It’s been a week and a day since I left my job. I now have everything in place to write. My Internet, laptop, printer and phone are working properly.
This is the day I’ve committed to start writing. I’ve done all of the organizing, ran all my errands, have searched the Internet for great deals and have watched enough television. No more excuses. It’s time to start on my projects.
But of course there is always something to take you off track. As I sat down to work on my script and inserted my Final Draft CD (6.0) into the CD driver, it wouldn’t work. This is a problem since I’m not ready to shell out another $200 for an upgraded version.
After getting frustrated and feeling stressed for a few minutes, I went online and did some shop comparisons. Instead of shelling out for the newest version 9.0, I would settle for 7 or 8. But those are still quite high.
But low and behold, I noticed a link for free 30-day trial download. I’m saved. So I’m back in business.
There are so many creative people in the world. Whether you want to be a singer, screenwriter or author, the price to attend special programs, to buy tools or software, attend classes, or even entering contests can become very pricey.
And unfortunately there are so many programs out there that know there are people like me who are trying to break into the biz and they constantly increase their prices with each change of the seasons. It’s a little sad but it’s the world we live in.
Is 6.0 better than 9.0? I don’t really see a difference. Maybe for the real hardcore screenwriters but I don’t need all those bells and whistles. I’m just a writer who wants to make sure my format is right, that there is enough white-space in my script and I spelled everything correctly but most of all that my script is good.
Unlike when using PowerPoint (my favorite software btw—good job Microsoft) where I can use transitions, slideshows and fancy fonts, my screenplay and even my fiction writing has to fit the industries standard; courier, 12pt, 1.5 inch margins, etc.
Today is tax day and there are all types of companies offering discounts and freebies. It would be ever so nice if Apple, Microsoft, and the telephone companies would jump on board.
After all, who couldn’t benefit from a discount? Come on guys; help a sistah out once in awhile.
PS: I think I'll head over to Boston Market. They got a good chicken dinner deal.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Monday, April 14, 2014
Stepping Out - III
I was talking to an ex-coworker a couple of weeks ago about her breakup. It had been a few weeks but she was still going thru withdrawals. Since they had lived together for awhile, she now had problems being at home alone. She was constantly living inside her head—meaning she couldn’t stop the negative voices.
As an only child, I knew firsthand what she met. I am constantly in my head (happy, sad and sometimes crazy thoughts) and as a writer it becomes more so than the norm. I continued to listen as she said, “Work is a welcome diversion.”
That threw me. I thought I was the only one who felt that way. I knew what it meant to use work as a distraction. No one had ever said that to me before. I thought I was the only one who felt like that and I was always ashamed to admit it to anyone for fear of people feeling sorry for me.
For the last 4 years, I used work as a diversion. I’d stay late and come in on the weekends and although people would scold me for working long hours and weekends, I welcomed the moments where I wasn’t sitting at home. I’d get home about 9ish, eat dinner and watch a little comedy and two hours later I’m in bed asleep and able to shut out the world and not have to think about life for 7—9 hours.
Not to say I don’t have friends. I have plenty and get invited to my share of social events. But it’s easier to stay home, lie on the couch and not move until you have to.
I grew up mostly as an only child. That probably doesn’t make sense to most but I’m not in the mood to explain what ‘grew up mostly’ means right now. Suffice it to say, I can be comfortable spending time with myself. I’m sure some would say too comfy. But I also love to be surrounded by people.
I recently had a friend stop by and drop off a CD and when I asked where they were going they said they had to run some errands.
I jokingly asked if I could tag along. You see, I know my friend and I could tell he wanted some alone time. But for a few minutes after they left, I felt alone and the thought of traveling only a few feet to an office every day depressed me.
Unless you have a writing partner, it’s a lonely talent. It’s what I love and hate about writing. I think the loneliness part of writing scares me the most about my new season. But it’s also what makes me a great writer. And once I’m able to share my writing with the world, I know that part of the loneliness will disappear. I can’t wait.
