Mid-Year Review of my Focus Word GROW
August 12, 2024 by Denise M. Colby in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as Denise M Colby, focus word, Growth, writers lifeGROW is my focus word this year and I haven’t spent as much time with it as I’ve wanted to, so I figured it was time for me to do some reflecting on my word GROW from a writing perspective. Like a mid-year review of my focus word GROW.
I try to write in a journal once a month about my word. I use Bible verses and quotes as a starting point to dig deeper into that word. Here are some themes that are starting to sprout out (see what I did there – lol).
The word GROW can be synonymous with plants
When I typed in the word grow, several graphics and quotes had plants in them. What’s interesting is that in order for a plant to grow, you need patience, time, & continuous love and care. This is exactly what we as writers need in order for our books to be written.
We don’t grow without being watered. We need feul and we need rest. If we want to grow as writers, we need to think of ourselves as plants and take care of ourselves. This is something I’m still working on. And since this is a mid-year review, I know what I need to focus on for the rest of the year.
I love that his graphic has a butterfly on it. Each butterfly is unique and first starts out as a caterpillar. And I love this Bible verse:
Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge.
Hosea 10:12
Taking chances, making changes help you GROW
As writers we have a lot of decisions to make for our stories. What names to use, what ages, hair color, and so much more. Sometimes I feel stalled and I have to remember to just try something and move forward with it.
I’m in the thick of it right now as I work on book two. So many little decisions about our characters personalities that add flavor to our stories. I want to be better in this area of decision-making so that I can move on with writing additional stories.
The same came be said with putting ourselves out there with social media or podcasts. Post something a little more personal so your readers can relate. Figure out how to connect with them. After the launch of my debut novel this year, When Plans Go Awry, I have learned and found additional things to talk about and share with my readers.
Synonyms for GROW include evolve, develop, produce
This is what we do in our stories. They evolve, we develop them, and produce them. So we are manuscripts are growing all the time. It may not feel like it, but every 100 words we write is advancing our story. Stretch yourself to keep moving forward.
Because I’ve now published a book, I now know what’s expected after you write ‘the end’. I’ve learned how to edit more with my original writing and I know how I want to story to be. When I first started, I didn’t know any of these things.
I also am learning how to think like a published author. Building my author brand, interacting with readers, paying attention to websites such as BookBub and my author Amazon page that you can’t do when you are not published.
I have been talking about my focus word every year now for several years. I’ve been slowly building pages on my website to highlight the quotes, verses, and learnings about each word (and I have more to do), so if you decide to choose that word, you have a reference point. Check out my GROW page on my website.
I’ve also done something new this year. I created a sticker that I can hand out or sell at reader events for my word GROW. I love how this came out. I hope to make more of these from past words soon. I’d love to know what you think of this.
So I guess I could say I have grown a lot this year already, which is a great so far this year. Here’s to five more months to continue to Focus on my word GROW.
Check out my post from the January 2024, when I first began with the word GROW.
0 1 Read moreA Month of Happily Ever After
July 12, 2024 by Denise M. Colby in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as debut novel, Denise M. Colby, romanceWriting a romance is all about the happy ever after. As a reader, I love the “ah” at the end when the two characters are finally together. Where they learned something new about themselves, opened their heart, and found the one that completes them.
That said, a happily ever after at the end of our novels doesn’t necessarily mean the hero and heroine get married at the end of the book. They could be newly engaged. The couple could decide they are now in a committed relationship. Or they could say I love you for the first time. There are so many options, that it really is the character journey that determines what fits best for our endings.
Personally this past month has been filled with happily ever afters. One fiction, one real life.
The Fiction Happily Every After
The first one was my debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, released in early June. Luke and Olivia’s story is not so much a will they/won’t they (although they didn’t know they would, we did). But the how were they going to figure it out and end up together.
I won’t give away what happens to them at the end, but it’s been so well received and I have found it so much fun to talk with readers about the characters and the town of Washton, like they were real people. Having these discussions has made me feel the happily ever after my characters feel, and that has been so motivating for me as a writer.
Here are several review statements. Also last month I shared information about the launch activities and launch party held in my honor.
The Real Happily Every After
The second example and the real life one, is that my middle son found his happily ever after and married his sweetheart the last weekend of June. A beautiful ceremony, beautiful couple, and a wonderful day filled with love, laughter, family, and friends. With lots of planning before hand, everything came together perfectly.
