IWSG: Feeling Squirrely

Thank you Alex, for this monthly opportunity to share our woes and garner much encouragement.  Hey!  I haven't told you yet, Big Al, but I mentioned you and IWSG in my interview in Insatiable Magazine. :)

My post this month builds off something I read in an earlier IWSG post by Allison over at Geek Banter: Why I Like Scrivener. I'd not heard of Scrivener before and was intrigued by Allison's account of how the writing software eased organization and navigation through manuscripts and manuscript-related documents. I've downloaded the program and am finding it to be a delightful way to get organized for my impending book release.

With my first novel, I had no idea what I was doing marketing-wise. When it was released to the world I was like...I was going to say a deer in the headlights, but that's not quite right.  I was more like a squirrel who jumps impetuously into the middle of the road and upon realizing he's in over his head, darts back and forth trying to do everything at once while meanwhile accomplishing nothing. I've been feeling good that at least with this second book, I'll be more experienced and therefore better prepared for the scary world of marketing, but on Monday my publisher gave me a tentative release date for Divine Temptation...and I'm starting to feel squirrely again. Too many ideas hitting me all at once, threatening to send me into a fluffy-tailed scurry of anti-productivity.  Enter Scrivener...

There's something very soothing about the folders and files that I can not only jump easily between, jotting down ideas in the proper place as they hit me---I can assign each document a little post-it note thingy so that I can view an entire board of related ideas at once.  And I can move them around as need be. I can't wait to use this software for writing and reworking my next novel! If you're interested in checking it out, Scrivener offers a free trial of thirty days of actual use.

Scrivener has helped me organize my thoughts well enough to have come up with a plan for involving my blog friends in the book release. :)  I know time is our most precious commodity and we get hit left and right with various blog activities, so my plan is simple and flexible so you can tailor your involvement to whatever works best for you & your blog or other social networks. Please visit this page for a brief explanation and to give me your e-mail and first born (teasing, teasing). Thanks!

 


Comments

Jennifer Lane said…
"I was more like a squirrel who jumps impetuously into the middle of the road and upon realizing he's in over his head, darts back and forth trying to do everything at once while meanwhile accomplishing nothing."

What a PERFECT description! Ha ha.
Jennifer Lane said…
Oh! And I just signed up for the launch of Divine Temptation. Feb. 12th, eh? Two days before my birthday!

You'll have to tell me more about Scrivener as you use it more.
I like your squirrel analogy. And you're right about how being organized helps you deal with your fears. I think that's why I feel scared sometimes, because I still have a lot to do when it comes to organizing my work (and my life).
Cherie Colyer said…
You had me smiling with the word "squirrely"

I know this feeling: "I was more like a squirrel who jumps impetuously into the middle of the road and upon realizing he's in over his head, darts back and forth trying to do everything at once while meanwhile accomplishing nothing." Only I was also trying to dodge the cars so I didn't get run over in the process. :)

I'm going to have to check Scrivener out. Anything that helps to stay organized is a good think.
Suze said…
'I was more like a squirrel who jumps impetuously into the middle of the road and upon realizing he's in over his head, darts back and forth trying to do everything at once while meanwhile accomplishing nothing'

This *totally* makes me want to scoop up that little squirrel and say, 'It's gonna be all right!'

Great, heart-rending image there, babe! And very cool to link to something to actually address the insecurity. Very cool.
Johanna Garth said…
Awww, I'm glad Scrivener has helped put some of your squirrel concerns to rest!
A lot of people have said it was a great program for writing, but you've found another use for it.
Oh, now to read that article...
stu said…
I know that a lot of people like scrivener, but I really dislike programs that try to organise my thinking about writing, or get in the way of just me and blank pieces of paper. On the marketing front though, I'm still trying to learn how to do it, though occupying the weird and wonderful realm of comic fantasy doesn't help.
I understand feeling like a squirrel . ..jumping around from project to project.
I keep hearing good things about scrivnener, but I haven't taken the time to get into more than one day of my 30 day trial. . . .hmm, maybe Friday I'll have some time.
Janie Junebug said…
Way cool. If you'd like to post something on my blog to promote your book, then please include me in your plan. Also, I'm not ignoring your tag to post my work in progress that uses "look." I just don't have time right now. I'll be doing that post before long and will be proud to say that Veb tagged me.

Love,
Janie
Heather Murphy said…
Yeah, so excited to help with the launch :)
Susan Oloier said…
I've heard of Scrivener, but never checked it out. I've been writing for so long that I'm like the little old lady who is too set in her ways to change. Though, I'm not old...really!
Melissa said…
You got the squirrel thing right. I'm forever slamming on my brakes for those little buggers. LOL

I've been hearing about Scrivener and wondering if I should try it. It's on special this month from what I understand. With a dystopian to plot and write soon (more characters, more subplots) I just might have to get it. :)
Michael Di Gesu said…
Love the analogy... I can see it in my head. LOL.

YAY for DIVINE TEMPTATION.... COUNT me in...

SOOOO happy and excited for you! Signing up now...

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