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. Answering it is optional. For October, the question is: “In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?”
This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are Jemima Pett, J Lenni Dorner, Cathrina Constantine, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Mary Aalgaard.
My answer to the question – In your writing, where do you draw the line, with topics or language?
This is a toughie, especially with memoir, as the idea is to represent the story as truthfully as possible in this genre, even the dialogue parts. That being said, it is easy to omit curse words or swearing. Yet, when the situation allows it or “asks” for it, I am tempted to and I do leave some of these words in the prose, since they are important to the context of those situations. Finding a balance is the solution, I think. You don’t want to put readers off, but you do want to draw them into these real-life scenes.
An author ready for the road…
My book news
Another month has passed. Can you believe it? Even though I swapped my comfortable “home base” in Massachusetts for the confines of a truck camper mid-September, I still managed to get a lot done, book-wise and otherwise.
The goal was to come to a stopping point with a few promotion tasks I still had in mind for my travel memoir Plunge. Once I moved into our new home on wheels, I knew my focus would (and should and did) shift to a life on the road, driving, figuring out our new set-up, sightseeing, hiking, taking it slower, and not being a slave to the internet and the computer anymore. But all that is for a different blog post. This one touches on what I was up to lately, regarding book stuff.
- I finally created a book banner for Facebook and my blog, based on my Yankee Homecoming banner, leaving space for default images in the middle.
These are the quotes I decided to pick excerpts from:
Amazon editorial reviews
Here are a few photos that vied for the background:
- I asked the local library and bookstore if they were interested in carrying more copies of Plunge. The library politely declined – I approached them based on the only one of their copies (which I donated) being “unavailable” each time I checked their website.
Plunge in library system
The bookstore, which had one of its three Plunge copies left, was happy to take another three. Since the covers are usually quite hidden, I suggested signing one of the books, so it could be displayed in their “Signed Books” area. The clerk suggested I’d sign all four copies. I made sure one of them landed in this bookcase.
Jabberwocky bookstore
- Because I had a few “older” versions left, I decided to sell signed copies of Plunge at the discounted price of US$14 through a Facebook post. This deal included a personal message, autograph, and shipping (for people living in the US), making my profit the same as online (about $3.50). A friend in Sweden was interested, but as expected, the shipping cost was outrageous: $42 for two and $56 for three books. Just for shipping! I did sell a couple more books. Yet, at this point I have to assume that my circle of friends bought Plunge by now or never will.
- There were some unfortunate events… Maya devoured another book; this one was located three shelves high! And two Amazon copies showed printing issues.
- I received an author copy with the new back cover for Plunge. I like it, but I will change the black lettering back to dark blue. This was one of the books that had a problem, so I left it in a neighborhood “Little Free Library” for others to enjoy.
- When we discovered the universal/global purchase link for my memoir didn’t work anymore on Amazon, we went down a rabbit hole one evening, leading to hours of research and eventually creating a few affiliate links as these bring potential readers to some international sites. I added the required disclosure note in the right column of my blog. This might be a way to make a little bit of money on my website, without intrusion and without extra cost to the purchaser. I need to sell a few copies within the next couple of month or Amazon takes that privilege away.
- More friends, neighbors, and new readers supported the Plunge cause by posting book reviews on their own Facebook pages, book-related groups, and/or Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you!
- Two guest posts by me went live in September as well: one as a feature in the 2021 Authors Showcase series on the website of fellow memoirist Robert Fear (you can read that piece here) and an interview with the lovely, witty, and adventurous Canadian blogger Sue Slaght from Travel Tales of Life. Her insightful questions were a pleasure to answer. You can read our Q & A here.
- And then, the two big-ticket items on my September curriculum…
I was invited by the versatile, generous, and accomplished author, blogger, and circumnavigator Jackie Parry to participate in her podcast Cast Off with Confidence. My first ever podcast! The result is an insightful, entertaining chat between the two of us, which you can listen to here (or on Amazon here) or watch it as a video here or underneath. Enjoy this candid conversation!
And last but certainly not least, on September 26th, the travel anthology Itchy Feet – Tales of Travel and Adventure was released by the talented, acclaimed, and renowned Algarve author and artist Alyson Sheldrake, who curated this book as part of her travel series. I was one of the twenty contributors, with a chapter called Born with Itchy Feet.
