So this took alot less time then expected

I thought that this would have taken 5 days but it actually took 2 hours. After I nailed trim sizing and margin numbers I had the words/lines per page matter to deal with. After not being able to find a way to do this without doing it manually, I decided to do it myself.

Here’s yesterday’s update of the format.

There were alot of unneeded spaces.

Here’s what it looks like now after I divided the lines into 27-30 throughout the entire book. Some breaks started between 27 and 30 to avoid widows. The most words per page will be 269 and the least will be 210. It gets no lower than 200 and no higher than 300.

In the above page I’ve removed all of the extra spaces. I learned last night that Microsoft actually does the paragraph spacing for you. It will look a whole lot cleaner and my page count reduced as well. It all evened out. The below page is how it will look with paragraph spacing.

I’m noticing that I posted the wrong pages but that’s not really important. I’m just showing you all how this is changing as I format it. The two 12’s have different words because after breaking the lines evenly some parts went to the next page. After page breaks the final page number came to 486. That’s less than what estimated.

I can even increase the font size. I’m not sure if I’m going to increase fonts and to an actual word count per page. After paragraph spacing I’ll see how it looks to the eye. I’m making it to where the reader won’t have to read a lot all at once.

I’ll update later tonight. At the moment I’m making plans for the book cover. The front and back cover will have things mentioned in the book so I might have to buy props before photography and graphic designs. I’ll keep you all posted.

If you LOVE romance or love to read in general FOLLOW THIS BLOG. Seriously, I follow back always and who doesn’t like mutual support? I’ve seen reviewers too. FOLLOW. Because I will need people to critique my books, good or bad, doesn’t matter. Some help is better than none at all. I’ll keep you guys updated. Thanks to all that follow me. If you have a fan page, I’ll be sure to follow you. Thanks followers 🙂  Keep writing and blogging

Update for 12-26-13

Hey bloggers/followers I don’t much time to spare tonight because I’m about to setup my workspace. This consists of a couch with pillows, my laptop, power cable, food, music, and the tv which I mute for some reason? I don’t know why but I have to work with the tv on but I always mute it.

Formatting is harder than I thought it would be. I had to do more reading and research today. I had to leave the house so I didn’t have time to work on it. Then once I got back, I took a nap. Now that I’m fully rested, I’m ready to tackle this. I have everything I need.

Alot of people that self-publish have told me formatting was one of the hardest parts of the process and now I understand what they mean. But they also said once you get the hang of it, things get easier. And I’m getting the hang of it 🙂 alright I’ve got close to 6-7 hours before I have to sleep. No sleeping in today because I have work tomorrow.

 

If you LOVE romance or love to read in general FOLLOW THIS BLOG. Seriously, I follow back always and who doesn’t like mutual support? I’ve seen reviewers too. FOLLOW. Because I will need people to critique my books, good or bad, doesn’t matter. Some help is better than none at all. I’ll keep you guys updated. Thanks to all that follow me. If you have a fan page, I’ll be sure to follow you. Thanks followers 🙂  Keep writing and blogging

 

 

Oversleeping! Grrrr

What can I say, it happens right? I woke up on and off between 10 and 12, got to the shower at 2ish, now here I am. Regardless of when I get up, I will posts on here daily. I aim for the mornings and afternoons. Sorry if you guys missed last night’s post. I forgot to place tags on it -.-.

Last night I stayed up meddling with the book format and educated myself on inside and outside margins,  and gutter. I didn’t know what they were so when I formatted it, it was pretty much a shot in the dark. Luckily CreateSpace had a downloadable guide. That helped out ALOT.

The books recommended that I look at books that I like and measure them. This makes alot of since. If you want to look professional, why not learn from the professional? So I fiddled around with it. At first it was hard and frustrating. My manuscript kept running into the spine and sentence cutoffs happened to every single even page. Finally somewhere around 3 a.m I finally got the hang of it.

Trial and error. That’s how you win it. So after I was satisfied with my competence with the format work, I decided it was a break. I went back and forth with my favorite blogger for a while as I worked on another story “Beyond A Lifetime” I believe I gave the story description in my earlier posts. I stayed up close to 5 a.m writing it. Passion and creativity put together will make 5 hours seem like one hour. After whitening my teeth, I went to bed.

