No, I haven’t been to the Equator

I’ve been lost in those other doldrums–the kind characterized by inactivity and slothfulness. I don’t feel depressed, just plain old-fashioned lazy. I’ve read a lot of books though. And I have applied my critique group’s suggestions to my work-in-process. But have I finished the big revision yet? Nope.

I am, however, encouraged by the stirring of interest–that little itchy feeling that says, “Get back to the story now. It’s time.”

Kerrie Flanagan will be my guest blogger December 12th

My interest in blogging has also returned. My next guest will be Kerrie Flanagan who has a fun and fascinating story to tell about working with another writer to create a novella trilogy in a genre neither had ever tackled before. The novellas were written under a pseudonym, and when I finally found out who Kerrie’s writing partner was, I was flabbergasted.

Really, I was.

You’ll learn more about that when Kerrie’s guest post appears on Wednesday, December 12th.

Large-Print edition of Wishing Caswell Dead coming in January

Good news! Thorndike’s Wheeler Publishing will release a large-print version of 2018 Colorado Book Award finalist in general fiction, Wishing Caswell Dead, on January 9, 2019. The book is listed for pre-order on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com, so it can most likely be ordered through any bookstore. If you have a library card, I’d love to have you request your local library purchase the book. Large Prints are pricey, so library purchases are one of the best avenue for sales.

Wishing Caswell Dead is also available in hardcover regular print and as an ebook.

Pat’s New Personal Rules for Social Media in the Modern World

I’ve been exploring new ways to look at my online activities in this fast-evolving world of misinformation, subterfuge, and general nastiness. Some of my writer acquaintances are choosing to leave Twitter and Facebook, for many good reasons. For one thing, a big motivation for getting on there in the first place was the belief an online presence builds platform, grows an audience, and therefore sells books.

Well, as it turns out, not so much.

I haven’t left those two social media giants yet, but I am drastically changing the way I use them.

The idea of building a vast network of fans/readers on Facebook or Twitter might work for best-selling authors, but it’s a time suck for us regular old writers who publish or get published once in a while.

I’m now convinced a relatively safe venue such as a website and/or blog work much, much better.

What do you think? Whether you’re a writer or a reader (or both), are you avoiding Facebook and Twitter more? Where do you go to find books to read? How do you feel about Goodreads? Library Thing? Any book review sites you like? My favorite, just so you know, is Lesa’s Book Critiques blog.