Writing and Publishing...a Hell of a Ride!

 Here are just a small portion of the questions running through my mind on a daily, if not hourly, basis...

When should I release my next book?
Should I spend money on an editor or keep rolling like I have been?
Do I want to think about submitting to an agent/editor or keep rolling like I have been?
What should I name the next books in the series?
Should I start a new series?
What do I want on the cover this time around?
How am I going to find time to blog?
Can I really afford another writer's conference this year both time and moneywise?
Should I drive or fly to Atlanta in October?
Should I enter contests?
Should I volunteer to judge contests? If so, how many?
Am I posting enough to Facebook...Goodreads...Twitter?
SHOULD I blog more?
Am I doing enough to promote my books?
Should I start my own publishing company? If so, what does it take?
Should I make it exclusive to Amazon to take advantage of free days and the lucrative lending library income?
How much is too much to spend on ads or promo packages?
Trading cards or book marks?
Do I have enough humor in the new book?
Do I need more conflict?
Did I miss my turn at blogging on the Ass Cheek Angels? (Uh...YEP!)

Okay...I know I'm not special...I KNOW all of you ask yourselves some of these same questions. Right? Or is it just because I'm self-pubbed? I've never been traditionally pubbed so I don't know. But, it can't be just me losing my mind, right? THIS is why I resigned my job. No way...No way in HELL could I continue the full time job and the publishing end of the business. Writing was one thing, but the time it takes to publish...the rewriting...over and over...the tedious task of endless rounds of editing...over and over and over again (and I still miss the obvious, sometimes). All so time consuming.

So I get it published...it's OUT there...now to promote it. Good God Almighty, I only THOUGHT writing was time consuming. Promoting is the real time thief. And distractions...I'm like that dog in the movie "UP" ... SQUIRREL! and I'm off on ten different tangents. I've checked both of my emails..twice...pulled up facebook and goodreads...updated the website...updated my Amazon author page, and answered two tweets--and STILL haven't researched police procedures...the entire reason for connecting to the internet thirty minutes ago. Honestly, how does one succeed when one has the attention span of a gnat? Sigh...

Getting a book published is like having a child...nobody tells you how difficult it's going to be. But in the same way...it's totally fulfilling when you can pull up a website and see your books out there...or hold the copies in your hands, and you're getting messages from real fans (not your family or classmates) and they love your stories and thank you for wasting their day because they couldn't put the book down. Yep...it's like Kellie said just a couple of days ago...What a difference a year makes!

Writing and publishing...it ain't for sissies, ladies...but it's a hell of a ride if you've got the stamina for it!

Sorry I missed my turn...

Lori

Comparison Shopping!

Robert Mitchum

Zac Efron

Okay ladies...I realize it's been awhile since I've shown you girls any flesh...not mine, of course, but masculine, male flesh...worthy of the Angels blog. As I was scouring the net looking for luscious hotties to post for y'all, I got to thinking...how do today's actors compare to the men of old. And I say MEN literally...because the actors I grew up watching (you know, the ones who are either dead or in their 60's, 70's or 80's?) they were REAL MEN. They fought in wars, were wounded in battles, loved hard and lived hard. Although we have lots of pretty boys these days...when you stop and think about it, who would you want defending you, Zac Efron or Robert Mitchum?

Do you think Bradley Cooper can stand the test of time against...say...Gary Cooper? Some of you out there probably don't even know who the hell I'm talking about since  back before most of you were born. So here's a luscious sample of both of the latter died before the rest of you were born, except for Barb and me. Here's a luscious example of these hotties:

Bradley Cooper

Gary Cooper

Let's see, who else can I compare? There's Gerry Butler (above)...admittedly, not a great hair day for him, but no need for computer help on THOSE abs! And Brando...yes...Marlon Brando...BEFORE he gained a person or two. To quote my daughter when she saw him in an old movie..."Oh...my..God! WHO the hell is that good looking hunk of meat?" I know, right!

I'll just throw a few more out there for eye candy or deep thoughts, whatever you're inclined to today. Just wanted to prove that there's always been men out there to inspire us to either behave ourselves,  be just a little bad, or outright devilish! Enjoy!

Hugh Jackman (YUM!)

James Dean...also long deceased!

Elvis...has left the building!

A YOUNG William Holden.  How about that for an erotic historical book cover?

The many faces of McQueen...deceased and what a waste.

Joe Manganiello (Alcide)

Anyway...who's blue eyes do it for you Paul Newman or Brad Pitt?  
Who turns you on...Steve McQueen or Lightening McQueen's Owen Wilson? Young or Old? Has been or has not? Let me know who your faves are...Now and Then!Until next time!

Lori

James Garner: My fave...wish I could find the pic
I saw of him modeling swim suits as a young'un.
Slurp!

Musical Inspirations

I know we've discussed music on this blogsite before, but I'm putting a new spin on it. You all know by now that my first book is called Some Day Somebody. Maybe you don't all realize that those are words from the old song by Wilson Phillips called "Hold On",  Some day, somebody's gonna make you wanta turn around and say goodbye...until then, baby, don't you let 'em hold you down and make you cry."  Those words got me through some mighty tough times in a really crappy marriage to a man who'd been sleeping around on me since year one of the 17 years I stayed with him. I felt like they wrote that song about me...FOR me. One day I did meet the right man and I was able to walk into a brand new life.  When I wrote Sam and Carrie's story, I knew I had to use that phrase for the title. I flip flopped back and forth a few times, but always came back to it and I'm satisfied with the results.
It inspired me to use song titles or phrases for the rest of my series as well. "Last First Kiss" is a song from James Otto that didn't get radio play, but if any of you want to hear a good belly rubber, look it up...you won't be sorry. Book 3 is "Brown Eyed Girl" and who doesn't know that oldie but goody from Van Morrison. It was the perfect song for Tiffany and Red's book.  Book 4's "Heaven In Your Eyes" is a line from a song I wrote for the book...one of two songs.  Book 5 is "Green Eyed Lady" an old seventies song from a band called Sugar Loaf, I believe. It's about a green eyed, Creole, beauty named Angelique and her love triangle. Book 6 is "Sarah Smile" (Hall and Oates or that cutie patootie Jimmy Wayne) about an abused lady with twin babies, struggling to find happiness and self worth.  I'm always listening and searching for titles for future books in this series.

So, I got to thinking...what would be the theme song to my life NOW...now that I'm happily married, and have been for almost 17 years to a man who is as faithful as the day is long...or short, depending on the season, now that our children have blessed us with ten grandchildren and another on the way, now that I'm seeing my struggles as a writer just begin to pay off.  I've got a few in mind..."God Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts, "The Dance" by Garth Brooks, or me and Mike's wedding song, "Soul Provider" by Michael Bolton.  But I've opted for a decidedly more 'upbeat' tempo from one of my favorite country singers, John Michael Montgomery.  "Life's a Dance" is perfect for my current frame of mind in my life.  Here are a few lines for those of you who may not be familiar with it. "Life's a dance you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, and sometimes you follow. Don't worry about what you don't know, because life's a dance you learn as you go." Perfect for a 53 year old, writing by the seat of her pants, Ass Cheek Angel...don't you think?

So here's the question fellow cherubs...what's YOUR song for this time in your life?

Love you all bunches and bunches!
Lori

P.S. I'm having injections in my lower back tomorrow around 11:00. Been experiencing major problems with pinched nerves so I'm hoping this helps me to feel better for the holidays. Say some prayers that it works, ladies!