This is the blurb:
Itchy Feet – Tales of travel and adventure
“𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭?”
“𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧…”
From the Indonesian jungle, to an epic journey out of Africa, and rafting the Zambezi, twenty intrepid and inspiring authors share their adventures with you in this anthology of travel stories.
Find out what Egypt is like in a heatwave, and hunt down Dracula in Transylvania.
Catch a rare glimpse into the lives of the last Pech indigenous people of La Moskitia, Honduras.
Experience history first-hand through four continents, three wars and a desperate message in a bottle with a story of heartbreak, poverty and travel in the 19th century.
Be entertained by a teenager’s first glance of foreign soil, and an Australian view of England. Ride a Harley through France and Spain and find out what makes someone a perpetual nomad.
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐈𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫. 𝐍𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝.
Itchy Feet available now
You can read the introduction and first two chapters for free on Amazon US here or via the global link here. A photo album that accompanies all the stories can be found here.
Itchy Feet authors
Authors helping authors
- I bought fellow author Marianne Curcio’s short book Unpack Your Travel Budget – Change Your Lifestyle and See the World the day she shared a booth with me during Yankee Homecoming in early August. I made it a priority last month to read her take on how all of us can travel more if we put our mind to it and could relate to many of her anecdotes. You can find her book and more information about it here. I posted a review on Goodreads and Amazon, which you can read here and here.
- Before and after Itchy Feet released, some of the contributors promoted the book and its authors on their social media channels. Here is a great example of such a post by fellow author, blogger, adventurer, dog lover, and RVer Jackie Lambert on her blog World Wide Walkies. The editor, Alyson Sheldrake, also highlights an author a day on her Twitter and Facebook accounts. By spreading the word about this anthology, we promote our fellow contributors and their previously published work.
Itchy Feet author spotlight
What’s next?
I have an Indie Spotlight feature lined up with Sue Bavey of Sue’s Musings on November 25th. You can find her upcoming interview guests here.
I’m looking forward to reading Itchy Feet, which reached bestseller status in a few categories already.
Itchy Feet reaching bestseller status immediately after being released.
I will keep plugging away on promotion efforts whenever I get a chance. Sometimes I wonder if any of it is worth it, though. Sales have been really slow the last couple of weeks. For example: in the same September week, an interview went live online, the podcast was posted and mentioned on different channels, and the anthology was released. Nothing happened. I know sales can be delayed, but still… It’s been a while now.
That same week, Mark and I met fellow Cirrus 820 (our current camper) owners in Toledo, Ohio, to sell them a hitch extension we had no use for. After an enjoyable chat with the couple, I gave them my Roaming About “business card,” because the woman was interested in following our adventures. Later that night, she sent me an email about how she was surprised and delighted to discover I was an author as well and that she bought my book. Sure enough, when I checked my sales numbers again, it had gone up with one! Moral of the story: in-person events and meetings are the best way to sell books.
Itchy Feet banner
I’m linking this post up to Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share #40. You can read her wonderful and visually striking contribution about Niagara Falls here.
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October 6, 2021 at 10:48
You are amazing, Liesbet. I don’t know how you get it all done! I love all of your marketing tips.
October 6, 2021 at 15:22
Thanks, Jacqui. I could do this, because marketing has been my priority. What that means is that not much else got done – writing and work wise. I wish I could be as versatile and productive as you, but the road calls. 🙂
October 6, 2021 at 11:23
Cheers to all your marketing efforts. Spectacular, actually. I have found that Indie bookstores are often reluctant to give time/space to new authors, but you are creative and find ways to make PLUNGE visible.
I couldn’t agree more: “in-person events and meetings are the best way to sell books.” I met a reader at a social event, gave her my bookmark and found that my sales number went up one notch. Every little bit helps.
One explanation for low sales, I’ve found. Many new books are released in September, all vying for readers’ attention. My crystal ball says you are allowed to take a wee break from all this! 🙂
October 6, 2021 at 15:26
You are so right, Marian. Every little bit helps at this point in the game. I’m happy you have similar experiences when it comes to meeting people and having them buy your book. Interacting with (potential) readers is so much more fun than trying to promote the book online!
Yes, a break will be welcome. And is needed if I want to keep the peace in this relationship. I have so many interests and activities in my life – as opposed to the priorities of my other half – that each day is just too short…
October 6, 2021 at 11:26
Wow! I need to hire you to promote my next book.
