Progress Not Perfection

There's a saying in the program, we strive for progress, not perfection. And when I follow it things seem to be more balanced, and I actually get more done and have more success than if I try to nail everything down all at once. And not just in the way I approach my eating but in the way I approach my writing and life in general.

My Higher Power has blessed me with a publishing contract from a great publishing house. I had no idea when I was chatting Lea up at a Digicon workshop that I would end up MuseItUp. I hadn't even planned on going with them initially. But when I received multiple offers for publication I had takn enough workshops and chats to glean Muse really nurtures and takes care of their authors (not that other houses don't) but Muse just felt right.

At some point during the rewrite of Another Way To Die I realized Daniel Logan was a fantastic hero and he wanted more pages than the 189 dedicated to him in my first book. I had a trilogy on my hands. I'm incredibly linear in my work. Some people can multitask when it comes to their project and if I could I would. But that's where my prediliction for getting out of the moment which is essential for my writing--and quite frankly my life throws me out of balance.

When I'm writing progress is what I'm striving for because nothing, no matter how much I wish it could be is perfect. Someone, either myself or someone else is always going to find fault with it. There is judgement in this world. And sometimes we writers judge ourselves and one another the harshest.

I'm not talking about the sharp eye of your content and line editors I'm talking about squashing someone's voice. That's why I don't believe first drafts are meant to be seen by anyone except the writer until they are finished. Crtitique partners are important, but even then you don't hand the first draft to them. Only your first reader needs to see it. Too many cooks spoil the dish. I believe that.

Critique partners shoulder be people who understand you, your voice, and your personality. Some can be treated roughly. Some need it wrapped in a bow. If you understand the goal is progress not perfection you're not just going to be a better writer, you're going to a happier and better person.

I want to take a moment here to thank those who have inspired me to do my best work. Stephen King, Julie Butcher, Chris Baty, Lea Schizas, Elise VanCise, Pamela Turner, Scott Frank, Quentin Tarantino, William Goldman, and of course my best friend, writing partner, and first reader of fourteen years Melissa Goodman. May you all have continued success in this world, no matter what your definition of it is.

Say Hello To Your Newest Muse It Up Author!

The publishing world is filled with stories of cautionary tales. Of how some publishers represent themselves as one thing but are really another and how some look down on self-publishing (a perfectly legitimate avenue as long as your book is ready). Achieving publication is hard no matter what the format. Even though e-publication is the wave of the future the acceptance rate is 3-5% at best and 3-5% out of 100% is still a tough nut to crack. So when I opened my email box a few days ago to find one of these rare things you better believe I was over the moon happy about it.

I am a new Muse It Up Author. I will be sure to keep to up to date on my journey. Right now I have a ton of work to do. I will say Muse It Up is different from a lot of places right now because it works with an author in learning how to promote themselves and maximizing their efforts in driving traffic towards their book and just towards their social media. Actually I just like the idea I'm not shouting into a vacuum. But we all have our delusional fantasies right? LOL.

I have a lot of people to thank for this step along the journey and God knows acceptance into the club is just a step. Pamela Turner, she has to be the hardest working, most prolific lady I know. I can't wait for lunch on Thursday! You can find her title, Deathsword at Lyrical Press http://LyricalPress.com. Go find it! It is awesome! Then there's Elise VanCise, my late night writing and chatting friend who does a lot of my artwork and is a fine writer in her own right, her work can be found at http://Lulu.com. Her books are awesome too, if you like Paranormal or Urban Fantasy check these ladies out they are well worth the penny and time spent.

I, on the other hand, am a dark romantic suspense author. My title Another Way To Die is the tale of Almira Sands and Daniel Logan:

Almira Sands has been running all her life from her abusive father Jack, she knows she can only run for so long, one day the running will end and only she or her father will be left standing, what she doesn’t expect is to be kidnapped by Daniel Logan.

Daniel Logan is a mercenary who only intended to use Almira long enough to get to safety, but when she takes a bullet and almost dies he finds himself questioning who he is and what he does and saves her life.

On the run and falling in love they are forced to decide: a life on the run together, or face her father, the man who has the power to separate them forever.

Stay tuned for more to come...