And now here I sit, blogging :). I checked the facebook fan page and the like count grew. Some likes on there aren’t from friends, meaning someone from here peeped. Thanks you all, I really appreciate it. I have to go grocery shopping and possibly to my college campus so I can’t stay much longer. I’ll update later tonight. Stay awesome bloggers.

 

If you LOVE romance or love to read in general FOLLOW THIS BLOG. Seriously, I follow back always and who doesn’t like mutual support? I’ve seen reviewers too. FOLLOW. Because I will need people to critique my books, good or bad, doesn’t matter. Some help is better than none at all. I’ll keep you guys updated. Thanks to all that follow me. If you have a fan page, I’ll be sure to follow you. Thanks followers 🙂  Keep writing and blogging

Update 12-27-2013

Hey bloggers and followers! I’m a little proud of my consistency with the updates. So far, since I made this blog seven or six days ago, I’ve been making updates and posts twice a day. The goal is to keep doing this. It should be possible since I can update via phone and computer.

So today I spent more time on researching page formatting and I’m getting closer and closer. The page count is fine. But now I need to format the book so the margins and trim size meet distributor/market standards. This way I can sell my book in paperback and ebook form.

Today I followed the recommended margin setup I saw on CreateSpace. But my manuscript isn’t centered when I do this. The words on the even pages get sucked into the spine so some words aren’t readable. Not good. So I researched forums and site and fiddles around Microsoft word and I think I finally learned how to do this.

I’m really glad that I planned ahead for these things. I still have plenty of time to reach my deadlines. Here they are again.

Edit/Revision- December 22nd, 2013 (check)

Formatting-January 5th, 2014

Cover art and design- January 25th, 2014

Blogs/Fan page-January 15th. 2014 (Check, minus the Facebook fan page. That’s in the process of being available.)

Choose Distributor- February 1st, 2014 (Check)

So I have 9 days to meet my next deadline. That isn’t horrible as long as I stay on top of things and keep using my free time diligently. The most important things right now are the formatting and book cover. I know I can do this and all of the motivation I’ve been receiving is pretty helpful towards it.

Speaking of Facebook, oh my gosh. I never realized how HARD it would be to clean it. I have posts from 2011 to 2013. Deleting friends is one thing but those posts are another. It’s not that I have anything bad on there, I just have to untag myself from alot of things, unfriend a few negative people, etc. Basically making the page as clean as possible.

I might just make the page public and leave pasts posts private while future posts are public. There aren’t any bad pictures or anything so that’s something I don’t have to deal with. I have a fan page in the making. All it needs is a cover photo and it’s set. I might post that link so you guys can like it

https://www.facebook.com/T.EdwardRedd

Boom. Go crazy, haha. It’s pretty naked right now but over time it’ll get fleshed out as I make posts and posts pictures. I haven’t looked at my twitter yet. That will be easier since no one can tag me in things on there. I usually tweet motivational things or random things I’m doing with friends.

The social networks are at the bottom of my lists though. Formatting and a cover design. Then I’ll be ready to go into publishing. I can’t explain in words how excited I am, but, I’m pretty excited xD

If you LOVE romance or love to read in general FOLLOW THIS BLOG. Seriously, I follow back always and who doesn’t like mutual support? I’ve seen reviewers too. FOLLOW. Because I will need people to critique my books, good or bad, doesn’t matter. Some help is better than none at all. I’ll keep you guys updated. Thanks to all that follow me. If you have a fan page, I’ll be sure to follow you. Thanks followers 🙂 see you in the a.m. Keep writing and blogging

Awake!! Bright and early

Rise and shine bloggers! The sun is shining in the winter. Isn’t it supposed to snow? Whatever, take the win. It looks like a pretty good day.

I woke up pretty early and it’s because I plan to get a lot done today. I don’t have work and I’m on winter break so I have a lot of free time. I will be dedicating most if not all of this time to book work. I’m still pumped about yesterday. I’m under 500 pages! My book has a fighting chance now yes, yes, yes!!I feel like that guy on the Mighty Ducks after they won at the end. Remember that movie?

