I want to apologise to my wonderful and loyal readers for my absence. It wasn’t by choice, rather circumstances have intervened and as a result, I haven’t been posting as often as I’d like. I will continue the series on the Minoans, as they are fascinating and are the premise for the trilogy I am writing, but first I want to fill you as to what has been happening.
http://thisisagoodsign.com/change/
I have returned to full-time teaching due to financial demands. When I decided to resign from teaching there were compelling reasons. One, I was burnt out and two, I had stories to write and working full-time didn’t allow me to follow my writing aspirations. I know there are people who can balance work, home/family life and write. I’m not one of those people.
On the weekends I try to get on social media [failed] and edit my second book in the Servant of the Gods series [have finished first round and now on the second stint, though lagging behind schedule] and started writing the second book in a novella series. In between, I’ve been querying agents for my novella. The good news I’ve had a number of agents reply but have declined to ask for the full manuscript. The query letter has piqued their interest at least. I was told by one agent that agents in general weren’t interested in novellas and prefer full length novels. That did deter me for a while and then I thought, perhaps I may strike the right agent who will want to read the story.
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/v/viktorefr121087.html
I am also disenchanted with the whole writing scene, not so the writing process, rather it’s the marketing and sale of books. It has become a chore, the unpleasant side of writing. I know it’s part of the package of going Indie and I have learnt a lot, for which I am grateful. My motivation level is low, well zero, which is not me.
So I have decided to take time out. My social networking has also declined and I’m not missing it. The exception is the wonderful people who’ve I made friends with. I miss interacting and chatting with them. But for the time being, I need to take a break. I will complete the series on the Minoans and continue to edit and write, when I can. I need to step back and recharge and hopefully be rejuvenated to re-join the online community.
This is not goodbye, as I’ve stated, but a hiatus with intermittent blog posts so that you know I am still around.
Thank you for your continued support and as always, I look forward to your comments and will respond.
Historical fiction novelist and a secondary teacher, Luciana Cavallaro, burnt out but not done… yet. Subscribe and receive her free short story at http://eepurl.com/bhESs1
You can also check out her books
Amazon UK | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Createspace | Kobo | Smashwords
Luciana Cavallaro 
Hi Luciana,
I wish you the very best in your writing and that you find the inspiration to continue. I thoroughly enjoyed in Search of the Golden Serpent and look forward to the 2nd book in the series. Hang in there, my friend.
Best regards,
Linnea
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Linnea,
Thank you very much for all your support over the years, my dear friend. Some days I feel like throwing in the towel, but a stubborn part of me says to keep at it. Time will tell. I will let you know when the edits for book 2 are complete.
Best wishes,
Luciana
LikeLiked by 2 people
I absolutely agree about the present writing scene. I was fortunate to have five novels published under the “old fashioned” system, whereby the publisher does the selling of the work and the writer writes. Then everything changed. It all went digital. The large publishing company I was with was swallowed up by its International Big Brother to save marketing costs. And although I was taken up by a very enthusiastic agent, it seems that any publisher expects their writers to do all the publicity work. Selling is no longer about promoting literature or the quality of the work It’s simply a matter of putting their company name on the cover and letting the book float where it may. The writer spends half their time seeing how many likes they can get on Facebook.
I decided that this is not how I want to spend my life, so I shut up shop and walked away. I still write but for my own satisfaction. My own integrity is worth more than book sales.
I would urge you to take a big breath, take time out to think this through. This is your life. Enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Sally,
That is a big move and decision you have made. It sounds as if you are much happier as well. Well done to you for the major shift in your writing career. A brave thing to do too.
I realise we authors must market and publicise our books but when you are “shoving” books down people’s throats, its takes away from the pleasure of writing. That is what I have found anyway and like you, the quality of the book is far more important than selling.
I had spent money on Facebook ads and found not wanting and expensive. Social networking is expensive in time too. I’d rather spend it writing. I guess I’ve become rather jaded over the years.
I will do as you have suggested and take time to think it through. I love writing and like to share my work with readers. I just need to revise my strategy.
Thank you so much for the inspiring comment.
Best wishes,
Luciana
LikeLike
Good Luck…I can certainly relate to all you have said. I wish you well with your writing and have enjoyed reading your posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, James 😀
A bit of time out is what I need. Lots happening at the present and that needs to take precedence.
Thank you for your continued support.
All the best.
LikeLike
Fatigue with marketing titles is just one of those pinpricks, Luc. Do not let it dishearten you and instead keep the focus on your writing, where the completion of each draft is a reward in itself. The same goes with teaching in which I am also involved as of now. I am sure you will find immense joy and fulfilment in both, temporary frustrations in certain tasks notwithstanding. Best wishes….xx.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fatigue and lack of results certainly play a big part. I love writing and will continue to do so, but I won’t add pressure as to meeting deadlines, a publishing schedule, marketing or social networking. These factors were not conducive to creative productivity and it’s time to step back and reassess. Thank you for the wonderful, Raj xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Go ahead, daughter of Apollo…we can wait for your words
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 😀 That is very sweet.
LikeLike
I’ve burnt out and had to make changes. It’s really an impossible mandate to do everything that everyone says you should.
It’s good that you’re giving yourself permission to only do what you can.
It’s hard to reply intelligently to the writing scene stuff–I’ve published little so far, and only anthologies in trade. I hope you find a groove that works for you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cathleen.
I’ve made a few changes in my life and I was hoping this path was the right one. I guess I need to be more patient, with myself and this industry!!
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bella,
Although I do not have the demands of a job, I can relate. Sometimes life gets in the way of dreams. All you can do is try and embrace life’s ebb and flow and trust that where you are is where you are meant to be at this time in your life.
xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ciao Bella,
The ebb and flow is certainly hitting hard at present. It makes it hard to believe in what you are doing when things seem intent to go against you. I guess when things start to happen, one appreciates it more.
Thank you always for your words of wisdom.
xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
This industry is difficult, that is for sure. Marketing and selling is something Indie authors now have to take on and it can be a huge undertaking… I understand about feeling a lack of motivation to write… I just wrote a poem today after weeks of not writing one, though, so I know it can return… Hugs and I hope you recharge your batteries and return to us soon with more of your wonderful writing (but take your time, no pressure, my friend). xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Huge, yes and disheartening when you don’t see the results and effort one puts in.
Economics has a way of putting things into perspective, especially when the bank account is rather lean.
I’ll be around but not as often.
Thank you for the lovely thoughts and words, Christy. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I shall miss your fascinating posts. I love writing but marketing is just not me and I have resigned myself to not selling my book ‘Beyond the Black Rocks’. I wish you all the best. Congratulate yourself on recognising the problem before it attacked you!
Bella
LikeLike
Thank you, Bella for your kind words.
Like you, I love writing but the business side of it has left a bitter taste. I will keep at it but not going to invest so much of my time. No good flogging a dead horse, as they say.
I wish all the very best in your writing endeavours.
Luciana
LikeLike