Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) engages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement, or anything really, about their writing. A different question is posed each month, as a writing prompt for IWSG members. Answering it is optional. For September, the question is: “What publishing path are you considering/did you take, and why?”
This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are Toi Thomas,T. Powell Coltrin, M.J. Fifield, and Tara Tyler. Feel free to swing by their sites and see what they’re up to.
My answer to the question (What publishing path are you considering/did you take, and why?)
While I realize you can never plan too far ahead when it comes to the writing path, thinking about publishing my memoir while I haven’t touched the manuscript in months feels a bit presumptuous. That being said, I have read about the pros and cons about traditional publishing and self-publishing. Author Jane Friedman has a ton of valuable articles about this topic on her website, with this blog post being all-encompassing.
In general, the indie way seems to offer most benefits in regards to publishing quickly, being able to print on demand (which is also cost-effective), and more freedom with the title, content and cover art. Yet, there is that one big (mis)belief about a higher success and accomplishment rate when an author manages to snatch a (renowned) publishing house. Going the traditional route, however, means creating a non-fiction book proposal, which is an entire project in itself. While the verdict is still out, I ought to start with rewriting parts of my memoir!
My book progress and why there has been none…
Actually, these last two months, a lot of progress with my memoir has been made, but not by me. Most of my fabulous group of beta readers returned their precious feedback, in-depth notes, and super-valuable remarks and insights. I am forever indebted to the work, energy and time they committed to my project. Thank you so very much, boys and girls!
In general, the reaction has been positive with the book being “well-written” and “brutally honest” as two common descriptions. The manuscript requires a lot of work still, which was to be expected. The theme (my nemesis since the start) is not obvious and I cover too many topics, I need to decide about dialogue tags, some book sections are repetitive, and big chunks have to get cut. Most beta readers seemed the have the same issue as me about which parts/pages to delete.
Writing this blog (or my memoir) requires a desk, space, internet, WiFi and time.
While the beta readers have been busy this summer, I haven’t. At least not when it comes to writing and editing. Mark and I have been living full-time in our camper van Zesty now for six weeks, and I have to admit, it is nearly impossible to work on my book while on the road. The reasons range from not having enough electricity, paid translation projects requiring priority, having to drive long distances, sightseeing plans, going hiking, or being busy running our life (read: doing camper-related errands). More about that in upcoming blogs. The bottom line is that if I want to make progress with my memoir again, house and pet sitting is the better alternative.
The tweet my blog readers liked best
Last month, I asked my readers which of three tweets they liked most to describe my memoir. There was pretty much a toss-up between version 1 and version 2.
- Join Liesbet on her path to love, loss, freedom and adventure as she pulls you into a decade of her life less ordinary with Mark: 24/7 together, 2 dogs, an 8-year sailing journey, a business at sea, trials, tribulations & life-altering twists. Can they survive together?
- Falling in love with “the guy next door” on an open-ended RV adventure with Karl, Liesbet has 2 choices: continue her passion of traveling or stay with her new lover. Her decision sends her on a roller coaster journey of love, loss, freedom and adventure… at sea.
A couple of authors suggested I’d research blurb tweets for memoirs to get a better understanding, stick to the main traits of the protagonist (me), the character’s challenge, or concrete event(s) – no questions, nothing vague, be unique. Just like my book and my writing, my tweeting needs tweaking. 😊
What’s next?
I have a feeling that September and October will be similarly unproductive memoir months, since we plan a multiple-week visit to Vancouver Island, Canada (where we won’t have cell service), and hope to explore a bit more of the Pacific Northwest in the States, before heading south for the winter.
I do hope to create an organized overview of the notes I received from my beta readers and their answers to my questions, have a look at everyone’s track changes, and start to incorporate the feedback. In an ideal world, I’d also like to write a book proposal. But, that would mean this traveling lifestyle has to stop even though it’s what I enjoy most in life.
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September 5, 2018 at 13:48
Beta readers really do help figure out what has to go. Lots of work ahead for you. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
September 7, 2018 at 09:01
They sure do. And, I’m excited to jump in again!
September 5, 2018 at 13:54
I can totally relate to the difficulties of getting work done while traveling full-time. That’s precisely why we’ve had to slow things down and sit … we have work to do, unfortunately!
September 7, 2018 at 09:03
Staying for a while in the same place seems to be the only solution when it comes to longer projects (or running a business). Once the weather changes and summer is totally over, that might be easier to do for us. I hope your work requirements don’t take away from your sightseeing and photographing!
