[Writer Post] Welcome 2014

I know it’s late in the day, but it’s still Wednesday, so it still counts.

I’ve mentioned before that I don’t do “resolutions”, they’re set up to fail. I prefer to make goals. Though sometimes, like resolutions…they don’t quite make the mark.

The goals for 2014 are to write more and (preferably) better. I always strive to be published more – but that’s entirely out of my hands. Once I put a story out into the submission cycle, it’s up to someone else’s hands.
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One of the things I’m going to do to assist with the “better” part is to work through Jeff Vandermeer’s Wonderbook. I followed Jeff through the process of putting this book together on social media, and even just the introduction is amazing. And… he’s married to an amazing person, Ann Vandermeer. Ann’s an awesome editor, and I hope to have the opportunity to work with her as an editor and not at a convention some day very soon.

But Wonderbook is a compendium of insights from “Big Name Authors”, the Vandermeers’ workshops they do with young writers, and exercises – mixed with stunning illustrations by Jeremy Zerfoss to visual stimulation. Cat Rambo reminded me of it. My husband bought it for me for Christmas, and now, I might have to buy it for my mom for Mother’s Day.

Seriously, writers, if you’re looking for something “workshoppy” but don’t have the money to get to one – or a week(s)/time to GO – this is an economical solution. Though if you’re now eBook only, be careful with the Nook download. Apparently Nook eBooks sometimes only work on certain devices and platforms – and yet, there’s no mention of this on the website or receipt. I know this because I bought the download for my iPad Nook App, and it’s “not supported for this device”, and brick/mortar stores can do nothing about it. Whee… Not happy with Barnes and Noble – and that’s the only electronic version I found.

So I shall schlep the book when I want to work the book away from home. And as much as I have some issues with Amazon – this kind of thing doesn’t endear B&N to me either. So, that’s how I’m starting my new year, dealing with customer service, and looking forward to getting deeper into the creative process.