Sleep Deprived and lots of pain

I haven't made a post in a while. That's because my freakin day job is requiring me to work
58 hours a week, six days a week. I'm exhausted. I haven't had a good, 8-hour night sleep in weeks. Now, I'm getting sick. Headaches abound. 

I'm still trying to write my novels. It's slow going. I have no choice. I'm on the third chapter of book six. I love writing. I wish I had more time for it.  It seems like fate is against me finishing another novel. I have very little time to myself. Rough estimate, about 3.5 hours a day and I've been trading in those hours for sleep. There's nothing I can do but endure. It sucks.

Self Published Research

I think I'm heading back into the self-publishing trenches.
I know I need to build my author's platform. I have to figure out how to do that.
I have a blog. I have a website. I have Twitter. I need more I guess.
I have three novels in progress. I got a lot to do.
I don't think I can rely on catching the eye of a literary agent. That's too big
of a lottery. I'm not a lucky person but I am talented. Talent only seems to take you
so far. You need some luck.

I think  self-publishing is my only real option. I know that doesn't go anywhere if you
can't make stuff happen. I don't know how to make stuff happen.
More YouTube videos and more Twitter rants. I'll read up on everything.

What else can I do? 

Vacations and Inspirations...

I'm planning my vacation for next year. I wanted to go to Bavaria this year (October 2018) but that 5 day trip is too expensive. I'm going alone, which I look forward to.
I can write. No rush from a travel mate. I can take my time, do what I want and that's a lot of museums and castle tours. I can write. 
I'm going on a 10-day tour of the Rhone in March 2019. It's cheaper and longer. I can't wait. 

My job had me on 10-hour shifts for the past three weeks, but now I'm back to 8-hours, starting Monday. To celebrate, I'm starting a new novel outline this week. It's a 2 year old idea that I think I can revamp into something cool. I love all my ideas. They work for me. They're fun...for me. 

5th Novel...in the trenches

I got a partial request for my 3rd manuscript. Super. It's something. Moving forward. The agent requested it from a DVpit submission. I looked her up, she doesn't exactly represent what my manuscript is. I sent the query anyway. I don't expect anything. 

I don't have much in the way of expectations right now.  I have assembled another beta reader. I should get their opinion back next week.  I love it. 

Query Positive...again...

Am I getting sick of sending stout Queries? You betcha! It sucks ass!
I've been sending out Queries for my third novel since 2016. I'm working on other projects, yes, but really? 

I do the beta readers and critique partners regularlly.They've been very helpful. Why can't I get some agent to say "YES" to this book?
The readers and CPs are very positive about my manuscript. I don't know these people, so they have no reason to lie to me. 

My shit is good. I know it. 

I have a long list of agents to send my novel to. I'm nowhere near done. It's exhausting though. There's so much contradictory information out there. 
I think I've done everything I'm suppose to do. I have to keep hustling and I know that, but I need a plan "B". I need an alternative that doesn't involve literary agents.

New Author's Page

I needed a new one. The website I created with GoDaddy became too expensive.
The new one (I used WIX) is looking much better. So much more professional, and it's free.
I'm not going to register the site with it's own domain until I create more to put on it.
I don't think there's a point to paying good money for a website until I'm actually earning something
for it.

 https://seasghost.wixsite.com/seasmith

Ghost Hunters and Ancient Aliens are the stupidest shows on TV.

I just had to get that out. It's true. All of you people who enjoy these shows, you're weird. And not in a good way. Keep that shit to yourself. 

I'm not sorry. 

 

Query Positive

Still gearing up. I'm getting ready for Query round #2 for book #3.  I got a new Query letter. An agent offered  to edit it for me if I agreed to let her use it for some examples on her website. It took her over two weeks to edit it, so who knows when she'll get that up and running.
There are a few more changes I want to make to my manuscript. I am adding a training scene with my MC and her pet raven. I'm adding more introspective moments when she's being held hostage. I'm thinking two parts. I don't think it needs to be too elaborate.
These changes will add a touch more perspective.

I also have to continue writing book #4. So much to do. Book #4 is coming along. My working title is 'The Boyfriend'. This one is contemporary sci-fi.

Always trying something new.

Query Time 2018 #2

February is my month. I do a major query send out once a year. When that fails, it's back to editing, editors, beta readers and rewriting.

I have accumulated a list of around 30 agents. That's not a lot. I need at least 2o more to feel okay. I took an online publishing class where the agent/instructor reccomended at least 50 agents.  
Last week, some agent on Twitter, said she was putting together a lecture on query letters and wanted examples. I expressed interest and sent my query to her. She wrote back saying she like it for the lecture and she would have it edited for me by the end of the week. Well,
haven't heard from her and I'm still waiting...

I'm almost done with my current editing process. I worked with one editor and two beta readers. I think it's improved my manuscript.  I'm actually looking forward to this querying stage 2018.  I've put a lot of work into these recent edits.

I also need to find new Comp. titles.  The two I have now are not from literature. One is from a movie and the other from a TV show. I'm sure there are a lot of agents that don't like that. "It shows that I'm not well read in my genre."  

Sending out Queries is like walking on the edge of a valcano. 

Query Time 2018

It's that time of year again. I have compiled a list of appropriate literary agents (hopefully) 
and I'm working on editing my manuscript...again. 
I've spent the past three months hiring editors to work on my manuscript. Like a 
real professional. 
It's been worth it. I've recieved some helpful feedback. I think the manuscript got a
good clean up. It does read better. I haven't finished the editing work, but I like
it a lot more. Beta Readers say some crazy things. In general, the feedback has been positive. One
of them saying they think my book could become a classic. My target reader for this book are women, 18-40 so that's what I'm picking for beta readers, in general.


I know I have about a 1% chance of getting a literary agent. I have more 
work ahead of me . Now I have to research small publishers and better self-publishing.

I'd rather have a literary agent.