Conversations With Characters--Tara the Supernatural Spy

I often have intense and fascinating conversations with my characters. They will sit with me and tell me about their lives, sometimes showing me scenes from things they have experienced. These daydreams allow me to really get into my character's heads, especially when I see their memories from their point of view.

Tonight I had such a conversation with Tara. She is the main character for the next novel in the Supernatural Uprising series. Tara is definitely an interesting woman and I'm really excited to learn more about her and her story. Her history and power make her perfect for the espionage division for the Supernatural Underground Movement.

I'm debating about how much I want to put on here about what I've discovered about Tara. On the one hand I really want to share with you her story. I'm excited and know it will be a while before her book is released. Patience, when it comes to creative pursuits, has never been my strong point. I have a habit of showing off a drawing or painting before it's done. I also have a habit of telling people too much about my stories before they've had a chance to read any of them.

I finally decided that I want as much of Tara's life and story to be a surprise for when her novel is released (hopefully by Summer of 2014). However, I still wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed daydreaming about her tonight. To be able to dream up another person, with their own personality and past, is a really amazing feeling.

When I dream of these characters and see their personalities begin to emerge, I also find reasons for why they behave the way they do. Eventually, this turns into a conversation mixed with scenes from memories and the emotions and thoughts that go with all of that. Sometimes I'm not sure what I enjoy the most, writing the story or developing the characters.

The next character I have to talk to is the man who will be the second main character, the love interest for Tara. For the moment I'm calling him 'Jordan' who actually makes a short appearance in Sadie's War. I plan to have many cross-overs between the novels, and as one of Sal's boys he works perfectly.

With Sadie you have a sense of what this war will be like for the average person who isn't involved. With Tara's novel you're going to find out what it's like from those who are 'in the trenches' of this war and some of the underhandedness involved. A sort of 'behind the scenes look' if you will.

I can't wait to start writing!

Sadie's War Cover art

As an independent author I have to take on all of the costs that the big boy publishers do for their authors.  Now, I'm not a rich woman.  I'm hardly middle class.  So, with a tight budget, it sometimes seems like I won't be able to afford to self-publish.  Especially after my last post about overhead.

So, I've decided to try and do as much as I can myself.  This isn't unusual.  However, I felt convinced that I needed to hire someone to edit and for cover art.  Well, I have a friend helping with editing for the price of a tattoo drawing and another friend who I am giving reiki to for editing as well.  But, when it came to the art I had to do it myself.

I've learned some things about photoshop over the years, but I never learned enough to be considered 'good' at photo manipulation.  Most covers these days are done with the use of several stock photos blended together in photoshop to create amazing artwork.  For a while now I've been teaching myself a lot of the same techniques used by the professionals.

Now, while I don't consider myself skilled or knowlegeable enough to be considered an expert in this field, I do think I did pretty well for Sadie's War.  Feel free to tell me what you think.  :)



In case you're wondering this took about 3 hours to do, not counting the amount of time looking for the right stock photos to use.

EDIT: Here's an updated version...

Lack of confidence or fear of rejection...why do I do this?

Confidence. The one thing every successful writer must have is confidence in the work they do. Why is it then that so many writers, regardless of what it is they write, are lacking in that department?

Perhaps it's because we put our hearts on our sleeve. For months to years we toil tirelessly with our writing, doing all we can to ensure that the reader gets what they were looking for. Those of us who write fiction need to also ensure that the reader is entertained by the story and identifies with the characters. That's not as easy to do as it sounds, and it doesn't sound easy at all!

Before I had ever considered writing a novel, I would be amazed to see what my favorite authors had achieved. The words on the page appeared to flow effortlessly and the plots fit in their proper places. The end result was a story and world that I could immerse myself in and characters I wanted to know more about. Those books were an escape from the world around me and a way to let my imagination take hold.

Now that I write, I've come to realize that what I once perceived as being effortless actually takes a lot of time, mental anguish, and perseverance to create. The authors of my favorite novels didn't sit down to the computer one day, type up the story, and then send it off. They slaved at that computer, or over pen and paper, till they had the best story they could design. Even then, they weren't finished.

Writers are artists and our medium is the written word. We create, either from our own minds or with influences from the world around us, and we design. We weave a tapestry that tells a tale and hope that you, the reader, will be caught up in the imagery we provide.

With all of the work and dedication that goes into writing, I suppose it's easier to understand why many aren't as confident as they would like. I can have a thousand people praise my writing and tell me how amazing of an author I am, yet it would only take one person, with a harsh complaint and who hated what I wrote, to destroy how uplifted I felt from what those thousands had said.