As an only child, I knew firsthand what she met. I am constantly in my head (happy, sad and sometimes crazy thoughts) and as a writer it becomes more so than the norm. I continued to listen as she said, “Work is a welcome diversion.”
That threw me. I thought I was the only one who felt that way. I knew what it meant to use work as a distraction. No one had ever said that to me before. I thought I was the only one who felt like that and I was always ashamed to admit it to anyone for fear of people feeling sorry for me.
For the last 4 years, I used work as a diversion. I’d stay late and come in on the weekends and although people would scold me for working long hours and weekends, I welcomed the moments where I wasn’t sitting at home. I’d get home about 9ish, eat dinner and watch a little comedy and two hours later I’m in bed asleep and able to shut out the world and not have to think about life for 7—9 hours.
Not to say I don’t have friends. I have plenty and get invited to my share of social events. But it’s easier to stay home, lie on the couch and not move until you have to.
I grew up mostly as an only child. That probably doesn’t make sense to most but I’m not in the mood to explain what ‘grew up mostly’ means right now. Suffice it to say, I can be comfortable spending time with myself. I’m sure some would say too comfy. But I also love to be surrounded by people.
I recently had a friend stop by and drop off a CD and when I asked where they were going they said they had to run some errands.
I jokingly asked if I could tag along. You see, I know my friend and I could tell he wanted some alone time. But for a few minutes after they left, I felt alone and the thought of traveling only a few feet to an office every day depressed me.
Unless you have a writing partner, it’s a lonely talent. It’s what I love and hate about writing. I think the loneliness part of writing scares me the most about my new season. But it’s also what makes me a great writer. And once I’m able to share my writing with the world, I know that part of the loneliness will disappear. I can’t wait.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Stepping Out - Part II
I left my job less than a week ago. A company I’d been with for 6 years and two days. A job where I made a comfortable salary and worked with some of the most incredible people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with in my corporate career.
Yup. I stepped out. Now what?
During my 6 week notice (instead of the standard 2), I was constantly asked if I was excited about leaving. I think most people expected me to jump up and down and say, “Hells yes.” But I couldn’t. I was tired and stressed.
One, I’ve always had problems sleeping but it had now gotten to only 3 to 4 hours a night. I couldn’t believe I had given notice. What the heck was I doin’? Two, I wanted to make sure I got all my work done to make it easier for the next person(s). It took a village to do my job even though in the last 2 years, it had become a department of 1 and I needed to train that village. Three, did I have enough money saved? And 4, what if I failed?
Another question that was asked--, “What will be the first thing you’ll do when you leave…” For that, I gave the standard answer. I’m going to write. But for my close friends and family who needed more, I gave a detailed outline; mediation and prayer in the morning, workout for 30-40 minutes every other day, write 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon with the goal of getting up to 6 hours a day of writing. Most days, I’ll stay home and once or twice a week to keep it exciting, I’ll go to a coffee house or library.
But I have to be honest. An outline is just that, an outline. Like my writing, I can outline a story from the beginning to the end but when I began to write, it never comes out the way I expected.
I’ve been here before and working at home is a struggle. For the first few days, you start counting the money and wondering how long it will last because you realize it takes money to have a home office. I needed a new cell, a home phone, printer and the Internet. Plus, I wanted to make sure my place was not only desirable for me to want to work 24/7 but for people to come and visit.
For the first few days I had a burst of energy and began cleaning and organizing my work space-- throwing out the old with hopes of bringing in the new.
A couple of days later I started noticing that I was visiting the fridge a lot then--
I need to interrupt my writing flow to ask a question?
Why when you are on a budget does it feel like you can’t get enough to eat and you start craving everything?
--I started sitting on my couch a lot and turning on the television.
“I’ll just watch a little.”
A couple of hours later... I can start tomorrow. Then tomorrow turns to Monday.
