Long Way Home is available now - and I am dying...

[paragraphs]

The epublishing world has changed so darn much since my first book with Loose-Id came out...and I am not sure I like it. I was blissfully ignorant of all reactions to ARTS except from those who took the time to email me directly. I think that is a very good thing.

So, I've decided to adopt that way of being aka staying blissfully ignorant for this book too which is, whee! out TODAY!!! http://www.loose-id.com/Long-Way-Home.aspx

I don't want to know a thing about it. I just want to stay happily ignorant about how it is doing out there - it isn't like I have any control over it, right? Right!!! Instead, I will concentrate my soon-to-be-massive free time on rewriting my current story, and planning what to write next.

So, don't tell me if you see anything out there -- I seriously don't want to think about it. I have certain feelings about this story and my writing skills at the time, not to be hard on myself but... Yeah. In any case, Onward!!!! Time for class, then after that I am going home, and curling up and having a good hard sleep. I finished my mid-term paper - turning it in tonight yay - and found out yesterday that I will not be getting a permanent job at my law firm. I am terribly sad, as are two of my attorneys, who are being divided up and handed over to two others, neither of which is at all happy about it either. *throws up hands*

So, back to looking for me, but at least I am leaving that law firm with a lot more experience, current knowledge where I was previously outdated (been 16 years after all), and with some fabulous references from Ed, Davis, the personnel director, and others there. It is awesome everyone is so sad I am leaving, but I still have to say goodbye on Friday.

Sigh.

Sometimes, being awesome and working hard just isn't enough, which sucks bananas.

Okay, time for class!

Comments

[caninepawprints.livejournal.com]

I wish I could write a novel, but the thought of going through the publishing process makes me feel apprehensive. I have no idea where to even begin! I'd wind up being the type of person that would hire a literary agent to just do that part of it for me, I think.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

It is scary, but in the end (hopefully!) worth it. :)

[blue-fjords.livejournal.com]

Here is my reaction to your novel coming out:

(http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/fossoway/?action=view&current=s6gagreelviasavingcastieltumblr.gif)

Everything is love and nothing hurts!

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

That HAS to be an outtake... I say I don't remember that scene on SPN! LOL.

[topgeargirl2.livejournal.com]

Congrats :)

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[http://users.livejournal.com/lindalee_/]

What!! I'm sad they have to let you go... hopefully you've had some time to get some $ into savings while they've kept you in the money...

**fingers crossed!**

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Ha! Savings? What is that? Nope. I have unemployment, oh boy! But, trying not to panic or anything - I have something maybe lined up already, but not sure yet. I hope so anyway.

Argh.

[http://users.livejournal.com/lindalee_/]

&*^^&%)(*_)**(&&%&%^$^%%^&(*)*

Hit post too soon.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for le novel coming out!!!

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

LOL. :)

[eurydice72.livejournal.com]

That attitude of forgetting it's out there is really the healthiest to have in the long run. Because at the end of the day, there's nothing you can do to it anymore. It's there. It lives on its own. And readers will always bring a different experience to the table, often in ways we can't predict. You're smart that you've figured that out. It took me a lot of releases to get to that point, lol.

Sorry to hear about the job, though. I know how much you loved it there. *hugs*

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

I decided last night after nearly peeking at goodreads, which loves Red, not to look there again. I know it is helpful to sales to be 'out there' and active, but...mentally? No thanks. Just going to concentrate on the next one, and get that done.

Yeah, I am super-bummed about it. I feel so frustrated and am so tired of not having a permanent job. Plus, the broke thing is no fun, and I have only me to keep the house going, which is endlessly scary if I think about it too much. My only saving grace is owning my house outright, but there are still so many things to pay for! Insurance, taxes, not to mention regular bills and oh yeah that food thing.... yeah yeah yeah... So yeah, my worries are pretty overwhelming at the moment. :*(

[nympha-alba.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the book!

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

thank you! :) Great user pic there. LOL.

[stargazer60.livejournal.com]

Do we need to read A Red-Tainted Silence first?

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

No, you don't, though this is somewhat of a spin-off.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's a shame about the job. :(

Anyway, as you say, you now have recent experience and a good reference, so at least that's something.

I hope the novel does well. I think avoiding the reviews is probably very wise.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

For my sanity, definitely. *closes eyes tight*

[velvetcure.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am so excited about your novel! I can't wait to read it. I'm still mad at PayPal for being stupid about "adult content" but I will grab one of those pre-paid credit cards and get it soon. :)

Sorry about the work thing not happening for you. Hang in there! I will be in the same boat soon, with my job ending next month, so I know how scary it is. *hug*

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Paypal won't let you use it to buy fiction? Oh my stars, that is nuts. What business is it of theirs?

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the book, bb! *swirls you around*

And I'm sorry that the law firm didn't work out. *squish*

[sanginmychains.livejournal.com]

Good for you, publication!

An anecdote which may or may not be relevant. When I was near the end of my first semester of teaching college, I discovered Rate Your Professor dotcom, and then discovered that I WAS ON IT. There were, I think, 6 or 7 ratings. Most good, two bad, a couple chili peppers too (which means that I am "hot", geddit?).

I stressed like crazy over those ratings, especially of course the negative ones. The negative comments seemed to be misunderstandings, overreactions, gripes from students who felt they deserved better grades than I gave, oh, the stomach twisting I had over those. I told another more experienced professor about them. And that oh so very wise person squinted at me and kindly but firmly said, "Don't read those. They're not really for you."

YMMV, but the assorted comments you might come across about your book, reader forums and whatnot? it might be best if you just considered them to be not really about or for you.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Yeah... it is hard not to take the not-so-good comments personally, but I think I am doing better now about dealing with them. I got an absolutely gorgeous comment on Amazon from a guy who just loved the book, and that made me incredibly happy. The previous one got some 2 stars but tons of 4 and 5 stars too - the readers either loved it or just were annoyed by the characters. LOL. There are just so many ratings on it on GoodReads (something like 29 pages or something) that it balances heavily out on the good despite the comments.

I did learn from those comments - but they were easier to take as they came so many years after the book came out.

Ooh I know about rateyourprofessor.com! That's how I chose my current professor. LOL. Comparing him and his tough class with demanding requirements but energetic and fun to a professor who was easier but dull dull dull? I chose the tough class. No regrets! I love that.

Thanks Sang! Good to see your typeface.:)