I have been very lucky in the friends and writing buddies I've made over the years. Thanks to years in the Fandom world I got to meet some wonderful writers, editors and publishers. And I've been fortunate that they stayed in my life, and keep in touch. And I've had supportive writing buddies who are great at pointing out my mistakes. Of which I make a few... okay more than a few. Don't nit pick!
I have always believed in positive reinforcement. And as a writer, I try to surround myself with positive people. Now that does not mean yes men, quite the opposite. There is nothing positive in something that does not correct or give constructive criticism. That which does not grow, dies. So while I want encouragement, I don't want someone who doesn't call me out or make me think or corrects me when I'm wrong.
I have been very lucky in the friends and writing buddies I've made over the years. Thanks to years in the Fandom world I got to meet some wonderful writers, editors and publishers. And I've been fortunate that they stayed in my life, and keep in touch. And I've had supportive writing buddies who are great at pointing out my mistakes. Of which I make a few... okay more than a few. Don't nit pick!
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Today is the Autumnal equinox, the first day of autumn. In Celtic traditions, it's the beginning of the second harvest. A time to give thanks for the bounty that has been given us. To be thankful for the harvest of fruits, roots and herbs.
The apple has always been an important part of Celtic lore, just as the rose is. Apples can be sweet, or tart, or even sour, just like life. They give us not just tasty snack, but when pressed they give us cider. When carefully stored, they can last the entire winter and gladden the heart. I'm a fall baby, my birthday is in October, just weeks away now. And I've always loved the old lore about the fall and apples. I love the smell of autumn! The sound of leaves beginning to descend to replenish the nutrients of the earth. The smell of smoke from back yard fire pits, the changes in the angle of the sun and the turn of weather. We used to go out to Long Grove, to the Apple Haus to watch the harvest apples being pressed into fresh cider. It was wonderful to watch the kids as they watched the heavy press. And then buy jugs of fresh cider to be taken home to be spiced with cinnamon sticks. To buy fresh baked apple goods, including apple cider doughnuts. But progress, and the economy put an end to the cider press. It became to expensive to insure, and so the press was taken out of the Apple Haus. The area where people used to look down into the press operation was covered over to be forgotten. The bakery still had the fresh baked goods, and there were jugs of cider to be purchased that had been pressed some miles away. But the death knell had been sounded, even if we didn't want to hear it. Soon the Apple Haus closed altogether. Another victim of progress. The Christmas House closed, it was here we would purchase beautiful ornaments from around the world for the yule tree each year. That was followed by the Wicker Witch, a wonderful shop of baskets and brooms and chests... it closed. So did my favorite kitchen shop, and two others. Some were replaced, some were not and Long Grove began a decline. While it still has an apple festival, we don't attend. But I sit here, on the first morning of autumn, reminiscing, and pondering the memories of a time not so long ago past. When the car was filled with the scent of apple goods, and our hearts were filled with joy, and thanks. Back in March when I self-published the first of my four book series Forged, little did I know what I was getting into. There are things I've learned along the way.
I've learned to self advertise on Facebook once a month. I've learned how to blog. I've learned to be thankful to my readers, (okay that was re-enforced, not learned.) And I've learned that being a self publishing writer is hard work. This month I expended my wee little enterprise of my self. I was given information by a fellow writer, investigated, and found that there's another digital site to publish on several e sources. So now, besides being on Amazon, I'm on Nook and several other e book sites. The ride gets bumpy, but I'm still having the time of my life! Livin' the Dream! While a lot of folks think of this weekend as a time of grilling and parties, and the last blow out of summer; for me it's been a working weekend.
I was supposed to go to Faire Sunday, but the weather didn't cooperate. I often say that as much as I love Faire, I don't want to die up there. And that's what going out in 90's plus temps would do... kill me. So I sent the time doing the last edits on Close To You. it's ready for beta. I wish everyone a safe labor day holiday. Some days it feels like a long and winding road. I work, I work hard on finding the right words, the right actions, the right locations. I sit here at the computer, and often times I don't look like I'm working, but I am.
When I set out on this journey, I knew it was going to be a learning experience. I mean really, what did I know about Self Publishing? What I had was a story I wanted to tell, and couldn't fit into a genre. So I took a leap of faith and e-published. I have no regrets about the e-publishing. I have learned that if you do e-publish you need to be proactive in self advertising. So the beginning of each month I post a plug for the series. But I was plugging the book I had a short story in before that. I have this blog... I have an author' s Facebook page, and I plug the books there as well. What does that generate? Sales, not huge amounts but each month another reader is introduced to the world of the Forged Series. Hopefully they pass the good word on. Just a few more steps on the long and winding road. |
AuthorPatricia M. Bryce is a short story author, novelist and cosplayer.
She has appeared as Patricia M. Rose in the anthology, Dreams of Steam:
Gadgets, edited by Kimberly Richardson and published by Dark Oak Press.
When she's not busy writing, she's off being a playtron up at Bristol
Renaissance Faire. You can learn more at
https://www.facebook.com/PaisleyRose1 Archives
April 2019
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