This morning was a dead day at work, so I planned to spend my downtime writing. I did, too; while I didn’t get a ton of words added to my work in progress, I DID get caught up with it, now just to take it to the next level. Couldn’t cut a deal for the cover photo, sadly, but at least now I know what I’m looking for.
I struggled to hit 70K with the first edition of Color of Fate, but I’m well over 90K now and still editing for re-release. I’m debating a different title in the second edition, because while the basic story is the same, I’ve made a hella lot of changes. The places have names now. There’s more dialogue. There’s a map in the front of the book, corresponding to the place names. And so on and so on.
There’s a learning curve with going from rank amateur to semi-pro to pro in terms of authorship. I hope I lean further to the latter now than the former. I cringe at the first release I ever had.
I did a photo run this weekend, doing mostly urban shots this time. The location is downtown Chandler, AZ. I’m starting to play a little more with the settings now, though still mostly do auto.
Of course you’re leaning more towards “Pro” category. Your stuff is brilliant! Don’t ever doubt yourself babe. I know it’s common to downplay one’s abilities, but there comes a point where you have to recognize the obvious: you’re a goddess 🙂
Good to see you’re exploring more features of your Nikon. Learning the various manual modes (A, S, M, and even P) will give you much more creative control over your shots. I’m very proud of you (*he said, as if he were a Master Photographer himself and not some relative neophyte who is too full of hubris for the amount he actually knows*).
Speaking of hubris, I do have one or two pieces of advice after having looked at the photos you posted here. Nothing major, just little tweaks I’ve learned from having owned the (almost) same camera as you for a while now, and from having watched so many “How To Be A Less Sucky Photographer” videos that my eyes started to bleed. Want me to shoot you an email?
This is in no way a veiled criticism of your talents, btw. Your pics are always very nice. But having discovered some nifty features and tricks that took my own pics instantly to another level, I’m eager to share with those I like 🙂
I’d love to hear any advice! That’s why I’m tearing through the books as fast as I am now. I managed to connect with some genuine pros who are gracious enough to share with us who aren’t so pro, lol. If you can offer something to up my game on the camera, I’m all over it, like Kermie on the keyboard above 😉
Bwhahaha! You’re in for it now, chickie! My ego demands that I now pen a 482 page response, most of which will be for the sole purpose of showing you how many impressive terms I know. You played right into my hand, sucker!
BWAHAHAHAAAAA…*cough*….AAAAAAAAAA!!!
Sorry, can’t scare me. I have kids. AND I’ve edited indie books for friends. And just downloaded a sci-fi ebook where the “spaceship” on the cover looks like a cross between a tampon insert and an adult toy, and the “planet” or “moon” I swear is a picture of a bath bomb. Add to that, the author used a smiley face as the period after the initial in his author name.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/888390
Just so you know it’s not an exaggeration.
I end up seeing this stuff because I’m a moderator on a group helping other authors with their covers.
That spaceship is obviously heading for Uranus 🙂
I’m still waiting for your list of photographic epiphanies, by the way 😉
Lol. Hold your horses, Princess. I was at work when I left those comments yesterday, so didn’t have time to pen an entire instruction manual. I had hoped to tackle it when I got home, but…married. You know how it is.
I’ll try (hard) to get to it today. Maybe even during my shift this morning, if things simmer down a bit.
Oh I know, but I couldn’t resist ribbing you. Take your time. You don’t owe this to me, silly.
Are you kidding? Do you know HOW FREAKIN’ MUCH I’m obligated to you? How unbalanced this balance sheet if favors is? Ever since the days of Orbital Acorn you’ve done nothing but do things for me, while I….well ok, I provide you with a constant stream of sexual fantasies. But other than that, I owe you big time for all the efforts you’ve put forth on my behalf. Tossing together a brief photography self-help book is the least I could do.
Oh yeah – that header gif makes you look exactly like Kermit the Frog. You’re aging better than I expected!
😉
I enjoyed the photos. Glad you had time to catch up on some of your writing.
Thanks, Terri. I’m glad I caught up too. I’m trying to outline where I want to take it next. I originally had a bunch more written and wanted to take them to XYZ, but thinking now I want to keep the vast majority of things on the island, or at least in Europe.