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Random thoughts, inconsistent posting |
 My meandering thoughts |
In my last post mentioned the manuscript I was asked to edit. I went through most of the middle of her book to the end and pointed out the POV issues. When we sat and went over all the problems I sent her a chapter by chapter layout of what her book might look like. She looked at my suggestions then adjusted to fit her vision. She let go of a lot of the story points she told me she wanted to keep. She insisted I do her rewrite and she's paid me to do them. I started the 2nd rewrite and this was my first go on chapter 1-5. It took me three hours to read, edit and write those first two chapters. She is still wanting me to continue to write. It's like writing a novel all over. I haven't had time to work on the second lady's novel yet. I have to work at my regular job then go home and sit at a computer again writing. Some days I just don't want to sit there. I need to set up time to rewrite and time to have for myself. The fact she wants this done at the end of the month is a lot of pressure to write. Now she isn't putting the hammer down, but is strongly suggesting that she'd like it done. I don't think she realizes that even when I'm done with it, she's going to have go through it and edit it for grammar. There is also the fact she might want some of it changed. I already had to add a portion to the beginning because it just wasn't working. Enough complaining for now. I need to get back to writing. |
I finished my friend's novel. 350 pages. A lot of it was cut. I gave her a short chapter by chapter outline of what a romance novel might look like. It's up to her to decide what she wants in it or left out. I made it about 21-23 chapters which gives enough time to build the story, romance, conflict and then resolution. I'm not sure if she want's me to write it or her. I hope she starts it. It will help her learn the process of writing, staying on one POV and sticking to the story line. Now I have to work on the other lady's story and see about getting that done. Her's is writing more emotion and introducing the abuse into it. |
| It's been over a month since I last wrote. So much has happened. Let me tell you a bit of back story before I launch into this post. A little over a year ago I joined another writing site. Just for the fun of it. I began posting my novel Silent River for feedback, I've told this earlier, but it doesn't hurt to repeat it. Then they offered a 100 day book. Similar to the Nanowrimo. After introducing myself to the others who were joining the challenge, I met another writer who lives a few miles from my home. As I began to read and review her work, I offered suggestions to improve her writing. She had written 350 pages and they were all over the place. After a few months she approached me and said she loved all my suggestions and would I read and review a few more. We talked. I explained POV and how it worked. Why jumping from one POV to another within a chapter is confusing to the reader. It also breaks up the forward motion of the story. She asked me to rewrite her novel. Still the story must remain the same. I worked on it. Then the other day we met and she said. "I don't think this ring thing adds to the story. I think we can take it out." What a big concession that is to a writer. To give up parts of your story you labored over and loved but now see they don't move the story or even fit what you really want to tell. I know she's made big strides in her writing. I'm sure now as she moves forward with her next work she'll have all this in her mind. Life is full of marvels. Learning and teaching and learning more. I love it. I have been asked to do an interview for a blog. I'm hoping this helps people get to know me and promotes my books. |
This last week I took off for So California for a Gospel Fest. While there I checked in on FB and to my delight I had requests for paperback books of Silent River. 8 total so far. Some to be mailed some to be delivered. There are those pre-ordering for delivery in July at our Campmeeting. Luckily I will be sending in an additional order of 30 books to be delivered soon. And fortunately I was paid to ghost write a novel for a friend. That means I have to get on it and get it done before July. This extra 8 isn't included in the 31 sold from before and just Friday I was up to 43 and 0 paperbacks. Well, that may not be good enough sales for my agent, but that's an increase of 13 books from the week before. He can't count my book sales, but I can. So I will have 25+ the additional 30 I'm ordering this week. I should be set for a while. I feel badly that he can't count my purchases as sales. I'm buying them to sell, so they are books in circulation. The orig Vanishing of Katherine Sullivan is still selling in the secondary market. Now sadly I get nothing from those sales, but it does keep people interested in my book. Even if they buy from goodwill or whatever. I feel they will look for my next book to be published and want to read that one. 'I wish people would keep my book instead of giving it to goodwill or secondhand stores. After all it's a good book! |