We truly do put our hearts and souls out into the world with the hope that others will connect with our words. Logically speaking, it's understandable and even expected that there are those out there who won't be pleased with our writing. Still, that fear of rejection follows us and messes with our minds.

I have had a lot of people praise my work. While no one had said that I'm terrible, I still wonder how I will react when someone finally does say that. It's inevitable. I don't have a large readership yet since my novel has yet to be published. All I am going on is what others have said, both in real life and online. So, I know that one day I'll get an e-mail or comment that will shatter what little confidence I've built.

I hope that when that day arrives, I will be able to handle it with grace, poise, and not let it get to me. I can't please everyone. And while my confidence is something I would like to build up, I know that the foundation of it will one day shake. What I feel I need to keep that foundation strong is to remember is why I write.

I write because I have something to say. I write because I have stories in my head that need to come out. I write because I want to entertain others and hope that they will enjoy reading my novels as much as I enjoyed writing them. I don't do it for posterity or fortune. I do it because I love to write and create.

That is my focus. That is how I overcome obstacles such as a lack of confidence or fear of rejection. I remember the reasons why I write. I remember the reasons why I'm independent. Most of all, I remember that for every person that hates my stories there are plenty who will like or even love them. Because truly, when it's all said and done, those readers are the reason behind what drives me to put out the best novels that I can.

The Overhead of an Indie Author

Lately I've been trying to figure out the cost of everything I'll need for the first three novels that I publish, including this one. I'm also figuring what I would need for the business portion as well. At first I had thought that I would have very little overhead. However, the more I learn about publishing the more I realize that I have to pay for a lot more than I initially realized. Self-publishing is more than simply putting your book on createspace and then sitting back to watch the $$$ roll in.

First, since I will be selling my novels from my website, I had to get a business license and file for a DBA and Seller's Permit. Thankfully, since I'm using my last name and industry as my DBA I didn't have to pay and the seller's permit is also free. But the business license was $52.

Next comes the editor. For this novel I have a friend who is a retired editor working with me. I am realistic, however, and I know she may not be able to work on future novels. The average price for good professional editor is around $750 for a novel my size.

The cover art is also expensive. The artist I am working with is charging me $400 for both the e-book and print covers. That is $200 more than I wanted to spend but based on the quality of her work I'm willing to hand over the extra cash.

Now, to be able to sell on my website I should have some of the books on hand. Because of this I decided to have 10 books in my inventory at all times. To get the initial 10 books I will pay approximately $55 (not including tax). Thankfully I don't need books on hand for the distributor, they will get it directly from the printer.

Speaking of distributors, the one I am going to use through createspace is $25.

The website will also cost a bit. I am designing it myself which will help. In the future I plan to hire someone to make it look more professional. Even still, the domain registration and host fee will be around $80/year.

Now, I'm not including the prices for marketing and promotions since I'm still figuring out a plan for that.

So, in total, for my first three novels and business fees, I am looking at spending approximately $3200. That includes the business tax/license and website fees for next year as well. Separately, and without the cost of doing business, each novel will cost me about $1230 if I hire a good editor.  That's without any marketing, advertising, or promotions.

Man! And to think I have a goal of 1-3 novels a year. I know I can afford to have everything done if I save each month in anticipation of the next novel. It's not easy and I'm going to have to give up one or two things but I feel it will be worth it.

Now I know why many say it's easier to traditionally publish (even with the piles of rejection letters that EVERY author endures when they go that route). Still, I like the road less traveled. I feel a sense of accomplishment when things go right.

Sadie's War is underway for publication

I finally have a projected release date for Sadie's War, the first part of a series entitled The Supernatural Uprising. This is the novel I've been talking about. September 1, 2013 the novel will be available through me. It may take a day or two for it to also be available through Kindle, Amazon, and Smashwords. After a while it will hopefully be available through some online and RL retailers as well. I'll keep you updated on those little factors as they are made ready.

It has been quite the process, getting this novel ready. There is much that I have learned about writing, publishing, and even myself along the way. The valuable information that I have gleaned so far has been insurmountably helpful.

Currently Sadie's War is with an editor. In August I will pay for the novel cover. I have already decided to start a business for myself so I may sell and distribute my novels through my site as well. The name of my little business is Cochran Novels. I know, not very original. But, money is tight and using my last name in this manner allows me to not be charged for a DBA. :) Ah yes, just one of the little business details that I've had to ensure I worked out.

While Sadie's War is being polished all nice and shiny for you, I have started the second book of the series. This story seems to be quite different from Sadie's and I'm curious to see how it will turn out. Just like with the first novel, this story seems to be coming from nowhere.

As I said, I'll keep you updated on the goings on. :)