people are able to take breaks from their work. 

LET'S TALK DOWNTIME

I have favorite ways of relaxing and I'm sure you do, too. (Leave a comment below to tell us what yours are--you'll be automatically entered in the giveaway.) I have more, but here are my top three guilty pleasures. 

a. Watch a period flick. I love these! Recently I watched, "Ekaterina," a Russian series subtitled in English about Catherine the Great's rise to power. Really well done.

b.  Watch a Mets game. I'm a former New Yorker and a long-ago pitcher for Girls' Little League! I love baseball. My husband buys me MLB.tv for my birthday in March so I can watch the season's games. Sometimes I think I'd be better off not watching, because
              a. I could be writing!
              b. Though I'm usually not loud or demonstrative, put me in front of  a Mets game and I'm a different person. (Mike says he knows how the Mets are doing from the other side of the house. What can I say? You can take the girl out of New York, but....)

c. Read a great book.
Non-fiction doesn't count! Real down time requires fun reading. For instance, I picked up a new copy of Northanger Abbey at Half-Price books for a few bucks and read it (for the third time) just this week.  It's my favorite Austen novel. Of course, when I read Pride and Prejudice, that's my favorite. Mansfield Park is a favorite too. The fact is, whichever book of Jane's I'm reading is my FAVORITE!

 

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN. 

Leave a comment telling your favorite way to relax and you'll be entered in the giveaway!   

 

GIVEAWAY: 
A copy of any of my books * (Not the trilogy, but a single book from one of them)

And a  set of lovely French-Toile scented drawer liners

*Print copies to US residents only,  E-books everywhere else. \

So--what's your favorite way to spend "down time?" Even if you have to steal away to get it?

Leave a comment to enter,and CONTACT EMAIL so I can notify you if you win. 

Drawing ends on 9-28.   

The Mad, Mad World of Authors and Book Giveaway

READ THE POST TO ENTER THE BOOK DRAWING!

Note: I'm back to blogging. I'll still send out newsletters with all the varied content you've come to expect, but I can link to articles here and write more for those who care to read it.

Such as this...

The Mad, Mad, World of Authors

I was on the phone with a dear author friend of mine--who will remain nameless because of what I'm about to share. She's multi-published, and, like me, has a zillion ideas more than she'll ever be able to write. We can talk for hours about all the writing we're doing, would like to do, and hope to do--as well as other creative projects.

During our last call, she had me laughing silly when she shared that one day she'd been thinking about one of her books and suddenly had a brain freeze. She couldn't remember the title. This was a book SHE WROTE. It was published by a small press and has been out for years--but she couldn't recall the exact title.

I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes--mostly because it struck a chord. I should explain that we authors like to refer to our books in shorthand. For instance, Before the Season Ends, (my newest re-release) is simply B.T.S.E. to me. The sequel, The House in Grosvenor Square, is THIGS. So my friend could only remember the acronym of her book.

When I recently revisited my earlier books to edit them for new editions, I was delighted by some of my own writing as if reading it for the first time. Now--authors grow and improve in their craft, just like people in other fields. So I also saw things that did not delight me--which is why I can say the series has been "newly edited." But the fact remains that we often forget our own words.

Sometimes even our book titles.

Not Just Books

I once had to leave a cart full of groceries at the store because back then I used a debit card and suddenly could not remember my PIN number. I drove to the bank, and there discovered--horrors--I still needed that same PIN number to withdraw cash. And my brain freeze hadn't cleared yet. In the end, I had to go into the bank to withdraw cash and then return to the store to check out our groceries.

You can see why I laughed so hard when my friend couldn't remember her book title. I can relate all too well.

Book Giveaway

You don't need to be an author to have the occasional brain freeze. When was the last time it happened to you? Was it your phone number, your son's birthday, or maybe even the title of a book you've written? Share your answer in the comments and I'll draw one winner to get a copy of the just-released new edition of Before the Season Ends, or, The House in Grosvenor Square, both  heartwarming romances. (Enter the drawing even if you've read the old editions. You'll enjoy the new ones even more.)

Leave a comment to enter the drawing for a free copy!

PS: Don't forget to leave your contact info so I can notify you if you win! Leave email addresses like this: (for example) YourName (at) yourserver (dot) com. --so internet trolls can't glean your info.


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Beautiful Life Wednesday

(posted a day late)

I've written two book reviews for you today. Broken Down House  is one I'm reading along with my small group, and it's so good I wanted to share it. The Enchanted Barn was a recommendation by one of my readers who has become a friend, Lois Zellars, and I'm glad she pointed me towards the book. 

I haven't missed the irony that both titles include dwellings of a sort. Tripp's "broken down house," is the world we live in: nothing works like it should, nothing is as easy or obstacle-free as we all feel deep down that it ought to be. Why? Because we live in a broken-down house, a world stained by sin. Tripp makes so much sense that you wonder why you didn't think of things he points out yourself.