October 6, 2021 at 15:28
Unfortunately, I am not for hire, Alex! But, after putting so much time, effort, and dedication to creating Plunge, I want to try as much as I can to get it into people’s hands. 🙂
October 6, 2021 at 12:15
You could do a class on marketing, particularly since it interests me the least. I have a weird thought process about the whole thing. 1. I’m not afraid of trying new things, but most of them are time consuming and end up being a waste of time. 2. It’s much more fun to be creative with writing. 3. How will anyone find my book if I don’t invest some time and energy into marketing? 4. Maybe I’ll work on this tomorrow. 5.I’ve got to get my next chapter written before writing group on Monday. 6. I haven’t written any blog posts for a while. I need to get to that. 7. This book looks interesting. Should I buy it, or is it going to sit on my Kindle like the other 200 books that will take forever to get to?
October 6, 2021 at 15:39
Hi Pete!
I totally agree with #1 and am learning that over and over. I hope to do a “marketing conclusion” post after one year of having published Plunge. That will hopefully help others decide how to go forward and what to focus on, regarding promotion.
#2 is certainly correct as well, but I don’t have the energy, focus, and inspiration for that right now. Finishing my first book and everything that was involved with that is still fresh in my mind.
Your #3 is the reality. After spending so much time, effort, money, and dedication towards writing and publishing our books, how the heck will people find them if we don’t speak up?
#4, there is always mañana. 🙂 But, if you don’t do it now, it might never get done. Priorities…
A writer’s group is fabulous motivation and accountability. Your #5 is what keeps you going. Nice!
The #6 blog posts are, unfortunately, pressure that we keep putting on ourselves. My head bursts with ideas for blog posts. I guess that will have to constitute as my writing.
And I am so familiar with #7. I love reading, but don’t allow myself time to get into books anymore, except when I really promised a fellow author to do so. I’m busy enough with #6 and diary writing, on top of life and its challenges and joys.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts process here!
October 6, 2021 at 12:41
What a chockfull month of promoting your book. I’m impressed with your persistence and drive! Promotion is hard work and sometimes can take a while before your efforts pay off in actual sales, as you know well. But based on prior work I’ve done in sales I’d say you are right on target and keep plugging away at it because it will pay off…
Love how “hands on” you are!
Congrats on the Itchy Feet chapter in the Itchy Feet book! Looking forward to watching the video of your interview.
Peta
October 7, 2021 at 12:42
Hi Peta!
Promoting my book is such a catch 22, really. It’s a lot of work for little results. Yet, if I stop the work altogether (which would be a better use of my time), sales will totally cease. This would make all that effort creating the book in the first place somewhat of a waste!
I know this is a very simple thought process, because of course I am happy with Plunge’s success so far and with the fact that most people enjoy the read. 🙂 These thoughts resolve about the need to promote.
Wish you could have been part of the anthology! Yet… it was another time-consuming project that might not lead to any Plunge sales.
October 6, 2021 at 13:40
I really enjoyed Plunge when I finally got to read it earlier this year. There is a review on Amazon UK.
October 7, 2021 at 12:44
Hi Hilary! I recently stumbled across your review for Plunge on the UK site when checking on something and was going to send you a quick thank you note. Here it is! 🙂 Thank you so much.
Honestly, I really appreciate you taking the time to post a review and I’m thrilled you enjoyed the read! Are you working on something else?
October 6, 2021 at 14:45
Hi, Liesbet – Congratulations on all of that you have accomplished. My local bookclub is scheduled to discuss Plunge at their April 27 meeting (1:30 pm Vancouver time). I know that it is impossible for you to commit in advance, but please mark the date on your calendar. If you are around at that time, and have wifi, we’d love to zoom you in for a quick 10 minute intro. We did that with fellow author Jo Tracey and it worked very, very well.
October 7, 2021 at 12:48
Donna, this fantastic news!! Thank you so much for suggesting Plunge to your local book club. And to them for agreeing with the pick. I am thrilled about the group reading and discussing my book and am curious about their findings, of course.
I will certainly “save the date” and look forward to the Zoom interaction at the end of April. An intro would be fun. My offer still stands to join in at the end of the discussion as well for a reader-author Q&A if that’s something your fellow readers are interested in. This is so exciting!!
