83,400 Word Manuscript Complete - The Easy Part Is Done

Yesterday evening I completed the first draft manuscript for the second book in my Melrose series. It weighed in at 83,400 words - a real labor of love. And now I only have the difficult part of the job left to do.

I guess most people who write 80,000 words would think the hardest part is complete, but that's really not so. Before the manuscript can become a published book it will have to go through the following process:

• Let it 'cook' - leave it and forget it for a month
• Perform the first 'sanity' edit on the book
• Send it out to some pre-readers for their feedback
• Perform the second 'feedback' edit
• Send it out to early reviewers
• Perform final editing and proof-reading
• Design book cover
• Design promotional materials
• Convert book to an ebook and re-proof
• Convert book to a paperback and re-proof
• Arrange publicity, press release, co-ordinate reviews and organize book launch
• LAUNCH BOOK

Phew! Like I said, the easy part was actually writing the book...

Okay, now it's back to the grind. Time to have a little celebration and take a deep breath before I get on with my next task. There's never a dull moment in the life of an Indie Author.

Supporting Authors One Read At A Time - March 2012

No Time for Blogging, Twitter and Facebook

As most of you know by now, I am a big social media junkie! I tweet non-stop, post things to my Facebook page, and write quite a lot of blog posts...

But during the next few days things are going to change (at least temporarily). I want to apologize in advance. So, why is everything changing? Well, I've got to that crucial part of my latest novel, the final 25%, where it becomes a non-stop race to get it all down on paper before I explode. Certain other activities have to stop. What with the full-time day job, the moving plans and the novel writing, I'm afraid I've run out of hours in the day.

Apologies, apologies, apologies! There we go, I've said it. In the meantime, enjoy previous posts on my blog, check out my official author website, PaulDorset.com, and maybe buy a book or two of mine from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, or the Apple Store.

I look forward to seeing you all again in about a week's time. I am relishing the thought of having another completed manuscript by then...

A Healthy Body Makes For A Better Author

I know it seems like an odd title for a blog post, but what the heck? I like to push envelopes.

By the way, how healthy is your body? Yes, right now. Oh, and by the way, how is your writing coming along? Of course the two things aren’t related, are they? Because if they were then successful books would only be written by fit and healthy individuals. And nowadays anyone can write a book. Even people wracked with guilt, stress, disease, and anything else. But can they? Can you write a masterpiece if you are not fit and healthy?

Recently I’ve been asking myself this question. First of all I thought back to those movies where the struggling artist perseveres. Then I thought about those authors, like J.K. Rowling, who rose from difficult times to success. And finally I thought about writers of old like Shakespeare and Mark Twain. They both had pretty tough lives.

But you know what, there’s a difference here. These people may have had tough lives but they weren’t suffering in body. They were fairly healthy people (at least for most of their writing lives).

Earlier this year I decided I wanted to do something about my body and rethink what I put into it. I wanted to become a healthier individual. I wasn’t really ill or anything and I was only a little overweight, but I hated all those little things. I hated that I snored. I hated that I had to take pills for high blood pressure. You know the sort of thing - those little things we begin to take for granted as part of everyday living? So I researched body health, watched several documentaries, read lots of papers and I decided I would give up meat and try and eat a plant-based diet, with as much of it raw if possible. I started with a seven day juice detox and went from there. That was nearly two months ago now.

What did I learn? I learned that my body had a lot of crap inside it. I learned that I could easily lose a few pounds. I learned that I could stop my snoring and lower my blood pressure. And most importantly I found that I could write with clarity and with an approach that I had never experienced before. Suddenly my writing was as alive as I felt inside. It was like years of cobwebs had been brushed away.

Of course the proof of the writing is in the audience reaction, but so far it’s been good. Very good! So, you know what? I’m going to keep my healthier body. I like being a better author. It feels good. Writer’s block is a thing of the past and ideas flood my mind on a daily basis. The words just flow.

So, I thought I’d end this piece on a little practical example. I usually write at between 1,200 and 1,500 words an hour when I’m in full swing, but recently I’ve been writing at about 1,800 words an hour. That’s 30 words a minute. I didn’t know I could even type that fast while thinking! And put another way, that’s an increase in productivity of between 20% and 50%. Not too shabby a reward for looking after myself.

Does a healthy body make a better author? I challenge you to find out!

Project Management for Dummies

Of course I'm not suggesting you are a dummy of any sort whatsoever. But what I am pushing today is my consistent selling project management book, The 10 Hour Project Manager.

I am always amazed at how this book continues to help the masses. I originally wrote the book to try and dispel some of the myths surrounding project management and to help project managers squeeze a bit more time out of their already busy days. And if I can do it, anyone can!

The 10 Hour Project Manager comes from first-hand experience working in the business for over fifteen years! It's a guide to what to track and what you can safely ignore. It's a... Why don't I just list out the chapter headings?

1. Concepts / A brief introduction to Project Management
2. Who's Who? - Know the project players
3. Risks Management - Ignore this at your own peril
4. Chess Playing - You don't get to be the king or the queen
5. Project Lifecycle - From dawn 'til dusk
6. Communications & Reporting - Too little or too much?
7. How to become an accomplished PM - Taking control of the ingredients
8. Tips & Tricks - You have to have a tips & tricks chapter!
9. In Conclusion
10. Real life examples

And as one of the reviewers writes:

"If you are looking to do a great job as a PM and still have a life, get this book. It is written by a very practical project manager for individuals who would like to be more effective and practical in their role as PM. How do I know this? I worked with him for several years on long term international projects with large multinational team. This book accurately reflects what he preached and practiced on the projects and hence my recommendation. I did not decide to write this recommendation as a favor to the author but as a favor to individuals, who can use a really practical guide to managing project and have a life. This author with his approach made it possible for all the team members to have a real work-life balance even on the road. Under him, our team excelled in every area imaginable on a project. I am glad that he decided to put his thoughts into writing so others can benefit from his approach. This would also be a great book for someone starting out as a Project Manager, as well."

