Eva Pasco's Blog - Posts Tagged "focus"
A Shift in Focus
From my perspective, the cardinal sin of greed is perpetuated by a selfish obsession to siphon pity from any and all of those around us. That much ventured, let it be known I’m not looking for sympathy, suggestions, or surety because I’ve come to grips with writer’s depression on my own terms by easing up on self-criticism for sluggish sales and book reviews. I’ve also granted myself a pardon for no one showing up at my first library book signing event despite all the advance publicity set forth in area newspapers and social media.
The short-lived triumphs amidst the plenteous pitfalls and pratfalls of an Indie author are best summed up by Hyman Roth, the fictional antagonist in 'The Godfather, Part II':
“This is the business we’ve chosen.”
“Good health is the most important thing. More than success, more than money, more than power.”
My shift in focus is also predicated on what my Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel has merited since its publication (Paperback – August 22, 2016; Kindle Edition – September 20, 2016):
Underground Book Reviews “Perfect Pitch Pick” (October, 2016)
Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Seal (November, 2016)
Current Ranking: 1st out of 71 books in the category “Books Set in Rhode Island” & holding steady in 8 other categories (Goodreads)
Thirteen 5-Star Reviews and two 4-Star Reviews at Amazon
Whether my next several book signing events at local libraries and Barnes & Noble prove to be just as dismal, I take pride in having taken the initiative to procure each one. I am honored to show up with paperbacks, bookmarks, signing pens, and flyers. Here’s why, corroborated by the closing excerpt from Joel R. Dennstedt for 'Readers' Favorite' review--
“And though this work has been labeled simplistically as “contemporary women’s fiction,” make no mistake: this is a psychological, literary novel, and a wonderful, highly challenging masterpiece of writing.”
The short-lived triumphs amidst the plenteous pitfalls and pratfalls of an Indie author are best summed up by Hyman Roth, the fictional antagonist in 'The Godfather, Part II':
“This is the business we’ve chosen.”
“Good health is the most important thing. More than success, more than money, more than power.”
My shift in focus is also predicated on what my Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel has merited since its publication (Paperback – August 22, 2016; Kindle Edition – September 20, 2016):
Underground Book Reviews “Perfect Pitch Pick” (October, 2016)
Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Seal (November, 2016)
Current Ranking: 1st out of 71 books in the category “Books Set in Rhode Island” & holding steady in 8 other categories (Goodreads)
Thirteen 5-Star Reviews and two 4-Star Reviews at Amazon
Whether my next several book signing events at local libraries and Barnes & Noble prove to be just as dismal, I take pride in having taken the initiative to procure each one. I am honored to show up with paperbacks, bookmarks, signing pens, and flyers. Here’s why, corroborated by the closing excerpt from Joel R. Dennstedt for 'Readers' Favorite' review--
“And though this work has been labeled simplistically as “contemporary women’s fiction,” make no mistake: this is a psychological, literary novel, and a wonderful, highly challenging masterpiece of writing.”
Eva’s Byte #242: Under the Influence of Absent-mindedness
Is your focus purely on the task at hand, above all else?
The absent-minded professor is one of those familiar, stereotyped fictional characters whose academic brilliance is undermined by forgetfulness, blunders, and/or obliviousness to surroundings.
Separate and apart from carrying out responsibilities and obligations where I need to be on top of my game, I am often under the influence of absent-mindedness in my capacity of Indie author.
Secluded in my office and sitting at my desk in readiness to write, absent-mindedness exerts its influence through obliviousness:
I’ve either forgotten to turn on the oven, or have left something in there too long.
Enveloped in thought, the constraints of time elude me.
On the road, behind the wheel, wayward thoughts pertaining to character dialogue or plot twists intrude. Of course, I force these distractions to take a back seat while I’m driving.
While pushing a shopping cart in the supermarket, absent-mindedness navigates, while I’m lost in thought.
Thus far, the influence of absent-mindedness has not manifested itself in forgetfulness or blunders. I justify my obliviousness as a means of focusing on writing without becoming easily distracted.
