Graduation day, November 8th 2011
A picture being worth a thousand words and all….
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Category Archives: News
Of bright lights and disappointments…
We are, to all intents and purposes, one month after ‘the Watershed‘
And there’s a couple of things that have changed since then – some for the better, some in a different way and with no impact. One for the worse.
As the last post explained, I finally graduated. What the last post barely touches on is why it’s taken so long to get to that point. And, y’know, I wish I could point at everything I’ve been up to recently and say ‘see, good reason’, but the truth is, the reason, though, probably, a valid one, isn’t a ‘good’ one by any stretch of the imagination. Focusing on the positive though – I graduated. I’m delighted that I graduated. I’m trying to decide if I want to go to the ceremony where our degrees are officially conferred – right now it’s looking at least an option.
Other improvements include taking on better paying work, in some cases. I *love* copywriting – but what I don’t love is the fact that I’m basically at the mercy of clients. Most are darlings – but some leave a lot to be desired. And when I’m having to be draconian about billing practices, I know something has gone wrong. And that’s the problem – there’s no give in my billing. And for those that know why, don’t even say it in public – it’s not necessary. I’ve taken steps to remedy that, in the form of http://indieunbound.com 
I’m now officially and formally an editor as well as a copywriter, using my experience as a writer and graduate to support indie writers in creating a product that works for them – and the market. It’s good, and in the last few days, I’ve already managed to book clients till our holiday in October, which is just stellar.
Other than that, I’m working on finishing up my websites and setting up regular spots for blogging, fixing my timetable to balance stuff (though, I’m slowly coming to the realisation I can either have a quiet life OR work really hard – there’s no doubling up and earning both) and slowly resolving everything that needs to be resolved.
The negative? other than a couple of outlines, I’m still not writing. And that sucks. But I think I have a solution to that too – one, that if I can keep up with the editing client bookings, will give me the best of all worlds and allow me to be the last piece of the puzzle that is me. I have to find my way back to fiction writing, or there’s no point in freelancing the way I do. I could, instead use my degree on something else, and let go of the idea of being an author – and to be honest, that all or nothing decision makes me more worried than any other choice I could ever make.
I guess the last thing I need to talk about is ‘what’s next’? I already miss university desperately – I’ve never felt more at ease in an establishment in my life, and I want to go back to that at some point. So, realistically, some of the money I make editing and writing is going back into ‘me’, and in turn, making me a better writer and editor, via my MA plans. Ideally, I’d like to do linguistics of some kind, rather than a wholly creative project, but ultimately, I guess I’ll need to see what is available to me, and how long it’ll take me to save for it. For now, all of my energy is going into clearing up the last of the server costs I was left with, sorting out new hosting for that secondary account, and building a buffer of savings for my family. Editing and copywriting together are a good combination, especially if I can keep streamlining my time and using it to the best effect.
Now though? Work beacons. Laters 
The new schedule
So, yeah, I’m still on writing burnout, at least for fiction. I’m a bit concerned about that actually – there’s no ideas, no flashes of ‘oooh, I wanna write *that*’… nothing.
But, there is the niggling nagging feeling that I should at least get my life back into a ‘productive’ space instead of sitting on the couch for days and thinking ‘why me’. I guess the ‘why me’ isn’t the right question. ‘What can I do to fix it’ is the real question.
In all of this drive, I’ve lost most of my passions. The blogs that I’m most passionate about? Fallen to the wayside as I keep my head above water. Finished my dissertation, and all that seemed to fill it? Moping.
The new schedule
When I say ‘schedule’, I’m, for now, not looking at the list on my plate, and then slotting stuff in. I’m also not going to say ‘I’m using these blogs to ‘warm up’ in the morning. In fact, I’m going to do my level best to get a bit ahead with the evergreen stuff and pick up the information that’s not evergreen and post it as and when required. I’ve got special plugins that do stuff with queued content and works with what I’m doing.
But there’s a certain… need to actually say ‘well, this is what I’m doing’.
The blogs
http://kaiberie.com (this one)
http://literary-forensics.com/ – which, bar the information posts, is going to restart. Literary Forensics is a bit of editing, a bit of language, a bit about etymology, and a lot about the ‘language’ of crime. It’ll feature crime and thriller writer interviews too, alongside a non fiction book sometime early in the new year.
http://bi-polarbears.com -it’s probably not particularly well in the communities I’m involved with right now, but I write a mental health blog. I’m not very good at writing on a schedule though, and that’s something I’d like to change. Again, there’s a book associated with this blog.
http://indieunbound.com – it’s a bit about editing, a bit about writing.
and finally – http://indieauthorcommunity.com – which actually encompasses something like six mini blogs, but still… 
Other projects
I’ve got a couple of other projects to deal with, including setting up some sites for some projects, and writing content to achieve that. One of them is ‘indieauthoraide’, a site designed to support indie authors in accessing everything they need. But it’s quite a big…if not one of the biggest projects I’ve undertaken, and actually needs planned. Needs to ask people to come help too. But that’s the underlying structure.
30 hours of copywriting, with the company I work for, and those blogs. I think it’s a good underlying structure to go for.
One month to go
I have to admit to being really very excited right now, an excitement that I can only really imagine is going to get more and more intolerable until the 4th of June.
It’s incredible to think that I’m going to be published in less than 33 days. In one month, exactly, I’m going to be dealing with my very messed up, very hot, very deprecating detective that drives me up the wall and won’t shut up at 4am when he’s got something really important to tell me.
Yes, my character wakes me up in the middle of the night and talks to me. There’s a lot to be said about the things that says about my mental health, but I guess that’s another post. One of the things I am slowly learning and accepting is that it’s normal for me, and that’s OK.
But till I’m through editing Glass Block right to the end, I’m not sure how to answer the questions about Elliot, so I’m going to have to plead patience.
I’m really excited though – one of the things that I’m working on is about a dozen interviews – which means in the near future, I’ll be sharing all of the links for all of my interviews with everyone. For now though – check out my first interview.
But while I’m here, I thought I’d open up the floor to questions – what would you like to know? There are, as ever, things I just can’t answer, but you never know till you ask
*updated – the book is postponed now till August – thanks for your patience guys.
This post is part of the Server Sync up contest
Release schedules….
One of the major areas I’m looking at right now, while increasing my ‘discipline’ and butt in seat stickivity for my writing is to look at my release schedules.
So, when I’ve got Glass Block out the gates, I’ve got several choices – Near Earth, Black Monday or another book, I’m not sure whether I’ll move forward with one of several books, or if I’ll take the time to build up my copywriting business, or do something else. All I do know is the next few weeks and months are going to be jam packed, and I hope that they’ll be good for my carreer.
One of the major things I’m learning right now though is that I can’t underestimate anything – if anything, I need to build in space and delays, just to make sure I get through it all – with dissertations and other projects in the way, I’m well aware that just about anything could go wrong between now and June 4th – it’s a good lesson for writers though – as I’m restructuring (again) to ensure that I have time to work on the things that interest me most, I’m also aware that there’s no way in this WORLD that I have the time to do everything I want to. Not right now anyway – it might be possible later once the books start actually doing well……
And that’s where you, my dearest of dear readers come in. Please (please please please!) come on over and check out Darkness PD and fan me on Facebook – D Kai WilsonViola
Thanks!
Two hand ins to go….
For the last four years, I’ve been studying Creative Writing. And I honestly never thought, when I started, that my life would have turned out quite the way it has. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come in those four years.
There’s a but coming.