So head on over to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords or the Apple Bookstore and pick up a copy today (It's only $5.99). And if you're looking for a deal on the paperback version, click HERE (you'll save yourself nearly $2).

Unicorns - An Update on my Writing

It's been a hectic couple of weeks, as I've busily churned out the words to my upcoming book, Unicorns. Unicorns will be Part Two in the Melrose series. It follows on from New Blood, which was launched last November.

So, how am I doing? Well, I'm currently about 50,000 words in. It's a bit of a scramble to try and finish the draft by the end of the month. Only another 30,000 or so words to write!

Why the rush? Well, there's a number of reasons. Firstly, I'm moving house at the end of March. We're leaving Redmond, WA after more than 6 years and headed off to Anacortes, WA. So, there's lots of packing and other organizing to do throughout the month of March.

Secondly, it's time to finish re-editing the first two books in my Southern Lands series, Xannu - The Prophecy and Xannu - The Healing. That's because I want to re-launch the paperbacks in the summer, along with the new third book in the series, Xannu - The Portal.

It's going to be a busy few months! Especially as I have to somehow fit in the launch of Unicorns before the summer is upon us all. Wow!! I still have to get a cover organized and then line up a few reviewers. I don't think there's going to be any peace for me this year.

And finally, as it's a Sunday today, and especially because February is Indie Month, I thought I'd remind you all of a couple of my books that are currently on offer over at Amazon.

Firstly, my A Paul Dorset Sampler is FREE! Yes, FREE! Now you can't get a better deal than that. So, Click THIS LINK HERE and download a copy (Or click the picture opposite).

Then, my novel Xannu - The Prophecy is currently available as a FREE download to Kindle Select members (as a library borrow), or it's available as a purchase at the bargain price of $0.99. Again, a great deal. Just click THIS LINK HERE (or click the picture opposite).

Have a great Sunday!

Review: Snug Harbor Resort - Friday Harbor, San Juans, WA

Last weekend my wife and I took a mini-vacation to Snug Harbor Resort, located on San Juan Island, near Seattle, in Washington State. We had four nights of wonderful peace and solitude. Here is my review of our stay:

The Resort: Snug Harbor resort is situated in a sheltered harbor and overlooks the other side of the harbor. Views from the property include the marina and houses scattered on the opposite shoreline. The resort has a small store which was scantily stocked (but probably due to the fact that we visited in the winter), a fire pit, bbq areas, and some outdoor seating. There are also kayaks available and a pier to walk along. If you’re looking for peace and quiet and somewhere to unwind, you will not be disappointed.

The owners / managers worked with us to change our original reservations due to a snowstorm and greeted us cordially when we arrived. There was only one other couple staying in the resort when we were there, but I would believe even when full each guest would be treated as special!

The Accommodation: We stayed in the Tree House, which was set back a little from the other cabins and accessible via a separate roadway. The view makes it very special. You have a completely unobstructed view of the harbor and boating area. There is a small personal deck outside which in warmer weather would be great for watching the world go by. Inside, the Tree House had a bedroom, a small living area, a small kitchen and a separate bathroom. There were sufficient utensils and pots and pans etc. (but no kettle – only a coffee-maker) to do most things, but the fridge was a little small. We were glad we had also brought a couple of coolers with us. The bed was very comfortable and the bathroom large enough to be functional.

There were ample power sockets throughout and everything was well maintained. The TV had limited channels (just local) but that wasn’t an issue for us. The property boasted wifi but unfortunately the coverage was a little spotty and we needed to be patient to maintain connections. Cell phone coverage for AT&T was virtually non-existent. As I say, this is a place to get away from it all! One little oddity was that as it was so quiet at night you could hear all the creaks and groans of the property. The heating ‘bubbled and creaked’ and the water ‘gurgled and burped’. I’m not sure, but I think the Tree House may be directly above the water supply for the resort and there was certainly a little noticeable noise coming from it during the night!

The Good: Peace, tranquility, caring owners / managers, clean accommodations, views, you get the picture!

The Bad: Inconsistent wifi, cell coverage, limited TV, limited kitchen appliances, sparsely stocked store (but it was winter)

Overall: If you’re looking to escape from everyday life and make your own memories, you will love the peace and quiet that is Snug Harbor Resort. If however, you are a towny at heart and want all the mod cons, please book another property and leave Snug Harbor to those that appreciate it! Totally recommended.

Happy Birthday to an Overcrowded Mind

Yes, today is the one year anniversary of my blog! First of all a few statistics:

• This is the 319th post
• The blog has attracted over 250,000 page hits
• The blog has over 340 comments
• The blog has over 200 registered followers
• I have written over 150,000 words of blog material
• The blog has followed the launches of eight ebooks by Paul Dorset

All in all, that's not too shabby for a first year!

And I couldn't have done any of it without you, my readers. So a big THANK YOU to you all!!

As a gesture of my thanks, I would like you all to have the opportunity to read some of my writing for FREE. My ebook, A Paul Dorset Sampler, is FREE for you today on Amazon and Smashwords. So click the links and pick up a copy. In it you will find samples from three of my novels: Fergus Fedderfeeny's Food Factory; Xannu - The Prophecy; and New Blood. Enjoy!

Here's to the next year...