Hello, my beautiful friends. How is everyone doing today? Brilliant I hope.
Today I feel scared. As everyone probably knows by now, South-Africa has been downgraded to junk-status. The country is full of political unrest and the last time things were this bad, I was a toddler. My mom did a good job from hiding the ugly that was going on in the country at that time. Unfortunately, this time I’m 31 years old, and unable to ignore what is happening around me.
All I can do is hope for the best. And because of the economic uncertainty and lack of funds, I’ve decided to take on my own cover design for future publication projects. I have to find a way to produce an excellent product for a reasonable price. I have to start working smart with the few pennies I do have. Though, creating my own covers scares the hell out of me. I have no idea of what I'm doing. I'm hoping to learn yet another skill.
I will still be hiring an editor though, as that is my true weakness. I can’t always see my own mistakes and my editor teaches me something new each time.
I won’t be deterred from writing, or publishing. I will keep on doing what I love, because it speaks to my soul and makes me happy. I cannot give something like that up.
Do you want to hear something funny? My family and I fantasize about moving to Canada someday. We watch a lot of their design shows, and loved what we saw. We don’t have the funds to actually move there, but hey, dreaming that we one day might fills us with hope and joy. So, why not dream big?
I know the world has gone mad, and almost every one is facing some sort of hell at the moment, whether it be political or not. I sympathize with you my friends. I too am terrified. But do not let the fear stop you from living. Follow your dreams and cling to the things that give you hope and fill you with joy.
On the positive side, I managed to write a short story last month. In all honesty, I don’t know what to do with it now. Do I edit it? Do I rewrite it? Do I try to clean it up? I’ve never been in this situation. Novels are what I’m used to;)
Yeah things are really scary at the moment. And honestly, I don't know if it's going to get better.
ReplyDeleteI don't think so either. But I'm focusing on the good in my life, or else I will sink into an emotional dark whole, and never come out. Wishing you well, Misha.
DeleteWe'll keep you and your countrymen in our prayers. Just a few corrupt politicians can do so much harm.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mac.
DeleteAbout designing the covers - I believe Christine Rains had a series of blog posts about how she went about designing her book covers. Very informative!
ReplyDeleteFor the short story, let it sit a bit then decide what you want to do with it. Maybe you'll want to revise, submit, etc. Maybe you'll just want to let it be an exercise in creativity. :)
Thank you, Madeline. I just checked out Christine's posts. Very helpful. I'm letting the short story rest now. Maybe I might use it later;)
DeleteIt's scary times right now and I do think you are wise to use frugality with your new book cover. I find it very interesting to read your comments of what's going on in the world right now because I don't believe any news media in the US anymore.
ReplyDeleteA collection of short stories can be made into a book. I always find short stories interesting reading.
Keep in good spirit and eat organic food. Pass by that GMO junk.
Thank you, Belva. I do try to avoid anything GMO. It's tough though.
DeleteHi Murees - in times of dire worries - the best thing is to do what you can do best for you ... and let the junk mail disappear over you - until it directly affects you. Great someone's given you a link across to Christine - good luck with your creative idea ... cheers and take care - Hilary
ReplyDeletehttp://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/i-is-for-ice-age-art.html
Thank you, Hilary. I think most of us is just keeping our head down and carrying on the best we can. Take care too.
DeleteI'm sorry, Murees. Take good care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
No worries, Janie. It's just one of those things. Take care as well.
DeleteThat is a really scary thing. As an American, I take government stability for granted. Sure, I whine and moan, but most of us don't have a clue how hard some places on the earth have it. We are a truly blessed nation. Hugs and prayers for your nation and for you. It would be so nice if we all could live in stable peace.
ReplyDeleteYou could publish the story as a freebie to draw in readers? Or wait try to get it in an anthology. Good luck with the covers!
Thank you Elizabeth. I pray for world peace every day, no matter how absurd some think that is. I think it's time the human race learn to get along. Thousands of years of fighting is getting old.
DeleteI thought about giving it away to my email subscribers too. I just hope they will like it;)
As an American, I've been totally caught up in our own political chaos here. I didn't even realize South Africa was in trouble. These ARE scary times. And, I find it an almost odd disconnect that my country (the world?) is close to crashing down / going to World War III / or some other as yet unknown calamity yet somehow life continues on. Here we sit blogging, commenting , going to work, etc.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that life goes on. I would go mad if all I had to focus on was the chaos going on around the world, or here in my country. Somehow I just want somewhere, even it it's just online to feel safe, like I can actually breathe.
DeleteScary times. I hope you and your family stay safe.
ReplyDeleteFrom a literary point of view, though, some of the greatest works have come upheaval. Writing is a great way to come to terms with what's going on in the world. (You're right... the world's gone completely bonkers! I hope it's temporary!)
Thank you. I hope this is all temporary too, Annalisa. Take care.
DeleteYeah, the world is a scary place these days.
ReplyDeleteRe. the short story - your next step depends on if you're thinking of self-publishing it or submitting it somewhere. If you want to submit it, start looking now for some possibilities. That way you can tailor your editing to that magazine, anthology, etc.
Awesome, thank you. I hope to self-publish it, but the idea still makes me nervous.
DeleteIt feels like we're hanging on by a thread... it's really scary at the moment.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your covers.
It's always good to try something different, even if it seems scary, because new activities always push your creativity to another level! Go for it!
It is so scary, Michelle. But i think we South-Africans are tough. We just have stay strong, and do the best we can at the moment.
DeleteThank you. I know it would be a great skill to have. I'm just freaking out a bit, but I will try and try until I can figure it out 😋.
Everyone has given you great advice about your short story. Whether you self-publish or submit it to a magazine or anthology, make sure it shines--just as you would polish a novel. After all, it represents you as a writer.
ReplyDeleteI'm so fed up with news--real, fake, and otherwise. I've pretty much stopped paying attention to most of it. Like another commenter said, I wasn't aware of the problems in your country. Wishing you and your family safety and security through the hard times. Hugs!
Hey Carol. Thank you. I've decided to stop watching or reading the news too. It upsets me too much.
DeleteIt is a frightening world at the moment - trouble and unrest on every continent. I hope you and your family stay safe and that things improve for all. Take care. Virtual hugs back!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicole. Hope you are doing great too.
DeleteIn a world of uncertainty, the only thing we can be certain of is our personal mental state, eh? I suppose that's why I rely on God so much, because he knows the end from the beginning, and as long as I'm listening to him, He'll guide me through the worst. =)
ReplyDeleteHey Crystal. My mental state isn't so great, and I am in a spiritual crisis at the moment too. But I am fighting hard to stay sane. Not giving up yet.
DeleteSorry your country is such a mess! That has to stink! I really hope things get better for all of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the hug. I needed it! Here's one back to you: HUG!
Thank you, Sherry. I needed that hug today 😉.
DeleteI'm so sorry to read this. Just as someone else commented, I've been so caught up in/scared by the political situation here in the US that I missed this news about South Africa. I will hope for the best for your country and all of you there. The world feels like it is falling apart around us.
ReplyDeleteTake care and many, many hugs to you!
Thank you, Julie. I am thinking of you as well. Stay safe.
DeleteA couple of things, I would love if you moved to Canada. It's a big place and there are many affordable towns to live in. Especially in the east coast. We live in centre BC, and it's nice, but the winter's are harsh. The other thing is I need a hug. So, here's to hugging you and you hugging me.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is something I am really working towards. I hope to one day actually move there. No worries. Sending you plenty of hugs back.
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