October 6, 2021 at 17:06
I’m really amazed at all you are getting done while you are on the road traveling. It’s great you are doing these promotional events. But I think they don’t always generate sales, as you’re finding out.
October 7, 2021 at 12:52
Hi Natalie!
Thanks for swinging by. I have been working hard this past summer putting a few things in place. They happened to accumulate in the last couple of weeks we have been on the road. Right now, focus and work on promotion is close to none. Too many distractions and other priorities. 🙂
I used to think – and hope – that each engagement, feature, interview, guest post, … would lead to the sale of at least one book, but this is certainly not the case. Not anymore anyway. Closer after the release, the book garnered more interest and traction. Soon, I might have to consider paid advertisement I’d id like to keep selling Plunge.
October 7, 2021 at 00:55
I can imagine you’re looking forward to taking a bit of a break from the relentless job of book promotion. Enjoy – you’ve put in a lot of hard work!
October 7, 2021 at 12:56
Relentless promoting! That is a good adjective that I can relate to! And, yes, I’m so ready to give it a pause or to just spend a few minutes every other day trying to sell one more book. A series would be the way to go, but, as you so well know, that means more – intensive – writing! 🙂
October 8, 2021 at 20:41
Very true! I like writing a LOT better than promotion, though. 😉
October 13, 2021 at 12:58
I think most of us do… Writing provides more freedom and flexibility and creates less stress. It think. 🙂
October 7, 2021 at 12:46
Itchy Feet sounds like a lot of fun. All the pronotion you do always amazes me. But perhaps you just need to start selling books out of the back of the camper and do a book tour from one campsite to the next. I hope you are enjoying the road and are getting to relax.
October 7, 2021 at 13:18
Hi Duwan!
I’m looking forward to reading the Itchy Feet anthology after I finish my current book, which I’ve been reading for five months. Not that it’s not good (it’s actually the book of my friend and fellow Itchy Feet author Alexandra of SV Banyan), I just needed to prioritize other pursuits, as you know. And, I wanted to read Marianne’s book before I left Newburyport, so it could stay stored there.
The relaxing part of this trip has been hit or miss. I had one rainy day in New York that we just stayed home and you know what happens then… blog writing, comments, emails, catching up on diaries. We will get there! Now, the weather will keep us on the go. I hope you’re having a nice time in Florida! Xxx
October 7, 2021 at 13:11
Wow, you are putting in so much work on all fronts! It’s so inspiring. Promotion is incredibly draining, and I understand all the frustrations and disappointments that come with it. Giving it a little break will help you recover and exploring on the road again will rejuvenate you. Congratulations on being included in Itchy Feet as well!! Wishing you a lovely autumn.
October 7, 2021 at 13:22
It’s been busy! But, then again, when is it ever not busy? One thing I know for sure: I’ll never ever be bored in my entire life. 🙂
I’m always catching up with something and never seem to arrive at a point where I can just sit and read a book. Yes, I’m doing too many things – blog writing, blog reading, replying to comments, emails, messages, social media interactions, writing my diary, researching where to go and what to do, walking the dog, promoting Plunge, requirements of the lifestyle… I will get to that break at some point. 🙂
Thanks for the autumn wishes. This time of the year means: run away, south! I hope Cali is treating you well.
October 7, 2021 at 16:55
Leaving the dialogue as true as possible will make it more authentic. True for memoirs and works of fiction. 🙂
October 8, 2021 at 15:49
I guess we better not meet too many cursing characters then. 🙂
October 8, 2021 at 10:18
Great stuff Liesbet. I’m always amazed by how you hang in there with your promotion efforts.
I had another friend this past week tell me that he reads many of my stories as they’re posted and that I could pull them together and produce a great book.
That maybe true, but the promotion part still locks me out from trying. I just don’t have the time and don’t really want to make time (because that’s what it really comes down to.
You often share details of your efforts. Know that I always read them with great interest.
Travel safe. You may have heard or read how I spent September with covid. That was, umm, interesting, but it did help me loose 10 pounds that I’m trying hard to nor re-find. I’m glad for this result but still would not recommend covid to anyone regardless of my mild experience and welcome weight loss.
Thanks for sharing with us.
