Self Publishing....Yes? Or YIKES!?

I'm going to go with YIKES.




You were expecting a serious post?

Sorry.

I am NOT saying that authors who self-publish made the wrong choice. No way, no how.
We all share the dream of publication, of seeing our amazing covers with our names in bold print splashed across the bookshelves. However any of us get there, that's awesome.

I just started reading a self-published book, purchased in support of the writer who is a family member of a close friend. I was excited and I wanted to be a cheerleader and besides, I considered self-publication myself, especially after reading so many articles on it as of late. I wanted to see what it was all about.
Because it couldn't be THAT bad, right?

I'm not bashing the writer. The idea was original, creating its own sub-genre which, interestingly enough, was just blogged about by the great Talli Roland today. But from the first page, I understood why this particular writer went over working for an agent and opted to self-publish.
A Prologue AND two words repeated at least six times in only two paragraphs. On the first page!

The story seems to center mostly on his love for his wife(who he addresses by name, every. Time. He speaks.)which would be great(not the name part)if that's what the theme of the book was...but it wasn't. It was a murder mystery and in the first few chapters, I learned more about the MC's thirty year marriage to his wife and how 'lucky' he was than I did about the creepy mystery that needed to be solved.
Not to mention, a forty year old man who frequents the term 'crud nuts' as a curse word...well.
Really?
Kind of hokey. Just a bit. Or a lot. Just sayin.

I know that this author attempted the agent route. No dice. So he did it on his own. And I can't help but wonder if that's truly the way to go if you can't handle the rejections or the criticism or something.

I don't know about you, but I would rather have someone tell me when something I write isn't going to sell and WHY and LISTEN to them rather than just say 'screw you' and do it myself.

This is one hundred percent my own opinion and I know that this isn't always the case. It's just my first meeting with self-publication and you know what they say about first impressions.
It scared the option right out of me.
So I'll be looking forward to those rejections, THIS YEAR. And I can't wait.

How about you? What do you think of self-publication? Yay or nay? And why?
Also, if you have a self-published book you know about that will stick my foot in my mouth, please share! I'd love to be proven wrong.

Bernard Pivot Blogfest!!!!

Nicole at One Significant Moment at a Time is hosting a get-to-know-you blogfest today! I'm super late in signing up but couldn't resist taking part.

Check out all the other entries, too!

1.What is your favorite word? Pfft. Is that a word? Because I use it a lot. Like, everyday, all day. More than my favorite curse word.

2.What is your least favorite word? No. If you use the word no on me, I will do my best to find a way to make it yes. It makes me crabby.

3.What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Music. I can find inspiration in almost every song I hear. And I love all kinds.

4.What turns you off? Negativity!! In any way, shape, or form. I hate when people don't believe in themselves or others.

5.What is your favorite curse word? FUCK. Come to my work and you can hear me fling this word around more frequently than any other word...yes, I realize this is unprofessional and no, I do not care.

6.What sound or noise do you love? lawnmowers. I know, weird. But it reminds me of spring and summer and childhood for some reason.

7.What sound or noise do you hate? Phones not being answered at work. I've been known to slam my door because the sound drives me insane. Am I the only one who stays at her desk???

8.What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Dance! I love to dance, and I would love to be a backup dancer for someone awesome and exciting.

9.What profession would you not like to do? Scoop poo. I mean, seriously? Ew.

10.If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Now the party can start!!" Haha.


Now on to the other participants! Enjoy! :)

Spreading the Love

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!




I am celebrating my Valentine's Day in my Zumba class(LOVE)with a very dear friend, then dinner and drinks with another very dear friend. Who needs a man???

What are your special plans for this very lovey day?

Cocooned

When I open the blinds in my apartment, I see nothing but a frosty window, the outside glass caked in a thick blanket of snow. The wind is howling so loud, my TV is turned up a few notches higher than I would normally keep it. I have no idea what is happening in the outside world, except for maybe a few status updates on facebook. I have no idea if I'll be able to make it to work in the morning because I can't even see how much it has snowed in this ridiculous blizzard.

And I love that.





While everyone else in the area frantically emptied grocery stores(just in case we would be snowed in until the end of time) and scoured hardware stores for shovels and salt(where were these people when it snowed the 857 other times this season??? Did they just leave the snow to pile up in their driveways? That's just silly. Not to mention rude.), I was imagining all the time I would have to sit all by myself and just daydream(don't worry, I have food).

With my laptop open in front of me, a glass of wine, and yummy smelling candles lighting the space, I am in my own world, free to let my characters roam the page, growing and living.

I actually hope to be snowed in tomorrow so that I can live in this solitude for a little while longer, doing exactly what I love.

Anyone else out there in this situation? Or maybe you're looking forward to building a snowman? I hope to make a fort since they're promising a few feet out there. ;)

What kind of special writing time is your favorite? Any storm lovers besides me?