Update Volume 2

The great wide world of self publishing is a massive Catch 22.  On the one hand, a desire to be published can drive an author to send their fledgling creation out into the world.  On the other, any chance of success in this cut throat world is entirely dependent on a plan, and money, preferably lots of it.  I will freely admit to being one such conundrum.  In a fierce desire to have some sense of accomplishment, I have entered the fray of self publishing.  Two books are out there, for the world to see.  And please stay with me on the following (shameless) plug:

The Other Side of the Looking Glass
( http://www.amazon.com/Other-Looking-Glass-World-Walkers/dp/1499573510/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412114907&sr=8-1&keywords=l.e.+gibler )

Caitiff Academy: The Tigress
( http://www.amazon.com/Caitiff-Academy-Tigress-L-E-Gibler/dp/1502544431/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1412114907&sr=8-3&keywords=l.e.+gibler )
(Both available on Amazon)

So, back to the point at hand.  For those who crack, give up on big contracts just to feel a sense of accomplishment, the real world is out there waiting to remind us of our own smallness.  There is a certain feeling that comes with being an author, a feeling of being a part of another world. And that can be a powerful feeling.  Then, when the glow wears off, you begin to realize just what a small fish in a big pond you are.  However, I do feel a sense of accomplishment.  Without the availability of my own money, I will stay just that, a small fish, but at the same time, all seven copies are seven more than it was a year ago.  So, success, and yet still so much further to go.

Another funny point about self publishing: how many others just like you there are out in the world.  Funnier still, how they all seem to find you on Twitter.  So tip of my hat to all of those struggling just like me.  May we keep on keeping on.

Updates Volume 1

And so another day, another check list that will no doubt prove too long to accomplish in a mere twenty four hours.  

On the bright side, I have been struggling mightily with Lulu.com and the formatting of my cover, complete with the perfect image for my second book, Caitiff Academy: The Tigress.  (Shameless plug?  Maybe)  I switched over to Createspace, and viola.  In a simple morning at Starbucks, the groundwork is already laid, and I'm well on my way to where I want to be.  

I like to consider myself a realist.  I am not looking to publish the next great American novel, or to snag a massive contract, but I absolutely love the feeling of accomplishment that comes with knowing that something I created is out there for the world to see.  Would it hurt my feelings if a lot of people appreciated my work and bought in bulk? Absolutely not, I'm a realist not an idiot.  And no, this time, that was not a plug, just an observation.  I'm not publishing to make money, I'm doing it to feel like I've done something.  And you know what?  It's working.

Now, with November on the horizon, I am positively giddy at the opportunity to continue my new NaNoWriMo tradition and write book #2 in the series in a meager 30 days.  Last year I wrote book one in eight, so I think I should be fine.

As always, feedback is welcome.  Surely there are more people out there in the world with experiences to be shared. Until then, keep rambling on.

With a Purpose

Rambling With a Purpose

So, thanks to the support and continued reminding (sort of like nagging, only much nicer), of my friends (shout out particularly to Jackie and Wendy) I can finally say I am a published author!!! And also a huge thanks to those who have already purchased my book.  It is such an odd, wonderful feeling to finally say I am an author when people ask what I do for a living.  Or I say I am a riding instructor, but saying I write and ride is so confusing.  Saying I ride and am an author, doesn't that just sound so much less so?  (input your own level of sarcasm)

As to the rest of the world, may I just say that while I love my family, it is incredibly stressful to have them visit.  Why do we all have to be worried about the state of our silver for family?  For visiting celebrities or dignitaries, yes, that might make sense,  but my family should be well aware  by now that my priorities are out in a barn and what goes on in the house is a long distant second.

In other news, my second book is now in the hands of my unofficial publicist.  After she reads through, and I make corrections, it will be out there for the whole wide world to see.  Not to mention book number three is in the formatting stages.  I don't know how the rest of the self publishing world has operated, but I have found that CreateSpace is far more user friendly than Lulu.  So, going forward, look for me on Amazon!  (And, yes, that was a shameless plug)

In the meantime, here's to many more rambles with no rhyme or reason.

