The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer's Support Group day. Members post on our blogs, discussing our doubts and fears, struggles and triumphs. We visit each other and offer a word of encouragement for those who are struggling, or cheer for those with a success to celebrate. Today's the day--Let's rock the neurotic writing world!
The awesome co-hosts for the March 3 posting of the IWSG are Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!
Each month we have an optional question to start the discussion. The March 3 question is: Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice(s)?
Before I get on with answering the question, time to report on progress!
Thanks to support from my friends, I expect to finish edits on Death By Donut this week and send the MS to my proof-readers. I'm a little stressed about hitting my deadlines, and I know I've gotten into some bad timing for my release. I won't be able to do all the advance work I should, because I'll be on a raft on the Colorado River (or coming/going from Flagstaff) from late March to late April. Since I'd hoped to have this book out before Xmas, and then in January, or certainly by this month, I'm feeling the pressure not to put it off again. I scheduled the release for about two days after I get home. Now I'm wondering if I should put it off until May. I'm not good at doing what I should before a release, but this might be extreme. Thoughts?
Meanwhile, as soon as I get the novel out the door, I hope to get atop my fourth collection of short stories, finish the edits, and create a cover so I can send Clues, Cops, and Corpses out into the world. So I have a lot on my plate for the next month, and I've reduced my writing time to try to help save the world. In other words, I'm volunteering about 3 half-days a week at the local vaccine clinic! It's good for me in many ways, but does make it harder to work on the novel and still go for two-hour hikes and bike rides most days. Maybe it makes it less necessary to work out that much, too.
With all this on top of everything else in my life, I have to admit that for now I'm pretty much sticking with re-reads (comfort food), supplemented by a few new audiobooks, mostly non-fiction. Thinking more historically, my reading has long skewed heavily toward cozy mysteries and children's books, which are most of what I've written. Science fiction is creeping back in, and I really enjoy natural history as well. So I do read more widely than I write, though my flash fiction has wandered through most of the genres.
How about you? What are you reading?
All the best people have been rescheduling book launches (and film launches!) during Covid, so I'd put it back to when you can realistically do it. Like September or something. It's not vital that you get it out now, but it is important to get it out well.
ReplyDelete:)
I think June will be a good time. I've no particular plans for May and June, though if it gets hot I'll flee to the north. That's okay--I'll still have internet :) The trouble comes when I head to the wilderness, which I'll do in August and September.
DeleteSounds like a very busy schedule. I will send you some positive vibes. Enjoy the float trip and flow with the river! No stress :)
ReplyDeleteLessons from a river--Go with the flow! :D
DeleteOh, enjoy your float trip indeed! I'd say there is no need to hurry with the release of your book.
ReplyDeleteI am excited about this trip!
DeleteIt sounds like you are doing a lot of other important things, like volunteering at a vaccine clinic and traveling. You don't want to miss out on the enjoyment of the experience by stressing about publication dates. I think you should move your date out. And the good thing is that things will be more normal by then so some people who are too stressed about life might be more into reading when the pandemic worries are less.
ReplyDeleteI thought people were reading their way through the pandemic? Maybe too many like me, sticking with familiar things!
DeleteHi Rebecca - you've a lot going on ... and deferring something that might cause you more stress - and take your time working things through. All the very best with publications et al - and enjoy whatever you're reading - reading is for enjoyment ... and time to think forward for your float trip - all the best Hilary
ReplyDeleteYou are wise, as usual!
DeleteI think I'll go with the advice to delay. That will reduce stress and maybe allow me to fulfill more of the advertising plan I always fantasize about but don't usually fulfill.
ReplyDeleteI suck at deadlines of all sorts, so I applaud you for having some for yourself. Unfortunately, that leaves me with very little advice to give in that area... Have fun on the river!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I can set deadlines, but I can’t promise to keep them!
DeleteI hope that you have a wonderful time rafting on the Colorado, Rebecca! It will recharge and refresh your brain, and the rest will fall into place! Good luck, and happy IWSG Day!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope for healing for brain and soul. Hanging out with ancient rock is good for both.
DeleteYou have so much going on, pushing back the book a month or two is probably the best for your mental health! Not to mention the attention and care the book deserves. As I am being forced to learn, you can only do so much!
ReplyDeleteI think you are wise. I’m listening to the advice I’m getting here, and planning to adjust my release date.
DeleteIt's hard to decide when to write and when to slow down for other projects. A vaccine clinic certainly sounds like a very important and time-sensitive task. Maybe there will be a burst of creativity and productivity this summer as the vaccine starts to decline the numbers.
ReplyDeleteI love reading a wide variety of genres. I posted for IWSG day today. My post includes a new book by a friend, a note about a free book next week, a tweet about a query contest (LGBTQ romance this round), and a quick message about April Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
J Lenni Dorner~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author
I do have a history of trying to do everything. After so long hiding from COVID, it’s a bit astonishing to find that there’s an “everything” to try to do at once!
DeleteHonestly, one thing I've regretted in the past is not properly taking the time to execute a stronger book launch, so I'd put it off. Your trip sounds amazing! Have a great time.
ReplyDeleteI'd say the votes are in, and I'm adjusting the dates! At least my procrastination means I hadn't sent out my newsletter yet :)
DeleteSending you good wishes for an enjoyable trip and a successful book launch. Unless you do well under pressure, I'd push the launch out a couple of weeks after you get back. Whatever you decide, good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to push back that release and enjoy these spring days!
DeleteMy flash fiction goes in completely unexpected directions as well! It's fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping with vaccines - that's amazing!
For your release, do what makes you feel good. If it's causing stress, delay away.
Thanks, Jemi. I feel in some ways like the vaccine clinic is the best thing that's happened for a while. I knew I needed to get out and not be so isolated (COVID notwithstanding), but it was hard to do it, or even try, with the pandemic on. It's good to do something that feels important.
DeleteYou'll stress about it the whole time you're away. I'd say give it until May so you have time and it won't be a cloud looming over you.
ReplyDeleteI have no experience of releasing a novel but if I was in your shoes I think I would delay. The release will go better if you schedule it for a time when you can give it your full focus and can spend more time preparing.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you are volunteering.
Rafting on the Colorado will be so much fun! Alas, I never release when I should and I'm never prepared either. The day job is just too much. Can't wait for retirement!
ReplyDeletePutting it off might help to reduce stress and give you the chance to do what you need to do. Delaying the release to a later month won't hurt. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a good time on the break!
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