Dear Santa, please bring me....

Elizabeth asked me what I'd like Father Christmas to bring me this year. Hmmmm ... in my head, I went through my checklist to see which I should choose:

1. A bigger house with at least 3 bedrooms
2. A ranking on the New York Times Bestseller List (well, which author doesn't want that?)
3. More relaxed time with my family where I'm not worried about ... anything
4. A beach holiday (we didn't really have one this year)
5. A housekeeper
6. A cook

Oh, the list goes on! But in the end, none of them will actually see me through 2014, and, without going into detail (which I know isn't fair - sorry), I suspect that 2014 might be one of the most difficult years of my life.

So, what I'd like for Christmas is peace of mind. I want to feel peace in my heart and peace in my thoughts, and I want to be able to radiate that out to those who need it. And I ain't been feelin' those chilled out vibes this year - this year has been all about the manic ways of life! So, Santa, dude, a little bit of peace will go a nice long way :) No need to wrap it - I'll take it as it comes.

Your good girl,

Dianna (ready to receive) xx

"Women Practices Yoga" by tiverylucky / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Best Outfit To Write In?

Dianna's question for me today: Best outfit to write in?

I'm almost ashamed to say that by day I actually work in fashion retail, because the moment I get in from work and shed that uniform, shake off all my sales skills in regards to what colour works best for whom, and my opinion on what tops work with what bottoms etc. I pull on a pair of jogging bottoms and a t-shirt - throw in a hoodie since we're in winter and it is rather cold at the moment.

Yes, I'm afraid to say that despite the fact I have customers coming to me for fashion advice, I'm not exactly trendy, or at least I'm not when I get home to work on my books.

I can't actually imagine any woman sitting at her computer dressed up to the nines in heels, perfect make-up and hair, and a cocktail dress. Don't get me wrong, each to their own, but I have to be comfortable. The last thing I want is to be irritated by tight clothing; to be cold, or to feel restricted. I'm going to be sitting in a not so comfortable chair for countless hours. I want to be comfortable. I want is to get lost in one of my stories. Something that is very difficult to achieve if I'm tugging at my top, or shifting about in my seat because my jeans are digging into me.

(If I was playing with my clothing in such a matter it would probably be more to do with the fact that I would need bigger sizes and better clothes, but these are just examples.)

Give me jogging bottoms and a t-shirt any day. I might not look hot, but I've written some of my sexiest scenes in such an outfit. ;-P

I Did It!

Last friday was an important day for me, because last Friday, November 8th was the re-release of my novella Razel Dazzle.

Although every release is important, because every book I write means something to me, last Friday was extra special because it was the release of my first self-published book. Now, I know that is going to sound a little silly to some people, because there are a lot of Indie authors out there; a lot of self-published books, but this was the first book that I had complete and utter control over; from hiring an editor, to ordering a cover, picking a release date, ordering tours etc. I was in charge and it felt . . . liberating.

When first started looking for publishers, well, I didn't have a lot of luck with my submissions. In fact I think I had about 60 rejections in total, which naturally, got me down. My aunt was actually the first person to ask me if people self-published and state that I should try it; publish my own books.

My answer, no way. I didn't have a clue about how to go about promoting a book let alone publishing one. No, there was too much I needed to learn. I needed to see how a publisher went about business, get my foot in the door.

I have been a published author for two and a half years and I've worked with a few publishers; some of the experiences weren't great, and after these last couple of years, well, I promised myself that if I ever got the rights back to some of my work, I would self-publish those titles, because after two years I now have a better idea of how this industry works and what I need to push my work. I am now at a point where I feel confident enough that I could be completely in control of the entire process of creating a book starting with the idea and the plotting all the way to formatting, and loading the finished manuscript.

And guess what, I did it. Or rather, I have done it. I have to admit I did worry that I would botch up. I worried that I would do everything wrong and then end up ripping all my hair out because I have no patience at all. But with the help of the lovely Dianna Hardy, and the help of the Smashwords Guide to Self-Publishing, well, it was actually rather straightforward. I didn't feel panicked and even better I didn't botch up. The things I did need to correct were minor, and the book released on time. So far so good.

Liberating. Yes, that is the only way I can describe being able to control the entire process of a book, and I actually think that being able to publish my own work might kick me. I felt very on edge when I was getting Razel Dazzle prepared for release. I had the itch. The need to sit down and get it done, and after a year of changing jobs and crappy personal problems, it felt so so so good to feel that way. To need to write, to work.

A couple of the self-pubbed authors have told me that publishing your own work is addictive, and once you start you wont want to stop. I have to admit it certainly is appealing, and right now as I write this my mind is already trying to work out when I can start work on re-editing my Werewolf erotic romance, She-Wolf. A book, a long with its sequel and any that follow which will also be self-published.

TWhat do you think, am I catching the self-pub fever? ;-P