The Enchanted Barn, on the other hand, is fictionalized heart-candy. Everything seems to go just about right for the heroine once she discovers an old stone barn. It's fun, light reading but if you get either of these books but only one, please make it Tripp's. You won't be sorry.

 Broken Down House

Book Review

Broken Down House, by Paul Tripp

Non-fiction, Christian living, Christian apologetics

 

You don't get far into this book without realizing that Tripp is a guy who really gets it. He understands what life is like for modern Christians and he nails issues on the head with keen precision. You'll find yourself saying, "Yes! Right!" as well as "Ouch. That's me." My (church) small group is systematically studying each chapter together and there is no shortage of thought-provoking, cogent material. This is a must-read for every believer who wants to live a productively God-honoring life, and perhaps especially for those who think they already are. Tripp's knack for framing an argument in startling ways that ring true will nudge you to take a fresh look at yourself and your life with new perspective. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

The Enchanted Barn

Book Review

The Enchanted Barn, by Grace Livingston Hill

Romance fiction, Christian romance

This is sweet romance with a capital S. Hill's characters have such strong moral fiber that you'll wish you were more like them, despite the fabric getting so thick at times that it threatens to turn dorky. Just when you're sure where the book is headed, Hill excels at inserting a good surprise here and there with enough plot-fuel to keep you happily reading. Sweet, nostalgic, and painless, the book also offers an utterly believable conversion done effortlessly by the author, (a good lesson for would-be evangelistic authors). Light summer reading by a master of the genre.

Fiction Friday & Book GIVEAWAY!

A Bride's Dilemma: in Friendship, Tennessee

by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

Inspirational Romance
Christian Fiction Factor: 4-5
Don't you just love the beautiful cover of A Bride's Dilemma? I'm pleased to have Diana Lesire Brandmeyer here as our guest today to tell us about her book. She's generously offered to send a free copy (US only, sorry) to someone who leaves a comment.

[Winner will be chosen and notified one week from today. Leave a comment after the post to share your thoughts with Diana and you'll be automatically entered in the drawing.]

Before we speak with Diana, here's a peek at what A Bride's Dilemma is about: 

Heaven’s Stolen His Heart

 After witnessing the ravages of the Civil War, Travis Logan vowed to give up doctoring. But when fellow steamboat passenger Caleb Wharton collapses at his feet, Travis knows he must lend his aid. As the old man lies dying, he makes Travis promise to take care of his land and find Heaven. Travis can’t help but wonder what Heaven has to do with a real place, so he heads to Caleb’s farm to fulfill his promise.

Weeks of facing marauders and caring for her father’s home have finally taken their toll on Heaven Wharton. When an unknown young man charges the house, Heaven attempts to fire a warning shot but ends up shooting the man instead. Shocked, she and her sister, Angel, drag a semi-conscious Travis into the house and nurse him back to health.

 As Travis and Heaven both struggle to control their destinies, will they learn that only a heart that follows God can ever find peace on earth?

This sounds like a great story, Diana. What made you interested in writing Christian Historical Fiction?

I discovered historical fiction through LaVyrle Spencer a long time ago. Through her characters she involved me in history in an enjoyable way. When Christian Historical Fiction began to be published I was overjoyed! Finally, my kind of book without the immoral behaviors. I had a chance to write A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee and dove right in.

Do you write any other genres?

Yes, I have written a contemporary:  Hearts on the Road (Heartsong) which will be re-released as an ebook in the future. I’ve also co-authored a nonfiction book: We’re Not Blended, We’re Pureed: A Survivor’s guide to Blended Families. That was a tough book to write because it's about blending my own family after I was widowed.

What is your favorite scene from A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship?

I would say most of my favorite scenes involve Angel, the heroine’s sister. She’s a bit outspoken.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?

Every time I start a new book that character becomes my center of enjoyment. It’s like discovering a new friend; the old friends are great but this new one brings another aspect to your life you didn’t expect.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?  

Abandonment seems to show up in my books quite often with the realization as Christians we are never alone.

What is the one thing that you want to leave readers of A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship pondering over? The heroine's dilemma! (What does Annabelle do?)

Thanks so much, Diana. Where can readers get a copy of your book?

A Bride's Dilemma on Amazon.com

On Barnes and Noble.com 

On CBD.com (ChristianBook.com)

Don't forget to leave your contact info in your comment (ie., your email addy. Like this: Linore (at) LinoreBurkard (dot) com.)

Bio

Christian author, Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, writes historical and contemporary romances. Her historical, A Bride's Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee is now available. She’s also written We’re Not Blended-We’re Pureed, A Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families. Once widowed and now remarried she writes with humor and experience on the difficulty of joining two families be it fictional or real life.

Learn more about Diana on the web: 

http://www.dianabrandmeyer.com 

http://www.pencildancer.com (blog)

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/dianalesirebrandmeyerauthor

Twitter @dianabrandmeyer