Indie Life: Things I Miss and Irk Me

Today is the second Wednesday of the month. Its Indie Life time, where Indies sometimes encourage, support, complain, and give advice to each other.

For more information or to be a part of this group GO HERE

As many of you know, Sweetman went through a bout of cancer and chemo. Thankfully, he has finished his chemo. His hair and belly are now growing back. But when we first found out about what we were going to have to go through, I gave up what I thought would be temporary, my bi-weekly critique group.

Sadly, two of the writers were stressed out with some of their own personal curve balls life bombarded them with. One moved away. The other doesn’t know if she’ll ever write again. We no longer meet.

I miss them terribly. We were together for five years. Each gal had something great to offer to our WIPs. One had awesome grammar and punctuation skills, while one would tear your MS apart and analyze it. Two of them were great for spotting overuse of words or even action tags. And one was great at finding symbolism in your stories and how to make them connect.

I considered them my friends. But only one keeps in touch with me. It really makes me sad. To be honest, I feel lost without them. All writers, Indies, and traditionally published need someone else to bounce their stuff off of. There’s no real way around it. You can’t cheat when you write. It’s a tedious path to get it right.

So I could really use a couple of critique partners who are willing to read 40 pages a month of my current WIP, tear it apart, and I’d be glad to the same in kind.

Anyone interested? If so, let me know in the comment box.

As to what irks me, well, Facebook right now. I’m in what’s called what other writers have referred to as Facebook Jail. I can’t PROMOTE myself or anyone.

How did this happen, you ask. Well, it started with a Like-a-thon. I like authors. They like me. And of course, I can’t forget all the promoting I continually do for other authors. I’m constantly sharing their books and blogs. So I got cited as a SPAMBOT.

So yeah, I’m really blue over not having my critters anymore and being known as a SPAMBOT.

Hope everyone else is well.

Hugs and chocolate,

Shelly

The Indie Life: Being Polite

 

Today, is the day we help support and give some advice to fellow Indies. If you’re interested in this group that posts the second Wednesday of the month, click the link to the left of your screen.

My mother’s mother used to tell me, “One can attract bees with honey… and flies, for that matter.” As I got older, I understood it to be take care in how you deliver bits of information. Be polite. Always provide some sugar with the bad news. One can tell the truth while they handle the other person with care.

Not that this is going to be old news, but I’ve seen some really brash comments all over cyberspace again, lately. Authors slashing authors. Indies slashing Indies.

As adults, we should already know how to play nice in the sandbox. I got bullied in my high school days and I’m not into it now as I approach the big FIVE O. Especially in being part of the MEAN KID CROWD.

Since I’ve been out here, I’ve only given one bad review. But left it as a diamond that needed to be polished. Instead of being MEAN, we should be helping other writers with their craft.

Everyone that writes is an artist even if they’re self published, have formatting problems, missing words, a crappy cover, and have a comma issue going on.

Deliver some sugar to these folks. Bartering is one way.

I hope everyone has a chocolate filled day. Remember to play nice in the sandbox and share your cookies.

Hugs and chocolate,

Shelly