September 5, 2018 at 14:49
Hi Liesbet! Well at least you are THINKING about your book! Ha! I haven’t put much of any thought in mind after giving myself permission about a month and a half ago to just let it rest until fall. I would like to say it’s germinating but only time will tell. Good for you for getting anything done…and I’ve loved all the photos you’ve been posting on FB. Wish you could make it south in October and meet up with us girls here in the desert! ~Kathy
September 7, 2018 at 09:05
Taking a break from your book probably helps you enjoy your travels and experiences in Mexico better! I’ve gotten to a point where the book is “haunting” me, being inactive for this long. Every time I’m on a hike, my thoughts venture towards it. So, yes, at least I’m thinking about it, right? 🙂
September 5, 2018 at 16:22
Great to hear from you, Liesbet, and got a glimpse of some sights that you’ve seen through your photos. It’s a real challenge to enjoy traveling vs. to complete your memoir. Have a great time on Vancouver Island!
September 7, 2018 at 09:07
Thanks, Natalie. It had been a long time since I visited your country. In Whistler with friends now. Hopefully, the rain isn’t too bad the coming days to venture into Vancouver, before hopping on the ferry. Life is all about choices. The problem is that I alsways want to do too much. 🙂
September 5, 2018 at 19:55
I can relate to all of this, Liesbet. My first beta reader said she couldn’t figure out what my story was about, not a good sign. I have come a long way since then, but I have a ways to go. My manuscript has been in the hands of a paid ($$$) professional editor. Her ideas are spot on, but I have a hard time implementing them. Memoir writing is certainly NOT for sissies. And you are not a sissy, Lisbet. Power on!
Don’t despair. You are young, have energy, and the will to persist. Take your time to produce the best version of your memoir. You know I’m rooting for you. 🙂
September 7, 2018 at 09:10
You are so great, Marian, and, you’re setting the perfect example. Determination, for sure. And,taking it step by step. It’s all progress towards our final products. I just wish I could have gotten it done during 2.5 years of house sitting. But, as you so well know, life gets “in the way” often.
September 5, 2018 at 21:20
I’ve always found my beta readers super-helpful – just a shame the author is scared of moving forward.
September 7, 2018 at 09:12
I think when one has taken the step to involve beta readers, the work is “out there”, the lid has been opened and there shouldn’t be much reason to be scared anymore. 🙂 Onward to the next step, Roland!
September 5, 2018 at 23:56
Hi, Liesbet – It sounds like you have received very helpful feedback from your beta readers. I can’t wait to be able to discuss this in person. See you soon!
September 7, 2018 at 09:13
I better go through it all then before we meet up! See you soon!
September 6, 2018 at 02:04
Liesbet, I admire your energy and motivation to lead such a busy adventurous life and keep up with work. I can’t write the blog when I travel. I hope you have a great time in Canada😄
September 7, 2018 at 09:15
Thanks, Gilda. Mark and I have lived over a decade trying to combine work, travel, and life. It’s always been challenging and exhausting, which is why we took “a break” doing the house sits. Now, we are ready to face this kind of lifestyle again, so we will have to manage. 🙂
September 6, 2018 at 02:22
It is great you have such constructive feedback from your beta-readers Liesbet and now you can work on the next phase, which is really exciting. I love the stunning scenery in your images and it sounds as if you have a great time ahead of you on Vancouver island. Enjoy your trip and much love to you and Mark from all of us here 🙂💖 xxx
September 7, 2018 at 09:17
I am excited about the next step in the writing process, whenever that may be. It’s very rewarding to be on the road again, and we will figure out some kind of balance, one of these weeks/months. Love back to all of you, Xenia!
September 6, 2018 at 02:53
I’m glad you’ve got good beta readers! The travel sounds wonderful. I hope you can enjoy it while you’re doing it, and work on writing when possible.
September 7, 2018 at 09:19
That’s the attitude, Shannon! Thanks for the encouragement.
September 6, 2018 at 04:25
Sorry, this just showed up in my Feedly reader this morning!
Glad your readers came through while you were traveling around. I’d find it difficult to write as well.
September 7, 2018 at 09:20
That was good planning on my part, have the beta readers work, while I travel. 🙂 Now, it’s time to get involved again as well. Somehow…
September 6, 2018 at 05:53
I’ve always found it hard to focus on writing when we’re out cruising. Traveling seems to take a lot of energy, not to mention the challenges around finding power and internet.
September 7, 2018 at 09:22
That’s exactly right, Ellen. I’m so glad you can focus on your writing now, before you start cruising again. Doing the house sits was my break from traveling to complete the memoir, but… that didn’t quite happen.
September 6, 2018 at 06:30
For some reason this just popped up in my reader this morning. Gosh, I know I couldn’t write while on the road, Liesbet. Hang in there, you’ll get it done!
September 7, 2018 at 09:24
Thanks, Jill. We choose to live this way, so somehow we will have to make it work. 🙂 And, I have to pick my priorities and be OK with them.
