Following Up on the Skipping Childhood Novel

My plan to follow up on the Skipping Childhood novel has not gone exactly according to plan so far.  Even though the book was only released in December 2016, I told myself that by early spring of this year, I'd be close to releasing the sequel:  "Pedator's Revenge".  Thus far, I haven't really been doing any work on the second book, and I actually began to second guess the decision to follow up so soon.

Self-publishing Dilemmas

There are so many self-publishing dilemmas that we authors have to constantly consider, but the problem is, there are usually a number of differing opinions.  I've been advised that now is not the time to worry about the follow up to such a new title.  However other "experts" suggest if at all possible that you write book after book without letup.

This can be a hard choice to make when you know that the success of the first book is crucial to what happens with the second book.  On the other hand, a second book can often be just what an author needs to get more eyes on the first book.  As an author, I find the whole thing exasperating, but what can I say; that's the life of a writer!

My Decision

Since the decision ultimately comes down to the individual author, I suggest making the decision on a case by case basis.  For instance, if after publishing a book, you feel tired and burnt out, it is definitely time to stop writing and focus on something else.  On the other hand, if you finish a book and you're on fire inside from the anticipation of writing the next book, I say go for it!  That is how I felt at first about the idea for Predator's Revenge.  Only now, the flame is starting to die down.  That is how I know that I made a mistake to wait, and that is why I've decided to get a few chapters written at the start of the week.  So stay tuned and look for a post on Friday.  By then, I should have an update on the followup to Skipping Childhood: A Novel.  

NOTE:  This book (and other cool titles) is available to read for FREE when you join Kindle Unlimited for a low monthly fee.

What Inspires Us Can Sometimes Make Us Sad

INSPIRATION

Once again, I decided to talk on the subject of "inspiration" because there is nothing more interesting than the people, places and things that inspire us.  Just the other day, I was watching "Dr. Strange" with my adult son.  Michael knows all kinds of trivial information about super heroes and the super hero universes.  On this particular occasion, he shared a tidbit of knowledge with me about the famous Marvel Comics author Stan Lee.

Stan and Redheads

According to my all-knowing son, there is a story behind the reason why Stan Lee creates his female love interest characters with red hair.  It is because his own love interest of many many years ago had red hair.  Apparently, to this very day, Mr. Lee is partial to redheads.  How's that for inspiration???

Farewell Spits Inspiration

My own inspiration for my first novel: “Experimenting With Murder” centered around a place called "Farewell Spits".  This location is a real place over in New Zealand and recently it was in the news.  The subject of whale beachings is what put Farewell Spits in the news many years ago when I first wrote my book, and the subject of whale beachings is still the reason why the spotlight is on this area.

To get a clear understanding about this whole situation, take a moment to read my article: 

Farewell Spits Whale Beachings: When Facts Meet Fiction

Although I was able to use this real life event as a foundation for my  novel, the problems that the Farewell Spits area is facing is not fiction; it is all too real.  As inspirational as the story about the beached whales may have been, it is a sad story none-the-less.

Seeking Inspirational Memoirs

SURVIVAL

If you're an adult survivor of child abuse, you know how difficult it can be to discuss the memories that may even haunt you to this day.  But you also know - or hopefully you know - that talking and sharing your story and your pain with others, can have a healing affect.

This blog was originally meant to do nothing more than promote the novel:  "Skipping Childhood", a story about child abuse (among other things).  But this blog has also become a vehicle in which to continue the healing process, so now, as always, I welcome others to share their stories.

As I mentioned in a recent post, my newest website:  www.MyBookInspiration.com was created to talk about books that inspire.  I would like nothing more than to add some survivor memoirs to the list of other inspirational stories.  Your survivor story can and book is not limited to child abuse.  Submit whatever type of survival book-related story you want.

If you or someone you know has a survivor book and a story to share about that book (either from a Reader or Author perspective), please be sure to submit your entry on the new website.  

Inspiration is Theme of New Book Promotion Website

Inspiration

Inspiration is a great word to have in mind as we go forward into the new year.  January is almost over already, and once we get into February, before you know it, it's Christmas again.  Inspiration should compel us to not drag our feet and let the year slip away from us unnoticed.  Remember how inspired you felt towards the end of December when you thought about all the goals and resolutions for 2017.  Well now is the time to stop dead in your tracks and evaluate if you're on track.  If you're not, now is the time to adjust your course.

My Inspiration

My inspiration for this year is the completion of "Skipping Childhood."  I'm inspired for having wrote and published a story that is so close to my heart.  I'm inspired by what the book has helped me to learn about my self.  I'm inspired by the fact that I was able to write without censorship of my thoughts, so that I could make my characters truly come alive and have depth.  I'm inspired because I know that having put so much of myself into this writing, there is no way that I won't be rewarded and pleased at the eventual success of the book.

