Hello, friends. It’s been another full week of triple digit temps and honestly, there is no end in sight. Maybe by the end of next month. I’m hoping!
The book festival in Greenville, Tx yesterday was really good. There were lots of people milling about and I sold a good amount of books. Besides that, it was great to visit with other authors I hadn’t seen in a while and to make new acquaintances. That’s always a bonus to these events.
Then, my daughter came and brought the girls. Sydney was ecstatic! She got to sign some books AND she bought a bag full of books as well. But I think she enjoyed talking with other authors more than anything. When she told them she was writing a novel, they all had tips, to offer and most gave her their contact information. Most authors are the kindest and most giving people I’ve ever met!
While I’m talking about Sydney, she got her cast off on Thursday and is now in a walking boot, but she’s afraid it will hurt to try and walk, so still depending on the crutches. She will have to do it in her own time.
Today is an anniversary of sorts. It was on August 17, 1985 (41 years ago), the Greyhound bus rolled into the bus station in Brownwood, Texas, bringing Rick Sikes home after spending fifteen years in Leavenworth Prison. The a/c had gone out in the car and I apologized for it, when he said this…
On the writing front, I am probably three chapters away from finishing PAINTING CHRISTMAS.
I received a first draft book cover from a cover designer. I think with a few tweaks, it might work. Still mulling it over. See what you think.
It’s just a beginning. So, I’ll see. It’s so hard to think of the cover as a billboard advertisement as I tend to want to tell the story with the cover. For example, the artist paints on the inside of the windows because he uses tempura paints and they would wash right off on the outside. But does that really matter? As my sister said, only I know the difference. 🙂 But I’m open to your first impressions.
There is another designer working on a cover, so I’m anxious to see what he comes up with.
This coming week is my birthday week. I absolutely cannot believe I will be turning seventy-five. Seriously! How did that happen? I am so lucky to have good health, and I know that. I give thanks daily for it. And I make a solid effort to keep it that way. I’m not 100% sure what the kids have planned for a celebration, but I think we’re going to converge on The Melting Pot that just opened up here.
If I can write The End to Painting Christmas, that will the best birthday gift!
There was a lot of talk at the book festival about the rise of AI and how that affects us as authors. The man sitting next to me told about a person he knows who is using AI to write a book a week and publishes them on Amazon. Surely, that will raise a red flag somewhere. It’s just awful that our craft is being threatened. Instead of using AI as a tool, some are letting it create all their content. However, I have to believe the readers will be able to spot the difference. At least, I hope so. Still, it’s disheartening. It all comes down to the fact that if you write for fame and fortune, you’re in the wrong business. If you write because it fulfills something inside you and is a passion, then keep on writing. I will continue to read, although the last three books I picked up left me feeling dissatisfied. I finished one, but don’t know if I’ll try to finish the other two. Come on, fellow-authors! I need something new to read!!
Now that the kiddos are back in school, life is settling into a more gentle routine. It was a wild summer break! 🙂
I have found this quote from Louis L’Amour to be SO true! The more we create, the more ideas start to flow. Once the faucet is open, there is no limit as to what might come.
The card I pulled for the week ahead is the Horse.
Mighty Horse – power to run across the open plains, or to bring the vision of the shields dancing in purple dream rain.
True power is found in understanding your total journey. Wisdom comes from remembering pathways you have walked in another person’s mocdassins. Compassion, caring, teaching, loving and sharing your gifts, talents and abilities are the gateways to power.
Oh, I really relate to, and love the ideas of compassion, caring, loving and sharing. Make it a great week!
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Congratulation on the successful book fair, Jan! And how cool to get supported by the next generation (of writers).
Thanks for sharing that special anniversary with us. I cannot even imagen what a moment that must have been for Rick, for you, and for the two of you.
And thank you so much for the power horse. That’s a great card to start the new week with! Have a good one, Jan!