September 6, 2018 at 07:55
Life and the documentation of life … it’s always so hard to strike a balance! I empathize with your feelings of wanting to get moving on the memoir while also knowing there are daily exigencies that interfere with that thinking and writing time. Hang in there, Liesbet; I’m rooting for you!
September 7, 2018 at 09:26
Thanks, Lexie. And, you express it so well. I just wish I could have closed this memoir (and sailing) chapter before the next adventure. It’s why I never wrote a book (about previous RV adventures)) before, because I’d jumped on a boat and never had time to complete that first book idea. 🙂
September 6, 2018 at 12:56
Seems to me you can either live your life the way you want, or write about it, Liesbet. The book will get finished when you really want to do it. You only get one life. 🙂 🙂
September 7, 2018 at 09:37
Wise words, Jo! I often joke that I’m either living my memoir, or writing it. Then, I wonder which one I prefer and the answer is quite easy. 🙂
September 6, 2018 at 18:03
Good to see a post from you! It looks like you’ve seen some wonderful sights since you’ve been traveling and lots more fun stuff is planned. I hope your journeys will take you our way later this year.
I know that I find it very difficult to write while I’m traveling (except for in my journal so I can remember everything) so working on an actual book would be almost impossible. Going forward? I suggest that you read the last sentence you wrote in the post again and figure out what’s most important… life is short.
September 7, 2018 at 09:41
When you have two big passions that kind of exclude each other, it’s hard to pick. But, you are so right, Janis. I do know what’s most important, but I can’t shake that nagging feeling. At some point soon, I will need to finish this project to be able to fully focus on the traveling again.
I make it a point of writing my diary every evening, which now takes almost 30’ since the days are so filled. Some days (like these last two), I don’t even have time for that.
Yes, we will come your way towards the end of the year. 🙂
September 6, 2018 at 21:15
Hi Liesbet
Welcome Back!!! Sounds like you have a full summer, traveling about.
I think I’d be crazy knowing people were reading and critiquing my manuscript. I’d be wondering all the time what they are saying about it. Do you have any contact with the beta readers while they are reading you manuscript?
Enjoy your travels to Vancouver
Laura
September 7, 2018 at 09:45
Thanks, Laura. At some point, the book will be in the hands of readers, so, taking the step and sending it off to beta readers has to be a part of the process. Plus, it’s better to have them provide feedback and critique than receiving bad reviews once it’s published (which will happen regardless, but still, knowing which points to work on before the story gets totally out is extremely helpful).
A few of my beta readers kept in touch during their reading, to let me know that they were “on it” or to give me their general impression about the first reading. No specifics, which was totally fine, since it’s better to receive all that at the end of their reading process.
September 7, 2018 at 06:22
Such a conundrum but a lovely one to have. I believe that everything comes in its time and right now is a better time to live your memoir rather than to lock yourself in a closet and write it. Which brings me to my suggestion to focus you. Keep journaling, travel, digest the feedback you’ve received, meditate every morning, and focus whatever time you have on getting a publisher. You heard me. Focis is on getting a publisher. That effort will allow you to try out several different proposals until you find the one that catches the publishers eye. Then you housesit and write the book.
September 7, 2018 at 06:24
* focus whatever time you have left remaining…
September 7, 2018 at 09:49
You should be my personal assistant, Lisa. You know me too well and you know what works. I’m taking your advice (except for the meditating), because I think you are totally right about what comes next, and what to prioritize. Thank you for being such a thoughtful and understanding friend!
September 7, 2018 at 09:49
And you are correct about your first statement as well. It’s a nice conundrum. 🙂
September 7, 2018 at 08:43
It’s sounds like you’re having a rich life–the RV adventure sounds great! I’ve got a memoir with less progress than yours and it’s been on hold for a good while. I think about it a lot though. I guess planning and reworking things in one’s head kind of counts as working on something–doesn’t it?
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
September 7, 2018 at 10:22
It sure does! If you’re anything like me, you write way more in your head than on the screen! I’m constantly working on ideas for blogs, articles and books. Unfortunately, those moments of genius rarely find their way beyond my thoughts. 🙂 Let’s get cranking on those memoirs!
September 7, 2018 at 13:20
Congrats on getting your beta copy out. It is so hard to just keep up with a blog on the road, it must be super hard to write a book. Travel is like a full time job.
Love the pics of Yellowstone. Some day soon I hope to not be working in the summer so we can travel up that way.
Safe travels! Looking forward to hearing more about your journey.
September 8, 2018 at 16:10
Thanks, Duwan. Life on the road – like on the water – is fun, yet challenging, as you know. Somehow, I’ll have to find a balance. If I can dedicate one day a week to blogging, I should be able to do the same for working on my book, right? 🙂
We had friends who visited Yellowstone in the winter, and with the snow carpet, it must have been really magical. Let alone the silence and the lack of visitors… We didn’t have great weather and the amount of tourists was incredible, so we restricted our stay to three full days, which was perfect. I’ll post a blog about the parks we have visited so far in future posts.
