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The Weekend
We’ve had another busy weekend. The big excitement around here is the installation of a ductless heating system. Yep, I think that last statement confirms that I’m getting older. My husband and our super-amazing electrician friend did the installation themselves. All we have to wait for now is the professional to make the final adjustments and we’ll be warm.
Our farmhouse is 112 years old and we’ve lived here for the last fourteen years. Even with many of the windows now replaced, it can get chilly. I won’t bore you with all the details about ducting and racoons, but the two don’t go well together.
Another blessing from the weekend was the weather. Wow. It was so warm and sunny yesterday. I think I’ll be able to live another week on that vitamin D boost.
The pears have all fallen and the bees are having their annual Thanksgiving feast under the tree. I’ve been doing a lot of research on bees lately. They’re helping with the theme of my latest manuscript. If you have any knowledge about beekeeping in the 1930s, please let me know.
The sun also brought the kiddos out to play. For the first time ever, Emma has poison oak. And in Emma fashion, she has it everywhere. Poor kid! We were suppose to have our portrait taken tonight. Well…that’s been rescheduled.
My husband and I have started working with the high school group at our church. What a blessing it is to spend time with these kids.
So that’s my weekend. What did you do?
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New Kindle Opinions?
What do you think about the new Kindles?
I went over to Amazon and checked them out this morning. The Kindle Fire has an amazing number of capabilities. Now you can watch movies, play music, download apps, and all this with a color touch-screen.
But I’m not running out to buy one. Why? It takes away one of the greatest benefits I get from my simple Kindle, the chance to dive into another world uninterrupted by the information overload of this one. I love my Kindle because it’s a book. Well, it’s more like a portable library, but you understand what I’m saying. My Kindle just gives me stories, and that’s all I want from it.
This works for me, but what about you? What do you think about the new Kindles?
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On Writing and Marketing
I read a great and informative post on the Steve Laube Agency’s blog yesterday. Steve boiled down the numbers, explaining the expenses publishers dole out to put books on the shelves. What an eye opener. On the average, publishers are only making about $420 on the first printing of 10,000 books. Wow!
As writers, what should our response to this information be? Well, for me it’s all about marketing and producing a quality product. If a publishing house is going to take that kind of risk on me, a new writer, I’m going to do my part to make sure they make a profit.
How can writers move toward the goal of better writing and marketing?
1. Write each day. Practice, practice, practice. There’s nothing magical about hard work.
2. Read well written fiction. Learn from those who have done it.
3. Read books on writing craft.
4. Research marketing. Check out the blog post I read today.
5. Be involved with an active group of writers, including a great critique group.
6. Join a writer’s community like ACFW.
7. Give back to others. It can’t always be about our platform and our skills. What can you give someone else?
8. Apply what you’ve learned.
9. Be patient. Learning to be a great writer takes time and so does building a solid marketing platform. Keep working toward your goal.
What are you doing to advance your marketing and writing skills?
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We’re Out of Bread!
We’re out of bread!
Maybe that seems like a simple issue. Go to the store and get more. But what you don’t know is that I went to the store three times last week. Yesterday my in-laws came for a visit and brought tons of yummy treats. Still…We’re out of bread.
My goal is to always be prepared and have extra of anything possible to store. In our garage, we have a second refrigerator and two freezers. I fill these with backups whenever that item goes on sale. With two teenaged boys and two growing girls, we need a lot of food.
But still, this morning, my husband looks at me and says, “Hey, we’re out of bread.”
Don’t misunderstand me. I love being a wife and mother. Taking care of my family is a privilege. It’s the grocery store I’m not fond of. Now that our local university is back in session, Fred Meyer is packed like a clown car at a circus. I actually had to drive around looking for a parking place. All this for the honor of pushing a cart with no tread on one wheel and an intermittent, high-pitched squeal. And when I get to the end of the journey, yep, that’s when I get to hand over all my money.
The other option is one of those huge, mega-warehouse establishments. It feels less crowded, at least until you get to the check out, but the fruit is only fruit in looks. One bite of that shiny apple and you know you’re tasting some kind of man-made replica. There’s no flavor. I don’t know how they do it, but this store has actually sucked the flavor out of their fruit.
All right. Deep breath. Here we go.
It’s time to accept my fate. We’re out of bread.
Today, I’ll be going to the grocery store.
What will you be doing?
