Wednesdays With Joanne: A Balancing Act

Almost holiday time, family time, taking vacation time, shopping time, cooking time, down time, up time (TIME being the operative word), I'm keenly aware of time these days, and how very little any of us have left over at the end of our busy day. Notice, I haven't mentioned writing time as yet, or the balancing act writers are asked to perform on a daily basis.

A big part of writing is about time management, I believe. For my part, I'm involved in a daily, almost schizophrenic balancing act of just how to best use my time. Speaking of best, the best book I've ever read on writing and how to use one's time is called, On Writing by Stephen King. I highly recommend it! Find a time and a place to write, and write. Great advice. Then make time to read other writers. More great advice. Be disciplined, then go for it. Great, great advice. But...

If one is fortunate enough to get published, then, naturally, more time is asked of you for marketing and promotion---time taken away from working on that new book, polishing up a manuscript for submission, looking for an agent, networking with readers and authors, attending conferences, attending writing groups, updating websites for the Internet, or (dare I say it) blogging! Here's where the "balancing act" comes in. Here's where listening to Stephen King's voice comes in. Find a time and place...and just do it! (I'm paraphrasing, of course.)

I'm working on "working on" how best to use my time now that I have two books out, one in release and one soon to be. I'm itching to get to that next book, but find I have an obligation to my first two. I have to do my best to promote and market them. The publisher does their part, but we as writers must also do our part. We must set up booktalks, signings, radio spots, newspaper spots, reviews, secure notable author quotes/blurbs, mail out press releases, mail out extra galleys, place ads where and when we can, etc. And so...

Balancing my time amid the upcoming, busy holiday season becomes even more of a challenge now. Ah well, I've decided to "just do it," albeit in schizophrenic bits. The early morning hours will be devoted to the new book, the mid-morning hours to internet duty, the afternoon hours to outside fun and games (hey, I live in the Colorado mountains...we are obligated to be outside playing in the snow), and the evening hours to figuring out how best to garner that next signing or appearance. Hmmm...that just leaves the midnight hours for holiday baking and watching A Wonderful Life. No worries, I'll just keep the coffee going. Helps me with my "balancing act" you know.

I'd love to hear what you're doing with your time these days! Feel free to post! Key ya!

Wednesdays With Joanne

Hi! Welcome to one and all e-drive-bys!

One week into blogging, and I fear I'm not past Blogging 101 as yet. Ah well, not to worry. Never forget the fabled Tortuise and the Hare, The Little Engine That Could, and Working Girl. Yep, Working Girl. She did "get her man and the job in the end!" I love happy endings, but I also love to ponder all the hardships faced and possible ways to reach them.

If you've had a peek at my website (www.joannesundell.com), you know I write historical romance set in the West. If you've an interest in this, I hope so much you continue to stop by on Wednesdays and visit me on my blog. Of course I'd love it, too, if you'd sign up for my NEWSLETTER, full of fun and fantasy. Yeah, right. Hey, I will start running contests there soon. I want my signed books to get to you somehow, some way, you know! I also would love feedback from you on my books, on historical romance, and on "whatever is on your mind." Feel free to e-mail me from my website or post on my blog.

I hope to blog soon on two other blogspots: Five Star Authors Blog and Women Writing the West Blog. I'll post those blogspots here (when I figure this out) so you might visit the sites too, if you've a mind. I'm also a member of Colorado Romance Writers. I'm not up to "blog" with them yet, but I'm working on it.

I thank you in advance for your patience!

I'm excited about an upcoming booktalk/signing at our brand new library in Granby, Colorado, Dec 11th. This is the first time my focus will be on a general discussion of romance (LET'S TALK (historical western) ROMANCE), rather than my book(s). Of course Matchmaker, Matchmaker and A...My Name's Amelia will be featured, but for the most part we're going to have fun with romance. Can we talk here? is the motto of the evening.

Let me say a word about the librarians in Grand County. That word is "super!" The marketing target for my publisher, Five Star/Thomson Gale, is the library market. (They, of course, send catalogs out nationally.) It's wonderful to discover how wonderful librarians are. They're in the know about what the public likes to read, and so far they've been truly helpful in promoting my book(s). I hope to target libraries in Colorado in particular for the promotion of A...My Name's Amelia. I'm not only going to focus on pre-orders, but will put out an invitation to libraries and bookclubs to "invite me" to come for a chat, and maybe sign a book or two. Hey, it's all about fun for us, right! I'm going to call it the Let's Talk Historical Western Romance Tour...la de da, la de da, la de da...

No worries, I'm not forgetting my part in trying to appeal to the mass market. Coming soon to an on-line or in-store site near you!!!

Well, I don't know about you but my coffee's cold, and that will not do. Besides, you've had enough for one week, no doubt. Please come back next time. Who knows what you'll find here. Who knows "what danger lurks in the hearts and minds of men!" (Hey, what happened to the "women" part of The Shadow's comments? I suppose only "The Shadow Knows.")

My best to you all!

Joanne

As introduction...

Hi folks,
I'm taking the plunge into the "blogging pool" today. In the deep end, most likely! As the title of my blog indicates, I write historical romance set in the West. I invite anyone out there in cyberland who has similar interests, to come "blog" with me. Let's All Talk (historical western) Romance! Visit my website www.JoanneSundell.com to see my latest works.