Images that Inspire

Quotes of the Week

Writing a book is like telling a joke and having to wait two years to know whether or not it was funny.
—Alain de Botton

Early morning, lunch break, on the train, late at night — it doesn’t matter. Find the extra hour, go to the same place, shut the door. No exceptions, no excuses.
—John Grisham

Why say “very beautiful”? “Beautiful” is enough.
—James Joyce

I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but I see you are unarmed.
—William Shakespeare

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.
—Benjamin Franklin

You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.
—William Faulkner

Books are mirrors: you only see in them what you already have inside you.
—Carlos Ruiz Zafn

Writing is an occupation in which you have to keep proving your talent to those who have none.
—Jules Renard

Tuesday Tips: Pros

Here is a lesson that many self-pub authors find hard to learn: Hire Professionals

Here is a partial list of pros that I now rely on:

• Editors
• Accountants
• Lawyers
• Illustrators
• Artists
• Cover Designers
• Web Developers
• Audio Producers
• Narrators
• Literary Translators

Paying for professional services and deliverables should be considered an investment. In the beginning I was doing all these tasks myself. I did everything from editing, accounting, contract reviews, covers, to designing my own business cards. Honestly, it showed. I muddled through but rapidly realized the value of the Pros. 

I would never ask people I know to give me free medical advice for my cat Bailey. Just like paying for the services of a veterinarian surgeon is worth it, so are writing professionals. I listed Editors first. It is the first one an Indie Author should invest in.

Here is another example: I could probably build my own house. I could do it. I have a lot of the hand tools. I can read books. It would probably not be as good. I bet my plumbing would leak really bad. My wiring would probably be a fire hazard. The drywall would really be ugly. Talented professionals ensure there are not problems.

Yes, they all cost money.

As a serious Indie Author, I am my own boss, and have found that they are totally worth it. Unlike old school published authors, they all work for me. I don't work for them.

--Be your own general contractor.

Reading: All These Worlds

This week I read ALL THESE WORLDS by Dennis E. Taylor.

Here is the description from Amazon:

Being a sentient spaceship really should be more fun. But after spreading out through space for almost a century, Bob and his clones just can't stay out of trouble. They've created enough colonies so humanity shouldn't go extinct. But political squabbles have a bad habit of dying hard, and the Brazilian probes are still trying to take out the competition. And the Bobs have picked a fight with an older, more powerful species with a large appetite and a short temper. 

Still stinging from getting their collective butts kicked in their first encounter with the Others, the Bobs now face the prospect of a decisive final battle to defend Earth and its colonies. But the Bobs are less disciplined than a herd of cats, and some of the younger copies are more concerned with their own local problems than defeating the Others. Yet salvation may come from an unlikely source. A couple of eighth-generation Bobs have found something out in deep space. All it will take to save the Earth and perhaps all of humanity is for them to get it to Sol — unless the Others arrive first.

--Book 3 in the Bobiverse series. I really enjoy these. Recommended.

It's Beginning to look a lot Like Christmas!

Trope Talk: Beginnings

The Fast Friday Interviews: T.M. Slay

T.M. Slay

Tell me about yourself?

I've been writing for 15 years because I was told I couldn't do it. So...of course I did it! And then some. Doctors also told me I couldn't have kids...so I did that and then some! I'm a proud mama of 5 children, and I'd love to have more. Yea, that's what happens without cable. Also I have a few fur babies. If you've seen my "story time", then you've seen my horses. They're all rescues, and I couldn't love them more. So, do I have it all? Not quite. Why not? Well, I have a dream for greater things. I want a foundation to save more horses, I want to expand my writing. I want more children, and I want to impact the world in better ways. I mean, don't we all want better for our world? Ok, I concede, maybe we don't ALL want better, some like the world strangled and stuffed down in a garbage can.

It helps further agenda that way. But me? I want more readers to find me so I can send them to more awesome writers who will show them to others. Only with open minds and hearts will we ever improve anything, and I truly believe that even fantasy and romance hold the powers to do such things. For if we can hold open our hearts and minds and strive for more, our legacies to our children and our grandchildren will be even more than any amount of possessions would ever be.

Tell me about your current Book: 

Legend Mine, Book 3: The Kataran Series

As Reignor royalty, Terrah has always known her duty--until the deay her Kataran father was murdered. A price on her head, her trust shattered, Terrah is devestated when it seems neither her mother's gods, nor her father's, are able to point her toward the truth. In order to keep her safe and find the culprit, her brother, the new king, has called in the best protection in Rignor Galaxy...

Jacob, the Legendary Ancient Warrior of Warriors of the Katara, is going on what he believes to be his last mission -- finding who murdered his mentor. Secrets are plentiful on the mysterious planet of Reignor,and Terrah's help is strained at best. The woman is walking, talking trouble. Too Bad he needs her in more ways than he cares to admit...

It seems her father wasn't the only target, and his death was only the beginning. As more information comes to light, Jacob is no longer simply solving a murder, but he's also been tasked with securing the small planet and keeping intergalactic peace. Jacob commands Legendary skills, Terrah the Legendary Fire, and together they have The Universe to help them find the truth. But will the truth alone be enough to bring a murderer to justice, keep Terrah safe, and prevent Reignor from invasion? Jacob isn't sure, but he's damn well determined to try.

What are you working on now? 

Book 4 of The Kataran Series; Treading Water, Book 1 The Atlantean Series; & The WarLord's Bride

Where is your favorite place to be when you write? 

Either my home office, or while sitting in bed...

What is your favorite lesson you have learned about the business of writing? 

Never give up, and always give 150%!

What is your favorite Website? 

http://www.thesaurus.com/

Links: 

Wed: www.tmslay@gmail.com
Email: authortmslay@gmail.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/T.M.-Slay/e/B00M6HUN6Q/
Blog: www.tmslay.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorT.M.Slay
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorTMSlay
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortmslay/