Struggles and Progress: Insights into a Working Author’s Writing Life

Since the idea to write How to Fail as an Author first came to me, I’ve had the urge to pull back the curtain and show all the workings of an independent author. Today’s post will be about what’s going on in my writing life at the moment.

Keep in mind that I work a full-time job and also have a part-time gig I do on Thursday and Friday evenings.

The actual writing has been pretty slow, mostly because I’m just too tired, but also because I don’t have a clear vision of where I’m going. The work-in-progress right now is the fourth installment of The Travels of Jacob Wolf series. The fact I don’t even have a name for this volume says a lot, but I am several thousand words into it. These books typically run about 30,000 words.

For the past month or so I’ve been working with GetCovers.com on cover ideas for Sycamore Souls. This was after I spent a lot of time trying to do a cover on my own. I wasn’t happy with any of my designs … or the first two they sent me. However, they have given me a design I’m happy with and am awaiting a few tweaks, then I’ll be planning a cover reveal event.

I’m also working on a book club reader’s guide for Sycamore Souls. This is something I’ve always wanted to do, but never did. I’m hoping to do some new marketing things with this novel and this reader’s guide with questions about each chapter will play a big part in that.

Late last week I set up Amazon ads for How to Fail as an Author. I’m also still looking into other marketing opportunities for that one, such as TikTok videos based on each chapter. I’m also looking into making an online course based on the main book and the free (in e-book) supplement workbook How Not to Fail as an Author. I’ve never made an online course, so that’s all new and requires a lot of research.

I’ve been writing a lot of notes and talking with a friend about an idea for a new novel. At first I loved the idea, then I cooled to it, but after talking with my friend, I’m excited about it again. It’ll be a sharp — and dark — change from Sycamore Souls. Not horror, but definitely some thriller aspects with maybe some spiritual overtones. We’ll see. Honestly, this book is mostly what’s been on my mind lately.

I approved the translations and had to make covers for the Spanish translations of Shara and Yes or No this past week. Those are both available in e-book format now.

There’s also Sleeper, the sequel to In the Woods, written with Carrie Jones. It’s ready to go, but there’s some backdoor stuff that needs to be addressed before that happens. However, figuring in a release date for this one along with Sycamore Souls and the next Jacob Wolf book before the end of 2024 is something on my mind.

And I haven’t released a newsletter in a while. All the sources say the newsletter is probably the author’s best marketing tool, but I never know what to say other than, “This is what’s new and this is what I’m working on.” Based on the number of people who don’t bother to open my newsletters, that’s not good enough content.

So, yeah, that’s what’s been going on with my writing life lately. I need to sit down and finish the Jacob Wolf book. It’s just a little different since he’s left the company of his mentor, Jerome Freeman. I really enjoyed their interactions, but it was time for Jacob to grow on his own.

Bear is booping my arm with his wet nose, so it’s time to close this, let him and Sweet Pea out while I brush my teeth, then off to bed to face a new day.