And I now have a daughter in the family. It’s been so fun to have a front row seat watching them grow and bond as a couple and plan their future life together.
The Magic of Cinderella
As a little girl the story of Cinderella was my favorite. She has a fairy Godmother, she finds her prince (or the prince finds her), and they all live happily ever after. I now know that life is not as simple as that and that those endings are a moment in time where the couple is happy together. But they are still my favorite stories to read.
A story has to end somewhere, why not have it end happy. We all want that hope, love, and joyful feeling when we realize we are in a committed relationship and someone loves us just as much as we love them.
There’s something about escaping in a story where the ending is just that. And that is what I love to read and love to write.
Here’s to many more stories of happily ever afters in our lives. Both fiction and real life.
2 2 Read moreMy Debut Novel, When Plans Go Awry, Released This Week
June 12, 2024 by Denise M. Colby in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as book launch, Debut Author, Denise M. Colby, new releaseMy very first book release happened last week (June 4, 2024). I have had so much fun launching my debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, into the world. From putting marketing plans in place to seeing them be implemented, I have enjoyed every single step. And learned a lot.
When Plans Go Awry, my book baby, is now available at Amazon in paperback, eBook, and on Kindle Unlimited. The paperback is also available on Barnes and Noble’s website. Already great reviews have been posted. I’m just so thankful for the positive response so far. It can be quite a nerve-racking experience releasing a debut novel.
Other Debut Novel Excitement
I’ve been busy creating author and book accounts at Amazon, Fictionfinder, GoodReads, and BookBub, so if you are on any of these, please follow me! And if you haven’t yet signed up for my newsletter, please do so to stay informed of future book events and books.
I’ve created a logo, with the help of my son, who drew the schoolhouse.
And a variation with my tagline.
And a graphic of my rooster character, Bert, drawn by my son!
Almost every reader has shared that they love Bert. I love that he makes people laugh out loud with his antics and I’m happy he’s been so well received.
And my son’s drawings have now been made into buttons and stickers.
It’s been great to have some fun with this character for my debut novel.
Other Firsts
I’ve had my first author blog interview, and my first author podcast interview, and my first book blog tour that just finished on June 10. And I’ve received my first red rose from the OCRW writers group.
For those that have been around a long time, you know that OCC gives out different color roses for published work. Twelve years ago I watched others receive a red rose for a traditionally published novel and I set a goal for myself. Here I am twelve years later receiving my first red rose! Finally!
Debut Book Launch and Signing Party
I’ve also had my first book signing party. This past weekend my friends threw me a debut novel book launch and signing party at my home. It was so much fun to celebrate the release with friends and family and several of my launch team members. I’m so thankful I stuck with it over the past twelve years (which in itself was something to celebrate). And now my house smells like a flower shop this week!
Here are some pictures from the event
I’m just so grateful Luke and Olivia’s story can be read and enjoyed by everyone. Happy Book Launch, Happy Release Day, Happy Debut Novel Launch, and Happy Book Birthday to When Plans Go Awry.
Thank you to this writing community for your support. If you are interested in reading When Plans Go Awry, I hope it makes you laugh as well. And if you feel led to leave a review after reading it, that would be so appreciated.
Blessings, Denise
Denise’s most recent posts are related to her book launch and include details about the events leading up to her book launch and a debut author checklist she created.
0 0 Read moreMy Debut Novel When Plans Go Awry Releases June 4, 2024
May 12, 2024 by Denise M. Colby in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as Debut Author, debut novel, Denise M. Colby, new release, When Plans Go AwryThe time is finally here! I’m so excited to announce my debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, launches on Tuesday June 4, 2024. I have a pre-order link on Amazon for the digital version. If you are interested in an actual book, Amazon does not allow pre-orders (which I find absolutely frustrating). Anyway, you’ll be able to snag it for the special pre-order price of $3.99, if you order now. Click on the book cover to take a peek.
Debut Novel and Author Things
As I mentioned in my Debut Author Book Launch Checklist post, I’m learning all the variety of things needed to launch oneself as a debut author (and for a any new book debut). I’ve been busy creating author and book accounts at Amazon, Fictionfinder and GoodReads, building a new logo, and getting everything ready for my launch team.