| A week and a half have passed and I emailed my book promoter. I asked how many sold in the first five days. I received an email that it wasn't too good. There were only 31 units (books) sold. 3 were kindle unlimited and the rest were ereaders. NOT GOOD? by whose standards? I think that is a good showing for the first few days. I have had requests for paperback books from my circle of friends who like signed books. What I've discovered is there is a buying of my first book in the secondary market. Unfortunately I don't get anything from those sales, but its nice to know that people are reading it. Bless their hearts. I wish they'd buy the republished one. I like the cover better. A few days after it was posted on Amazon, I read a review about Silent River. Here is an amazing review. Piaras 5.0 out of 5 starsA well-crafted psychological thriller. April 20, 2019 Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase Silent River by C.M. Weaver is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel, with brilliantly drawn characters driven by obsession and the need for justice. The author weaves a well-crafted psychological thriller with intriguing twists and turns that will captivate the reader from the first page to the last. Skillfully constructed, the story is a fictionalized version of a real investigation in the late 1950s in Portland, Oregon. The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Robert Collins is Portland’s best investigative detective. When the Stevens family goes missing, he goes to work. As he uncovers clues the family may have been targeted for a professional hit by organized crime, it gets personal. …Can he face down his inner demons before he loses himself? He confronts the mob and police bureaucracy to find the missing family. Jake, partner and friend, thinks he's spiraling into obsession, when Robert's taken off the case but refuses to give up the investigation. …Can he get past this shameless tragedy and his own past to move on with his life?’ Now, if that’s not enough to get your curiosity juices flowing, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed. The story had every element a good story should have. A solid plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book. I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. This was a fascinating and captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly mesmerizing journey. Five stars I'm tickled pink to read this and if I didn't already know what the book was about, I'd read it myself. |
I have two books on Amazon The first is a republish, the second is a new publish. I republished Vanishing with iUniverse. I wanted to get it back on the market and they put it together for $900.00 A new cover and a little editing, but I had to do most of it. It was their basic package. Its been out a month and I got a call from a VERY high pressure salesperson to purchase a video package for (orig$4,000) but she could get it down to a mere $2,000. When I was hesitant she got very pushy telling me I didn't believe in the book or I'd jump on this opportunity to get a video made and have it put out to Hollywood producers and directors or anyone who chose projects. Did I know the movie Still Alice? That was one of their publications. I asked her to give me an average of the number of people who bought these packages and how many were made into movies? She didn't know. {eye-roll from me} Anyway I put the hammer down and said no. She got huffy and said I should spend $300 and buy the Press Release option. It would go out to 500 contacts to possibly order the book for their stores or promote on their websites, and request a free book for a review. I told her I'd just had my other book published and I got the same thing for free! She said so the answer is no and you're going to just let the book sit there and do nothing. I said "YEP." She signed off and went away. To be clear, she had no idea the book's history. She'd read the blurb and said she read a couple of pages and she would probably buy it for her own reading. (Liar) I have already published this book once and did quite well with it. It isn't a best seller yet, but for my first book I am pretty pleased with the response to the story. I've already sold 3 that I know about. SILENT RIVER by C.M. Weaver was hot yesterday (4/17) and the paperback will be available today or tomorrow I was told. italics Publishing is a tradition publisher of small press. I didn't pay anything, but I have a long term contract with them (7years) I'm new to all this. The fact that it's on Amazon and they are invested in promoting it is fine with me. I know I won't get a lot of money from it, but when you're a new published author you need to get a following and if that's what it takes, so be it. I have a nice size platform. It's a little heavy on experienced readers and some are of the conservative nature. I don't know if they'll read a crime novel, but it's okay, they'll love the next two books. For this reason I wrote this book under CM WEAVER. Now that I think about it I should have picked a different name so they aren't so close on the author listing. I found this publisher by just going through the internet listing for publishers and looking at any who looked like they might be open to submissions for crime and true crime novels. I already had 3 sales of people I knew who'd read the first book and one's in England. I was told by the publisher there had been 4 sales within the first hour or so. I hadn't even put it on my FB or TWITTER yet. |
