Today’s question -
When your writing life is a bit cloudy or filled with rain, what do you do to dig down and keep on writing?
What writing life?
I think I actually write better when times are darker. Writing is an emotional release for me and I use it as such to get through those rainy days.
Now if someone could just give me a 40-hour day, I could write.
* * *
Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. is launching a new marketing campaign aimed at libraries. This includes library request forms that readers can email or take directly to their local library. The form presents the library with all the information it needs to order a copy for their shelves.
We’ve sent request forms to some of our authors, but I know many of you are also fans of these authors and are in a position to help. If you would like a pdf copy of the form of any of the following titles, please let me know or send an email to inquiries @ dancinglemurpressllc.com. This is a great opportunity to support a fellow author and if you’ve not had a chance to buy the book, a chance for you to read it courtesy of your local library.
Bloodwalker by L.X. Cain
CassaStar by Alex J. Cavanaugh
Cling to God by Lynda R. Young
Corners by Corrina Austin
Dragon of the Stars by Alex J. Cavanaugh
He Gave Me Barn Cats by Maria Santomasso-Hyde
Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life - IWSG anthology
Parallels: Felix Was Here - IWSG anthology
The Remnant - William Michael Davidson
Revolution 2050 by Jay Chalk
Some Very Messy Medieval Magic by C. Lee McKenzie
Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime - IWSG anthology
Tornado Warning - Tamara Hart Heiner
Under a Purple Moon - Beverly Stowe McClure
* * *
I’m happy to announce the next release from Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.:
Revolution 2050
by Jay Chalk
Samuel Moore is living a dystopian lie…
After a civil war, the North American Commonwealth now dominates the eastern half of the former United States. Controlled by a totalitarian regime called the Directorate, the NAC demands compliance, awareness, and unity. A Directorate member and teacher, Sam enjoys the benefits while skirting the forbidden.
Then Sam encounters Katie Spencer. She sneaks him a short wave radio and he hears the Western Alliance broadcasts. Katie also reveals a video she captured of NAC death camps. Sam realizes he’s involved in a nightmare that could shake every foundation.
With the video broadcast date approaching and several students desperate to escape to the Western Alliance, Sam is forced to decide. Remain loyal to the Directorate? Or abandon all he’s ever known to fight for freedom?
Release date - April 3, 2018
$19.95, 6x9 trade paperback, 330 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Science Fiction (FIC028000) /Dystopian (FIC055000)
Print ISBN 9781939844439 / EBook ISBN 9781939844446
Order through Ingram, Follett Library Solutions, or from the publisher
$4.99 EBook available in all formats
Jay Chalk is a twenty-year veteran high school teacher of government, U.S. history and English. He's the author of several novels, two of which are speculative fiction, and he's currently working on a third, hoping to tie them into a possible trilogy. He lives in East Texas and when not teaching or writing, he's flying or playing the guitar.
Purchase at Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM / iTunes / Nook / Kobo / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Goodreads
I started writing poetry after I had two berevements in a short space of time many years ago. I found it a release of stress and strain.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your post as always Diane.
Yvonne.
Congrats to Jay on his release. Loving the library campaign! Would be awesome to see some of these books in local libraries.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Ellen
Jay's book sounds like my kind of read. Congratulations, Jay!
ReplyDeleteI'm the opposite with writing. I find it hard to switch off and write during tough times.
Hope things quiet down (at least a little) for you soon!
ReplyDeleteLove the cover for Revolution 2050.
Congratulations to Jay for what sounds like an intriguing story.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can find some time for your writing. Maybe a Day for Diane every now and then.
Have a great week.
I write during the darkest times too, it's just not publishable. It's the completion of the fun projects that suffer.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new book release, no wonder you don't have time to write!
Ellen, we'll be working on it.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I gave my illustrator no direction and what he came up with was brilliant. That's a tip for me. LOL
Beverly, I need one of those.
Yolanda, and we have two books next month and then one in the beginning of June.
What a great marketing idea. Best success!
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Yes, writing does provide release for me as well. When the story takes over, the world falls away and it's just me and my characters.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new release!
Congratulations to Jay!
ReplyDeleteExcited about the library marketing.
Love the library forms and others are saying the same. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, writing is an emotional release for me too, I can work off a lot of my anger and anxiety when I write. Now if only someone gives the two of us 40-hour days, we could write so much then.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on Jay's new release! I think the library campaign is great. I've been trying to get through the list of books you've published to support all of the authors. There are so many good ones!
ReplyDeleteDo you really want a 40 hour rainy day?
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Jay.
Congrats to Jay! I've always felt that writing was therapeutic too. A 40 hour day would be nice if I was guaranteed a lot of naps! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Jay!
ReplyDeleteI learned to write in joy but now I need to be able to write in dark times, however, that is whole other set of new skills to acquired and I am having lots of bumps. I have been doing it long enough now you'd think I do it better by now.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI'm still looking for that forty hour week so that I could write. I don't think they exist. Writing demands its own rhythm and timing, which is always outside of our comprehension. :-)
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Libraries deserve our support. I love seeing local authors' book there. Congrats to Jay.
ReplyDeleteHi, L, Diane!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS to you and Jay on the new release! Great idea to have libraries more involved! It is a great way to read many wonderful novels without having to spend so much money buying them.
Thanks for you positive comment. I means a lot! It is so nice to be writing again!
I guess it depends on how much I like what I'm writing. If I really like it, then I can write during anything.
ReplyDeleteYou are one of the hardest working Cat loving women I know. :) I want a raise in the hour cap too :)
ReplyDeleteI could write too if I had a 40 hour day. Not sure I'd want all that time every day though. Congrats on your new book being published.
ReplyDeleteI try to stay away from the darker side (it's scary!). Writing cozies is on the lighter side of the spectrum for me and I've discovered I'm just not cut out to write anything else. AT least for now.
ReplyDeleteIf you find out how to get a 40-hour day, let me know!
I'll take a 40 hour day too if you're handing them out. ;)
ReplyDeleteActually, our library system has an online request system, and I regularly recommend titles. They don't always go for them, but I have to say they do about 50% of the time.
I love that you want a 40 hour day, not just a 40 hour work week. I'll just take some extra money so I don't have to work at all and then have all that extra time in my day for writing. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jay! Also, cool deal on flying. My first hubby was on track to be a pilot but was grounded when they found out he was colorblind. This was a hundred years ago. haha
Elsie
Jay's book sounds great. Always happy to learn of other Texas writers :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Jay! Love the book!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Jay! Also, YES to the library request forms. I'm going to print mine out at work (my computer and printer currently aren't speaking).
ReplyDeleteWhen writing times are tough I put on a playlist that I've made for a story and let the music fill me with the scenery, the sights and sounds and smells that I need to get back into that world and tell that story. If I'm not working on a particular tale, I just read. I always get inspired when I read good writing.
Cheers!
Congrats to Jay!
ReplyDeleteThe library marketing is a great idea indeed.
With a 40 hour day I could release way more novels a year. I'll take it too.
Jay's book sounds really good. I love dystopian themes like this.
ReplyDeleteI'd also like a 40 hour day, please. Then again, my girls might fill up those hours with more fights. Maybe 24 is enough after all.
I know what you mean about writing being an emotional release. I channeled some of my darkest thoughts into fiction, and the stories that came out of it are among my best.
ReplyDeleteLee, I'm glad they are a hit.
ReplyDeleteRachna, yes indeed.
Sherry, I really appreciate that and I know the other authors do, too.
Ken, sure! I could stay inside and get stuff done.
Erika, thank you.
Crystal, take advantage of that.
Hi Jen! Which ones - I can send all of them. LOL
This sounds like a great read. And what a wonderful idea to launch a marketing campaign directed at the libraries!
ReplyDeleteRedo sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI’ve been working on library requests for Tick Tock already
So many people say when things are going badly, writing it out is a great way to cope. Glad that works for you.
ReplyDeleteI love dark, stormy days to fill me with energy and inspiration! The new library program is great - I'm taking requests to our library this week.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Jay! Sounds an interesting story premise!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cool perspective Jay's story is from. Please send me the library PDFs for the IWSG anthologies - elson.nicki@gmail.com :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on needing a 40-hour day to get everything done! I'm sure I'd still wind up with only an hour or so to write, though.
ReplyDeleteI'll give you a 40-hour-day if you return the favor. I could get sooo much done.
ReplyDeleteIf you figure out how to get that 40-hour day, Diane, let me know! I need one too! I asked Alex to send me the pdf for his books. I've bookmarked your post so I can come back to your IWSG authors. I would like to read some of their books. I prefer to recommend books that I have read. Congratulations to Jay on the release of his book. I wish him every success. Take care!
ReplyDeleteA 40-hour day would be good, but what I learned was that no matter how much time you have for writing, it's never enough. That's why deadlines work for me. They give me a focus.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on Jay's new release! I'm hoping a 40 hour day happens soon, so I can get back on track!Good luck with the library program.
ReplyDeleteWhen things are dark, I tend to paint or draw, but more and more I'm shifting to writing. Both are great outlets.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great idea and a good way of getting more books into libraries. Don't know if it also applies in the UK though?
ReplyDeleteYes, there's something romantic about hunkering down to work with the rain lashing down outside...
Congratulations to Jay. That sounds exciting, class cover too.
ReplyDelete40 hour day? I suppose you could sleep longer or work more or eat more? Not sure if I'd prefer that. I think a reader can request their library order a book through overdrive.com. I've done it, but kind of forgot how!
ReplyDeleteJQ Rose
I may put writing aside now and then, but I can't not write. I always go back to it. I could use a 40 hour day, too.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Jay! And the library marketing campaign is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteKudos to Jay for teaching twenty years. That's a healthy amount of time to be passing on knowledge.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book. Congrats to you and to the author!
ReplyDeleteI would like a 40-hour day as long as I don't have to do the day job more than 8 hours of it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Jay!
That new initiative is a great idea. Anything that makes it easier for librarians is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya on needing a longer day. Then maybe I'd actually get to sleep sometimes.
You have so many irons in the fire. If you want to write you probably have to take a vacation:)
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday, Di!
ReplyDeleteHope your day is productive and your evening pleasant.
I would like a 40 hour day too!! That would help me get a lot done. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess