S.M. Butler's Blog, page 41

Welcome to Six Sentence Sunday, the day in which I join a couple hundred other authors to showcase fun six sentence long snippets on their blogs.

This week I’m starting a new book. This one is a fantasy romance about bounty hunters. I’m super excited about it. I’ve missed fantasy and it’s fun to return to it.

Seeing Chayton from her perch in the rocks was one thing. Seeing him across the battlefield was another. Shoulder-length dark hair escaped its ponytail as he slammed his sword against another. His eyes were intense, focused, seasoned. The man was a born fighter, a hunter. Her legs trembled, and she didn’t think it was from the cold.

For those new to Six Sentence Sunday, you can play too:

1) pick a book– a current Work in Progress, contracted work or even something readers can buy if you’re published

2) pick six sentences from anywhere in the story

3) post them on Sunday (hence the Six Sentence SUNDAY)

Want to play? See the site: Six Sentence Sunday

One of the first things I thought of while I was setting up my graphic design business was the need for contracts and a way to sign them. The most important thing you can do for yourself is protect yourself legally. Even if your designer is your best friend… if you’re exchanging money? You need a contract. Trust me.

Image credit: moby / 123RF Stock Photo

I was burned by someone I thought was a professional. Turns out she made every excuse she could to make it out like I hadn’t done anything she wanted (and she kept changing her mind…) and wouldn’t pay me all the money I was due.

I could have been burned worse. I made all the mistakes rookies make.

I didn’t discuss beforehand what needed to be done. I didn’t draw up a proposal outlining exactly what I would do and for how much. I didn’t tell her how long it would take and when I would check in with her and let her know how things were going. I didn’t have a contract detailing all those things either. I don’t even know who owns the work I did.

I know better now. I’ve learned the hard way that professionalism isn’t just about your behavior. It’s also about communication. Clear communication with the clients is super important. You can’t know exactly what they are thinking. Especially over the internet. You can’t even see them. But when you hash out timelines, budgets, and contracts together, you get a better idea and they know what they are getting from you.

So now, when I do paid work, I give them a project proposal based on our conversations, detailing all that stuff. Once we’re agreed on it all, I fill out my contract with dates, dollar amounts, ect, and it’s electronically signed by both of us. Both the client and I are a lot happier with that security built in. I know when I need to get stuff to people. They know when to receive it. I think that’s most important.

Now if I know I’m going to miss a deadline (which never happens anyway) I let people know ahead of time. Most of the time, they’re fine with it. No harm done.

I’m by no means an expert on contract law. I only know what’s worked for me as a designer. Being an author helps, because then I know kind of how an author would react, and what needs to be covered.

So that’s what I’d like to offer you guys.

I would like to do an ongoing series on graphic design. Not necessary a how to DIY, though I can do that too. Basically, whatever questions you have about hiring, working with, being, or talking to a designer, I’d like to take a stab at. I’m calling the series Ask a Designer (I know, innovative and original, LOL!) and it’s going to be sort of like a “Dear Abby” column for designers.

Send me questions and I’ll pick one each week (less or more depending on interest). I’ve embedded the contact form below to facilitate the sending of questions. Eventually, I’ll get a page up. Hopefully, by the end of the weekend.

Can’t wait to see what kinds of questions you guys come up with!

Authors After Dark was an amazing time. I didn’t actually go as an author, which I think gave me a unique perspective that I wasn’t expecting. At first, I was a little peeved that other people managed to change information when I wasn’t able to, but you know, it turned out okay. It was not nearly as dire as I thought it was.

Breakfast of Champions.

Our first stop was in Canton, right around 8 in the morning for ice cream. I was somewhat conflicted on whether to choose the buttered pecan or the red velvet. I ended up with the red velvet.

I do not regret this choice. Yum.

So we continue on, and then we get to Alexandria. A little background at this point. Sid’s dad wanted us to stop at the Pawn Stars in Alexandria. It was mostly on our way so we did.

THe store is not in a great area, so we were planning on doing a drive by picture of it, and moving on.

Outside the Pawn Stars in LA

But then we saw the place, and noticed it was well-maintained and there was some security to the setup there, so we knew we had to go in.

Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to take pictures inside. There was a sign on the door that said it wasn’t allowed. I’d guess it would have something to do with the TV show. So you’ll have to take my word for it, it was AMAZING.

Yeah, there was a lot of crap floating around, but there were some awesome things, like old dentist chairs, huge giant armchairs, and hand-painted Russian plates.  We had a blast just walking around and having a good time.

We ran into Kelli Collins as we were getting on the elevator to go check in, who by the way, is the cutest thing ever.

We got up to our room, did some unpacking.

I only took 8 pairs…

Now, there’s something to be said when you’re traveling with us. We had areas of the room. We had the shoe area, the jewelry bar, the makeup counter, and of course, the dress closet.

The funny thing is I don’t think either of us actually meant to do it, but we’re both a little OCD, and it sort of happened that way.

So after we unpacked, we went out to dinner with Dakota Cassidy and Kelli Collins. Poor Dakota got a Dr. Pepper instead of Coke, and pouted. She flirted with our OBVIOUSLY gay waiter and made lifelong friends with him.He made obscene gestures when she went outside to smoke because he couldn’t go. It was a lot of fun.

What was super cool was our dinner got cooked in a hubcap.

Seriously. It was awesome.

Anyway, the food was super good, and the fries were probably the best I’d ever had. We ended up getting a second order of fries because of the awesome.

After parting with Kelli and Dakota, we decided to explore a little bit.

From there, Sidney and I wandered up and down Bourbon Street and just took in the sights. Some dude tried to sell us baseball caps for “charity”… because we apparently look like baseball cap wearing chicks… (no, no we really don’t…)

Did you know if you buy a Daiquiri from these bars, you get a free shot with it? Well, you do. We took advantage. Several times. But we indulged more on these free shots on Thursday night.

I did a lot of schmoozing around for most of Thursday, and then we got to the Bookie Awards. Dakota Cassidy won a Bookie Award for being the Most Accessible Author, a well-deserved win, in my opinion. I did some more schmoozing, and then got another Daiquiri.

So for dinner, a bunch of us decided to go to Pat O’Brien’s. I got to meet the awesome Tee Morris and his wonderful wife, Phillippa Ballantine. Such an adorable, sweet couple.

They were absolutely amazed by the warm reception and the intensity of the romance community. I want to say it might have been their first romance con. So, they seemed a little flabbergasted at the atmosphere, but they were so nice. We had a blast talking to them at dinner.

I think Saturday was the most fun of the weekend though.

We didn’t realize that it’s the annual Red Dress Run in NOLA.

This is where 30 different charities get together. The runners pay $100 to participate and they just run from bar to bar, where they get free drinks all day until about 9 that night. It makes for a super busy Bourbon St, and they give you weird looks if you’re NOT wearing red. I’m a little jealous that some of these guys looked better than I do in a dress…

We came back to the hotel for the book signing. Hung out with Dakota Cassidy and Kelli Collins in the little cafe in the hotel. The booksigning ended up being too big of a crowd for us, so we didn’t go, but we had a good time keeping Kelli company.

Saturday night was our last night in NOLA, so we did the Author Pub Crawl and hung out with Kristen Painter and Stacey Kennedy before we headed back to the hotel for the podcast party, which was an absolute blast. I got to be on a podcast, which totally amuses me. You’ll be able to see that episode over at the Shared Desk, when Tee and Pip recover from con mode.

For me, I had the most fun on Saturday and Sunday. I guess I’m not a partier anymore. That’s alright. Sit me at a bar and let me drink all night and I’m happy.

Anyway, we left around 11 on Sunday for home. We were both exhausted and I was falling asleep while talking. I had to repeat myself a couple of times. We’d planned on a nice, uneventful ride home.

But… our ride home was a blast instead. You see, there was this billboard… with a sign… about alligators and a park…..

Of COURSE, we had to go check it out. Sidney was like a child, running around and pointing all excitedly. So cute. I might have laughed at her a lot. We fed the gators with dog food, which was fun when they rolled over to get the food. I accidentally pinged one in the eye, so I felt bad about that.

Sidney got to hold a baby gator.

The park closed at 5pm, so we had to get back on the road too soon. We talked about all kinds of stuff and had a good time. This was easily one of my favorite trips. New Orleans was crazy. The hotel was awesome. The food was good. I’m already considering another trip just for fun in a couple of years.

I storified tweets so you can see more pictures and the crazy tweeting we did over at my Storify account.

I don’t know how many more ways I can say I’m tired. Blog from Authors After Dark will have to wait until tomorrow because I can’t even see straight at the moment. But I just wanted to let everyone know I’m back, I had a fantastic time in New Orleans and a wrap-up blog is forthcoming.

For now, though, I’m just going to log off and pass out on my wonderfully comfy-looking bed.

I may snore tonight.

Welcome to Flirty Friday, the day in which I take a message I’ve received from a potential suitor and analyze it. It’s a lot of snark, some sarcasm, and no revealing of identities.

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Flirty Friday, so let’s ease into this a bit.

There’s something to be said about religion. It starts wars, tears families apart. But it also brings families closer together. Gives people a common purpose. Creates community.

Herein lies my problem with this guy’s message. As a rule, I don’t date religious fanatics. Not saying that this guy is, but the truth is, I shy away from men that are devout, no matter what their religion is. The reason is, I’m not religious. Not remotely. I have my beliefs, and they don’t really coincide with anyone else’s. And it never fails that I end up debating religion, which if you try it… it’s not a winnable debate. People feel super strongly about their beliefs. Friendships have ended over religion.

But the answer to his question?

It’s not as easy as he makes it out to be, considering he hasn’t even said HI yet.

Here’s where I would have the most problems. Before getting to know me, before cultivating a friendship, he’s already thinking about dating and the future. He’s already thinking ahead to that point where I ask “What do you do?” and he has to say he’s a minister. And he’s already thinking I’m going to have a problem with it. So… what happens when I tell him I write sex for a living? I don’t write sex for a living, but that’s what he’ll think when I say I’m a romance author.

That’s an issue, an important one. Writing is my sole source of income, besides my GI Bill. If he can’t handle it, then he’s gone. I’m sure he could appreciate that. By the same token, if I can’t handle him being a minister, then I’m sure I’d be gone too.

In the end, would I mind? Probably not, as long as religion wasn’t something we focused on. But I think that in the long run, we’d probably not work out. With my indifference towards religion, and his devoutness, I think we’d clash. I think that we’d not understand each other and that would lead to problems.

Maybe I’m over thinking it. It’s possible. I do have that tendency. But at this point in my life, I don’t need the extra stress over it. Not at all. So I’d pass on this one. The right woman is out there for this guy. I’m just not her.

You know how when you’re excited for something to come and there’s only one day between you and that moment? Yeah, that’s where I’m at.

Authors After Dark is this week. We’re leaving Wednesday morning (way early, too!) and will be driving across many miles to brave New Orleans.

So not sure if there will be blogging on these days or not. It’s possible there might be, but don’t hold your breath. It is a vacation for me, after all. More than likely, it’ll be easier if you just go find me over on Twitter and follow me there. I’ll be tweeting heavily over the next week.

In other non-related news, the bounty hunter story is going super well.

Hope everyone has an awesome Tuesday!

On the loops I’ve been on, there’s been a lot of talk about taxes and careers in writing, especially on the indie loops. I’ve mostly lurked on all these threads but I found them incredible reading. But sometimes I just need a little boost outside the writing community.

I’ve been reading Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey and I’ve come across some amazing advice that would really work for writers, especially since we’re in a profession that is honestly, not reliable or steady income. Not saying that one day everyone will stop buying books, but there are ups and downs in sales, seasons that sell better than others, and of course, what happens when the readers doesn’t like a book? It doesn’t sell, so the writer doesn’t make money!

So I decided to talk about my own personal financial journey, just so I can log it somewhere, keep myself accountable. i don’t know how long or how often this series will be, but it will be ongoing for a while. And I’m going to relate it to writers, just so you guys can get something out of it too.

Image provided by 123rf.com

Looking at his system is super daunting for me. He equated money management and debt trimming to weight loss. Honestly, that’s a fair comparison. Some people start diets and then lose interest. How many of us set weight loss as a New Year’s Resolution?

*raises hand*

I recently had a big financial disaster in my life. I thought I hit rock bottom. Honestly, I probably did. I spent an entire morning bawling my eyes out until my breath was shuddering uncontrollably and my voice was hoarse from frustration.

After that, I picked myself up from the fetal position and analyzed WHY I ended up like that. Why was I drowning in debt, and sinking lower and lower? That was the hardest question, because I wanted to blame it on being unemployed, to getting the GI Bill that was four hundred dollars below my Cost of Living. But really, the most difficult answer was the right one. It was debt. It was late charges, and overdraft fees. It was me saying “I can squeeze another ten dollars out of my $5 bank account.” You can change your habits, you can change jobs… but changing YOU (by which I mean me too) is the most absolutely frightening, difficult thing to do.

Once I figured out the problem, and recognized that *I* needed to change, the solution was easy. I had to go on a diet.

This year has been full of change for me. I’ve sat down with myself and figured out what I want. I almost got kicked out of the Navy because I was fat. Well, not really fat. I’m actually not, but I was over standards for my height. So I joined Weight Watchers, which has helped me lose ten pounds since May. I need to lose another ten before I’ll be within standards again, but I’m on my way and that’s what is important. Those first few weeks, when I had to cut down on my sodas, and stop snacking on chocolate and chips… That was hard.

I’m talking about my weight loss journey right now because this money thing is going to be much harder for me. I’m used to a certain lifestyle. I want certain things. Spending the money on those things is a no-brainer. But ever since my divorce nine years ago, I lost touch with budgeting. I just stopped doing it. I used to be so OCD with money and making sure it went where I wanted it to.

My divorce really did a number on me. I lost my husband (who was an ass anyway, but still. Divorce is hard no matter how much of an ass the other person is) and my kids lost a father. They were young enough that they haven’t really missed him. One was only six months old when the divorce finalized. I went into this depression and I didn’t even realize it. I spent money like I was dying. I stopped budgeting. I just spent.

Nine years of mismanaging money has caught up to me. I’m at the point where something needs to change. So I started on the first. Dave Ramsey’s first baby step is to save $1000 very quickly for an emergency fund. The stipulation for this is that I also need to catch up on my debt payments before I can save that money. By any means possible. So that’s my goal this month. To find all the ways to cut spending (which is hard when I have a con this month), get credit cards current, and try to save some for my emergency fund.

I made spreadsheets (this is what I do for fun, LOL). I took about three days to create it and populate with my data. I created a Monthly Cash Flow worksheet that I will adjust every month, print out and hang it by my desk so I know exactly what I need to do. In doing this, I also realized that I’m $400 short of my expenses every month,  including savings. That’s not going to help me get out of debt, especially when I want to move next year. I had to think long and hard about where that money could come from.

Finally, I decided to move up my self-publishing timetable. I’d originally wanted to wait until after I’d published a backlist with digital publishers, when I had a ready audience. But the more I thought about it the more I realized that it wasn’t necessary to wait and I was only hurting myself by doing so.I know it will be 90 days after publication (at least) that I will see any money from self-publishing, but I think that’s my best option at this point.

In a couple months, my plan is to be much better off than I am now. I think it’s possible. I’m learning how to budget all over again. It’s kind of fun, but a lot frustrating. Maybe once I’m in a better position, I’ll enjoy playing with my money…

Just gotta stick to the diet right now, you know?

You know how you get those days when you just don’t want to do anything, but you really need to? I’m kind of there today. Been putting off laundry all week long even though I leave for Authors After Dark on Wednesday. I just can’t make myself do it.

This new story isn’t connecting with me like they normally do. Or maybe I’m just not in the writing groove anymore, since I’ve spent the last two months editing like a mad editing woman. It’s been difficult, and I’ve had to force myself into writing and sitting there. So where I’m used to doing 4-5k in a day, I’m slowly squeaking by with barely 1k.

I suppose that’s okay. I can’t be fast at everything, right?

Anyway, since this is the start of a new week, I’m making a goal to be exra productive and extra happy. I’ve been a downer the last couple of weeks, for various reasons, and I’m to the point where I’m annoying myself with how depressing I am. It needs to be fixed, because if I’m annoying myself, how bad am I being to other people? So no more funk about things I can’t change immediately. It’s time to put it aside and make the effort to be a happier individual.

And just because I feel like  it (and because I didn’t sign up for Six Sentence Sunday this week, so I can) here’s a short snippet from the opening of the currently untitled bounty hunter romance I’m working on.

Kaliska zoomed her scope in, biting her lower lip as she breathed in her nose and out of her mouth. One shot. She could kill him in one shot. Chayton of the Bear Clan wasn’t even aware of her presence. It would have been so easy.

She lowered the crossbow reluctantly. He was too far right now, but it was fairly obvious which one he was. The center of an entourage on horseback, which was another clue. The nation officials didn’t use horses anymore. They used the airships and the mech-carriages. They were supposedly safer. The rebels didn’t like the mechs. They said they damaged the world, ruined the flow of the magic.

It wasn’t her job to know either way and she didn’t care to know. All she did know was it would have been so easy to kill the bastard right there, but she couldn’t. She didn’t have a kill order from the Aiyana Confederate Council. In fact, they’d been very specific. Chayton needed to be taken alive. He was a special package. It was good though, because that meant he came with a very special price tag. One that would feed her for a year.

And now I’m going to go write some more before I have to head out to a farewell dinner tonight. Have a great Sunday, folks!

I had a hair appointment this morning, to prepare for Authors After Dark next week, but I forgot to take a before picture. It was at Ogle, which is a beauty school here in Texas, so the guy hadn’t quite figured out what to do with hair yet. It’s amusing because while he got the cutting part right, styling it intimidated him.

I like getting the guys, because most of the time, they try really hard to do things right, because they’re behind their female classmates. The girls have been doing their own hair, their friend’s hair, everyone’s hair all their lives. The guys haven’t. I’ve never had a dude cut my hair wrong, but the girls do all the time. It’s just the styling that confuses the guys. I left the appointment with some left over frizz from the blowdrying, which happens. I never blow dry my hair, because that’s what happens. Blow dryers and I don’t get along. At All.

You know, for $9 haircuts, I’m okay with a little frizz. I can come home and use my own straightening iron, and honestly, I’m probably happier with that. I haven’t found a stylist yet that can style my hair the way I like it and my last stylist was $57.

Anyway, the rest of the day is all about writing. I have a bounty hunter romance calling my name that’s on deadline and a hockey romance that needs some revision love. Not sure which will win today.

I’m sorry that I’ve not been blogging a bunch lately, guys. I’ve been head down on edits for weeks and this week was just not my week. Thanks to a snafu in communication my bank and I haven’t been getting along and it’s caused a lot of stress. Blogging just wasn’t something that I could deal with this week.

I’ll be back soon, with some real news, or some actual posts that are thoughtful and content-laden.