It was the third day straight of excellent window-cleaning weather and I made the most of it!
First windows to clean thing this morning were in a house of one of the first buyers of Betrovia. It was a fairly simple job which only took about 2.5 hours. The lady of the house wanted to make sure that my initial bid was going to be the final cost for the job and I assured her that my bid was made in concrete; I just didn't want her to pay more than she had to!
The second set of windows were in a duplex that was being "cleaned up" for the next lucky renter. All but one window was cleaned without the assistance of Wifey: she was needed to steady the ladder as I struggled to clean the outside of a picture window over 30' above the ground! That job only took 3 hours and then it was time to go bid on another window job and then to head home to complete the book work for such a productive window-cleaning day!
Dreams... what do they mean? What can they mean? What dreams have meant for me the last few nights is lost sleep! Maybe I keep waking up because the room is too warm... I'm not real sure. But I do know that when I was no longer asleep and squinting to see what time it was, the images of what was transpiring inside my head moments before were still very present. I haven't taught English for nearly 7 years but I'm still dreaming about being in a classroom somewhere, struggling to either prepare for a class or meandering my way through a one. It is a bit unnerving since I don't entertain memories of my English teaching exploits during waking hours.
I suppose there is a connection to Betrovia. Patrik has a few nights of fitful sleep and even when he's not asleep (more so in Book Two than One), he's perplexed by events from his past. In someways, I've used his "day-dreams" to review elements from previous chapters. But might I be relying a bit on Patrik's dream-troubles to somehow deal with my sleep/dream problems?
I wonder...
The Land of Betrovia, Life in Beatty, along with other fascinating people, things and places
Friday, January 6, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
Heading to Kansas
It's the Eve of New Year's Eve and Wifey and Ryan appear healthy enough to pack a few things in preparation for a one-day trip to Kansas.
This is the third time in the last few months that we planned to make trip there: the first attempt was aborted to due vehicle problems and the second was nixed because both Wifey and the Youngster were not in the best of health.
And what's the forecast? No snow, rain, sleet, hail or even fog! It might even get warm enough once there that we may need to crank up the A/C! Perfect forecast for a daytrip west to Kansas!
The plan is to visit with Wifey's mom and then even my parents in Topeka and then head to Lawrence for a New Year's Eve feast at one of her sister's houses.
And how does this relate to Betrovia?
At least one of her sisters and one of her nephews want to "buy" a copy of it. There should be opportunities for stirring up interest in the Kindle version, too!
Yuppers... New Year's Eve 2011 may just be one nice daytrip!
This is the third time in the last few months that we planned to make trip there: the first attempt was aborted to due vehicle problems and the second was nixed because both Wifey and the Youngster were not in the best of health.
And what's the forecast? No snow, rain, sleet, hail or even fog! It might even get warm enough once there that we may need to crank up the A/C! Perfect forecast for a daytrip west to Kansas!
The plan is to visit with Wifey's mom and then even my parents in Topeka and then head to Lawrence for a New Year's Eve feast at one of her sister's houses.
And how does this relate to Betrovia?
At least one of her sisters and one of her nephews want to "buy" a copy of it. There should be opportunities for stirring up interest in the Kindle version, too!
Yuppers... New Year's Eve 2011 may just be one nice daytrip!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Christmastime and Betrovia
It's the eve of Christmas Eve... December 23rd... and there's not a chance for a White Christmas here in MidMO. The predicted high temperature for Sunday is 52. And that is a good thing! But I think about that being a good thing now but come Christmas morning, when I look outside for the first time and see the dingy browns and faded greens of the yard of 4502 Merry Lane, I just may wish that there was snow!
Betrovia has been available as an ebook since July and as a paperback since September. Some people have asked how sales are going and I modestly reply that since I'm not advertising/promoting much, I suppose they are going as expected.
A few times a week I read over a few forums that cater to self-published writers, mostly ones selling ebooks and paperbacks on Amazon, and find that more than a few people are experiencing some decent sales. But are they promoting/advertising? And if so, how?
When Wifey came home from church a few nights ago, she told me about an elderly man that we know who is going through "traditional channels" to publish his memoirs. She smiled as she said that he got a discount on the upfront fee: $2400. She then added that he really wants to talk to me about the procedures I'm following to get the word out about Betrovia.
A few months ago, Tate Publishing offered to editing and publish Betrovia for $4000.
I didn't think about asking for a discount.
Betrovia has been available as an ebook since July and as a paperback since September. Some people have asked how sales are going and I modestly reply that since I'm not advertising/promoting much, I suppose they are going as expected.
A few times a week I read over a few forums that cater to self-published writers, mostly ones selling ebooks and paperbacks on Amazon, and find that more than a few people are experiencing some decent sales. But are they promoting/advertising? And if so, how?
When Wifey came home from church a few nights ago, she told me about an elderly man that we know who is going through "traditional channels" to publish his memoirs. She smiled as she said that he got a discount on the upfront fee: $2400. She then added that he really wants to talk to me about the procedures I'm following to get the word out about Betrovia.
A few months ago, Tate Publishing offered to editing and publish Betrovia for $4000.
I didn't think about asking for a discount.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Betrovia and the GOP (Republican Party)
Not that long ago I was pretty excited about one of the GOP candidates who wanted a chance to run against PrezBO in 2012. Then, for some reason, Herman Cain dropped out of the race. Why? Was it because there was some truth to the rumors? Maybe...
Since then, the MainStreamMedia has painted the airways with the grand news that Newt Gingrich is now the GOP front-runner.
So here's who we conservatives are now supposed to choose from:
Newt Gingrich
Ron Paul
Mitt Romney
Any fresh political blood in that group?
Any inspiring and innovative thinkers in that group?
Anyone but career politicians in that group?
And this gets me thinking...