My last two hand ins are due – one 3000 word assignment and relevant references in the next week, and then, my dissertation on the 30th June. These last two are probably the hardest I’ve done – a transgressive piece about time travel and sleeping with said time traveller, and my dissertation, right now is a second person exploration of slavery and having no control over a body because the protagonist is paralysed. It’s called ‘Doll’ and is taking a lot of work to get finished. On the bright side, there’s every possibility I’ll graduate with a 2:1 and my company is looking really quite good right now. After the last few years I’ve settled into solid high 60 marks, which makes my degree mostly made up of B’s. If my psychology wasn’t quite as weak, I might have managed to pull it up, but unfortunately, I think my psychology leaves me with very little room to get a First. I’m still proud of my possible 2:1 though.
So, if I’m extra quiet over the next few weeks, I can only apologise. I’ve also got Glass Block coming out at the end of next month, so it’s one of those times where my every waking moment is filled with work, writing, and more work.
Hack compliance 101
I’ve been hip deep in dealing with hack compliance lately – it’s not my main job – my *main* job is writing books (the new one comes out June 4th!) but i’ts been what’s made up most of my time lately.
So, I thought to make it slightly easier to stop needing to hire me (counter intutive much? not really 
), that I’d give y’all coming over seeing as I was recommended from someone’s site (thanks Craig!), a couple of ways to ensure that you’re only grabbing someone like me when you’ve really worked through everything you can.
UPDATE!
One of the major issues I’m seeing right now is customised themes that were installed a year plus ago and need updated. It’s not a criticism, because people ten dto forget if somehting isn’t right in front of them (myself included) but it’s a good idea that every major wordpress update you have, that you at least search for your theme and see if it needs an update.
If you’re not sure of what to do, contact me.
Also, from the later versions of WordPress, plugins and core will update from internal one clicks. That means if you’re using the auto update plugin you should remove it now. It’s a possible hole.
Check your subdomains
Many people run subdomains and don’t look at them often – installing and running ‘webmaster tools’ on all of the sites will allow you to monitor problems and be warned, real time if there’s an issue with anything. And a visual check weekly should give you a chance to make sure everything looks perfect.
If all else fails…check dates
If something LOOKS fishy,log in via FTP – if there’s anything odd in there, look for the same dates in other stuff and focus on those files, though by that point you need to chat with an expert.
I’m always available to talk if you’re stuck, just contact me.
30 posts later – where I am, where I’m going etc
I noticed this morning that I hit the magical 30 post mark, from the 30 posts in 30 days (in my case, really it was 30 posts in 45 days!) and wanted to do a quick round-up, along with some observations.
First up – I suck at timetables.
Actually, more accurately, I suck at working within timetables, when there is lots going on around me. In the last month I went back to Uni for a new term (my last one), I moved laptops to a much sleeker, faster, sweeter piece of kit (which leads me to a point I’m going to make later), and I finally discovered that my love for writing definitively needs fiction to keep the flames burning. And that simply reading it for now isn’t enough.
I also discovered that 30 billable hours equates to much *much* more than that, and I procrastinate too much, which lead me to another project idea for this month/next month. I discovered that I’m not in the best shape mentally, or physically, and that I really need to find and adhere to boundaries. That means less answering email on my phone when I should be chilling out, and more spending my time working on the things – all of them – that makes me happy. Journaling, despite being suggested, isn’t something I can get into any more – I had a horrible time of it when my then psych council got his hands on one of my stories and tried to commit me because it was about suicide, and jumping out the windows of my flat. I know mental health care has moved on in leaps and bounds since then, but there have been other incidents where people have used my journal against me. Next best idea is to go back to fiction .
Specifics though
- Of the 30 posts I had planned, I’ve still got 14 drafts left. I’ve also added to that and have ideas for about another 60 blog posts – or partial posts. If I got them scheduled and farmed to the right blogs (because some of them might not belong *here* when I’m done) then I’ve got content for two blogs for a month, or several blogs for several months depending on posting schedules.
