Since beginning Unwrapping Romance about eighteen months ago, I've been posting a minimum of three times a week with the occasional special posts scattered throughout. As much as I enjoy sharing my posts with you that often, it has been stressful to try to fit in some much needed writing time amidst the blog writing and keeping up with my review reading. I was recently told by a fellow aspiring author the following:
If I could write as well as you, I would invest my blogging time to working on this story instead. Or at least cut back to one post per week on the blog, lessen my review commitments, and kind of gradually remove myself from blogging so intensively. - Laurie Kozlowski
Thank you for that advice, Laurie - see I took it just fine. LOL!
I've also discovered something interesting about myself. As much as I love reading historical romance, I actually enjoy writing contemporary and semi-contemporary/paranormal romance best. Who would ever have thought that since I was literally dragged kicking and screaming back into reading contemporary romance.
Recently, I posted excerpts from two of my current works in progress on Avon Romance under a new and wonderful program where anyone - published or unpublished - can Share Your Book. I would love for each of you to check out my submissions there and then tell me whether or not I should follow Laurie's advice and cut back my days on the blog.
Now, I would not be abandoning the blog entirely, but I would be eliminating one day a week. This means that some weeks, such as this week, will only have a post on Monday and Wednesday - next week, I can already tell you that there will be a review on Monday and an interview with that book's author with a giveaway on Wacky Wednesday, but no post on Friday. Of course, there will be a special post on Saturday to announce the winner, but you can get an idea of where I want to go with the new schedule.
If, however, you read my excerpts and think I'm wasting my time writing fiction, then by all means, tell me and I'll continue the blog as is. You, my dear readers, are important to me and I want to share my thoughts, my love of romance, and hopefully someday, my own stories with you. Your thoughts on this matter are important to me. : )
So, here's what I am asking of you - please click on one or both of the following titles, KEEPING FAITH and THE HEART NEVER FORGETS, read the excerpts, and then come back to tell me:
YEA - drop a day on the blog and get busy writing
OR
NAY - keep Unwrapping Romance as is - 3 days a week min.
Also, since it is Wacky Wednesday, and it's only fair you get rewarded for your assistance in solving my dilemma, I'm giving away a $5 Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Kobo gift card to one lucky commenter so that you can add to your library.
Giveaway: A $5.oo Gift Card from your choice of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Kobo.
GIVEAWAY RULES:
***This Giveaway is OPEN TO EVERYONE, international included. (void where prohibited)
***For VALID ENTRY, commenter must leave a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS. Remember the Magic Formula for Entry:
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Thank you to all who visited!
***This Giveaway will run until 11:30PM EST, Friday, April 5, 2013 at which time one lucky valid entry will be chosen by randomizer to win a $5 gift card from his/her choice of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Kobo. The winner will be notified by email, and announced in a special Saturday post.
Good Luck and thank you for being readers of Unwrapping Romance!
Happy Reading Everyone!
Good Luck and thank you for being readers of Unwrapping Romance!
Happy Reading Everyone!
20 comments:
I think, as fun as your blog is, your career should come first. :) Blogging takes time, not only the physical typing time but the mental capacity; to constantly be thinking about what you'll put up, etc. And that takes away from what you really want to be doing. Your stories are great, so definitely, I think you should be spending time on them.
kerriestrong at gmail dot com
Thanks Kerrie! Happy Writing to you, too! : )
Thanks for the shout out Amy :)I hope you find a balance that works for you and am looking forward to cheering you on during your journey to getting published!
~Laurie Kozlowski
Thank YOU, Laurie, for encouraging me to make a change for myself. Hope I don't let you, or myself, down. xoxo
Hi Amy. I'm new to your blog but I totally understand your need to concentrate on your writing. I too posted my chapter on the Avon board and I saw your posting of your book. I think it's great!
Read your two pieces of writing on the Avon site. I want to know more about those stories! But I love your reviews, too. Cutting back to two days a week seems like a good way for selfish me to get both. (Because it's all about me, isn't it?)
Hi Amy,
I love your blog but I like your writing just as much if not more. I know how you feel about doing everything you like, I do too :) It's hard to find a balance but pursuing your writing can be very rewarding.
Xoxo,
Evie
Yea! Go for it. You can always blog again, but you never know until you put your writing out there. I really think if you should do it!
smurfettev AT gmail DOT com
I think you should do what makes you happy. I think that the writing makes you happy so go for it. Take you blog down to posting only a couple times a week. Or bring one or two others to help you out with your blog. This will still keep your blog going(which I love) and you can look over everything that the blogger helper is doing. But I do think that you should go for it. I will definitely read your book. I love pimping new authors and spreading the word.
christinebails at yahoo dot com
Such wonderful encouragement!! And it's only one day less a week, but there will be times when I get a very long weekend which is good, right? Writing time!
I'll still be hosting authors, introducing you to new authors, and hosting Wacky Wednesday fun - just maybe a few less reviews each month. Y'all are great!
Now, I know positively why I love blogging in romance - I meet the best people on the planet! xoxo
I SAY "GO FOR IT!!" You know I think your writing is top notch and I think you need to do this for YOU!! Sometimes you need to be selfish and this is ONE OF THOSE TIMES!! Hell, even cut back to ONE day!! If this is REALLY something you want, and I know it is, DO IT DO IT DO IT!!
LOL!! Definitely too many commitments to cut back to only one day - at least right now. Besides, I couldn't do THAT to my readers. xoxo
Hey Hun, I read both excerpts and honestly they sound GREAT. I believe if you dont follow your heart then you will regret it. Cut back on the blog a couple of days. Write some then write some more. Do your best and see where it leads you. You will never know unless you try. Big Hugs & hope this helps.
Missie Jones
missie25524 (at) netzero (dot) com
Nice excerpts. You should do what works for you.
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
you should do what works best for you & makes you happiest, if that's working on writing then spend the time there. you don't want to have regrets later, we'll in the meanwhile will continue to enjoy & appreciate what you put out for us :)
gamistress66 (at) aol (dot) com
(sorry, got interupted & forgot to add my email) :)
You blog is amazing, and your passion for reading, writing, and authors shines through. I've also read your snippets of your own works in progress, and I've enjoyed them. It's a hard balance, but if you have a dream to pursue writing, then you should go for it. If and when you can find time to keep both blogging and writing going without too much interference, then come back to blogging on a greater level. But I understand the power, urge and need to write, so if that's what calls to you, do it. I can't wait to see your writing published and say I met you back when :)
Nikki @Stormgoddess925@yahoo.com
Ill support you no matter what you do!
Hi Amy! *waving*
WOW!! Read your excerpts, WTG!!
If you post once a week great. if you post once a month great.
The important thing is to do what make you feel the happiest.
Wishing you the best in whatever you decide! ((hugs))
My Girls are soooo wonderful!! xoxo
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