Today is May
12, 2012 and it’s a beautiful rainy day. It’s one of those days that I figured
that I needed to get up off of my butt and do some of the things that needed to
be done. Like clean up, wash the dishes, wash my sheets and towels, and stuff
like that. During that time many, many thoughts swirled around in my mind, so I
am going to write about one of them today, now.
Anyway,
after 50 years, I learned something and I am going to have to change my
attitude, mind and the way I do things from now on. What did I learn? That it
is harder to get people to help you out if you don’t pay them, and usually up
front. So, now I am going to have to learn how to do the things I need to get
my novels finished.
Now, I am
not mad at those folks for not coming through, I know that they, those I have
asked to help me, are very, very busy with their own lives and businesses. I
had contacted a few people to read my novel, well over a month ago and get back
with me and let me know if it’s a thumb up or thumb down. Nothing much, they
didn’t have to edit or anything else.
That was a
month ago, and still I wait. Now, my main supporter said he would look at the
big picture and do covers for my novel and I told him I would compensate him
later and he was good with that. He just happened to show a check he got for
doing some work for a client, about a grand, and that got me to thinking.
Anyway, as
for my cover, I can’t use the one he created because he used known celebrities
as the models. So, that would mean that I have to go and find models, a man and
woman to pose. I asked around and lo and behold, after a month and a half
nothing doing. So, I opted to just use the background as my cover, which is
just as good.
Another
thing that fries me, I have found out that even if you purchase picture from
photographers, you can’t use them if it involves making money with your
subject, such as a book. Meaning I have to pay the photographer a royalty and
the model a royalty. I had the perfect picture for my book of poems but had to
scrap it because I was told that I have to find a lawyer and work out some sort
of agreement. Time and money, which seem to slipping through my hand. So, I
just went with pictures of family, of course, with their consent. Now that I
think about it, I have always used picture that I have taken anyway. I guess I
am going to have to go out and purchase a newer and better digital SLR.
But, now
that I want to get things moving, things have stalled. So, I decided that I am
going to have to learn how to use Photo Shop, which I have had on my computer
for quite a number of years. I went to YouTube and found that there are
tutorials on how to make covers for novels. Well, that should save me a little
and I can learn at the same time.
I do have a
niece reading my novel and I would love for her to help me edit a few others,
also. But, she too is a busy young woman. I have told her I would compensate
her but she said no. But, I think I will start to pay her for her help on this
and any project that comes alone, but that may not work because she just got
accepted in a master’s program in creative writing poetry, go figure.
So, being
the starving writer that I am, I have to start saving some cash so that I can
get my work read and edited. I have a friend, well, someone I have known for
some time now, to edit my work and he, kind of, agreed to do it and I can pay
him later. Which is what, it would seem, I am going to have to do. He mentioned
that he had quit being an editor but, I don’t know if it was I or others who
convinced him to return to editing. But, I know it sure will help.
Then again
maybe I should learn how to edit my own writing. I know when I look at other’s writings
I can see what is what and can edit it, but doing my own is harder than putting
on a size 9 shoe with a size 12 foot. I
figure, practice makes perfect or practice, practice, practice! Not like that basketball
player who stated he hates to practice.
There are
so many things that I need to do and since I retired, and I haven’t done them.
That is going to change. I am tired of eating pb&j and tuna sandwiches. Not
like anything has changed since I was last working at a real job. I just like
pb&j sandwiches. But, I’m willing to work for food, but I better get to
stepping or I will be left behind.
And, of
course, make sure that my novels sell so I can pay, up front.
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