 

And it’s not that I didn’t think the book would get readers in the first place. It’s just that if a book looks to be the size of a dictionary, I doubt anyone would bother to look at it unless the cover was AMAZING. I honestly believe readers will love Hero’s Tale. It’s one of those books that touch you at the core. It may even inspire you.

Before I send the book to CreateSpace and start on cover designs I need to format the interior just right. I went through it last night and did it. Right now I’m going to check out standards to make sure it’s finished properly.

Aside from that you all should know that I have an account on pretty much every popular social network. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram are websites I can be found on. I’ve been getting adds on both tumblr and facebook. It’s virtually impossible to find me anywhere besides Facebook and that’s because they’re all either extremely private or…well that’s the only reason.

Now before any eyes start to rise in suspicion let me explain. The accounts are set on private to prevent stalkers or people who I would otherwise prefer didn’t have access to, well, my life. I posts so much and there’s alot of info about me, especially on my Facebook.

But since I will be a public figure soon with the publish and all, I think you all should be able to see “me” as in learn who the author is through those personal things. So I just have to do some cleanup work on the sites before I make them all public. No adds will be necessary, you’ll just be able to look me up. This is all part of a plan I made for my book publishing. I knew that I was going to use Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. Hadn’t thought about Instagram, but why not. So it’s in my schedule to have those sites public before the 1st of February. I’m aiming for early January.

Alright, it’s time for me to get to work. Have a great day you all and thanks for following 🙂

 

If you LOVE romance or love to read in general FOLLOW THIS BLOG. Seriously, I follow back always and who doesn’t like mutual support? I’ve seen reviewers too. FOLLOW. Because I will need people to critique my books, good or bad, doesn’t matter. Some help is better than none at all. I’ll keep you guys updated. Thanks to all that follow me. See you later this evening xD

 

My first obstacle!! Fun, kinda, well not really

Goodmorning Bloggers/followers 🙂 . I’m up pretty early partly because I barely slept last night eh, whatever, let’s get to it.

Last night I managed to get on CreateSpace to check out the book covers dilemma. I had to format my doc so it fits the trim size which is 6″in x 9″in. So I looked up how to do the formatting, and did it. But man, this made my book longer than it already is. Are you ready for it? I’m going to type.

OVER 700 PAGES!!! I almost pooped myself when I saw that increase in pages. I seriously almost had a nervous breakdown or something when I saw it. Who will read that much?? What do I do?? How do I fix this??? UGGGGGHHH!

Obviously I won’t just give up. What kind of writer would I be if I just gave up at the first hard thing that came up? So after thinking and bugging out for half an hour, trying to think of possible solutions, I went to bed to clear my mind. So here I am, still blogging because I still intend to publish and by no means will I ever give up, never.

So here are my options:
1. I could split the book into two books or possibly a series.

2. I could make the pages even more or trim it

3.I could go balls in and publish the whole book in its glory.

That last one is my favorite. I don’t have too many good options here. Hero’s Tale wasn’t written to have a sequel. It’s a one and doner. So splitting it would be extremely difficult and making it a series?? I would basically have to rewrite the book. Ugh. Next option.

Trimming the pages and making them even would reduce my page count down to the high 600 at the most. This book has a 10,000 word count meaning I’d have to take out a few thousand words to reduce the trim. Basically, I’d have to take out a few chapters. That will wreak the story. Can’t do it. Next option.

Publishing the book anyway. For some reason I like this idea and my gut is pushing me towards it. I mean this isn’t going to be my first publish and if anything this will be a learning experience. The story isn’t even boring to add to that. It’s just long. I’ve been told it’s suspenseful all the way through. With it being a Romance it has it’s cliche moments but for the most part it’s at least tolerable. You get caught up in the story and if you’re a hopeless romantic like me, you have trouble stop reading it.

I’ve worked hard to get up to this point and I don’t plan on quitting, or even starting a new project. I did think about postponing Hero’s Tale production to give Love Bleeds Red a shot, it’s my only other finished book. Writing is a length process, bear with me people lol.

