This is New

This was weird. Never in my life did I think I'd sit and watch the movie Video Girl that keeps playing over and over again on BET. Judging by the title, I thought it to be lame, stereotypical, low low low budget and unrelateable (side note: Why isn't unrelateable a word? I think it should be.) Anywho, this weekend I decided too much going out just can't happen. I've yet to really settle into the fact that this is now my life...I'm minus a physically present sister...

So watching this movie, and the main character Lorie, played by Meagan Good, loses her sister played by her real sister, to gun violence. Of course I boo-hooed. This was her older, super pretty, fly, majorly encouraging sister who pushed Lorie to pursue her dreams. Who does that sound like? Of course, my big sis.

Lorie's character would dream about her sister and talk to her. I thought that was cool. I've only had nightmares where I was in a mess and my sister couldn't save me. That sucks.

What I liked about this movie, though, was that no matter what Lorie got herself into, her sister would always be there and her sister could always see her and advise her in the spiritual form. That's how I have to think of my sister.

I'm making major plans for the near future actually and I've only run them past God and Michel. She's egging me on, I can tell. I promised I'd bring her with me every step of the way.

Sisters are treasures and that bond is like no other. Hug and love your siblings because you just never know.

Who would've ever thought I'd be writing this in my Three Years to 30 Blog?! Never in a million years. But a lot has occurred in the 2 years that I've been writing this so far. Life...full of surprises and I'm learning to "Be Like Water."

Love,

Sammi

Whoa!!!

I have just stepped away from preparing my book for independent e-publishing. This is quite the undertaking. It seems like every day there's a break through and a setback. For example, I plan to (commercial break: my upper back is super tense right now), anyway I plan to use smashwords to publish my novel. I was pretty much set on that when I read that my novel would be available 24-48 hours after uploading. One, that timeframe keeps changing it seems and two, after rereading, my novel will be available in that short amount of time to the site only, not yet to ibooks, the Kindle, the Nook, and Sony eReader, etc. This can take up to two weeks IF I've followed the formatting guidelines (72 page doc, I've read it twice) to a T. Whew Lawdy.

Next option, iBooks for Authors. Sounds great, eliminate the middle man, go straight to Apple. Welp, if I do this first, my novel can be available quickly on the iPad, however, it will not be seen on the iPhone or iPod. Huh????!! Why?

Next option, Kindle Direct Publishing. I can do that. Keep in mind, they have there own set of rules on how to format your manuscript and upload it. Today, I've been a formatting fool.

I'm just a little frustrated, but this is my dream and it'll happen- just takes some work.

I'm going to go to gym now. Come back refreshed and get back to work. I have a deadline to meet.

Have a great Saturday night!

Love,

Sam

***And I've just found out that in order to view a Smashwords book on your iPhone, you have to have Stanza. You still won't be able to view it through iBooks. Good to know... Continuing :-)

Market Research

It can be a pain, if you let it. I have to keep reminding myself that it is oh-so necessary :-) One more hour!! Love, Sam

Yep!

Today is a great day to embrace your life and just be happy. Why? 'Cause it's all you got- the present :-) I'm feeling great in my present, my now. I wrote four more pages of book number 2 yesterday and wrote six more this morning, bringing me to 58 pages!!! That's a quarter of the way done, as far as the creative process is concerned. This is where discipline is paramount. I've set a goal that I must reach 120 pages by December 31st. I'll make it happen. Sending goal-setting, super-happy, progressive vibes your way! Have a great day :-) Love, Sam

Rise and Shine

It seemed like I did have writer's block for many months. That was rough and truth be told my focus was way off. That's kind of expected with a new job, new man, and new responsibilities. Welp, something in me shifted and I just didn't feel right. Me without writing is a painful existence.

I missed my first love and as much as I journaled, it didn't take the place of writing novels- getting into really interesting story lines and falling in love with characters.

I was also in a rocky relationship with a literary agent. Let's just say, for the sake of grace and professionalism, that it didn't work out between us. We are over and I'm back with this novel in my hands so close to being ready for the world- on my own and without the backing of a major publishing company. I think that's exactly how I want it though. For authors today, this self-publishing/e-book revolution is lucrative, liberating, empowering, and it just makes sense with all the resources available at our finger tips.
My baby (Organic Leaves) is not perfect. It needs a good editor- found one two days ago!!- and it needs to be formatted for ebook publising- Been doing that for days!!! I might as well be an expert... lol

So things are looking up and moving right along. The new job is funding my dreams, the new man is supportive to the point of selflessly making me focus on myself, and my new responsibilities are keeping me on task. There's always going to be something I have to do, something I have to take care of- publishing my own book was always on the list, but it's become more of a priority as my three years to 30 is starting to turn into one year to 30. Where'd the time go??? Geez...

All that to say, I going to meet the goal of publishing before 30. This is a process and it does take time, but it does not have to take forever.

Love,

Sam