For my logo’s, I wanted to focus on the one-room schoolhouse theme, since that’s the setting for my books. I seem to use this word a lot, but it’s so true. Excited for how these came out.
I have loved partnering with my family to launch my debut novel. My son, Kyle, drew the one-room schoolhouse. He also drew the map I included in my book. My husband drew the journal shown at the beginning of each chapter.
For so long I was building my platform without a book to promote. I’m finding it so fun to finally have a book cover to include in all my author accounts. Here’s my new Facebook author cover.
Also for my debut novel, I’m partnering with Silver Dagger Book Tours and she created this lovely blog banner from my book cover. If anyone runs a book blog and is interested, I’ve included the link here where she is taking signups still to participate.
Launch team for When Plans Go Awry
My launch team fun for my debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, begins this next week. I’m so looking forward to this. It’s not too late to join us. Click on this link to signup. When Plans Go Awry Launch Team Application.
Thank you
I just want to say thank you to all my author friends for their support. I have been on this unpublished journey for over twelve years. If not for my writer friends, I wouldn’t have stuck it out and made it to see the day I could say I have a debut novel!
Yippee!
2 0 Read moreDebut Author Book Launch Checklist
April 12, 2024 by Denise M. Colby in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as book launch, Debut Author, debut novel, Marketing for AuthorsAs a new debut author, it’s amazing how once you get the green light to publish, there are so many little details for an author to complete. And quickly. I’m in the process of building a debut author checklist to help me keep track of everything. One is specific to book launch, while the other is for a debut author overall.
I’m sure there are lots of helpful lists out there. I’ve seen many posts and emails related to this over the years. I’ve even taken lots of notes during workshops. But it’s sooo different when you are finally in that moment yourself.
So I’m compiling my own list and would love to have input from all the other authors who are part of this blog. Please share lists you use or your own ideas in the comments below. And keep reading to see if I’m missing anything.
Book Launch Checklist
Your book is being published, and you have a date. Now what? Here’s what I have experienced so far with my first book, When Plans Go Awry, launching June 4, 2024.
- Cover design
- Announce cover reveal in newsletter and social media
- Sign up for some blog interviews close to book launch date
- Back cover copy
- Send file out to authors to write endorsements
- Final edits
- Final inside matter – map, dedication page, acknowledgements, author’s note, endorsements, author bio
- At the end of the book include a link to sign up for newsletter
- Teaser for next book
- Galley Proof
- Update facebook header with new book cover
- Book page on your website
- Book page on your publisher website
- Book page on GoodReads (and link to author page)
- Pull quotes from book to create graphics
Are there other things you do with each book? Since I work full time and my son is getting married the same month my book launches, my husband and I agreed a book launch manager would be beneficial for my first book since I wanted to do an official launch team. Additional tasks for this include:
- Recruit people to be a part of book launch team (with google form for signups)
- Identify giveaways for book launch members (see my rooster below)
- Create content for book launch members to use
- Create special content for members
Debut Author Checklist
I’ve been working on this journey a long time and even though I’ve established my website and social media, I’m finding my debut author checklist is long for all the things I still want to do. Of course working on Book 2 is on the list, but there are other things that need to happen so I can maximize this first book launch.
- Create an author GoodReads page (this is a bit of a process without an ISBN number, but it is possible. I was able to get this built and link my book page together) Need to have this account use the email that you use for your website
- Newsletter set up – build newsletter list
- Update website pages where needed (make sure all references to previous book titles or content have been updated)
- Create a new updated logo (my son is designing one for me)
- Create Amazon Author page
- Booksweeps account
- Bookbub account
- Fictionfinder account
- Take new head shots
- Post a lot on social media to generate buzz and gain momentum
Again, I’m sure there’s things I’m missing and I would love to learn what others have done or wish they would’ve done in the very beginning. Let’s hear it! Post in the comments below.
All-in-all, I’m enjoying this new stage of my writing journey, even though it’s all new for me and feels a bit never-ending. This year I chose the word grow as my focus word. As you can see from the list above, I am growing in lots of knowledge on how to be a debut author and manage a book launch.
If you are interested in joining my book launch team, I’d love to have you. Sign up on my book launch team google form. And have a chance to win the stuffed rooster.
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