Love Bleeds Red comes to 348 pages with the format but it has a very low word count for some reason coming to-39286. That story is the first I ever finished and it’s my baby. THE baby. I want to do more to it before publishing because THAT is a series. A sequel has already been started for it.

Hero’s Tale is good too. But I’m in love with the other book. HT is meant to be the jump start to my career, a learning opportunity, me jumping into the deep end and learning to swim. I think you all get the picture. I feel that HT is good enough to publish as my first.

I’ll figure things out today. If anything, publication will be set back a month at the most BUT I don’t, DO NOT want to do that. The book is done, written, complete, finished and every other synonym related to done. There’s no reason to keep dragging this along. It’s my time.

I’ll keep you all posted on this. Feel free to give advice, suggestions and or even tips. I’m going back to sleep.

If you LOVE romance or love to read in general FOLLOW THIS BLOG. Seriously, I follow back always and who doesn’t like mutual support? I’ve seen reviewers too. FOLLOW. Because I will need people to critique my books, good or bad, doesn’t matter. Some help is better than none at all. I’ll keep you guys updated. Thanks to all that follow me. Enjoy your Sunday and stay warm out there.

Update 12-25-13!!!

Have you guys ever just had a book you were reading but you get so tired of reading it, you just get annoyed?

That’s how this book made me feel. I’ve had it for about two or three weeks. I didn’t like how it was written in the beginning so I kinda put it off because of boredom BUT I wanted to give the book a chance so I kept reading and today I decided to finish it because I was just tired of reading it. And no this is not a review, I’m simply telling you about my day and my writing/book related activities. Lol

It was a pretty good book. It wasn’t terrible and it did keep my attention. The ending caught me off guard and I wasn’t expecting it. I liked it 🙂 but now what should I read?

Today was my day off from the book work. Someone commented on an earlier post and made me realize that it was ok to take a break. But tomorrow it’s back to work. It’s time to make a book cover!

Thanks for following bloggers. I hope you all enjoyed your holiday 😀

If you LOVE romance or love to read in general FOLLOW THIS BLOG. Seriously, I follow back always and who doesn’t like mutual support? I’ve seen reviewers too. FOLLOW. Because I will need people to critique my books, good or bad, doesn’t matter. Some help is better than none at all. I’ll keep you guys updated. Thanks to all that follow me.

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS!!!!

So I’m pretty excited with the gifts I received for Christmas I knew I was getting books but wasn’t sure which ones

The complete Twilight saga, books 2,3 and 4 of the Mortal Instruments series, The Fault in our Stars, and Mocking Jay.

So now I have a couple of complete series. I think I have 2 or 3. See even though I’ve been writing for a few years I haven’t always been a HUGE reader. I got into it this summer, loved it and haven’t stopped reading and collecting books. My fav author so far is Cassandra Clare, she’s awesome.

At the moment this is my entire collection. I’ve read 5 books, 2 of which I don’t own(Paper Towns and You complete Me). Right now I’m reading Crumble. Since the holiday has passed my collection will start growing fast. I was going to buy more but didn’t want to buy what others got for me.

Almost, I almost went and bought Book 2, but it wasn’t at the store. Turns out my sister beat me to it. Same exact store haha. I had a hunch.

Merry Christmas!! It’s Christmas now where I live..lol

Late, late, late! Shoot. Sorry guys but whatever at least I’m still posting.

So last night I stayed up until 5 or 6 working on a book called, Beyond a Lifetime. I wasn’t able to work on coverart since there isn’t internet over here but I always have my laptop. It’s like my workspace.

I almost always work on a story daily and I try to stay consistent. I have the habit of jumping from story to story and it usually happens when I get writers block. That’s why finishing Love Bleeds Red and Hero’s Tale was such an accomplishment. Now that I’m heading into publishing it’s an even bigger accomplishment.
I might post chapter one and chapter one only from Beyond a Lifetime, not sure, defiantly won’t do that for HT.

Well, I have to get back to the holiday, watch how the grinch stole Christmas, eat breakfast then open my gifts! I know that’s there’s at least 5 books coming my way xD I’ll post pics. Merry Christmas bloggers/followers

If you LOVE romance or love to read in general FOLLOW THIS BLOG. Seriously, I follow back always and who doesn’t like mutual support? I’ve seen reviewers too. FOLLOW. Because I will need people to critique my books, good or bad, doesn’t matter. Some help is better than none at all. I’ll keep you guys updated. Thanks to all that follow me. I hope you all enjoy your holiday 🙂

Ten Things I Love About Me

So I made this deal with one of my followers. If she did one I would too. Apparently someone she really admired called her weird and I couldn’t believe she was in a bummed out mood right on Christmas. I told her forget that guy, you’re awesome. So I wrote this for her. This isn’t intended to sound conceited whatsoever so..yeah ha.

1.The heart I have is definitely number one on my list. Some would say I’m “sensitive”. But I’m simply a person who knows how to feel without caring what others think. I’m not afraid to express the way I feel. I’m compassionate, tolerant and understanding. It’s something I’m glad to have because it’s so easy to be negative these days, but I’ve learned how to be positive in a lot of circumstances.

2. My intelligence is another thing. I’m not the smartest person alive but heck, I’m pretty smart. I’ll take the win.

3.This one will sound vain. But I think we all should admire ourselves to some degree. I love my appearance. Everything from head to toe I appreciate; height, skin color, my voice, etc. wouldn’t change a thing.

4. My imagination is another love. This could tie in with number one and two. Without my heart I doubt I’d be into romance and without intelligence I doubt I’d be eloquent enough to put those feelings into characters and a story. Imagination gets it’s own spot because it’s a combination of two qualities being used to form another.

5.I love my willpower. I’m one of those people who never gives up. Literally, I hate giving up and in anything I do it’s either I’m all in or I’m not in at all. Relationships, school, work and even my books. It’s my willpower that helps me through the tough parts of those things.

6.I love that I’m a writer! How could that not be one. Let’s be honest, it’s the reason I even made this blog. I love the writing, making stories and anything paper and pen related-except speeding tickets…lol

7.I love how I prefer to learn on my own. Some will say this is a bad thing if you don’t know how to accept help from others. I just love being the captain of my own ship. The reliance on other people makes me feel inferior or something. I know how to accept help, but I am always the first person I go to for help and advice. I like being responsible and in control.

8. I love…this is getting hard…ahem. I love my humorous side. I have the habit of making everyone around me including myself laugh. It started out as a nervous habit and kind of still is but still, who doesn’t like to laugh? I like making people smile and humor gets the job done 🙂

9.I love how my “wild-side”… I’ll leave that one where it’s at.

10.The last thing I love is my individuality. Once upon a time I was once called; weird, peculiar, different, out of the ordinary, but weird was the preferred name by most in my younger years. It used to get me down. You go home and wonder, “dang, I guess I am different. I don’t know anyone else like me..” But then I got more mature and older and I started loving the things I was picked on about. “Edward, you’re so weird.” I was fed up and just accepted it. Yes! I am different. I’ll stand up for all of the weird people in the world. It’ll be a big weirdocopia. Im a heterosexual guy who could shed a few tears during titanic or the notebook. I daydream about meeting my “dreamgirl”. I laugh out loud sometimes because of past moments or just because I’m happy. I’d rather write books and meet a decent girl who LOVES to read, romance and or write, instead of going to bars or parties. It’s true, I’m far from the norm, but that is who I am. I’m weird and I love everything about it. If there was some magical wand that would grant me normal for the rest of my life, I’d turn away. I love who I am.

If you LOVE romance or love to read in general FOLLOW THIS BLOG. Seriously, I follow back always and who doesn’t like mutual support? I’ve seen reviewers too. FOLLOW. Because I will need people to critique my books, good or bad, doesn’t matter. Some help is better than none at all. I’ll keep you guys updated. Thanks to all that follow me. I’ve noticed some of you aren’t in the same timezones as me. I think that’s REALLY cool for some reason lol.