An Extraordinary Life Volume 1 A Novel by Djuna Shellam Heads up, Djuna fans! Her latest work, Nom de Plume An Extraordinary Life Volume 1 is scheduled for a November 15, 2020 release! Presales begin November 1! Nom de Plume will be available for sale on November 1, 2020, in paperback and November 15, 2020, […]
My latest project, Nom de Plume—An Extraordinary Life—Volume 1, is finished! Tada! Now, all that’s left to do is to prepare the package for the public. It’s about this time in the process when I begin yearning for the seemingly endless days and nights of writing. Because… the writing part? That’s easy—the part I love. […]
It’s hard to believe my latest novel, Dot in the Weeds is finally published and out there for the world to discover. But, it is. And, now, right on the heels of the elation comes what can best be described as The Published Novel Blues. Yes. You know, for all the months (and sometimes years) it takes to produce a novel, and then… with literally, the push of a button, it’s sent off to be published, and, like that… the creative process is over.
The kicked hornet’s nest really comes into play where I talk about readers who complain on Facebook and other readers’ outlets that these days they’re expected to write reviews and share posts and all kinds of other things other than just read a book. Can’t they just read a book and go on with their lives? Why should they be made to feel guilty and somehow responsible if they don’t participate in marketing the author?
This video is more of She’s Baaaaaaack! than anything. Sort of a primer for the videos to come, I suppose. And there are more videos to come. As I generally do, I made several episodes at one sitting. After doing that from the very beginning, I read recently that’s how you’re supposed to do it. Who knew? Apparently, I did!
In some ways, having moved from an entirely different climate with what can only be described as contrasting terrain, I am seriously experiencing sensory overload. It’s wonderful, but I’m beginning to feel as if I should start taking notes because I’m afraid I’m going to forget my first impressions as everything becomes “everyday” to me.
The Independence of Self-Publishing Djuna Shellam The Write OWL Episode 24 To be sure, there is and probably always will be a certain controversy regarding the independence of self-publishing. The controversy itself is fluid and changes with the ages. Back in the beginning days of publishing, there seemed to be a lot of self-publishing going […]
As a publisher who handles most of the production aspects of my writing, it is imperative that I be able to do most of the production tasks myself. Using Word and Pages was a nightmare. Time consuming and, frankly, unprofessional. Somehow, in searching for a conversion program, I found Scrivener and my writing and publishing life was forever changed.
Finding story ideas is the very first step of my writing. Now, I’ve been writing a series for many years, so for me, story ideas are always considered as to how they can be woven into my series. Sometimes, I’ll come up with an idea that I know won’t fit into the series and it will go onto the “after the series” pile of ideas.
However, ever since I’ve embraced the writer in me, I now see life’s challenges as potential fodder for my stories. Anything that’s difficult, interesting, new, or just plain awful, I now tuck away for future reference. Rather than allowing negative and terrible experiences to get me down, I think of the potential storylines or plot twists I can catalogue along with my insights from the road for future writings. Honestly, if not for my writer’s perspective, I’m convinced I would have gone mad many years ago.
