So this Friday we're flippin' the switch.
We want to hear from you.
Are you a writer? Reader? Both?
If you're a reader, what are your faves?
If you're a writer, what are your questions? Where are you in your writing journey? How can we encourage you?
This is not an easy business.
It's a rare person who makes a livable wage writing. I am blessed to be one of those people, and we have a host of authors here whose experience, wisdom and professionalism show decades of work in the industry.
We've ridden the waves of change... some drowned. Some treaded water. Some left the mainland of writing completely and that's okay.
This job/business/career isn't for everyone.
You need motivation. You need self-discipline. You need time. You need something to pay the bills until writing pays off. Those things can be daunting, right?
But mostly you need the determination to stick it out, to work, edit, work some more, then edit some more.
But in the end, to quote my buddy Lenora Worth, on the very worst day I have the very best job possible. And I love it. I love creating stories and story worlds.
So what about you, writers and readers?
THIS IS YOUR DAY!
Let us know what you like, where you're at, what your dreams and aspirations are... and let's have fun together! We have another package of those awesome cookies for you!
Leave a comment below and we're putting you into the drawing!
Ruthy is giving away cookies again!!!
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've always loved about Seekerville is that it isn't always about the Seekers. Sure, we share our projects, a bit of advice, a bucket of encouragement, and a new release when they happen....
But you, the Seeker villagers are what make this blog the best!
We want to cheer you on!!!
Or if you don't want to share you project just yet, tell us what book you're reading. I just finished "No Journey too Far" by Carrie Turansky, but I missed the first one in the series, "No Ocean too Wide." I have to go back and pick that one up now!
Amen to that! And I love Carrie Turansky and her work... so good!
DeleteI am a freelance editor that works with a variety of authors. I also dabble in cover design and help Ruthy with her promotional graphics for social media.
ReplyDeleteIn my spare time I work at our family pumpkin farm in Western NY.
Oh, and I am married with 4 kids, ages 6, 8, 10, & 12.
:)
I love working with you, Beth... who needs spare time??? #overrated "Plenty of time for rest in the grave." (Ben Franklin) I love Ben Franklin!!!!
DeleteAnd a wonderful editor, too!
DeleteBut Beth, can your children be that old??? The littlest one was barely out of the baby stage when you stopped by here a couple years ago! (Or maybe time just slips by faster in my memory.)
Beth, I'm sure you've learned your work ethic from your mom. Probably got your sense of humor from there too ;)
DeletePepper she is the best. (I am saying this, knowing she's going to read it.)
DeleteI love seeing so many of our Villagers making positive steps forward in their writing journey! And when someone publishes, I'm giddy with joy! Congrats to everyone who is determined and perseveres. God needs each one of us to spread His message of hope and love to the world. Thanks for being part of our family of believers. God bless you all!
ReplyDeleteDitto. This isn't easy, but when it's your dream, our goal is to help you make that dream come true. Nothin' wrong with that!!!!
DeleteYou ladies are the best! I love being present here when I'm able (which hasn't been nearly often enough in the past couple of years!). Between teen boy drama and having to choose how i spend my time (visiting favorite writing blogs or writing my books), I've missed being a regular visitor. You ladies are so encouraging!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, that being said, I've been working on a short novel, probably targeting LI, and it's been a blast to write! I've finished it for the most part. I'm thinking on the other two books that I hope will go into a series. I've been "reading" a lot by listening to Libby. I'm listening to, Once Upon a Wardrobe, by Patti Callahan, and I'm loving it.
I love that you're working on this, Jeanne! Good for you. And yes, time is always a balancing act. It's a mom's way of walking the ridgepole. Hang in there!
DeleteAudio books are great, aren't they? I love to listen to them while I'm stitching. :-)
DeleteHey, all. I'm Nicki and I've definitely not been as active on here as I have in the past, but I love popping in and reading all of your posts even if I don't always comment! I'm a writer, working full time on my books and part time at a job in childcare so I don't have a whole lot of free time to speak of. Currently where I'm at is being able to write and therefore publish my books more quickly. Last year I published three books which beat my old record, this year I'm working toward five. And next year... hopefully even more.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited that I'm finally starting to be able to write at a speed that keeps up with the many, many ideas I have.
