Category Archives: Book

Book, children's book, Electronic submission, Manuscript, NaNoEdMo, Publishers, Publishing, Publishing House

Anticipation

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“Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin’ me late
Is keepin’ me waitin’ ”

Does anyone remember this song?

In February of this year I attended a free writers conference. From that contacts were made from small press publishers. I submitted my first novel to one in late March and within a couple of weeks the rest of the MS was requested. It was told to me that the time frame of hearing anything would be 4-6 weeks. Cool! Now I had to sit down and wait and not obsess over this every single hour of every single day. Piece of cake NOT well at first anyway.

In that time I completed the second volume to the book, edited 80 percent of my NaNoWriMo book of 2011 and now just a couple of chapters shy of another novel being finished. The days have gone faster since the concentration has been back on my writings and not waiting for the call whether the news be positive or negative. I don’t think of it daily like I use to thankfully for that made for some long days.

Though to be perfectly honest my mind has spread out into dream land if I get the call and receive the news most writers wait for. It is hard not to fantasize of getting one’s first book in print the traditional way. I do have two short stories that were published in an ebook anthology and that still gives me a little woohoo especially when I look at the book on line.

But to get one’s book in print and hold it in our hands well let’s just say I really really would love to know how that feels. It use to be when I started writing it was with thoughts of money. But over the last two years it has mellowed to just loving to write and homing in on my craft. Interacting with fellow writers whether that be on line or in real life gives me a burst of energy that is so hard to explain. For they get what I am trying to do and understand why I am doing it. They get me.

I just love to write. Hopefully some day down the road people will not only pick up one of my books but enjoy it to where it gives them a smile. If I can accomplish that then I am successful.

Author, Blog, Book, Creative Writing, Emotions, Guest Blogging, Lissette. E. Manning, Published, Short Story

Guest Post- Lissette E. Manning

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Dreams Are What We Make Of Them

By: Lissette E. Manning

Success in the literary world is sometimes defined by how many books you sell and how fast/how far you climb across the charts. Word of mouth helps and the fans you accrue along the way help in getting the word out on what you do. Not to mention your friends and family, those that are supportive, anyway, will be there with you every step of the way. They’ll be there with you throughout your triumphs and your failures.

Every step you take will determine how you far you take your dream and the success it’ll net you. Mind you, success doesn’t happen over night. It takes time to get there so that you can reap the rewards from the efforts you’ve put out.

Keep in mind that in order for us to enjoy those benefits, we have to actively work for what we want. If you want to rise to the top, you’ve got to put in the hours and the effort to get yourself there. No one else is going to do it for you.

Sure, you can have someone else do the work for you and scream to every part of the world that you exist, but I’m going to be honest, unless you make that effort yourself and show people you really want to make things happen, there aren’t a good many that will take you seriously. Dreams are what we make of them but we have to strive and work whole-heartedly to achieve them.

If you believe in what you do, show it. If you know you have what it takes to make things happen, strive to make your dream possible. Don’t sit around waiting for someone else to try to do the work for you. The more you show others you’re determined to succeed, the more they’ll see you’re ready to take the next step.

Your book is like your baby. You want it to grow into something beautiful – something you’ll be proud of. You want people to see you took the time to make your work shine to the best of your ability. You’ll be taken more seriously that way, in all honesty.

Don’t let your work go out into the world half-assed. Edit, revise, re-write, and proofread your work until you think it’s ready. If it’s not, keep at it until it is. Listen to suggestions and feedback. Implement as many of them as possible. Keep working until your book is completely polished. Make it shine in the eyes of your readers and your followers.

Make use of beta-readers in order to make sure every base is covered when it comes to the above. Beta-readers are your eyes and ears when it comes to editing and revising your work. They’ll always see things you don’t see in the first place. Trust them and thank them for the work they do for you. Find a way to show them your appreciation in every way possible.

Always take the time to polish your work before you release it out into the world. The product you put out will make or break you. The more your work shines, the better things go for you. Poorly edited manuscripts tend to put off your potential readers. You’re pretty much killing your career, then and there.

Never settle for second best in all you do. Strive always for the best. Make your books shine. Make your readers, fans, and followers believe in your work. If you truly believe in it, they will too. They’ll shout your praises to every part of the world once you’ve shone you’re willing to give them great work for every penny they shell out.

Dreams are what we make of them. Our success is defined by the quality of work we put forth. It’s defined by the belief that we believe in ourselves and the products we give to those who seek to immerse themselves in the books we write. Believe in yourself and strive for your dreams. They do come true but only if we truly work to achieve them.

Broken

By Lissette E. Manning

Genre: Romance, Drama, Short Story

The past is hard to bear, but sometimes, we must face it, no matter the cost.

Displeased with the life she’d led, Ellie Morgan walked away from it all in hopes of finding happiness amidst all the turmoil. She knows it’s only a matter of time before she has to face the bitter reality of the repercussions caused by her past actions.

Broken and bereft, she tumbles head first into her despair. Yet there’s always a silver lining to every cloud, a certainty she knows is there if she’ll allow herself to see it. To do that, she must let go of the past and put her ghosts to rest, once and for all.

Available for purchase via the following retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords.

Book, Creative Writing, Editing, NaNoEdMo, NaNoWriMo, Writing

NaNoEdMo 2012

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In November 2011 I tried my first NaNoWriMo. I was not properly prepared to do so only deciding two weeks prior to attempt this. What happened was a month long of worry, stress, lack of sleep, physical pain due to my illnesses and my mood being out of whack. When it ended I was not sure if this would be tried again. If so then better preparation would have to be in place. But what I got out of it was a novel over 50k long and one I have added to since then.

In February a friend informed me about NaNoEdMo for March. I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for me to edit my book from November. I mean after all the only the thing required was to log in 50 hours of editing in the month of March. That broke down to 97 minutes per day.

Easy! I can do that. After all I had survived NaNoEdMo 2011 and won. I totally underestimated my hatred of editing. While it is necessary function for a writer, it is one that is loathed to all depths of the word. But by March 30th I completed the task of this particular frenzy. My novel that is 132 pages, though it is not complete yet, had 101 pages edited. For me that is a big Homer Simpson WOOHOO!

While this is just my first draft and revision the feeling of getting this done is priceless. On Sunday I woke up expecting to edit and realized that the deadline was done and over. I could now concentrate on other aspects of my writing. But the empty space stayed with me the whole day feeling the need to sit in front of my computer and edit. Curses I thought to myself. The fiend won’t let me go so easily.