September 8, 2018 at 18:00
I loved being on the road in our camper. I had so much to see and so much to do that by the time I got around to writing in my journal, I was ready to plant my face on those pages.
I loved that you wrote: “…you can never plan too far ahead when it comes to the writing path…” Not many writers get that. And even when they hear or read it, they don’t pay attention. It’s only later that the “Ah ha” moment hits.
September 10, 2018 at 16:32
Thanks for swinging by my blog and leaving a comment! I’m glad you enjoyed those camping moments and I hope, somehow, you can get back to traveling that way (or a different way) again in the future, despite the new circumstances.
I try to plan ahead a bit when it comes to all the writing and the next steps, making notes about certain processes as I read and think, but as with everything, one step at the time is how it usually plays out.
September 9, 2018 at 11:54
Try not to be so hard on yourself. We can only do what we can do. I much prefer Version 2 – more provocative. Now I want to know about Karl…! 😉
September 10, 2018 at 16:35
Thanks for the vote. You’ll have to read my memoir if you want to learn a little bit more about Karl. Spoiler alert: he’s a great guy! 🙂
Reading these comments about not stressing too much or being too hard on myself in regards to my book actually helps a lot to feel more relaxed about letting life take over and work on the book whenever it fits in my plans. One day, it will fit in my plans again.
September 11, 2018 at 18:04
Lol, I don’t know if I’d say that. My book writing mojo has eluded me most of this year. but I think I needed a book writing break. At this rate my next book won’t come out til next spring and that suits me fine. You are taking in life my friend. And that counts bigtime!!! 🙂 x
September 13, 2018 at 09:51
Writing breaks are good, especially for a busy bee like you. But, I’m sure the next book has been brewing and you are probably working on it, somehow. 🙂
September 13, 2018 at 10:33
Oh for sure, my brain is always on something. I have have tons of outline and notes for chapters, as well as about 10K words written,. I just have had so many interruptions and enjoyed the time to do other things before getting myself back into the grind. But it’s coming! 😉
September 16, 2018 at 12:16
🙂
September 10, 2018 at 21:39
Nobody said book writing was easy my friend. I’m glad you’re getting good advice, and yes life does get in the way often. Welcome to the self publishing world lol. Don’t pressure yourself, you’ll get there when you get there. 🙂
September 11, 2018 at 11:44
Thanks for the continued support, Debby. I’m amazed at people like you who just get things done! Focus, determination, priorities! 🙂 Or, just “bumming around” in a camper van…
October 3, 2018 at 10:42
So sorry I’ve been absent from your blog all month, Liesbet! You have still been in my thoughts. Life is crazy. We met through the IWSG, so I thought this was the best post to comment on.
I can totally relate. I’m so far behind in my writing. I spent a blissful week at a cabin with Simon, hoping to work on my book every day. I didn’t look at it once, but since we lead such busy lives, I decided the quality time with him was more important. And those days flew by!
Same with the recent trip to Nova Scotia with my parents. I haven’t traveled with my parents since I was a child, and while I’d hoped to work on the book, spending time with them took precedence. After a full day of sightseeing and road tripping, followed by dinner and drinks, I was just too exhausted.
Life is what happens while you’re making other plans. So happy you found great betas!
October 3, 2018 at 12:39
I’ve been thinking about you as well, since we’ve been in your country for almost a month and one day, we met and chatted a while with someone who lived in Winnipeg. 🙂 Lots of retirees move to Vancouver Island from frigid places.
I keep thinking that you are wise to use your time for writing and not spend too much on blogging. Those are perfect priorities in my book. And, I’m also glad you had some quality time with your boyfriend and parents. You have been so incredibly busy that it is easy to postpone those precious moments.
Yes, life gets in the way, but in your case you seem to have find the right balance. For me, living on the road makes it basically impossible and impractical to write and work on my memoir, so we have to house sit again to make decent process. That will happen in Mid-November. The pressure is on. 🙂
October 11, 2018 at 11:50
Liesbet, you are fortunate to have beta readers who have given you great feedback. I am getting close to having a draft to send out to my beta readers, and I am looking forward to what they say. I do think that having the book in your mind and thinking about it, even if you are not actually writing, is part of the writing process. When you finally sit down to write/revise, your mind will have done a lot of the preparatory work.
Jude
October 13, 2018 at 09:05
I’m glad you managed to make more progress with your novel, Jude. Well done! I’m really starting to get antsy about picking up my memoir again. It’s been over four months already since I touched it. I’m feeling pretty guilty, yet motivated!