Follow Rachel Barnard

Friday, November 29, 2013

NaNo November: Author Do List


Of Ducks and Writing


My to do list as an author

1. Develop my web presence (get known before the book deal)

1. Web presence/platform - blog, facebook, website (update blog 3x/week and read others’ blogs and comment)
2. Send my children's picture book off to publishers
3. Beauty and the Beast - edit this young adult manuscript per beta readers comments and create a professional cover
4. Ataxia - redesign cover and make internal edits, market, market, market
5. Get involved (Goodreads, Smashwords, Facebook groups) - connect with both the audience and other writers through communities
6. Finish the Day the Computer Stood Still Manuscript First Draft.
7. Write write write


What is on your to do list as an author?

Monday, November 25, 2013

NaNo November: Meet the Authors of FreeValley Publishing

Of Ducks and Writing



Don't forget tomorrow 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. to come meet and greet the authors of FreeValley Publishing at the North Bend Library. Hear about what inspires them to write, advice they give to any aspiring writers, and what it takes to be an author! Yours truly will be a part of the event so come say hello, hear about our wonderful journeys as authors, and purchase some of the truly amazing novels/works we have published.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

NaNo November: Last Week Push


Of Ducks and Writing
word count: 43,971

My goal is 50k by Tuesday.... Can I do it? I meant to get some more writing done this weekend but was having a hard time getting into the story even though I'm on the best part! The build up to the end! Where are you at in your nanonovel?


Friday, November 15, 2013

NaNo November: How Familiar are you with Speculative Fiction?

Of Ducks and Writing

Word count: 26,909

Here is a surveymonkey about what types of speculative fiction you consume... Fill out your response and see what other people have chosen.... If you're thinking about what book to write next this could give you an idea of how big your potential audience is or might introduce you to genres you've never heard of.


https://www.surveymonkey.com/s_thankyou.aspx?sm=0UvHfNiNiazkIxgh6zaOliLVnA7tqhOmf%2fbXBusW3Zw%3d

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

NaNo November: What Might Your Book Cost?

Of Ducks and Writing

Word count: 22,000



How's that Nano novel coming along? Here is a fun resource to calculate the cost of your book should you decide to self-publish. It also gets you thinking about the marketing/selling part of writing a novel. Will you decide to use Lulu or Createspace or another publishing conglomerate? What size book do you want? And so on....

calculate book publishing costs from Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/calculators/bookCalc.php?cid=publish_book

Saturday, November 9, 2013

NaNo November: 50k in a Day Challenge?


Of Ducks and Writing
Word count for The Day the Computer Stood Still: 15,554


Are you worthy?
Are you dedicated?
Are you crazy?
Are you competitive?
Are you lazy?

Ever heard about the 50k in a day challenge? It is just what it says, write the whole book in a day! Or just 50k in a day and then keep writing for the rest of the month. I know there are people crazy enough out there to do it, are you one of them?

Thursday, November 7, 2013

NaNo November: What is Your Book's Reading Level (Reliability Analysis)

Of Ducks and Writing


I have heard that these programs aren't very reliable (ironic!) but here is one where you can test the reading level of your book/chapter/writing. It bases the level off of several factors, which at first are a bit of a slog to comprehend but at least this will provide one analysis, which may give you at least an approximation of where you are at. This is more important for a book geared toward younger readers (publishers want to know this type of information!) and it could help you in making sure your picture book or young reader is reading level appropriate for you target audience. (Keep in mind it may not be completely accurate though)


reliability analysis- program to find reading level of your book: http://www.readabilityformulas.com/free-readability-formula-tests.php

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

NaNo November: History of Nanowrimo - origin of the 50k

Of Ducks and Writing
The Day the Computer Stood Still: 10,725


Want to know more about Nano? Check out the wiki page. How did they come up with the word count of 50k? Find out what happened the first year of nano:

http://www.wikiwrimo.org/wiki/National_Novel_Writing_Month

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

NaNo November: FreeValley Publishing Meet the Authors Event - Save the Date!

Of Ducks and Writing
Reblogged from Freevalley Publishing:

FreeValley Publishing authors will be hosted by SnoValley Writes! at an official King County Library System event as part of their NaNoWriMo programs on November 26th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the North Bend Library Meeting Room.

This will be a unique opportunity to hear each author speak about their writing and publishing journeys and to ask your questions and get first-hand answers in dialogue with Snoqualmie Valley local authors. Most of our authors created their published manuscripts during NaNoWriMo, so if you’re a Wrimo, come and be inspired! The event is free and open to everyone. It promises to be a lively evening, and we look forward to talking with you!

Monday, November 4, 2013

NaNo November: Day Four

Of Ducks and Writing

I got sidetracked finalizing edits on my other novel and creating business cards. I love business cards.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

NaNo November: Day Three

Of Ducks and Writing

I realize that my failure to flesh out details in my plot has resulted in my failure to get excited about my writing and my inability to write without starts and stops. What am I writing exactly? Someone needs to work on their outline.....

How's your nano going?

Saturday, November 2, 2013

NaNo November: Writing Buddy




Of Ducks and Writing
4519 words and counting!

I'm looking for a writing buddy for nano and beyond:

Recommended requirements include: 
1. Similar project and goals (fiction, young adult, fantasy, etc) and (finishing, editing, publication)
2. Must have motivation and accountability
3. Should be in a similar life stage
4. Preferability female

Friday, November 1, 2013

NaNo November: First Day of NaNo

Of Ducks and Writing

And so the first day of NaNo ends....

Word count?

3,977

How did you fare for day 1? Gotta catch up tomorrow or can you take a day off?