October 8, 2021 at 15:54
Creating a book is so much more than compiling already-composed stories. Unless you manage to snatch a publisher. Even then, most of the promotion falls to the author. The main requisite for writing and publishing a book is to write well and engaging, which you do. It’s all the other steps that take time, effort, and dedication. And, money too. Writing sometimes reminds me of teaching – the writing and the teaching are the fun parts; everything else involved is time-consuming and relatively stressful but needed as well!
I read your comment on Michele’s last “Stronger than the cookie” post, in which you mentioned you had Covid. I’m sorry you had to go through that and I’m glad you’re feeling better now, with losing weight as a bonus! 🙂
October 8, 2021 at 10:30
Opps – almost forgot. About drawing the line in my writing. On principal, I don’t do heavy cursing. the word ‘damn!’ is as strong as I get. I don’t do sex scenes or graphic violence. The reason behind the principal is: A) I don’t want to read stuff that does and B) Since I often am trying for just fun humor and love when a youth or young adult reads my work, I don’t want to drive them away and finally, C) I view every read of one of my stories as a chance to influence someone and I want that to be only a positive influence. I’m a Christian, but never use this fact to evangelize anyone. It’s just not my calling I guess.
I struggled with telling one captured memory a few years ago and I still worry that it may have gone further than I wanted, but after all this time, have not seen any evidence that I did go too far. If interested, here’s the link and I’d love to know your opinion. So far the ladies I’ve talked to after they read it – has not given me any clue of a problem and I’m hoping now that I’m just too sensitive about such things.
https://garyawilsonstories.wordpress.com/the-unicycle-adventure/
Blessings.
October 8, 2021 at 15:59
Hi again Gary!
I’m with you about not writing anything that I wouldn’t enjoy reading myself. It’s the same as with how you treat people – or not. You don’t want to do to others what you wouldn’t like to get done to you. This is a fantastic value and personality trait.
We all feel comfortable with different language and different expressions and focus. I do think that foul language or sex scenes could be a turn off for a reader, especially when this is not expected.
I’ll check out your story whenever I have a moment. Thanks for sharing something so close to your heart. Happy weekend!
October 8, 2021 at 17:55
Hi Liesbet, Your book promoting efforts are impressive. I don’t know if you’ve had Plunge in the public library system in the USA. If you do, you may be able to have another measure of your book success, i.e. readership. Plus you never know if a public library reader decides to buy the book after reading it either to keep or to give away as a gift. Safe travels! Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.
October 9, 2021 at 04:56
Well done Liesbet, all that work for you and hopefully it pays off soon. Plunge is an interesting read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your processes, it really is an eye-opener. #weekendcoffeeshare
October 13, 2021 at 13:01
Hi Debbie! I’m glad you enjoyed this update and Plunge. As for the pay-off, I seem to pick professions where the enjoyment of the job is more important than monetary benefits – teacher, writer, author… I should just stick to what I know and enjoy most: travel. 🙂
October 9, 2021 at 18:08
Such a pleasure to have you on our blog Liesbet. Thank you for the kind words and link back to our blog.
As others have said I have no idea how you do it all. I feel tired just reading about all you accomplish in a month.
Best wishes and hugs as the journey continues.
October 13, 2021 at 13:05
Thanks for the wishes and the hugs, Sue! I managed to do all that book work because I was sheltered and comfy in a room. None of that now, as we battle the weather, the road, the internet, and a more challenging lifestyle. I can’t even keep up with my emails, blog, or social media right now. But the journey continues! 🙂
October 10, 2021 at 17:07
You’re doing so well with your promotion and marketing…inspiring, to say the least. I’m about to release novel no. 8 and am still drafting no. 9 and juggling day job – yet know I need to put myself out there more promotion wise. Well done and happy travels.
October 13, 2021 at 13:57
Wow, Jo, you have a lot of books under your belt. Congratulations and well done, especially combining authordom with a day job!!! If only we all had more time in a day. We have to prioritize and for many authors that is writing. I just can’t face another big writing project just yet. 🙂 But I do hope other authors find a few useful nuggets in my promotion experiences.
October 11, 2021 at 07:46
So much to digest in this post, but keep up the great work you’re doing on marketing ‘Plunge.’ I’ll have to keep a lookout for free libraries. I’ve never seen one where I live, but it’s such a great idea.