What a person posts on social media "usually" is something they aspire to. A political ideal, religious tenement, preference to anything. However, it has been stated, an employer or prospective employer may look at the social media and be opposed to that person's concept. If it doesn't fit their narrative, they don't hire them. When does this become prejudice? It's unlawful (in the USA) to discriminate when hiring or accepting applications for housing or even a service. Is that possible in this day an age? Its worse now than it ever was. In all my years(66) I've seen this being twisted and turned to fit whatever narrative is at the moment. Politically it is at it's worst. One side points that they need freedom of speech. For years Universities demanded "safe places" and the freedom to spout their rhetoric. Now when the opposition returns with the same objective, they are beaten and harassed, their projects are thrown out. Why? Where is the freedom? Why can't everyone be free to state their ideas? Its what makes things grow. Dialogue important, opposite views are often melded into a new view with discussion. I heard one of my favorite pod casts has been harassed. The host M Boudet posted a scathing recording of how he was harassed by two men and their band of people. I was appalled at the idea he was chastised for his freedom of speech. Just a few minutes ago I went out to the "innerwebs" and looked up to see what the issue was. I'm surprised. I don't swear. I don't care to listen to pod casters who use F-bombs and other words through out their pod casts. I choose not to listen to them nor would I donate to them. One such couple have a great pod cast with lots of good content. I can't get through the fact they say F- repeatedly in their posts. I can find other content just as good without the extra words. Sometimes I hear the word or similar spoken every so often in a pod cast. I try to ignore it if the content is interesting. If the focus becomes more on the swearing than the content, I change. I feel censoring is mildly outdated. We really are past that era. I wish people were more professional in their speech, but pod casting seems to be like cable, anything goes. I was surprised to see this censorship of Boudet. If what they alleged is true, people have every right to not follow him and ban him from their social media accounts. Mr. Boudet might want to rethink his actions. Sometimes "just because you can, doesn't mean you should." I'm going to take this a little further. Mr. Boudet has the right to say what he wants, respond to comments with derogatory remarks, and say anything he wants to under the law. He can spout religious or political rhetoric to his hearts content. People can choose to 1) not listen to his podcasts,2) ban him from posting on their own media page or 3) not support any company that supports him. It's a free country. His rant about being run off the air falls a little flat. Like a child eating a cookie and saying "It was there for me to eat, even though you told me not to. It's your fault for making them." Our government right now is showing a remarkable twist of ideals. One one hand there is a growing ideal that all wearable items should not have ANY offensive writing on them. Yet there is not guidelines to what is offensive. It's strictly up to the person in charge. A teacher or principal can order a child to remove a shirt or hat they deem offensive if it doesn't match their personal belief. On the other hand if a child or parent tells the principal they are offended by something the teacher says or does, and it's acceptable to that principal they are ignored and nothing is done. This ideal that only certain groups, tenements or doctrine is acceptable or not is a problem. It should be freedom for all. If a woman can wear a burka to congress, then a jew should be able to wear a yarmulkes or Yamakas. Or what if someone decided to wear a MAGA hat to congress one day? What is offensive isn't a rule anymore. It is judged by who has the biggest voice, the longest stick or the most money. |
| Here I am again. Hard to believe I stopped by to post here. My days are pretty uneventful. I want to take a moment to give my sister(s) credit. I love each of them for their individuality. Kathy Is three years younger than me. We fought like crazy growing up. It wasn't until many, many years later I found out she thought mom liked me better than her.  Me the one who always got the worst whippings because I sassed and disobeyed. Kathy got better grades because my nose was in a book and not a textbook. I was the more outgoing one until I began to gain weight, then I became self-conscience. Kathy in now my friend and sister. We talk and share and care for our mother. I can bounce ideas and plots off her and she gives me her thoughts. She reads more widely than I do (audio book) and has a good handle on plot movement and where I lack it. She and I will go to our parents "beach" house (7 miles from the water) and I give her my latest plot or work and she helps me fill in the holes with ideas of what she thinks might work.Susie She is 12 years younger than me. She is most like me in temperament and personality. She's the first to respond to my plot or book posts. I just sent an email out yesterday with my latest book and she responded first thing this morning with where it failed and where I needed to go. Ideas are what I need. I'm too close to the story and need that outside view. She came up with great ideas of what might make it more suspenseful. I still have figure out how to implement them into the story. She loved the story and said it kept her interested to the end. She told me the good parts and the weak parts. I have to go to work on it again. She's the caregiver and nurturer of our family, like our mother. She's in great demand amongst the extended circle we move in. We both love books (our whole family are readers). We had the best time a number of years ago when Susie, Kathy and I joined a book club. During that two year period, we read books that later became movies and best sellers. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (when it was first out in the USA) The Help, The Secret Life of Bees, The Art of Racing in the Rain (one of my picks) all read before they became what they are today. Who knew we could pick such winners. There were others I can't remember, some good some, MEH. Carol What can I say? I love my sisters, but Carol is the middle child, born 10 years after me and has always had the middle child syndrome. She's feisty, opinionated and it has to be her way or not at all. She's the expert and let's us know. When we had an indecent that upset her she didn't speak to any of us for years. Now we're older and not as volatile. She's still a prima dona, but we love her. She isn't as supportive to anything the rest of us do, but want's our support. She's losing weight and wants us to know how good she's doing. I'm proud she's passed a milestone and heading down to her goal. I don't hear much from her in the way of feedback. I don't expect it either. I have a brother, Greg, the baby of the family born 17 years after me. I love him and he's a great care giver to our mom. After my dad died 5years ago (how fast time flies) He moved back to Oregon and in with Mom. He cares for her in a way none of us can. We are married with families and he's divorced. It's a good fit. Mom still tries to mother him and also treat him like a spouse. Ha that doesn't work. He balks at that. Greg was 4 years old when my daughter, Lani, was born. He couldn't figure out why I called his mom, Mom. I didn't live at their house, I wasn't his sister. He still thinks that was funny. Lani is just like me and Susie. She is much like a younger sister to my sisters. We have a FB messenger group called The Fun Sisters and Niece Since Lani is about 7 years younger than Susie. She's crafty like they are and the four of us together have a lot of fun. Carol doesn't come to see us, so is more a long distance relation. She and Lani hang out together as often as they can. They're about 3+ hours apart. I'm saying all this to show as a family, my sisters support me and my writing. They aren't afraid to give me hard critiques. I don't bristle and tell them they aren't writers. They're readers. They know what works and doesn't from the readers perspective. I value their opinion. On the other hand, I value lots of opinions. I know that as a writer, I only get better when I get good criticism. I'm not obligated to accept it if I don't agree or it doesn't fit where I'm going with the story. Enough family today. Have a good weekend. |
| The 100 Day Book is over. In fact it was over the first part of February. I set my writing goal way over what the story would hold. I'm at almost 50K and I'm at the climax. I don't know what to write. Its not really a block because I can write, its that I have no idea where to go with the story. I guess it's back to putting the story out to my sisters/daughter to read. They are always supportive and give good suggestions. Sometimes it isn't the suggestion I use it's what the idea sparks. My book, The Vanishing of Katherine Sullivan is almost ready to be submitted for the final draft. It's still not the best I could do, but the more I play with it the more I find. I think it's okay. It's my first book. Silent Riveris my crime book that will also be published this month. It will only be available on KindleUnlimited and in paperbacK I'm fine with it. It's not my best work. It really is just a story that everyone wanted me to write. Now here were are at the publishing stage and I find out more information that might have changed the book. I have to remember this is fiction. The motive is fiction. The act isn't but how it was committed is. I just made it up. That's what "Based on a True Story" is. Joshua (JB) will have his Non-fiction version out in August. I'm sure it will be a big seller. His book is titled The Echo of Distant Water When I told him my title, he told me his. odd how similar they are. His cover has actual picture of the family. Mine is a graded variant of colored representations of hills and mountains with a picture of the Columbia River in the foreground. I'm writing this under C.M. Weaver. I think after this book I'm writing is done, I'm going back to work on The Kindred series. MY Blog: www.christinamweaver.wordpress.com Follow my journey writing a crime story 35 years in the making  |
I can't believe how long this has been. I received a notification that someone liked my last post. I clicked to see what it was about. So much has happened. I need to catch up here. As before I'd begun to look for publishers to publish my new crime novel. After a few more blocked ($$$) leads I found a publisher who didn't ask for a any money up front. Now that being said, I get the manuscript edited, a cover that is awesome. The only draw back so far is they only publish to KindleUnlimited. I get paid by the page read. I can deal with that. I also made sure there was a POD option. I'll buy a box of books and peddle them myself. That's what I did last time and I did well. Not amazing, but I certainly was happy with the almost 400 sold in both e-reader and in paperback. My republishing of Vanishing is going okay. I found a publisher who for a price that I can deal with, is going to republish it as a paperback and ereader. I also get a promotion package. That being said, I've already had it out there so I'll just promote it myself and buy a few paperback books to have on hand. I have only 3 left of my original 175 I bought. People are still asking about it so I know there's an interest in this book. I found out they were selling on the secondary market and now there isn't any left. There will be a newer looking cover with the words Revised or Second Edition In November I signed up for a 100 Day Book. I'd done the Nano three times so I figured I could do 80K in 100 days. I couldn't get invested in this plot. It sounded good but I had trouble moving it forward. Now that I'm one week from the end and I'm only at 40k, it's starting to come together. so I'm out a few bucks, I'm done with this website. I hope to get some feed back on it here on WDC. Prompt: "What if you found out your birth certificate was a lie?" |
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