- I’m so not over my blogging apathy. I still find it difficult to interact on Livejournal, where I started to blog – I don’t know if it’s transient but it’s lasted about eight months so far and hasn’t abated any. I work a full-time job, study practically full time for Uni, write when I can, plus I’m the primary parent for a nine-year old with emotional difficulties (she’s getting MUCH better), and an eleven year old that is an amazing wee guy. And then I fit my relationships with friends, family and my fiancée into that massive mix. It’s not an easy balancing act, and gets harder in November, when I run the Nanowrimo, and in April for ScriptFrenzy. I think it’s a symptom of my life being too busy, but it could just be that I’ve outgrown how I used to blog (24 blogs, updated on a three-day schedule). It could just be that I’m burned out still – and that I need more time to myself. It could be that it’s just one of those things. The 30 day challenge brought me back to a lot of that, but there’s still a lot to be said for needing more time to fall in love with blogging all over again.
- I really don’t write enough fiction. I’m not editing at all – I’ve got this one task in my task manager that keeps getting bumped to next week to actually sit down and write Glass Block – which lead me in a very circumlocutory way to a project I want to try. More about that below though.
- Emotionally, I’m not over any of the miscarriages I’ve had in my adult life, but of all of them, this last one was the hardest. I think it’s a mix of us both being on board with the idea fully, and the traumatic way we found out I wasn’t pregnant, plus the hospital stuff afterwards, but now I’m not doing well with any of that stuff. The last one resulted in the problems we had when I moved and the referral through the Crisis team in Gloucester (who, really I can’t praise enough) to the Recovery team and my wonderful worker, whom I really *really* miss. This one seems to be worse in some ways, because I’m still feeling it all and I’m ON medication. Time will tell I suppose. December doesn’t seem that long ago, but that morning in the hospital feels even closer to me still.*
Moving on
I guess the positive in that phrase is that I actually know where I’m going and what my plan is. Well, kinda anyway.
There’s two immediate projects I want to get out of the way and through before I decide what I’m going to do with myself full-time from now on. Lots of the projects I’ve got in mind are just going to have to wait till after I’ve graduated – realistically, I don’t have time to blog in all the places I want to, but I will soon.
But the two big projects.
I want to show the impact social media has on someone’s day – so I’m going to do a Friday *with* full social media interaction, and a Friday without. The Friday *With*, I’m going to use Facebook and Twitter through my laptop – without I’m going to check in on my phone. To get to that point though, I need to rebuild my tweetdeck and reader set-up, plus update what I’m looking at because I’m pretty scattered all over the place right now.
I’m going to journal what I’m doing, and track the time using an app that I’ve long since gotten used to called ‘Rescue time’. I’ll log my full day on (and off) the computer, and post the results and some conclusions I’ve drawn at the end of it. It’s a teeny tiny project, but it’s one of those wonderful things that others can attempt to duplicate and they too can talk about what they found, so it’s going to be interesting. I’m going to stick that happy little project up on Work at home Writers, because it’s primarily about productivity.
The second is a little more hazy now. I’ve got to get the books I’ve written into Scrivener, and then move on from there, but I’m deliberately declaring Sundays ‘fiction day’. I’ll most likely have to skip a couple of them to get my dissertation finished, or when there’s a massively pressing deadline, but if I’m so reluctant to write non fiction, it’s maybe for a different reason and I want to test that For that second, specifically, I need lots of encouragement. I am deliberately removing billable hours from my schedule, and guilt aside, I’m not sure that I’m even particularly confident in my fiction abilities any more. So if you could hop onto one of the social media areas where I talk writing, cheer me on at Writers-bookshelf or otherwise play ‘cheering squad for me’ I’d love it, I really would.
* I don’t talk about what went on – and would appreciate that people don’t pursue this one reference to it with me. I’m not interested in baring my soul about it and while I appreciate it’s an area that women really don’t talk about enough, I’d rather err on the side of not talking about it. That said, I’d rather people knew why I was prickly, than simply smack them upside the head.
