This has been a crazy 3 weeks of physical and virtual launches and I’m riding on adrenaline and completely sleep-deprived. But I really wanted to post today; we’ll see if it’s coherent.
THANK YOU and STAT REPORT
A humongous thanks to all of you who helped promote the free ebook special. I promised you some feedback on the process and a report on whether I thought it resulted in actual sales. We shall see.
The book was downloaded 2,266 times. That blows me away.
In the kindle free ebook stats it reached #104 in ebooks, #75 in fiction, #3 in childrens fantasy, and #1 in general fantasy.
Look, I’m almost touching Suzanne Collins and George R. R. Martin!
It also garnered several more likes on Briggy’s FB page, the Ruins of Noe amazon page, and reviews on goodreads and amazon.
If anyone is interested in what I did to promote it, let me know and maybe I can post about that next week.
WEEKEND WORKOUT
I’m reading THE DEIFICATION by Jack Remick right now and am so, so, so digging it. It’s reminiscent of the Beats, but a contemporary story. I know the Beats were an influence on him and the rhythm is there.
This Weekend’s Workout was inspired by that rhythm. It has nothing to do with any novel I’m working on. Sometimes it’s just fun to play.
You can use yourself for this exercise or write from a character’s POV if you want.
Pick a precious moment from the past 24 moment. And I don’t mean “cute” like you saw a puppy on the street. I mean a moment that is of small significance, no turning point or epiphany, but is precious in that daily, comfortable way.
Set your timer for 5 to 7 minutes and write a prose poem about this precious moment. Let both the language and the imagery guide you through the moment, rather than try to make something of it (i.e. don’t try to tell a story). Let the rhythm of it dictate the breath.
EXAMPLE:
When she opened the door she didn’t see me and the restaurant was empty, but one couple by the window. I let her look around the room before calling to her from the corner. For a moment she thought she had beaten me in the rain. It was mist, really, on Market Street. Her hair was darker and I told her so. She smiled at my noticing. (and so on)
I will get back to my Character – Action series next Friday.
BE KIND TO MYSELF WEEK
After three weeks of irregular sleep, traveling, performing, teaching, speaking, and friend-visiting I am happily exhausted. Sleepy. So this week is official BE KIND TO MYSELF WEEK. If you’d like to join me, then write in the comment section 3 WAYS you will be kind to yourself this week.
Here are mine:
1) My physical therapist gave me some exercises to do. I will do them at least 3 times per day.
2) I will be in bed by 11 pm.
3) I won’t smoke. I’m a stress-smoker. I can go weeks, months, even years without smoking, and then when things get a little wonky, I revert back. But I am being good to my lungs this week!
How about you?
I definitely want to know what you did to promote your book. Congrats by the way!
I’m being kind to myself this month: I’m doing the meditation for a month blogfest over at https://jodichapman.com.
Thanks, Gwen! Meditation for a month sounds like a great way to be kind to yourself. I’ll check out the fest link you sent.
Congrats on your awesome stats. I’d definitely be interested to hear what you did to promote your book.
I’m so happy for you, Danika. Those are amazing numbers. I would love to know what you did for promotion!
I love, love, love your writing exercise. I will be sure to try it soon!
Yes, I think I shall join you and be kind to myself this week.
1.) I will walk 2 miles every day (easier now that the weather is nicer)
2.) I will read a new book that’s been waiting for me on my reading list
3.) I will get a massage for my back
Now I’m getting excited for my self-promises. Thanks for the nudge.
I’m glad you like the exercise b/c I was pretty out of it when I wrote the post. lol. MASSAGE! I think I might add that to my “be kind to myself” list. Excellent idea.
Congrats on the launch and on the free book success: that’s very exciting! You’re forging a path for future authors; thanks for your courage and for sharing your experiment with us.
I like your Be Kind to Myself goals, and I will join you on the going to bed by 11 and the doing what my physio told me to do every day. (I made a New Year’s resolution to go to bed every night by 10, and it hasn’t happened yet. Maybe 11 is more reasonable. Yikes! better hurry and finish my blog entry!)
Kim – the industry is changing so fast we’re all going to be experimenting in some form. I’m happy to share what I learn, as other have done for me.
It’s 11 pm! Time for bed. 🙂