Eva Pasco's Blog - Posts Tagged "setback"
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 #216: The Setback
Not the first, and certainly not the last of many temporary setbacks while writing my current Work in Progress, I’m back at the drawing board. My most historic setback occurred when, after 8 years, I picked up the slack from Chapter 3 to resume writing my multi-award winning Contemporary, 'An Enlightening Quiche' (2016).
You can’t hurry writing, no you'll just have to wait
You gotta just give it time
No matter how long it takes
(Poetic license taken with “You Can’t Hurry Love,” a 1966 song originally recorded by The Supremes on the Motown label).
After a hiatus of 10 days, I’m in the throes of the Great American Novel, drafting chapter 28 in spurts of 100 – 200 words per day. A mere pittance in comparison to other Indies who don’t allow life to bog them down, spilling thousands of words per session.
The fact that I’ve published four major works since I retired from teaching, having embarked on a writing career in 2007, astounds me. I’m not even taking into account all of my random memoirs, Sixties essays, and Rhode Reads in my repertoire. And, without fail, I’ve come up with content for my weekly blog based on my own human condition.
As for projecting a ballpark publication date for my Work in Progress—it ain’t happening, as I will not pigeonhole myself. Nor, am I engaged in a rat race with myself or the Joneses. Although I write the novels I’d like to read, I respect potential readers who deserve a story whose characters linger in the mind and heart after the last page has been turned.
So, however long it takes…
