Rita Sawyer
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Sometimes You Have To Hurry Up And Wait

1/22/2016

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As a writer there are times when certain things are out of your control. When you finish a book it's a great feeling and you cant wait to get it into hand of readers. But finishing the book is just the first step, and you might not be able to (and probably shouldn't) do the rest by yourself. Editing, cover art, and formatting have to be done and if you can do some of it great. If not you need to wait for people to fit you into their schedules. 

While waiting for the edits and covers (this is where I'm at with the next book in my Heiresses In Aprons Series) you start getting you promo lists together, but you can't really book anything until you have firm release dates in place. So once you have everything back you can start formatting (and book those promo spots!). For some people this is something they can easily do.

The point I'm trying to make here is that just like a lot of jobs and things in life for writers there is a lot of hurry up and wait that goes on. When you're dying to get your hands on your favorite author's newest or coming soon books just remember they want you to have it too. But they also want you to have the best book they can write, which can take time.  
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When What You Planned On Writing Takes A Turn.

1/20/2016

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So I've definitely split the new series into two separate yet connected series. Kismet Falls Novellas will be one, and the Breaker's Landing Novels will be the other. 

The novellas are going to be local business owners, residents and visitors finding love within the towns borders. 

The Breaker's Landing Novels are going to feature a specific family and the business they own. Breaker's Landing has a small beach and docks where people come to swim, boat, and just enjoy the view. But just because it's an idyllic atmosphere does mean everything runs as smooth as the family makes it seem to everyone else.

Okay so why 2 series instead of 1? Well the Breaker's Landing crew has too many issues and family members to tell their stories in novellas. and I want these to be branded in a certain way. The Kismet Falls novellas are going to be for side characters that deserve (or wont stop bugging me) their own story. Hopefully between the two series there will be something for everyone to enj
oy.


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The End and Much More

1/11/2016

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 I'm happy to say that I have type the special word in my latest project. The End. For authors this can be a rush. It is for me. I spend a lot of time with my characters and it's a good feeling when I've finished telling their story. Hopefully my readers enjoy the stories and feeling something too. Whether its happiness, sadness, anger. Really any emotion is a good thing.

So what happens now. After I give it a thorough read through I'll pass the book off to an editor who will rip my baby apart and tell me how to make it even better. Waiting for it to come back to me isn't fun. I could spend the next few weeks going crazy wondering if she hates it or likes it. Even though I love my characters she make think my hero is a jerk. Yes that has happened and it was  a good thing, because at least she'll be felt something about him. And if since he redeems himself in the end and she changed her mind it was like striking gold.

I'm not going to just sit around and drive myself nuts while I'm waiting to hear back. After all typing the end doesn't mean all the work is done. First up is getting a cover designed. I usually have it done way before I'm done writing, but this time coming up with the right concept has been as easy. Thankfully the marketing plan for this book is about 70% in place. I'm working on my new series too. So I've got plenty to keep me distracted until I get the edits back. 
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Observations & Decisions

1/7/2016

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It's funny how those two things so often go hand in hand. A few days ago I mentioned I was taking a new class, Building A Marketable Series by Zoe York. I already write series, and am working on two that will be coming out this year. So why am I taking this class? Well I write series for lots of reasons, and I love reading them too. Taking the class was a chance to see how other authors look at writing series, and how they think readers look at series. Sometimes seeing things from another perspective can open your eyes to things you may have missed, or just were unaware of.

One thing that has come to light for me is that one of my new series is probably two series (Yes that means I have three on the board to start this year). So I may be breaking them apart even though they're in the same town with the the same characters. Reason one for this is some will be novellas and others with be novels. Reason two is that at least eight (or possibly 11) of the books are about one family. The novellas are about other members of the town. I've bounced this off one of my editors and she agreed. Actually she told me to go with my gut, which is screaming SPLIT THEM UP!, but whispering let readers know they're related somehow. 
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Coming up with a new series name for the spin-ff isn't as easy as you'd think. I want readers to know that the books are connected to a point. Some of the characters will definitely make appearances in the other series. So I don't want to veer to far away from the original series title. Book 1 of the novellas is written, edited, has a cover and is ready to go. Book 2, which would be book 1 of new series is well underway. I think I need to take a step back and take a deeper look before I make a final decision on what to do.

My other series for this year is a step away from my normal stuff. It's still in the development stage, but I've been thinking about it for a while and really like the premise. My character list is shaping up well, and things I'm looking forward to writing this series. 

Now here's where I say this is a four week class and we haven't even reached the end of week one. And as always for me as a writer none of this is set in stone during the planning phase. Once I release the first book of a series I'm locked in and then you'll hear me shouting it around the mighty interwebs (love when Richard Rawlings says it, but just sounds dorky coming from me).

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I Love To Learn

1/4/2016

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There is an old saying (or maybe it just old to me) that says you’re never too old to learn something new. I wholeheartedly agree. I love learning new stuff. As an author it also helps to keep up to date with all the ever changing landscape of the publishing world.

So jumping back a few months, at the beginning of November I took part in a course on planning your goals for 2016. I also took Mark Dawson’s Facebook ad course. I’m a visual person and seeing him go through setting them up step by step was fabulous. Then I spent the month of December writing and thinking.

I’m about to take a course on writing series that is being given by author Zoe York, who is also a member of Romance Divas. Divas is an online writing forum I belong to. Yes I already write series, but I like to hear other people’s ideas and see if there is anything that I can use to make my own writing and marketing of my series. I am really looking forward to this class.

Have you taken any classes?  

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No Resolutions!

1/1/2016

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No resolutions for me this year. This year I’ve decided to go in a different direction. I’ve made a list of goals that I’d like to reach by the end of the year. I’m not even going to tell you what they are, because they only matter to me.

Something that might matter to you if you like my books is that I’m starting 2 new series. I’m really looking forward to getting these books going. More to come about that later.
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So for those of you who are making resolutions I’m wishing you good luck. No not good but great luck. 

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    Author

    I'm a contemporary romance and romantic comedy author. My stories vary in heat levels from sweet to sizzling, but hopefully they all have a hint of humor. If you enjoy family and friend based series then you've found the right author.

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