In Betrovia, the politicians of Lycentia created and maintained their power over the land of Betrovia because they -- the ones with the power -- successfully lulled the general populace into believing that Betrovia is fine just the way it is. No changes are needed... full-speed ahead!
The GOP nominated John McCain in 2008 to effectively prove to the American voter that it, as a political party, had no vision for a better future for America.
And with Newt. Ron or Mitt apparently the only options for getting BO out of office in 2012, history is indeed repeating itself.
Since then, the MainStreamMedia has painted the airways with the grand news that Newt Gingrich is now the GOP front-runner.
So here's who we conservatives are now supposed to choose from:
Newt Gingrich
Ron Paul
Mitt Romney
Any fresh political blood in that group?
Any inspiring and innovative thinkers in that group?
Anyone but career politicians in that group?
And this gets me thinking...
In Betrovia, the politicians of Lycentia created and maintained their power over the land of Betrovia because they -- the ones with the power -- successfully lulled the general populace into believing that Betrovia is fine just the way it is. No changes are needed... full-speed ahead!
The GOP nominated John McCain in 2008 to effectively prove to the American voter that it, as a political party, had no vision for a better future for America.
And with Newt. Ron or Mitt apparently the only options for getting BO out of office in 2012, history is indeed repeating itself.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Betrovia has been independently reviewed!
So it's officially December now and the first good chance of "the white stuff" appears to be Monday with a 50/50 chance. I suppose I'm ready for snow since it can make Jeff City look more like a Christmas town!
A few weeks ago, I asked a book reviewer in Kansas if she would consider reviewing Betrovia.
And here's the link to her review: http://makerstouch.typepad.com/christians_read/
I like this part of Pat's commentary: "The story moved well and with enough detail to put the reader in the picture." Yes! I want a satisfactory level of immersion! :)
She plans to put her review of Betrovia on Amazon in the next few days.
Once again, I am encouraged to continue working on the series!
A few weeks ago, I asked a book reviewer in Kansas if she would consider reviewing Betrovia.
And here's the link to her review: http://makerstouch.typepad.com/christians_read/
I like this part of Pat's commentary: "The story moved well and with enough detail to put the reader in the picture." Yes! I want a satisfactory level of immersion! :)
She plans to put her review of Betrovia on Amazon in the next few days.
Once again, I am encouraged to continue working on the series!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
It's a great day to be thankful!
Happy Turkey Day!
Even though we didn't travel as planned to KS today (due to a low-grade illness) we still took a short drive. As we were leaving the neighborhood, the clouds dissipated and the sunlight came pouring through! It made for a beautiful drive in the country. We weren't gone but an hour and once home, it was time for another wonderful Thanksgiving tradition: Detroit Lions football! I predicted that the Packers would prevail in today's game, but didn't think that the Pack would dominate like they did in the first half!
I've still hammering away on the second in The Land of Betrovia series. Patrik and Galena and their journey to Lycentia is the focus of the first three chapters. I'm trying to "blend in" more Vellein family history as I move these two from The Lonely Fox Inn onto the road to the capital city.
Today, I had a thought about adding another minor conflict/subplot related to Teophelus. This small diversion from the main plot won't occur until late in the book and I hope that I can successfully tie it into the main plot.
Even though we didn't travel as planned to KS today (due to a low-grade illness) we still took a short drive. As we were leaving the neighborhood, the clouds dissipated and the sunlight came pouring through! It made for a beautiful drive in the country. We weren't gone but an hour and once home, it was time for another wonderful Thanksgiving tradition: Detroit Lions football! I predicted that the Packers would prevail in today's game, but didn't think that the Pack would dominate like they did in the first half!
I've still hammering away on the second in The Land of Betrovia series. Patrik and Galena and their journey to Lycentia is the focus of the first three chapters. I'm trying to "blend in" more Vellein family history as I move these two from The Lonely Fox Inn onto the road to the capital city.
Today, I had a thought about adding another minor conflict/subplot related to Teophelus. This small diversion from the main plot won't occur until late in the book and I hope that I can successfully tie it into the main plot.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Continuing with Part Two
In little over a week, it will be Thanksgiving. Today is the first day of deer season (gun variety). Yesterday was Veterans Day. And since Halloween has already come and gone, it's "the Christmas Season"! Wifey spent a few hours with other ladies and made Christmas angels and wreathes last night.
Yes. it's a busy time of the year!
Ryan and I spent some "quality time" together this morning dismantling a small sofa-sleeper. While we separated the wood, metal, fabric and foam into separate piles, I had to think that we were doing to that couch what deer-hunters were doing with their trophies! The main difference was we created a small bonfire in the backyard to burn the oak skeleton while everything else ended up in the dumpster.
As I watched Georgia dismantle Alabama this afternoon, I worked on chps one and two of Part Two of The Land of Betrovia.
Since chp one begins the morning after the events of chp sixteen of Betrovia, it feels like I'm working on chps seventeen and eighteen of Betrovia. That's what I intended to do as I finished the first book.
That does make sense, doesn't it, to just continue the main plot from the first book?
Yes. it's a busy time of the year!
Ryan and I spent some "quality time" together this morning dismantling a small sofa-sleeper. While we separated the wood, metal, fabric and foam into separate piles, I had to think that we were doing to that couch what deer-hunters were doing with their trophies! The main difference was we created a small bonfire in the backyard to burn the oak skeleton while everything else ended up in the dumpster.
As I watched Georgia dismantle Alabama this afternoon, I worked on chps one and two of Part Two of The Land of Betrovia.
Since chp one begins the morning after the events of chp sixteen of Betrovia, it feels like I'm working on chps seventeen and eighteen of Betrovia. That's what I intended to do as I finished the first book.
That does make sense, doesn't it, to just continue the main plot from the first book?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)