Nicki, that's good to hear! I like a solid daily speed, too... that gives me time to self-edit and then time for Beth or my traditional editors to polish. I think that's the clutch side of all this for me, knowing that the polish isn't what makes people buy that first book... it's what makes them come back and buy more. Congratulations!
DeleteI've been more of a reader than a writer the last few years, but I finally feel emotionally ready to put pen to paper again. My goal for May is to find that idea spark and outline it. Oh, and pick a genre LOL! I have been making myself read more challenging books for inspiration and I'm kind of proud to say that I just finished Dante's Divine Comedy. I shouldn't be shocked that a book can remain surprisingly reorganize for 700 years because human nature is what it is. I think these years of reading will serve me well as I pursue writing again. Thanks to everyone at Seekervile for their posts and comments. I love it here!
ReplyDeleteGlynis we love our readers as much as our writers because we're both ourselves! I know that I get weird ideas at weird times and that's what I call the inspiration... because I can mentally see the story and feel the angst. If I have to invent it, it's never as good.... we are funny people! Thank you for stopping by!!!
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ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome that you're giving away cookies! I love all the posts here. They're very encouraging. My favorite reads are by Mary Connealy and Karen Witemeyer. I'm a hobby writer who writes fantasy with romance (or maybe that's romance with fantasy... hmmm.) I self-published in 2007 for my friends, family, and myself, and have been working on my sequel ever since. I put it away for a long time, but I've finally gotten back to it this year.
ReplyDeleteI love that you've gotten back to it, Michelle! Good for you!!!! We know how life intervenes and interrupts. When I started seriously writing towards publication (which took a Very Long Time) I was crazy busy with kids and two jobs.... but I started waking up at 3:40 in the morning and I thought... clearly I don't need that extra 90 minutes of sleep! So I started writing. :) And then it just got to be a morning habit. And that was kind of cool, I didn't have to make it a "job" per se.... and a habit is just fun, right?
DeleteHello Love the post I am a reader and Love to read Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteHello Love the post Love reading books by Jan, Debby , and all the Authors in this group and the cookies are one of my favorites! Thank you for this amazing giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'm a full-time author and at the moment - I'm exhausted. :) Don't get me wrong, I love the deadlines. Love story. But it has been a tough few months and encouragement from readers and other writers is a beautiful thing. Love love love Seekerville.
ReplyDeleteI’m a reader and love to read a variety of genres but historical or split time are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI'm a reader & a writer. I'm doing my best to learn the craft but am a confused over what I should be writing. I'm confused in length and topics. I'm not sure if i should be trying short stories or jump into a novel. My last two first drafts were major flops. I'm also unsure of what I want to write about. I know romance and womans fiction are my genres, but Ive never had an idea that follows me around and insists on getting written.
ReplyDeleteI am a reader and author. I have gone from having one book release every year and a half to three in one year. And I am overwhelmed! Part of it is having a preschooler still at home until August when he starts kindergarten, but that will only free up a bit of time because I may have to take on another part-time job to help pay private school tuition. I know God will help me work it out, but right now, it's overwhelming. I am so grateful and blessed to have so many contracts, but more contracts comes with more work, too. Struggling to find the best balance. And those cookies look amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'm a reader and reviewer. I'm loving historical fiction right now with some contemporary thrown in at random. I've been married to the same wonderful man for almost 54 years. I'm so glad he puts up with me. We have 5 children, 16 grandchildren, and 2 great-granddaughters. I love reading, family history/genealogy, and gardening (when it doesn't involve weeding). I also love popping in here at Seekerville to see what you've all been doing!
ReplyDeleteI've written three books, all currently unpublished, and my big dream is to one day make my living by writing novels! My question is: how can I earn money with writing, until I start earning money from published books? For example, selling short stories to literary magazines? Or what else? I hate to get a day job that has nothing to do with writing--all I can think the whole time is "I could be writing right now..."
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! I very much appreciate anything you care to share