In the meantime, I received notice that another article which I had ghostwritten, sold. The sale came as a surprise. I had literally forgotten about it as it sat in my queue for nearly a year. Its sale caused me to reconsider ghostwriting again, an endeavor where I actually made money. Yes. The money is real and in my real bank account while authorship of my article/writing is published under another’s name.
I still get a sour taste when I think about this. To me, it’s like cheating and reminds me of a time when I wrote an award-winning scholarship paper for someone. He won and received the scholarship. I had to keep my mouth shut. I am ashamed of myself for having done that. Maybe that’s why I have such distaste for ghostwriting.
On a different note, my previously announced “Coming Soon” work with Eddie D. Moore is on hold. I need to find motivation… marketing know-how… and an audience for my genre.
Small Presses
Many of my author friends started out writing for small press anthologies. Me too, after ditching ghostwriting. Once in a while, depending upon the publication, royalties would be paid, or a small one-time payment of ten dollars. The small presses were pretty much guaranteed sales to the authors themselves.
The authors, along with the publisher would market the book/s. Yet, outside of the individual authors and their circle of family and friends, most of these anthologies are forgotten while waves of new anthologies and books are released. I’m not knocking small presses. It is through small presses where I have met many wonderful authors whom I admire and refer to as friends. Many have gone on to publish their own novels with success. Small presses can be a launching point for aspiring authors.
Reviews
Oh how I yearn to have a day, a week, wherein I may sit in a comfortable chair and read, read, read. Maybe in my next life. For now, interrupted moments at inopportune passages of books are my reality.
Here is my short list of to-be-read/reviewed books by authors I know and have promised a review:
“Stone Angels” by Paula R.C. Readman
“The Psychic” by Lovelyn Bettison
“The Galston House” by Marc Layton Hmmm I cannot find this on Amazon but it still shows up on Goodreads and is on my Kindle.
“The Dream of the Iron Dragon: An Alternate History Viking Epic” by Robert Kroese
“The Endless Summer” by A. Stump
Real Life
October 2020
Freak ice storm damages Oklahoma communities. Seven months later, the debris is still sitting by the streets in front of our homes waiting for pick-up from our local authorities. This is unsettling since it is a fire threat.
January 2021
Snow storm. Refrigerator breaks down. Purchased new refrigerator. 31 days after purchase, it screams with horrendous noises. Cannot return it since the store’s return policy expired one day prior to the noise issue. Eighty days later, the problem was fixed. My ears may never be the same.
February 2021
Our 20+ year old washing machine died suddenly. We ordered a new one, it would arrive before the following weekend’s laundry day. Meanwhile, I hand-washed Hubby’s clothes in the bathtub only to break the tub’s drain-lift. I had to take apart the lift mechanism in order to drain the tub.
Arctic blast hits Oklahoma and much of the south…
Our furnace, which is situated in our attic, froze. We needed heat. Hubby turned on the emergency radiant heater which is connected to our fireplace. We stayed warm. I connected a “heat tape” to the furnace’s drain in an attempt to defrost it.
We kept all of our faucets dripping so the pipes (in the attic) wouldn’t burst.
March 2021 – present
I continue to clean up ice-storm debris in our backyard, making burn piles. Oklahoma winds are not cooperative for safe fire burning, unsure when I may be able to burn.
I declare war on the gophers and voles in our backyard. The “Gopher Hawk” did not work for me due to severe carpal tunnel in my hands and cubital tunnel in my elbows restricting the strength required to set the trap. I have included in my arsenal, “Smoke Bombs” and Victor’s “Black Box”. This war may take all summer long.
“No pen, no ink, no table, no room,
no time, no quiet, no inclination.”
– James Joyce
no time, no quiet, no inclination.”
– James Joyce
Sue Marie St. Lee 
Oh how I feel for you! 2020 was my worst year for writing. At least the blogging helps keep me somewhat sane. But I picked up my old guitar over a year ago, and that helped. Frickin words! Blinking cursor! I also have to weed my gardens. But that can help sometimes too! I have a fancy murder man cat, he helps with pest control. My barky, pushy Border Collie helps prevent incursions. But what I really need is my old JRT back. She brooked no vermin! Thanks for stopping by my blog, though. Much appreciated. God speed to you and your work! (PS- I suspect “God speed” is about 80 miles per hour, but this is just a guess.)
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Thank you for visiting and commenting!
I agree, writing can be very cathartic, but, I feel so guilty when trying to sit and write while everything else is falling apart around me. I really need an attitude adjustment. Haha
Oh, and “God speed” probably is around 80 miles per hour. Buckle up! 🙂
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I’ve had a hard time creating new work this year, too. But I’ve polished up some old pieces. Even the small things are victories. I have faith things will get easier soon and hope it’s true for you as well!
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Hi Shannon! Many of my author friends seem to share this problem lately. We’ll all get through it.
I have a plethora of unfinished works that I can lose myself in to escape reality for a while. Not in any rush to finish any of these though, but it helps to exercise the writing muscle. 😉
P.S. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
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I went to school at OU. Oh, I remember those freak, fall ice storms! Good luck with those darn gophers and with your writing, too!
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Thank you so much, Priscilla. Some day, I’ll be able to write again.
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