And yet another cover...

Am I getting warmer? Actually, I am getting desperate.

Indie Writer Role Models

So, this new indie ebook publishing world has a slew of great authors. A few of them have stood out for me (and the general public) for their success. I wish I could just say this was for the pleasure of writing, but with little ones to support and my soul feeling all dingy teaching full-time, I want to follow in their particular footsteps.

There is the young star Amanda Hocking, who brought the possibility of e-publishing to the mainstream media's attention.
Read more about it here: Authors Catch Fire with Self-Published E-Books
Hocking is young and had a lot of time on her hands and no dependents so as much as I cheer and envy her success, it is hard to compare what she has accomplished to what I can accomplish with my particular situation.
When I look for writing role models, traditionally published or otherwise, I look for mothers, particularly working mothers with multiple noses to wipe. My favorite one so far is Darcie Chan, whose best-selling novel has generated much acclaim due to the merit of her story alone. She works during the day writing environmental legislation then writes really good fiction at night after bedtime. Chan makes for an excellent role model and is an inspiration to literary fiction writers who want to support themselves.

Of course, with Timeless, I am following Hocking more, writing for a cross-genre loving audience more than for myself. Yet once I am finished with Book One and Two (and hopefully experience a portion of the success Hocking has experienced), I will be afforded the time to slow down and be more careful with my writing. I hope to strike a balance of pleasing my readers and writing stories that I would want to read. It is the dream of most indie writers, I am sure, and having at least two good role models encourages me to continue. Who are your indie writing role models? How did you choose them?

Casting My Characters

I found with the other book that I am working on (known around these parts as the real book) storyboarding and casting worked wonders for helping the characters come alive. So let me introduce you to the cast of Timeless.

Here is Zoe. Thin, athletic, lovely, with a tendency towards being solemn and withdrawn. She has been through a lot in her many years but is resilient.


This is Rebecca, the sultry neighbor of Ruth and the old friend of Zoe. She is vibrant and full of life and premonitions. She is a key supporting character and brings a bit of humor to the table.


Here is Ruth, the other leading lady. She is timid and in love with a man who is no longer there, even if his body is the same. Her commitment to her vows has her trapped in an abusive relationship but she has more strength than she realizes.


This is Theron, or Ron as he goes by now. His new commitment to the Evolutionists has made him a controlling husband, uninterested in his wife except as a fixture in his life that cares for him. He is suffering psychological trauma from the war still but has turned it into fervor for the Evolutionists.

This is Cyrus, the love of Zoe's life. He disappeared without a trace forty years ago and she thought he was dead.


Here is Cyrus' son, Nick. Zoe and him are briefly involved.


This is Nick's mother, Ally.


It's funny to see them all together like this.