Hope everything is going well on your travels. Says you’re in ‘The Badlands’ which sounds like a place for a great horror movie. But I hope there’s nothing horrible there.
October 13, 2021 at 14:01
Hi Hugh! Those little free libraries are cute and awesome. They must have them in Swansea, I would think.
The Badlands are pretty spectacular, yet quite uninhabitable for people. We lucked out with the last two nice days of fall in this area. The views were amazing and the wildlife abundant (bighorn sheep, bison, prairie dogs, coyotes). But, now the weather is horrible!!! 40+ knot winds and a deluge of rain that is snow in the hills… Freezing cold. Hurray for a heater. Time to head south soon!!!
October 14, 2021 at 05:52
I agree, Liesbet. It’s just a case of looking for them, but I’ve never seen them in the local area. I’ll keep a lookout, though.
As soon as the birds start flying south, it’s time for you to head south.
October 16, 2021 at 17:26
That’s a good plan! We will follow the birds. 🙂
October 11, 2021 at 18:59
You surely are a trooper. Traveling around and working on promos. I admire your tenacity. I loved your interview. Admittedly, I watched for about 20 minutes and I also like the compliment, ‘refreshingly honest’, lol. You go girl while you have the energy! <3
October 13, 2021 at 14:06
That tenacity and energy are taking a back seat now, Debby, as we are settled into another indefinite stretch of life on the road. Too many distractions and challenges to keep that going smoothly (enough)! 🙂 Thanks for humoring me with reading and watching!!!
October 14, 2021 at 13:28
Just hang tight. Mercury has wreaking havoc in everyone’s life in every way possible. She’ll be gone next week. 🙂
October 16, 2021 at 17:31
Oh Debby, is that what it is again? You’re so in tune with Mercury and other celestial events!
October 17, 2021 at 09:29
Arg, I’m in tune, because it doesn’t leave me alone! I’ve had nothing but technical nightmares from WordPress to computer to printer issues sucking the life out of me. Time to kick it to the curb. 🙂
October 19, 2021 at 13:59
Let’s both kick it! I had a nightmare experience with Gmail this weekend, where 30,000 emails got deleted! Still trying to figure this out – well, poor Mark is… A disaster. Plus, I lost some important ones in my inbox that still needed attention; the sole reason they were still in my inbox. Aaargh, indeed!
October 20, 2021 at 11:35
OMG, I wonder if that was the Windows update? My whole weekend was a technical disaster!
October 20, 2021 at 12:41
Mine was a stupid Gmail issue. I deleted the “important” folder as I was sick of seeing this on my screen and it appeared to have unimportant, randomly picked (by Google) emails in it. Little did I know that those 30,000 emails of “importance” would also get deleted from their respective “folders” or “tags,” like “family,” “friends,” and “book project!” Crazy stuff. I’m seriously considering changing email providers. It would be a pain to change my primary email address after so many years, but I do have principles and Gmail messed up a lot these last few days, as some of my really important stuff has disappeared forever, when trying to fix this issue…
October 22, 2021 at 09:24
Gmail is as bad as Windows. IT decides where things go and has been disruptive with quite a few people’s email. I’m sorry this happened to you 🙁 xx
October 22, 2021 at 20:11
Mark has been trying to convince me for years to not use Gmail anymore. We have a few domain names that we pay for and we can create as many email addresses as we want with those. But, to change my primary email address after twenty years or more seems a bit complicated and annoying. Although, we have our principles and the only way to show our displeasure and not be hypocrites, is by not using the service anymore that annoys us and caused us so much grief… I’m thinking it over.
October 13, 2021 at 15:22
What a great update. I’m going to watch/listen to your podcast now.
October 16, 2021 at 17:12
Hi Kirstin! I’m glad you enjoyed reading my update. Hopefully, there’s a take-away (or two) from the podcast. 🙂
October 15, 2021 at 13:13
It’s so nice to see that you are back on the road and taking your time exploring, Liesbet. You still have managed to do huge amount of book promotion! It’s hard to see sales slow down especially after so much work and dedication. I’ll have to come back on a mobile to check out our podcast. Safe travels!
October 16, 2021 at 17:35
Thanks for the travel wishes, Terri! Yeah, promotion is pretty much done right now. As it is, I can’t keep up with my blogs, social media, or diaries. Busy on a different level. But it’s good to have our life back. 🙂