Making it easier on myself
Kai
I’m infamous for biting off more than I can chew – it might be the Scottish in me, it might be the fiery red hair – even though in that picture of me I actually had black hair , it might just be that I always feel I have to make up for *something*. Goodness knows what, but I’m highly competitive with myself mostly. What I do know is that for about two months now I’ve had this growing list of things that I need to take care of – I was midway through designing my hosting site when Christmas pounced in my house, I’m trying to do the fly lady project, make over my son’s room, and lots of other things – I’ve always been a bit ‘butterfly’ in my approach to stuff, but I’ve definitively gotten worse since I fell and banged my head a few years ago.
So, I’m making it easier on myself.
First rule got instituted this weekend with the arrival of a really nice case for my iPad – with a keyboard. Night times are for writing/editing/fiction – so no more laptop unless I’m on a tight deadline. Or if I want to veg, I can. I don’t veg nearly enough, and I’m beginning to think it shows. Right now, I’m using the opportunity to get my blogging schedule back on track and plan as much of the next few weeks, which leads me to…..
I’ve got a list in word, called ‘the never ending todo list’. It’s now six pages long, but I’m not going to panic if I can’t get it done straight away. Instead, once a week, I’m going to print it, stick it on my clipboard and mark it off as I go. At the end of the week, I’m going to move what I managed to the ‘always growing accomplished list’ along with a record of my word counts and edits and everything else I do so I’ve got a work diary of sorts, plus I can see how my work ebbs and flows for one of the projects I keep putting off.
In other news, Phillip Pullman, one of the writers I grew up reading, and greatly admire, just about sums up how I feel about the INSANE government cuts to libraries. In Gloucestershire, where we live, we’re losing 11 libraries – I don’t talk politics very often (because of readership + neutrality, to a point) but this is just mad.
Now, wish me luck, for I head out to the doctors to find out what in the merry heck is wrong with my poor arm – I suspect I’m going to be told that something has gotten into my vein, but that doesn’t explain the ominous bruise on the other hand…..sigh.
Related articles
- Philip Pullman’s call to defend libraries resounds around web (guardian.co.uk)
- Why the Big Society failed (liberalconspiracy.org)
Toys and tools for writers – part 2 – the novelist
Ok – so, one way or another, you’ve got the tools I recommended – whether you went with all free, or a mix of free and paid, or you’re ready to experiment with each. Or you’ve got your own go-to tools, that you work with – that’s ok too – the list I provided wasn’t exhaustive (though, if you think I’ve missed something, please let me know – I’d love to hear about other tools people use).
I also didn’t list ‘Write or die’ – deliberately – that goes under a whole ‘nother section – writer’s block.
Anyway – tools for novelists and why they work well together.
For idea collation I suggest Evernote – simply because it’s search able and is as handy as your mobile phone (if you’ve got a smart phone). It lets you store notes, inspiration, voice recordings, images, the works. This is crucial, because there are occasions you won’t be able to stop and grab a piece of paper, but you might have your phone with you, or times when you’re in the middle of writing something else, and need to take notes.
I suggest having a couple of tags to categorise ideas – I’ve got ‘story idea’, ‘snippet’, ‘research question’, ‘blog post’ and ‘misc’. I categorise them at home on my laptop because it’s easier to catch them that way than tag on the fly.
Writing
If I’m writing a novel, I pick the tool that best fits the job as soon as I get settled, but I tend to do my outlines and other basic work in Word, just because sometimes it’s hard to tell which is ‘best’ to use.
I’ve found though that it pretty much splits into two easy categories – serials, in which case I find it easier to work in Liquid Story Binder (and will explain that on a later post ) or stand alone which works best in Scrivener. If it’s a stand alone with lots of notes, Scrivener copes, I’ve just yet to adapt to writing longer serials in Scrivener.
I edit though, in Word – simply because it’s easier to do cohesive line editing in there – though, again that comes down to personal preference.
Other tools a novelist needs – books in the genre they’re writing in – so they can keep their ‘finger on the metaphorical pulse’ and some support. I recommend finding a crit group to chat about your writing, and get feedback. I like OWW-SFF but your mileage may vary.