I’ve been leaving my job to write for 6 years and 2 days basically the day I started. I stressed when the Head of Production told me that they wanted to hire me permanently and I cried when I had to write work goals for the first time in 8 years (I’d been a temp forever when I moved to Cali). I would have to lie and make up goals for a job I didn’t want (I don’t like lying) but needed. Plus, I was fearful that this would be it for me.
Nevertheless for 4 years, I wrote goals and went through performance reviews and became a fixture in the company. And during those years, I began to like what I did. I grew in my position, learned and was promoted but mostly I fell in love with the people I worked with.
During my 4th year I began to feel a shift and for awhile I tried hard to get back to how I felt those initial years. But the more I tried to bring myself back, the more I kept hitting a wall. I’m all about signs and I knew what they were telling me. It was time to go.
So for two years, I prayed, fasted, meditated and read and reread affirmations until finally I was able to release, to let go and to let God. I left.
Now, here I am. And God help me I am terrified. I’m right at the beginning with no idea on how it will end.
Stay tuned…
Yup. I stepped out. Now what?
During my 6 week notice (instead of the standard 2), I was constantly asked if I was excited about leaving. I think most people expected me to jump up and down and say, “Hells yes.” But I couldn’t. I was tired and stressed.
One, I’ve always had problems sleeping but it had now gotten to only 3 to 4 hours a night. I couldn’t believe I had given notice. What the heck was I doin’? Two, I wanted to make sure I got all my work done to make it easier for the next person(s). It took a village to do my job even though in the last 2 years, it had become a department of 1 and I needed to train that village. Three, did I have enough money saved? And 4, what if I failed?
Another question that was asked--, “What will be the first thing you’ll do when you leave…” For that, I gave the standard answer. I’m going to write. But for my close friends and family who needed more, I gave a detailed outline; mediation and prayer in the morning, workout for 30-40 minutes every other day, write 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon with the goal of getting up to 6 hours a day of writing. Most days, I’ll stay home and once or twice a week to keep it exciting, I’ll go to a coffee house or library.
But I have to be honest. An outline is just that, an outline. Like my writing, I can outline a story from the beginning to the end but when I began to write, it never comes out the way I expected.
I’ve been here before and working at home is a struggle. For the first few days, you start counting the money and wondering how long it will last because you realize it takes money to have a home office. I needed a new cell, a home phone, printer and the Internet. Plus, I wanted to make sure my place was not only desirable for me to want to work 24/7 but for people to come and visit.
For the first few days I had a burst of energy and began cleaning and organizing my work space-- throwing out the old with hopes of bringing in the new.
A couple of days later I started noticing that I was visiting the fridge a lot then--
I need to interrupt my writing flow to ask a question?
Why when you are on a budget does it feel like you can’t get enough to eat and you start craving everything?
--I started sitting on my couch a lot and turning on the television.
“I’ll just watch a little.”
A couple of hours later... I can start tomorrow. Then tomorrow turns to Monday.
I’ve been leaving my job to write for 6 years and 2 days basically the day I started. I stressed when the Head of Production told me that they wanted to hire me permanently and I cried when I had to write work goals for the first time in 8 years (I’d been a temp forever when I moved to Cali). I would have to lie and make up goals for a job I didn’t want (I don’t like lying) but needed. Plus, I was fearful that this would be it for me.
Nevertheless for 4 years, I wrote goals and went through performance reviews and became a fixture in the company. And during those years, I began to like what I did. I grew in my position, learned and was promoted but mostly I fell in love with the people I worked with.
During my 4th year I began to feel a shift and for awhile I tried hard to get back to how I felt those initial years. But the more I tried to bring myself back, the more I kept hitting a wall. I’m all about signs and I knew what they were telling me. It was time to go.
So for two years, I prayed, fasted, meditated and read and reread affirmations until finally I was able to release, to let go and to let God. I left.
Now, here I am. And God help me I am terrified. I’m right at the beginning with no idea on how it will end.