Since inspiration is uppermost on my mind, I launched a new website to help me draw attention to the many books that we as authors AND readers derive inspiration from.  To check out what this site is all about and how you can submit a book inspired story, visit:

MyBookInspiration.com

You can also read the recent article I wrote about the site:
 http://charmbaker.com/new-author-and-reader-book-inspired-website-launch/

Book Excerpts Help Promote Skipping Childhood Novel

This past weekend, as a means of helping to promote the Skipping Childhood novel, I posted a number of tweets that contained various book excerpts.  Book excerpts enable readers to get acquainted with a story, prior to purchasing the book.

Even though my website currently has a page that contains a number of Skipping Childhood book excerpts, I also posted the excerpts individually in separate tweets.  Hopefully, this will provide additional exposure for the book.

Below are screenshots of the book excerpts that are currently available in the tweets and on the website.  Why not take a few moments and get to know Deandra Baxter and a few other characters?

“SKIPPING CHILDHOOD:  A NOVEL“

AVAILABLE NOW AT AMAZON

Follow the story on Twitter by searching:   #skippnovel

Or for:

Deandra Baxter:  #skippdeandra    |   Diane Baxter:  #skippdiane

 

 

 

 

Click for More

Finally a Book Review for New Skipping Childhood Novel

TRUTH

I chose the topic of "truth" today to discuss my first published book review for the "Skipping Childhood" novel.  I chose this phrase because I appreciate the truthfulness of what the reader had to say.  Not only because the reviewer rated the book a 4-star, but because she was honest and candid enough to share her thoughts about the ending.  The truth in her words (even the less than favorable ones) was not lost on me.

I celebrate the fact that a Reader has finished my book and posted the first Amazon review.  I am happy that “Skipping Childhood:  A Novel” received a four-start rating as well as the flattering things that were said about the book.  But more importantly, I'm happy to have my book product page display evidence that someone is reading the book.

Hopefully, this is one book review that will soon be followed by many more.  But until then, I’m appreciative to receive even one.  To a self-published author, each and every review is like precious gold.  All of them matter in one way or another; yes even the negative ones.

As a writer, I am definitely interested in hearing what a Reader honestly thinks.  It’s funny how growing up under certain circumstances can teach you to have tough skin.  If any good came out of growing up to be a survivor, it’s the fact that I can usually take the toughest pill to swallow, and handle it with ease.  Clearly, this is something that can be useful in life, especially if you’re a creative person.  We’ve all heard the stories about how temperamental artists can be.  In many ways, this does  seem to describe me, but I’m also happy to  hear what other people think would make my work better.  At least I'm willing to listen and consider what they have to say.

If a Reader cares enough to share their thoughts and opinions, I respect and appreciate them enough to take their words under advisement, if not for the current project, at least for the next one.

I’m happy to report that the overall comments made about “Skipping Childhood “ were positive and insightful. The Reader demonstrated a genuine interest in the story, though they would have preferred a different outcome.  As the first to review the book, this Reader’s feedback will be especially remembered.

Moving On from Skipping Childhood

Now that my novel is published and available in both print and digital format, I’m ready to move on from “Skipping Childhood” and focus on a new goal for the upcoming year.  I’m writing “Predator’s Revenge” as the second book in the series involving Deandra Baxter, so while I want to promote the first book, I can’t afford to get stuck on strictly marketing. 

Unify Activities

With the new look and design of my charmbaker.com website, I have tried to unify all my online activities and accounts.  For so long, I've been scattered all over the place, and I imagine if anyone were to see my entire internet cloud, it would show.

With the help of this particular blog, I've been able to learn a few more things about myself, though not really trying to.  I've come to the conclusion that part of the reason I've been all over the place with my internet activities is because I've been mentally "all over the place".  But publishing "Skipping Childhood:  A Novel (From Abused Foster Child to Adolescent Serial Killer)” has helped me to start pulling myself altogether (so to speak).  I’m really beginning to get a better focus on the kind of author I want to be. 

In order to be that author, I have to stop allowing so many other types of writing divert my attention.  That means finding a sensible way to position everything I’ve done and everything I’m doing.  I want to be able to benefit from it all, but not at the expense of future productivity.

With that being said, the posts for this particular blog will probably be less frequent, since I’m becoming more and more active on my primary blog and website.  While “Skipping Childhood” is my latest baby and the one I’m most proud of, I can’t neglect the rest of my “kids”.  Hopefully, I’ve done a good enough job of linking the sites together.  Readers can enjoy the posts that have already been published here, and also feel free to follow along at charmbaker.com for more frequent and related posts. 

The Book’s Future

So far, the future of my book looks promising.  You can now purchase a copy of Skipping Childhood:  A Novel (print version) on Amazon, in addition to the digital format of the book.  Clearly, I will need to continue marketing and promoting it, and I will undoubtedly use this blog to do it.  But I’m also ready to move on to the next thing, and that is writing a follow up to the story.  Needless to say, I have to start prioritizing my time.

I’ll continue posting here on this blog, as thoughts specific to “Skipping Childhood” categories happen to come up.  This of course is in addition to regular mentions about the book on the website.  I am also open to writing posts that address any related issues that readers may have.  Simply drop me an email and I will respond.