Thank you for dropping by, Erika. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Yes, the moment he stepped off the bus on that hot summer day is one I’ll never forget. I loved it when I drew the Horse card! It’s an inspiration. Have a great week!
Good stuff, Jan. I think your sister is right about the cover. I never would have thought about tempera paints. It gives a warm impression, and I suspect that’s what you’re going for. Very cool that your granddaughter is writing a novel. Has she told you what it’s about yet? Congratulations on your successful book festival.
Thanks for your comment, Pete. I appreciate your thought about the cover. Yes, a warm impression is what I’m looking for. My granddaughter is sharing her story with me in Google Docs. It will need a lot of editing, but she’s getting the story idea down. For a first draft, it’s good. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by!
Glad you had a good time at the book event, Jan. It is always refreshing to talk to other authors. I never believed I would make a dime with my books, so I think I’m immune to the worry over AI. I just hope AI doesn’t blow the indie author world to bits. Have a beautiful week
You’re right, John. It’s refreshing and often enlightening to talk with other authors. I like your attitude about making money from your books. I am thankful for a core group of readers, as I know you are too. It’s all okay. I totally understand the AI worry. It’s almost like when self-publishing first opened up and people where writing and publishing unedited crap that gave indie authors a bad name. But AI is more sophisticated. Still, I will honor the readers I have and hope they enjoy what I put out. Thank you for chiming in!
It’s great that you and Sydney did so well at the book festival in Greenville, Jan. I hope she is able to take walks eventually. Good luck with your new book coming.
Thank you, Tim. I appreciate all the good wishes!
My pleasure, Jan. 😍
I like the cover. I agree with you and it would bother me that it isn’t quite right. I’ve moved into that phase of writing because I enjoy it. Production might be lessened, but I’m learning to make adjustments.
I think that’s the best phase of writing to be in, Craig. No longer having to chase something, but to sit with it and enjoy it. You’ve got a core group of readers (including me) that will read everything you write. Thanks for dropping by!
Happy birthday, Jan! I’m so glad your book event went well. And look at Sydney signing her first book! I couldn’t agree more with the Louis L’Amour quote. The problem now is that I have more ideas than I will not live long enough to create. My immediate impression of your cover was that the artist was painting the tree on the wrong side of the window. These images are painted from the inside rather than the outside.
Exactly, Liz. They had to paint them on the inside because they used water based paints that would wash off with the least bit of moisture. It’s a good start, but needs some work for sure. Thank you SO very much for all the good wishes and for taking the time to visit and leave a comment!
My pleasure, Jan!
Happy birthday, Jan! I think the Painting Christmas cover works. Your fictional artist could drop a line about the window being under the store’s awning “or else it’d wash off first rain that comes along.”
Thanks so much for your input, Priscilla. And thank you for the birthday wish. I hope you’re surviving this Texas heat! I am longing for Fall!!
How exciting for Sydney to sign her first book! I know you were just as thrilled and proud, Jan. And Happy Birthday! Hope you finish the book and the weather cools down – wouldn’t that be a great present.
That would be a great present, Teri. But the forecast for this week is 104 – 105 every day. It just is what it is. Thank God for A/C!!! Thank you for visiting, and yes, I’m super proud of the creative soul Sydney is.
So much news on your front. Love your busy life. Just got news of your sis’ upcoming Christmas book on Amazon. Can’t wait.
Yes! I know Linda’s readers are going to love this story. Thank you for your support, Jacqui!
so glad to hear that you didn’t let the weather ruin your birthday, Jan!
I’m glad you had a good time, Jan, and Happy Birthday. I celebrated my 36th birthday not that long ago, and I was part of a closed author event at a winery (sold six books). The last book in my trilogy is written and needs to be edited.
Oh my goodness, Andrew! You are so young and what an amazing life you have ahead of you. Congratulations on selling at the winery. I find in-person events to be SO awesome. I love talking to the readers. Thanks for stopping by!