Warning: Hotties Ahead. Casting David.

Now for something completely different.

When I write a book, I visualize the appearances of the characters, just like readers do. It's fun. I don't like having images of people on my cover(s) because when I've read books where the image doesn't match my idea, it detracts from my enjoyment much like when images in a movie adadptaion don't match my preconceived vision.

But, I imagine most writer's these days fantasize about their book being optioned for a movie, then actually made. Even better would be to be asked for input on the actors.

But I'm not there yet. However, that doesn't mean I can't think about it.

Now, not many people have read Another Place on the Planet. Yet. But if you have, you can tell me what what you think of the first character I'm casting. David Briggs.

David is about 26 when Lily meets him at the age of 42 on the same night she meets Charlie. I described him as Adonis Junior. Charlie is Adonis. (I had a student named Adonis one year. Seriously.) David is tall and slender (Sorry short and chunky guys. You don't make it into romance novels just like chunky girls don't. That's a topic for another time.) David has dark hair and eyes. He's an up and coming actor, poised to be the next "it" boy. Well, ya gotta read it.

This is Henry Cavill. He's Superman in the upcoming flick, Man of Steel, I do believe. He would need darker eyes, but that's no biggie. I would have to see how he smiles.

 

 I'm not sure who this cutie is, but I'd give him a screen test. And dinner. And keep reminding myself I'm married. But if he doesn't get David, there's another role for him to look at.

 

 I think this is pretty much how I pictured David at the time in his life when he meets Lily.

  

This guy is a definite contender. Love that smile. With dark contact lenses, yes. He's a South American actor who would have to speak English without an accent.

Who would you chose? David will play a large role in Lily's life later on. You'll have to read Another Place on the Planet to find out how their relationship begins.

It's FREE on Smashwords until 8AM PST Sunday morning, 9/9/2012. Coupon code is QH63K.

We'll cast Lily and Charlie in future.

Comment, please!

Needed: Procrastination Techniques

I'm looking for new ways to put off writing. I love writing but lately, since I published my first book, my mind has been wanting to take more time off. It's like I was so focused on accomplishing that goal and once I did, I have failed to develop another all-consuming mental activity. Or, I haven't renewed a prescription with the beneficial side-effect of the ability to focus better. Yes, there is such a pill!

I have started a list of different categories. Some of these activities are hated by me, but for some unknown reason, at times I find them preferable to doing that which I enjoy most.

Today's technique will be the easiest. I'll save the harder ones for later. Feel free to adopt any of these as your own to put off what ever you like to do.


Technique 1: Employing the Computer to Procrastinate

This might be every writer's favorite, except for those who write by hand. I know several who do. I make lists by hand, and doodles. Not much else. This is not an exhaustive list, but I hope to have more to add in the future.

1. The Internet provides numerous ways to fritter away your life. I won't include online games here because I don't play.

a. Facebook--Of course. Do I have any new notifications on my personal page? My authors page? How about posting a status update. "My cat just yakked up a hairball." No, not really. He's snoozing with my husband.

b. Twitter--Tweet something writerly so people following me because I write will think I am productive and talented and so the filmmakers (how did I get filmmakers following me? Oh right--I mentioned I'm writing a screenplay) might think I'll have a novel to adapt. One can hope.

c. Click on links on FB and Twitter. Lots of writing stuff, movie stuff, lots of stuff stuff.


d. Look for pictures of Michael Fassbender.

e. Check Kindle to see if I sold any books recently. Same for Smashwords and CreateSpace.

f. On Amazon, read excerpts of Fifty Shades of Grey (okay, I did that once--for a long time. I think they took out the most juicy stuff, which is really all right with me.)
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g. Check Gmail to see if I have any new Twitter followers.

h. YouTube--start off with something of value then digress in any direction I choose--usually comedy and parody.

i. look for and download free e-books.

j. Check Goodreads to see how many more people signed up for my book giveaway.

k.Sign up for newsletters.

l. Look for a job.

m. Look for more pictures of Michael Fassbender.

n. Check regular email. This is a double one because then I can read the stories on the Yahoo feed. None so far have mentioned Michael.

o. Then there's always good old fashioned research.

Wait-I have a new FB notification. Okay. Nothing exciting.

p. Watch movie trailers. Watch those with Michael several times.

q. Go to Huffpost women and read the sex articles.

r. Look for new movies to add to queue on Netflix (wish they had more Michael movies).

s. Write a blog post.

t. Go to Script Frenzy site and play with plot maker.

u. Tweak author website.

v. Look at blog stats to see if anyone read my last post.

w. Check bank account and clear away cobwebs to see if there is a positive balance.

x. check to see if I sold any more books than the last time I checked. Check to see how much I have to sell before I get a royalty payment

y. Go check the substitute teacher's chatboard I used to frequent.

z. Look for another pic of Michael.

Next post will be how to use your computer without the internet to procrastinate.

How do you procrastinate online? Share, please!

(I promise NOT to mention Michael Fassbender once in the next blog post)

Technopublishing

Holy cats! My brain is smoking. Since yesterday, I formatted my novel, Another Place on the Planet, uploaded the PDF and revised cover to CreateSpace for a new proof. I messed up somehow and think I have to do the proof thing again. I formatted a friend's novel over the weekend and went to her place to submit it to Snowfall Press where she wants to publish and print. Today, I formatted Another Place for Smashwords and got it there for purchase. Hopefully it can go in their premium collection right away. Also, set up a website with my bush league neophyte skills on Google sites. Signed up for Goodreads, made a new author friend there...anything else? Maybe. Maybe tomorrow, I can actually write... This business to sell gets in the was of generating products to sell! Maybe one day I can hire it out. Even though I do like doing it. I think.

What to do, what to do?

I have a little bit of a writer's moral conflict. I just read a free download from Smashwords by an independent author, like me. Someone who loves writing, wants to share her work and maybe make a little money, or a lot of money. I don't know.

It's a short story (9000 words), an introduction to a murder mystery series. I rarely read that genre--just doesn't interest me, but millions love it. I want to start checking the quality of what people are putting out.

The story itself was interesting and we got to know a couple of the characters, although I think from the description of the first book, it the series might br about the detective and not the main character in this story.

But my issue with it is quite a few typos. I'm not the most astute at picking out typos, in my own or anybody else writing. Heck, sometimes I can't see the jar of mayo right in front of me. I'm not sure this writer had anybody else read it before she put it up on Smashwords. There are a couple of misused words--they sound similar to the word I think the writer meant to use, but didn't get corrected. There are also a few words that look like leftovers from a rewrite--the sentence was changed, some words deleted, but not quite all that were no longer needed. There were several book titles, although fictitious, that should have been italicized. And I noticed a few commas that never showed up.

Now, if I were this writer, would I want some stranger, even a well-intentioned one, contacting me and saying, "Thanks for the free read, but here are a few things you should change for the sake of your reputation and all independent writers and self-publishers."?

I catch errors in printed books all the time. It happens, even though with "real" books from "real" publishers, a work should go through enough hands to prevent any typos from getting by. And I suspect a few will get by me and my "editing team." Will I want to know about them? Sure, at least so I would know to be more careful next time.

Maybe my question should be "Do I have the courage to communicate with the author about this? I assume she wants to be professional--she has an awesome website and the trailer for one of her books is about as good as they get.

So, dear reader(s), please advise.