Questions from a Writer to the Writing Community – Volume 2

Okay, I get it. So, I didn’t get much of a response from my original post, Questions from a Writer to the Writing Community – Volume 1. I posed the same questions (in that post) that I’m extending to you today. However, I left out one key component from the original post that I’m actually going to cover in today’s post. And the missing component is . . . my response to all of the questions below. I neglected to answer the questions myself. I mean how is it that I’m expecting you to put in the effort to answer my questions when I haven’t done the same? Shame on me and I apologize.

So, I’m going to try this again and see if I get more participation this go-around. If my hypothesis is correct, I believe I’ll get at least a handful of responses after coughing up my intel on the questions below (in red). After all, it came to mind that, in order to gain friends, you must first show yourself friendly. 

And that’s what I’ve done with my responses — added a layer to our friendship. You’ll learn a little more about me through the responses I provide to the questions. You’ll see that I don’t have everything figured out, which is precisely why I like hearing from others. I learn really well that way. I’m like a middle-aged sponge that hangs on to the pieces of information that her middle-aged mind can absorb. 

Oh, and there’s no pressure here. As I stated in my original blog post (regarding the questions when they were initially published), you are welcomed to “answer one, or more, or all of them, as you so choose.” Your sharing is my learning opportunity. And, I’ll appreciate and bask in any of your knowledge that is willingly given to me. 

So, go ahead and educate me on YOU. I double dare you.

(Don’t judge . . . some responses are in complete sentences; and the ones that don’t have to be, aren’t).

• What do you like to do for fun outside of writing? Awww, I can’t include writing? Seriously? Okay, spending time with my family, reading, learning creative entrepreneurial skills from books, courses, YouTubers, etc.
• What time or times of the year are best to self-publish? Or, is there a best time of the year to self-publish? I don’t really know, but I’m sure there’s some great timing strategy for getting books out. I tend to lean toward — “whenever you complete your book is the best time to get it out.” If I’m wrong, please (somebody) educate me on this matter. Because, I think I’m wrong here.
• Who are some of your author go-tos for writing/self-publishing advice, tips, tricks, and suggestions? Joanna Penn at thecreativepenn.com and “Dummies” books for writers. I currently have Writing Children’s Books for Dummies, Publishing E-Books for Dummies, and Copyediting & Proofreading for Dummies. And, I’m sure I will acquire more.
• Do you participate in NaNoWriMo? I did a modified version of NaNoWriMo one year. If so, what’s been your experience with the process? It was a great experience. I think NaNoWriMo created a sense of writing urgency within me and raised a level of accountability that I was determined to meet. I was able to make some substantial writing headway with this process.
• If you don’t participate in NaNoWriMo or have no idea what it is, what is your book writing process (method for getting book writing done)? I haven’t used NaNoWriMo for all of my writing projects. And, I can’t really say that I’ve determined a specific strategy that I’ve utilized consistently in all cases. However, I tend to do better with meeting my deadlines for writing projects when I’ve communicated those deadlines to the blogging/author communities. My Accountability Partners in these communities are the supports needed to help me stay on track so much better than me holding myself accountable to meet writing deadlines.
• Who do you recommend for editing/proofreading services? I don’t currently have any recommendations. I’d like to hear your suggestions.
• Who do you recommend for book formatting services? I don’t currently have any recommendations. I’d like to hear your suggestions.
• What program or software do you recommend to someone who wants to format his or her own books? I don’t know this by first-hand experience, but I’ve heard that Vellum is a pretty good program. Have you used this program? If so, did it work well for you?
• Which way do you prefer to read: by paperback or hardback, e-book, or audio book? Paperback or hardback. There truly is something special about holding a brand-new book in your hands and taking in its fresh book smells. I’m tactile in nature. So, the touchy-feely stuff is more my speed. Hardback is fine, but I predominantly get the paperbacks because they’re cheaper than the hardbacks. The contents are what’s important to me, not the covers.
• Who are some of your favorite creative entrepreneur Youtubers? Erin on Demand, Gillian Perkins, Suzi W Start a Mom Blog, Allison Lindstrom, Evaknows, Sunny Lenarduzzi, and Whitney Bonds.

I genuinely want to from YOU.