WIPing it Live

6:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 31 Comments


When is my next book going to be out?

I'm so glad people are asking! It has been a long time. Swept Away was published May, 2016. Wow.

Looks like a horrible dry spell, right?

Well, not exactly. I've just been trying out that traditional dream of a larger contract. So, I signed with an agent. Queried a book. Tabled a book. Wrote another book and am now waiting ever-so-patiently for that book to be shopped around.

In the meantime, a reader pointed out (yes, Barbie, I do listen!) that during my seeming hiatus, my readers are reading other people's books. Now, I'm not saying I'm jealous or that they are cheaters, but I do realize that NOT producing more books is losing me momentum.

So, this reader asked- do I have a book I have no plan of publishing?

I said of course, don't all writers have dusty, abandoned manuscripts?

She said release it on Wattpad.

Hmm. That's an idea. Though, the thing would need a lot of work to make it good enough to charge nothing to share it. She suggested I release a chapter at a time, polishing each chapter as I go...maybe allowing readers to chime in, possibly change the course of the story?

Now, I am very intrigued. It would be like an interactive, WIP (work in progress) live and in color- or more precisely black and white.

This could be the best (or worst) idea ever! But only because I have that habit of getting myself--
Look, squirrel!!!


Distracted.




Celebrate the Small ThingsTo be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is visit the Celebrate page on Lexa's Blog for the rules, and then post every Friday about something you're grateful  for that week.  It can be about writing or family or school or general life.  This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever! (Originated by VikLit)

They're no longer small, but they're worth celebrating! My kids. You can never hear enough about them right? Well, let me just say...

Boy #1 (Caleb) is officially hired at Weil, Gotschal, & Manges in New York.

Boy #2  (Cole) graduated from WVU this spring, Magne Cum Laude with a degree in Economics and a minor in communications. He's working for a radio station as the sport's producer and helps host the Friday night football show.

Boy #3 (Carter) was officially accepted into the Forensics program at WVU. He applied before leaving school for the summer and was starting to sweat a little because it's not an easy program to get into. But he did! I should get him a bottle of Vick's to celebrate.

Boy #4 (Conner) is happily settled in at WVU. I was a little nervous- he wasn't exactly eager to leave his girlfriend. But I told him if he really liked her, going to school and getting a degree was the best way to say I love you. He didn't agree out loud, but he did stop pouting. That works for me!





31 comments:

  1. Well, why not? Keep people interested. I'm like you in that I haven't had a book release in quite some time. Unfortunately, I've nothing finished to throw out to anyone.

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    Replies
    1. I usually have something. The bigger question is whether or not it's actually worth sharing.

      Delete
  2. I hear you about getting distracted! If you do decide to try Wattpad, I hope it goes well! :)

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    1. I hope it does too. I've never used it much more than setting up a profile and then forgetting about it.

      Delete
  3. That Wattpad idea sounds like something you could have some fun with, so why not go for it? Rah-rah!!!

    You have every right to be proud of those four boys of yours. They're all turning out to be such productive young men. YAY, Mom! What? Okay, you're right. YAY, Dad, too. You guys did good.

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    1. I think it will be fun, though I am really nervous. I'm not sure how much polish I could put on the story. I will have to write faster than usual.

      I suppose Dad can have a footnote of credit. LOL. Just kidding.

      Delete
  4. Boys are all doing grand indeed. Good way to sin the GF haha

    Wattpad isn't a bad place, but it's like anything, you have to put in lots of effort. People won't just randomly show up.

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    Replies
    1. Can't something ever be easy? Le sigh.

      I know you're right.

      Delete
  5. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I have an issue with squirrels though, too. Go where your gut takes you.

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    1. My gut has decision-making issues. I'm following the advice of some readers who seem to know what they're talking about.

      Delete
  6. I read wattpad works out really well for some people. They gain lots of readers and comments. And some writers even got movie deals from there!

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    1. I wouldn't complain about that! The thing I'm most intrigued by is using it as a way to connect with readers and get feedback. I've found readers to be the best resource for advice and direction.

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  7. The Wattpad idea is intriguing. I look forward to reading it. Good to see all your young men are doing so well :-)

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  8. Ha! Love the blog pic!

    I think Wattpad's a great idea. Why not?

    "...if he really liked her, going to school and getting a degree was the best way to say I love you."
    Yes! This! Good advice, mamma.

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    1. It must be true love. He's studying harder then ever. :)

      Delete
  9. I suppose it can't hurt to release it on Wattpad, if you aren't intending to release it any other way. Polishing as you go is a great idea too. :)

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    1. Maybe at the end of it all, I could make it into an ebook and have it as a free read.

      It's the polish I worry most about. Egads.

      Delete
  10. I don't even know what Wattpad is, but I think it can't hurt to get your work/name out there in almost any form. I'm going to see what Wattpad is about, and I'll follow your work too! You must be so proud of your young men. They had good role models!

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    1. I'm not overly familiar with it, but I heard my teenage niece goes there to read often, so that was an added bonus.

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  11. Wattpad is a great idea, but I just do so much that I know I don't have time for it. And all of my stories (and the ones getting dusty) I hope to publish...somehow. lol But this definitely sounds like a great idea, and a great way to attract new readers. If only I had something I wouldn't mind putting there a chapter at a time that I know doesn't need a lot of work...those dusty stories need a lot of work. lol

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    1. Mine do too. Maybe I can add a disclaimer at the beginning. LOL

      You are a busy lady. I'll let you know if it works.

      Delete
  12. I follow a few writers on Wattpad, so I'll have to add you to my list!

    I hope your shopping around goes well for you! It's pretty exciting that you got an agent and you're on your way! And great to see progress with the sons. :)

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  13. I need to jump on Wattpad as I would most certainly follow you. It's disheartening to learn how long it takes to get published the tradition way. Yay for your smart sons! With a mom like you, they will definitely drumming up some bright futures. :)

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    1. I've heard of things happening fast for people, but that's not usually the norm.

      Thanks for being a future follower. I've been working on the story...hoping I can have it ready for sharing by then.

      Delete
  14. LOL, squirrel!
    Boy do I have the same problem! Plus, I suck at social media, if you excel at that, you have a great chance for success. As I said, I suck, and the worst part is, I don't care that I suck! :)

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    Replies
    1. I used to be good at social media, but then people started saying how important it was and suddenly I no longer knew what to post. LOL.

      I've decided this writing thing has to be fun. If it isn't fun it isn't worth the single digit royalty checks.

      Delete
  15. That sounds like a fantastic idea! I hope you will share your experience with us if you do take the plunge. And good luck with the book that's looking for a home now. That's awesome you found an agent.
    Finally, you must be so proud of your sons! Sounds like you raised them right. :)

    ReplyDelete

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