*Since creative endeavors are cerebral undertakings which continue to incubate and maturate wherever we may be, absent-mindedness enables our ideas to flourish.
It goes without saying—do not disturb!
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
The absent-minded professor is one of those familiar, stereotyped fictional characters whose academic brilliance is undermined by forgetfulness, blunders, and/or obliviousness to surroundings.
Separate and apart from carrying out responsibilities and obligations where I need to be on top of my game, I am often under the influence of absent-mindedness in my capacity of Indie author.
Secluded in my office and sitting at my desk in readiness to write, absent-mindedness exerts its influence through obliviousness:
I’ve either forgotten to turn on the oven, or have left something in there too long.
Enveloped in thought, the constraints of time elude me.
On the road, behind the wheel, wayward thoughts pertaining to character dialogue or plot twists intrude. Of course, I force these distractions to take a back seat while I’m driving.
While pushing a shopping cart in the supermarket, absent-mindedness navigates, while I’m lost in thought.
Thus far, the influence of absent-mindedness has not manifested itself in forgetfulness or blunders. I justify my obliviousness as a means of focusing on writing without becoming easily distracted.
*Since creative endeavors are cerebral undertakings which continue to incubate and maturate wherever we may be, absent-mindedness enables our ideas to flourish.
It goes without saying—do not disturb!
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
Eva’s Byte #420 – The Keys
Not 9 ½ weeks—but, for each of the 52 weeks in a year, I’ve managed to come up with a weekly blog topic. Hence, the # symbol represents just how many weeks I’ve pulled through.
This week’s topic was a no-brainer. Literally!
Rummaging through my handbag while wheeling a grocery cart out of the supermarket and through the parking lot toward my vehicle, I couldn’t deny the keys to my apartment building and unit weren’t in there.
During the drive home, I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach because I have a place to live with no means to get inside.
Theoretically.
In actuality, I was able to enter the mail room/lounge area without a key, and buzz the manager to let me inside the building. From there, I went to her office and explained what had happened. Together, we walked to my apartment for her to unlock the door. She, good-naturedly. Me, feeling foolish. My own harshest critic when it comes to writing, I’m a Type A personality who hits the ground running without allowing myself a margin for error.
“When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way…” (West Side Story)
By the way, the keys were on the kitchen counter.
There’s a first time for everything, but I’ll be darned if it happens again. I stowed a spare set in my handbag. I’d just better not leave the original set behind when I go out for my daily walks around the property.
In the capacity of a writer, I finished drafting Chapter 33 (531 words) in Part 2 of my Contemporary work in progress. I’m currently drafting Chapter 34 (208 words thus far).
*May each of us pay attention to the devil in the details during creative endeavors and mundane tasks.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
This week’s topic was a no-brainer. Literally!
Rummaging through my handbag while wheeling a grocery cart out of the supermarket and through the parking lot toward my vehicle, I couldn’t deny the keys to my apartment building and unit weren’t in there.
During the drive home, I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach because I have a place to live with no means to get inside.
Theoretically.
In actuality, I was able to enter the mail room/lounge area without a key, and buzz the manager to let me inside the building. From there, I went to her office and explained what had happened. Together, we walked to my apartment for her to unlock the door. She, good-naturedly. Me, feeling foolish. My own harshest critic when it comes to writing, I’m a Type A personality who hits the ground running without allowing myself a margin for error.
“When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way…” (West Side Story)
By the way, the keys were on the kitchen counter.
There’s a first time for everything, but I’ll be darned if it happens again. I stowed a spare set in my handbag. I’d just better not leave the original set behind when I go out for my daily walks around the property.
In the capacity of a writer, I finished drafting Chapter 33 (531 words) in Part 2 of my Contemporary work in progress. I’m currently drafting Chapter 34 (208 words thus far).
*May each of us pay attention to the devil in the details during creative endeavors and mundane tasks.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
