It troubles me that I have not had a novel released this year, and will not. A Muddy Red River will be released next year, and my previous two novels were released in 2013, in January and September respectively. When I go full time I won't let that happen again. In fact I would like to release two books each year: one novel and one work of non fiction.
I've only had 8 short stories published this year so far, which although better than the 6 which were published in 2013, is still less than the glorious 18 in 2012. Mind you, I have not written a new short story since the as yet unpublished Dry Reach in December 2012. Maybe I should.
2014 has been a relatively quiet year for me as a writer so far, although personally it has been anything but quiet. Turbulent and intense. Maybe next year the tables will turn. Maybe they'll turn next month. Perhaps even today. Let's see.
Showing posts with label reflection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reflection. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014
Has the jury reached a verdict?
2014 A-Z Blogging Challenge Reflection
2014 was my second year participating in the challenge. I expected more this time. More from myself, and more from potential readers/commentors/followers, or should I say, more specifically I wanted more of them, not more from them. I am not a blogger. I am an author who blogs to share my views on whatever grabs my attention or pulls at my heartstrings. However, my blog is mainly a promotional vehicle for my novels, and to a lesser extent my short stories. My efforts over a number of years have produced very modest results, and the 2014 A-Z Blogging Challenge has served to reinforce my view that I could be the most 'not an overnight success' author in the world. (I dip my lid to the master of hyperbole, the late Bryce Courtenay.)
Furthermore I have garnered additional evidence for my claim that most people want fluff and noodles. Despite being a realistic optimist, I think most of my posts on Square Pegs are too dark and heavy, and they make people uncomfortable rather than splash them with sunshine and rose water.
I wish to very sincerely thank the 25 visitors to Square Pegs during the challenge for the 72 comments they made, and for their own blogs which I mostly enjoyed, even when they weren't really my kind of thing. Here is a list of my top 5 visitors with a link to their blogs.
Liz A http://lawsofgravity.blogspot.com.au/
Sharon Himsl http://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com.au/
Vikki Thompson http://the-view-outside.com/
Maria Dunn http://delightdirectedliving.blogspot.com.au/
Alicia Ceresa http://prolixme.wordpress.com/
My favourite new blogger discovery was Gunmetal Geisha who I confess to falling in love with from the reading of her first post.
Gunmetal Geisha http://gunmetalgeisha.com/
My most commented on post was the last one. Z is for Zanzibar, and my least, with an extremely disappointing zero comments was S is for Sex Workers. Can you imagine labeling a post with sex and sex references, and not getting any comments? Links for both are here for your pleasure.
http://dacairns.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/z-is-for-zanzibar.html
http://dacairns.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/s-is-for-sex-workers.html
I think the blogging challenge has some problems now because of its size, and for the record, I'm not sure it's cool to skip days, or to combine letters or to have single sentence posts. Having said all that, I will return in 2015,and I look forward to continuing more wonderful interaction in the amazing diversity of blogland.
2014 was my second year participating in the challenge. I expected more this time. More from myself, and more from potential readers/commentors/followers, or should I say, more specifically I wanted more of them, not more from them. I am not a blogger. I am an author who blogs to share my views on whatever grabs my attention or pulls at my heartstrings. However, my blog is mainly a promotional vehicle for my novels, and to a lesser extent my short stories. My efforts over a number of years have produced very modest results, and the 2014 A-Z Blogging Challenge has served to reinforce my view that I could be the most 'not an overnight success' author in the world. (I dip my lid to the master of hyperbole, the late Bryce Courtenay.)
Furthermore I have garnered additional evidence for my claim that most people want fluff and noodles. Despite being a realistic optimist, I think most of my posts on Square Pegs are too dark and heavy, and they make people uncomfortable rather than splash them with sunshine and rose water.
I wish to very sincerely thank the 25 visitors to Square Pegs during the challenge for the 72 comments they made, and for their own blogs which I mostly enjoyed, even when they weren't really my kind of thing. Here is a list of my top 5 visitors with a link to their blogs.
Liz A http://lawsofgravity.blogspot.com.au/
Sharon Himsl http://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com.au/
Vikki Thompson http://the-view-outside.com/
Maria Dunn http://delightdirectedliving.blogspot.com.au/
Alicia Ceresa http://prolixme.wordpress.com/
My favourite new blogger discovery was Gunmetal Geisha who I confess to falling in love with from the reading of her first post.
Gunmetal Geisha http://gunmetalgeisha.com/
My most commented on post was the last one. Z is for Zanzibar, and my least, with an extremely disappointing zero comments was S is for Sex Workers. Can you imagine labeling a post with sex and sex references, and not getting any comments? Links for both are here for your pleasure.
http://dacairns.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/z-is-for-zanzibar.html
http://dacairns.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/s-is-for-sex-workers.html
I think the blogging challenge has some problems now because of its size, and for the record, I'm not sure it's cool to skip days, or to combine letters or to have single sentence posts. Having said all that, I will return in 2015,and I look forward to continuing more wonderful interaction in the amazing diversity of blogland.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
A Lot like Me
During these self imposed torture sessions, randomly selected songs from my playlist provide impetus and sustenance. It's all rock, mostly hard, and heavy metal. Sometimes, I listen to the songs. Sometimes, I erratically move my arms and my head which really disturbs my rhythm and sometimes, I even gasp along with familiar lyrics. The music allows me to focus. My mind can run away and play in fertile fields of imagination while my body is left to suffer as a beast of burden.These road runs are among my most creative and productive times as new ideas and possible solutions to problems are born. In the midst of the noise and the agony, while my body demands I cease the insanity, and blinds me with sweat, I can also reflect and pray. I am prone to excessive reflection. I have a propensity to think too much and to over think, but I recognize this as a gift, and I run with it- pardon the pun.
Yesterday, it was the Offspring who got me thinking with their song, A Lot Like Me, and especially these lines
Where do you run?
Where do you go?
When the holes in your truth
are beginning to show.
When and where are you particularly creative? What is your reaction to these song lyrics?
Photo sources:
http://good4sports.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/light-jogging-and-longevity/
http://www.medclient.com/tag/running/
Thursday, May 2, 2013
2013 A-Z Blogging Challenge Reflection
My mind feels fat and lazy as I reflect upon the intriguing and entertaining blog-a-thon of April 2013. It wore me out a little.
It was my first time, and I possessed the comensurate level of anxiety as I contemplated 26 posts in 30 days. I usually only blog once a week. To have reached the end, not missed a day, and stuck to my theme was incredibly satisfying.
Before I continue with my extremely abridged highlights/lowlights package, I want to announce VR Barkowski as the winner of the inaugural Square Peg Award, (I just thought of that!) for the best interactor of the challenge. VR was a faithful visitor and a sagacious commentor. For her efforts she has received a free digital copy of Loathe Your Neighbor, (first of only two book plugs). You can find her at http://vrbarkowski.wordpress.com
There was a huge increase in the number of visitors to my site, but not many commentors. I became extremely green when I saw how many comments other bloggers were getting. I think I may be too heavy for many people. I made some new online friends, and was constantly intrigued, challenged and inspired by the posts of my fellow bloggers. I praise God for the amazing diversity of his creatures who, like me, creatively interact with the world through their words. I thank you all for participating and congratulate you for surviving.
I said I was going to promote my book twice. I've been told that it is uncool to ask you to buy Loathe Your Neighbor, so I will just tell you that it would be in your best interests to at least check it out. http://dacairns.weebly.com
It was my first time, and I possessed the comensurate level of anxiety as I contemplated 26 posts in 30 days. I usually only blog once a week. To have reached the end, not missed a day, and stuck to my theme was incredibly satisfying.
Before I continue with my extremely abridged highlights/lowlights package, I want to announce VR Barkowski as the winner of the inaugural Square Peg Award, (I just thought of that!) for the best interactor of the challenge. VR was a faithful visitor and a sagacious commentor. For her efforts she has received a free digital copy of Loathe Your Neighbor, (first of only two book plugs). You can find her at http://vrbarkowski.wordpress.com
There was a huge increase in the number of visitors to my site, but not many commentors. I became extremely green when I saw how many comments other bloggers were getting. I think I may be too heavy for many people. I made some new online friends, and was constantly intrigued, challenged and inspired by the posts of my fellow bloggers. I praise God for the amazing diversity of his creatures who, like me, creatively interact with the world through their words. I thank you all for participating and congratulate you for surviving.
I said I was going to promote my book twice. I've been told that it is uncool to ask you to buy Loathe Your Neighbor, so I will just tell you that it would be in your best interests to at least check it out. http://dacairns.weebly.com
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