Stay tuned…
Friday, April 11, 2014
Stepping Out On Faith, Part I
February 10, 2012. It was the last time I’d written anything on my blog. I remember being so excited about that last post. I was going to market my non-fiction book, Seasons of Writing. After all, it took work to write it, I already had it up and running on Amazon, I enjoyed writing it and I thought it was a good first try coming out the gate. But mostly, I felt it would be helpful to other writers.
My strategy was perfect. I would visit local bookstores, hit up a few book clubs and create a KickStarter fund to raise money to get more books printed. I began with finding the perfect bookstore. I reached out to an old acquaintance that I used to work with who had a friend who just opened a bookstore in Manhattan Beach. After a bunch of calls and emails to one of the owners, I was finally sent a waiver which I excitedly signed. In a couple of days, I was on my way to Manhattan Beach with my little 28-page book. Unfortunately, after meeting the owner, she didn’t seem overly excited about me or my book and I left feeling let down that my small but powerful book would be tucked away into Never-Never Land—tossed in a corner where no one would be able to see it.
Not one to stay down too long, I looked to KickStarter. I would start a fund to get more books printed so I could go to other bookstores that would hopefully make me feel more welcomed. I created a beautiful PowerPoint slide with music and VO (voiceover). Thirty days later and 40 bucks richer (it might have been less) I realized that I am not the kind of person to reach out to my friends to ask for help in funding my own project. I mean why should they? Forget about all the other people I knew who’ve raised thousands of dollars for their projects. But was that the reason or was my book just not that interesting?
Two years later and I haven’t done much with my book and I can’t remember why. Did I get discouraged? Did I become too busy with work? And what happened to writing on my blog daily? After all, I kept telling myself and others that I wanted to be a writer. And if that’s true what’s the holdup? Don’t get me wrong. I’ve definitely done a ton of writing between 2012 and now. I got myself an editor for my novel. I took a class on screenwriting at UCLA. I wrote a pilot. I finished a screenplay and started work on another. I’ve entered numerous contests; submitting short stories and screenplays. I’ve accomplished a lot. But with all that, I still haven’t been able to break into that career called ‘writer’ that I so desire. So what did I do next? Stay tunned for part II of Stepping Out...
My strategy was perfect. I would visit local bookstores, hit up a few book clubs and create a KickStarter fund to raise money to get more books printed. I began with finding the perfect bookstore. I reached out to an old acquaintance that I used to work with who had a friend who just opened a bookstore in Manhattan Beach. After a bunch of calls and emails to one of the owners, I was finally sent a waiver which I excitedly signed. In a couple of days, I was on my way to Manhattan Beach with my little 28-page book. Unfortunately, after meeting the owner, she didn’t seem overly excited about me or my book and I left feeling let down that my small but powerful book would be tucked away into Never-Never Land—tossed in a corner where no one would be able to see it.
Not one to stay down too long, I looked to KickStarter. I would start a fund to get more books printed so I could go to other bookstores that would hopefully make me feel more welcomed. I created a beautiful PowerPoint slide with music and VO (voiceover). Thirty days later and 40 bucks richer (it might have been less) I realized that I am not the kind of person to reach out to my friends to ask for help in funding my own project. I mean why should they? Forget about all the other people I knew who’ve raised thousands of dollars for their projects. But was that the reason or was my book just not that interesting?
Two years later and I haven’t done much with my book and I can’t remember why. Did I get discouraged? Did I become too busy with work? And what happened to writing on my blog daily? After all, I kept telling myself and others that I wanted to be a writer. And if that’s true what’s the holdup? Don’t get me wrong. I’ve definitely done a ton of writing between 2012 and now. I got myself an editor for my novel. I took a class on screenwriting at UCLA. I wrote a pilot. I finished a screenplay and started work on another. I’ve entered numerous contests; submitting short stories and screenplays. I’ve accomplished a lot. But with all that, I still haven’t been able to break into that career called ‘writer’ that I so desire. So what did I do next? Stay tunned for part II of Stepping Out...
Friday, February 10, 2012
Seasons of Writing – Marketing Part II
I’m working on getting some wind behind my nonfiction book, Seasons of Writing. As I mentioned in my last blog, since I spent so much time working on it and I also believe it’s a great tool for writers, why not put some energy behind it.
You can currently purchase my book on Amazon.com and although I know we are in the age of e-books, I still like the idea of printed books so my next step is to visit bookstores and see if they would be interested in stocking my book. Plus, I would like to start introducing my book to other book clubs.
However, I’m running into a little dilemma. I really don’t want to spend a lot of money. I’ve researched a few book printing companies and since my book is small (in terms of size, not information) and I’m not looking to order in bulk, the prices seem a little too high. But they do offer book formatting. And as anyone would tell you that has self-published, the look of your book is very important.
Luckily, when I was looking to order books for the book club, my company’s Creative Art Services Manager offered his help. He also had contact with a printer. He did an awesome job but because he was doing it for free, I felt I wasn’t in the position to give too many critiques or ask for a lot of style changes.
After receiving the books, I decided the next time I would try my hand at laying it out myself. For one, I don’t like asking people for favors and two, I used to work in Photoshop, create flyers, and logos back in the day.
For the next order, I rolled up my sleeves and worked on the layout. It took a couple of days but eventually I was satisfied that it was ready to go. So positive that I had done such a great job that when the printer asked if I wanted to see a mockup, I arrogantly said no.
Thirty-five copies later and a bill of over a couple of hundred dollars and I now have books that have part of my head on the back cover cut off along with a very tight margin error.
It’s trial and error. I’ll have to eat the cost but I’ve learned some lessons.
I still did another go at laying it out again but this time I paid closer attention to detail and I asked the printer questions that I should have asked the first time. He is also sending me a mockup.
I have no problems working on a project over and over again until it’s right. After all, isn’t that part of being a great writer? The ability to draft and draft until it’s perfect?
You can currently purchase my book on Amazon.com and although I know we are in the age of e-books, I still like the idea of printed books so my next step is to visit bookstores and see if they would be interested in stocking my book. Plus, I would like to start introducing my book to other book clubs.
However, I’m running into a little dilemma. I really don’t want to spend a lot of money. I’ve researched a few book printing companies and since my book is small (in terms of size, not information) and I’m not looking to order in bulk, the prices seem a little too high. But they do offer book formatting. And as anyone would tell you that has self-published, the look of your book is very important.
Luckily, when I was looking to order books for the book club, my company’s Creative Art Services Manager offered his help. He also had contact with a printer. He did an awesome job but because he was doing it for free, I felt I wasn’t in the position to give too many critiques or ask for a lot of style changes.
After receiving the books, I decided the next time I would try my hand at laying it out myself. For one, I don’t like asking people for favors and two, I used to work in Photoshop, create flyers, and logos back in the day.
For the next order, I rolled up my sleeves and worked on the layout. It took a couple of days but eventually I was satisfied that it was ready to go. So positive that I had done such a great job that when the printer asked if I wanted to see a mockup, I arrogantly said no.
Thirty-five copies later and a bill of over a couple of hundred dollars and I now have books that have part of my head on the back cover cut off along with a very tight margin error.
It’s trial and error. I’ll have to eat the cost but I’ve learned some lessons.
I still did another go at laying it out again but this time I paid closer attention to detail and I asked the printer questions that I should have asked the first time. He is also sending me a mockup.
I have no problems working on a project over and over again until it’s right. After all, isn’t that part of being a great writer? The ability to draft and draft until it’s perfect?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Seasons of Marketing
When I last blogged, I mentioned that my nonfiction book, Seasons of Writing, was complete. Since I have not written on my blog since August of 2011, one would think that I was spending all this time marketing my book. I mean after all, I spent months writing it. Then more months editing it until I thought it was perfect. Then I sent it to someone else to do another round of edits.