Wow, what a couple of weeks.  I can't believe, after posting the accomplishment of my website, I forgot to post a picture of my first book.  Let me say that again, my first book!  It has been a lifelong ambition of mine to publish something I wrote, and thanks to the wonderful people at NaNoWriMo and Lulu.com, I was able to do just that.  Thank you anonymous benefactors!

Now it seems the craziness of November, and the rewriting and publishing of Februray, is to be duplicated at Camp NaNoWriMo.  Am I crazy?  I have to think I am, for I've already signed on.  And I don't even have the whole month of April to write, as I am going to the Derby, the one and only Kentucky Derby.  Isn't it the first Saturday in May, you might ask.  Well, yes, but then you don't know my grandmother. Eccentric doesn't begin to describe her, but more on that another day.  So, I decided to be kind to myself, set a low bar, and hope for the best.

Here's hoping that I haven't just signed my own ticket to Bedlam.  Anyone else have a similar situation? I'm looking forward to my randomly selected campers.  Hope someone brings s'mores!

Keep rambling on!
BlytheLea

Finally, something to show

Well, I'm not exactly the promptest person.  My unofficial class motto was "Why do today what can be put off until tomorrow?".  That being said, I finally finished a project I started and took care of a lot of niggling little things all in one day.  I can feel productive now.  Whew.

Still, that project that I finished seems to need a bit of a send off.  So here I am, trying to give my baby a little more notice.  As a horseback riding instructor, notice can be hard to come by.  It is a well known fact that it is harder to ride in the cold and wet than in the sunny summer.  Students come and go, with little to no notice.  But those like me, we just keep trekking on.  Here's hoping the trek gets a little easier to find now. 

http://legibler.wix.com/blythelea

Thanks for visiting.  Ramble on fellow ramblers, ramble on.

BlytheLea 

P.S. My newest installment of blogging will be the lovely details of last JULY.  Believe me, the caps will explain themselves when I share.

NaNoWriMo Test 2

So, three days in and by my word count, I'm half way there.  (To 50,000 words in the month of November for those who have no idea what I'm talking about.)  I only wish I could guarantee such productivity everyday.  Alas, I know tomorrow morning is that most dreaded of days, Monday.  Granted, my Mondays are a great deal calmer than most, which must be why my Saturdays are so busy. They compensate.  Still, the world must go on, and much as I'd like, I can't just sit holed up typing for the foreseeable future.  Vitamin D is very important and horses like to be fed.  There are also those lovely stolen moments where I actually ride, but Saturday here was an absolute tempest.  It's hard to muster any desire to leave my characters and my computer when roofs are literally being blown off buildings.

Am I alone in feeling completely and totally drained after so much is poured into one goal?  I highly doubt it.  It would be ignorant, vain, or maybe both to think that.  A long time ago, I tried a theme of my posts mirroring Dixie Chicks songs.  I think somewhere in the Fly album there is a line "am I the only one who's felt this way."  I could be wrong.  I often am.  Perhaps not as often as I am forgetful, but, still, both happen with increasing frequency.

Right about now I'm battling with the idea of diving into the next crazy output or saving my breath for another day.  The only problem is: I know the world will be here tomorrow.  Horses will need to be fed, stalls will need to be cleaned, bills will need to be paid.  What I can't know with any real certainty is will Annie, Lee, Mary, and Peter be here?  Will I still know where they're going in the morning?  Do I dare risk it?  I think not, so adieu. 

Off to my solitary rambles I go.

BlytheLea
 

NaNoWriMo Test 1

It's official.  I've joined NaNoWriMo.  I'll admit, the idea of writing 50,000 words doesn't frighten me, but doing it on a time schedule, well, that adds a bit of spice.  If I truly want to be a writer, I need to know what it's like to write on a deadline.  Should be fun.  Sherlock Holmes shoots holes in his wall when he's bored, I join writing competitions.  Or riding ones, depends on what the season is.  But seeing as the last show I did, I put on, well, it's a long time until spring.  Here's to a fun time to all, and good luck to all those who need it!  Myself included.  However, these precious few words are taking from the final number tally goal.  And if I'm going to be wasting time, I should really be doing it with my horses.

Keep rambling on, world.

BlytheLea