Sunday 13 November 2016

A few changes, maybe

I've had a busy week - I think this is the longest I've managed to sit down since last Sunday, so I'm making the most of it by catching up on blog reading.

A work colleague broke his nose last weekend, so I covered a few extra hours which threw out my gym training completely; and I met up with a couple of different friends for a hot chocolate, so I've severely overdosed on sugar and feeling a bit jittery.

However, I kept to schedule on my NaNoWriMo writing, although I might be a little behind now because of some other tasks I've set myself. Yesterday I felt I was just putting random words down, feeling completely bored with the story, and not knowing where it was going. All the ideas I had where either too similar to something I've written before, or too similar to something I've read recently.

But then last night, as I was falling asleep (oh, my writing muse really picks her time!), I had a bit of an epiphany, which I'll attempt to map out this afternoon.

On top of all that, on Friday I had a chat with a consultant-type person about online marketing and promotion. The good news is that what I do is pretty good. The bad news is... all the stuff I don't yet do. So, that's my latest job,

It may mean some changes to my blog, but I don't know yet.

It may mean some changes to how I present myself, but I don't fully know that either yet.



37 comments:

  1. Let us know when you know!
    I'm sure there are a bunch of things I should do better or differently.
    Sorry it's been a busy week. Just keep trucking with NaNo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol, of course, when I know, you'll know :-) I think there's always something more we could be doing, but I think you do a great job already. This week is promising to be a lot easier.

      Delete
  2. All the best with the new things you need to do...and yes update us as you know.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm about 8,000 words behind the official NaNo word count if that makes you feel any better! Honestly, if you read what I've written so far this month, you wouldn't believe I was capable of even speaking english, never mind being a writer - but I'm just ploughing on and I'll think about sorting out my huge mess of words after November! I also tend to have all my ideas just as I'm falling asleep - it's very frustrating.

    If you need any help with any aspect of marketing/social media etc btw, feel free to give me a shout - I can't promise I have all the answers, but it's what I do for my day job, so if I can help in any way, I'd be more than happy too :). Have a great week, Annalisa!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol, I totally understand about speaking/writing English. What I love about NaNo is that I can completely waffle until something good appears - it all counts towards the final tally. I just turned those words a different colour, so that I know not to take them seriously when I'm editing in January.

      Thanks for the offer, I may be in touch, once November's done :-)

      Delete
  4. When I did NaNo I got bored mid month. You shall move beyond this and kick into an excellent final gear. Trust me!! Have fun. That is key. You can re-write in Dec.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've got to the 'I am the worst writer in the whole of the writing world' stage. The story (and the genre) are mutating as I go along, so there's no chance of boredom, just utter confusion!

      Delete
  5. Hi Annalisa - thanks for the visit ... in the circumstances. Poor chap - a broken nose is not funny, I would think. Well done on keeping NaNo going ... Now as Alex says let us know how your changes progress ... interesting times -cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol, yes I should probably have been more sympathetic. It looked very bad from the photos I saw, and I'm complaining about covering extra shifts :-D

      Delete
  6. I already know there's a lot more I should be doing promotion and marketing-wise. Hmm, maybe 2017 will be the year for that?

    Good luck with your NaNo novel epiphany! I'm a bit behind in the word count, but I spent a chunk of time this past weekend working on story stuff so hopefully I'll hit the ground running this week. Fingers crossed for all us NaNo-ers! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like you've got it sorted now, Madeline. As for the promotion, I think I'm going to have to set aside an hour a day - or two half hours, spread out to cover the European and US time zones. It breaks it down into manageable chunks, keeps it regular and won't interfere too much with the writing. You can have that tip for free :-)

      Delete
  7. Marketing is tough. Good luck, and I would love to hear about what changes were suggested.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I might write a separate post, when I'm not NaNo-ing :-)

      Delete
  8. Those epiphanies always seem to happen while trying to fall asleep.

    Next year, I'll be changing up my blog. I'm excited about it. :)

    Good luck with everything!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess that's when our subconsciousness is most receptive and least likely to tell us it a rubbish idea :-)

      Delete
  9. Hey, you're doing stuff right! Way to go. I think there's always more we can do, and we really have to pace ourselves or face the inevitable heart failure. Try not to kill yourself, eh?

    ReplyDelete
  10. One of my friends said the other day that they should write a book because they have lots of great ideas that would result in best sellers for sure. No, I did not laugh, nor did I smile. I looked as seriously as possible and nodded. Good luck with all your changes, Annalisa. Best of success to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I still expect my next idea to be the bestseller - the only problem is I'm always writing my current idea :-) Thanks Joylene

      Delete
  11. A broken nose does not sound pleasant! Ouch. As to your changes, I think that's great. Changing things is always a good way to freshen your site and your enthusiasm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And they're a great way to avoid dogwalking when the weather's really bad :-)

      Delete
  12. I love how you ended with "I don't know yet", leaving the door open for possibilities, making yourself flexible instead of becoming rigid and frozen...something which is the death of everyone in a way, I think, not just writers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And I love how you spun my 'don't know' into a positive :-)

      Delete
  13. Share your tips with me. Marketing...boo!! But must be done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm keeping them all to myself, mine, MINE, MINE!!!! Mwhahaha mwhahaha

      Or I'll do a blog post ;-)

      Delete
  14. It's such a continuing learning journey isn't it? Look forward to seeing the changes you make and please do share :) So pleased your muse kicked in when needed. Good luck with the rest of NaNo!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. There's so much to learn, right? I thought I was a branding rebel, but realized after looking at both my blog content and the books that I've actually sold, that I'm not. I write about writing, my writing prompts books sell far better than my fantasy books. Hmm.
    Happy writing with NaNo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As the industry changes, the marketing changes too - so learning, then relearning, and then starting from scratch and learning different stuff :-)

      Delete
  16. I hope you have it all worked out. Funny how those epiphanies hit us in the middle of the night or when we are trying to sleep. I'm sure you will make the right decision and I'm looking forward to your post that you write that tells us all about it. I'm not yet in the marketing phase so I can't offer any suggestions, sorry. I'm doing NaNo, and I didn't have a good week, but fortunately I got a jumpstart the first week and worked ahead or else I would be way behind in my word count. I really love what I'm writing this time and tnat makes such a difference. My problem right now is that I don't know my ending. I have two ideas spinning around in my head and I can't decide whether or not I want one of my characters to make amends for her wrong doings or remain really bad. Good luck with your NaNo book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope NaNo's going better for you now. I'm sure your character will let you know if she wants to make amends!

      Delete
  17. Marketing is something I really struggle with. Feel free to pass on LOTS of tips!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll wait until I know if they work first, before I pass on bad advice :-)

      Delete
  18. I hope you figure out all those finer details. Do what feels good to you.

    I think I've been feeling a little bored with my current W.I.P. too, which could be why I've been having trouble finishing it.

    Congrats with you NanoWritMo progress. I know you will catch up. Good-luck with the rest of your writing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Murees. I'm falling further behind though - 800 words added all weekend, and nothing so far today. Ah well, I'll call it thinking time :-)

      Delete
  19. Intrigued about those changes you're talking of...? I'm not sure I'd dare visit a marketing consultant, hear all the things I'm doing wrong and the list of things I need to add. Well done indeed that you're on the right track. And well done again for keeping on track with NaNo - hugely impressive. I'm on 12k words. Ooops! Think I may be over-relying on the up-coming weekend (and I know this is not the spirit of a daily challenge). Best of luck with everything!

    ReplyDelete

Please comment - I love a good chat!

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.