Sadly, this was not the case. Granted, I did take the time to get it up and running on Amazon.com and I told a couple of friends and coworkers about it. And by chance, I was at an event where I met a woman who happened to be the president of a book club and they asked me to speak at one of their meetings and I was able to sell some of my books. Plus, I was able to reach out to a friend of a friend who has a book store who said that I could place a couple of my books in her store. But sadly all of that happened within a few months apart and there has been no movement yet.
Why? Time. It takes time to market your book and a lot of hard work. Challenging for me because time is limited since I have a fulltime job and hard because when I do have free time, I try to put in some writing.
What to do? I wrote Seasons partly because I wanted to write about struggles of writing and because I wanted to get something out there that had my name on it. When working on a novel and/or a script (I happened to be doing both) it can take years of crafting, drafting, rewriting and editing. And I was never really sold on the self-publishing aspect.
But here I am with a nonfiction book that I’m proud of but which is not moving. For me, it’s not about the money although if it does make me a lot that would be a plus. But I want to make sure that whenever someone Google’s my name it is always connected with writing and it looks good when agents or publishers are checking on your writing history.
So there lies the quandary. I have no choice but to put it in gear to get this baby moving.
In the next few months, I will take the necessary steps to market my book. Stay tune…
Sadly, this was not the case. Granted, I did take the time to get it up and running on Amazon.com and I told a couple of friends and coworkers about it. And by chance, I was at an event where I met a woman who happened to be the president of a book club and they asked me to speak at one of their meetings and I was able to sell some of my books. Plus, I was able to reach out to a friend of a friend who has a book store who said that I could place a couple of my books in her store. But sadly all of that happened within a few months apart and there has been no movement yet.
Why? Time. It takes time to market your book and a lot of hard work. Challenging for me because time is limited since I have a fulltime job and hard because when I do have free time, I try to put in some writing.
What to do? I wrote Seasons partly because I wanted to write about struggles of writing and because I wanted to get something out there that had my name on it. When working on a novel and/or a script (I happened to be doing both) it can take years of crafting, drafting, rewriting and editing. And I was never really sold on the self-publishing aspect.
But here I am with a nonfiction book that I’m proud of but which is not moving. For me, it’s not about the money although if it does make me a lot that would be a plus. But I want to make sure that whenever someone Google’s my name it is always connected with writing and it looks good when agents or publishers are checking on your writing history.
So there lies the quandary. I have no choice but to put it in gear to get this baby moving.
In the next few months, I will take the necessary steps to market my book. Stay tune…
Friday, August 5, 2011
Seasons of Writing
Hello everyone,
I just finished my first book titled Seasons of Writing. During my years of working hard on my novel (still ongoing), I was able to give birth to a small but helpful non-fiction book. It's light, fun and filled with humor along with some helpful hints if you've ever toyed with the idea of writing.
And even if you never thought of becoming a writer, it's still a must-read. You can purchase my book on Amazon.com at a low price of $2.99. Just follow the link below.
Thank you all for your continued support.
You can purchase my latest book Seasons of Writing on sale now athttp://www.amazon.com/Seasons-of-Writing-ebook/dp/B005FB4BEA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312423054&sr
I just finished my first book titled Seasons of Writing. During my years of working hard on my novel (still ongoing), I was able to give birth to a small but helpful non-fiction book. It's light, fun and filled with humor along with some helpful hints if you've ever toyed with the idea of writing.
And even if you never thought of becoming a writer, it's still a must-read. You can purchase my book on Amazon.com at a low price of $2.99. Just follow the link below.
Thank you all for your continued support.
You can purchase my latest book Seasons of Writing on sale now athttp://www.amazon.com/Seasons-of-Writing-ebook/dp/B005FB4BEA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312423054&sr
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)