Hello, all! I didn't intend to disappear from the blogosphere for the past few weeks, but I do have a good excuse because I've been busy writing! I'm trying my best to concentrate as hard as the little cutie in the picture above and keep writing, writing, and writing.
But since it's Friday and time to celebrate, I'm jumping back in to blog land and celebrating some writing-related fun I've had in the past few weeks.
1. I was interviewed by Carolyn at Authors, Agents, Books, and More and it was a great experience to be featured there! Carolyn does an awesome job with that site and I was so grateful for the opportunity. If you'd like to see my interview, click here.
2. I received an unsolicited invitation to appear at an author's event in 2017 and I couldn't be more thrilled. The lady who contacted me asked what my fees would be to appear and I almost fell off my couch. Fees? Someone was asking me about fees when I would happily pay to attend? Yes, she was, and she also offered to pay my expenses. I took her up on that since I will need a hotel but I told her I don't charge any fees. Just the idea seems so crazy! But who knows, maybe someday I'll actually be in that position. It sure was nice to be asked! Anyway, by total coincidence, the event is in Marysville, Ohio, which happens to be the home of Baby Moo and Sunrise Sanctuary, the star and setting of my forthcoming children's book. I couldn't believe that coincidence but somehow it feels like a good omen!
3. Finally, I'm celebrating that I'm making real progress on my new story for my Polar Night series and I'm genuinely enjoying the writing. And I'm thinking about the story ALL the time! When I'm in the shower, when I'm driving to work, when I'm taking Clancy for a walk.... it's always fun when a story takes over like that. :)
So after the past few weeks, I'm not only as focused as that little cutie above, I'm also as excited as this one.
Happy Friday and weekend, all!
The Celebrate the Small Things hop is hosted by my buddy Lexa Cain and co-hosted by L.G Keltner at Writing Off the Edge, Tonja Drecker at Kidbits, and Katie at The Cyborg Mom. Visit Lexa's blog here to find out how join in the hop yourself and to see the list of participants.
That's cool they'll pay for your hotel room. Can't pass that up. Now, back to writing!
ReplyDeleteIt's all very exciting!!! Love the idea of someone asking you about the fees you charge - you should totally work up a list for the future. You could even do it where your fees or a portion are a donation to the animal sanctuary or another charity.
ReplyDeleteIt's all right to take breaks for writing and even for occasional breaths of air.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome that they are paying your expenses. I was once asked by a book club if I visited book clubs and if so, what did I charge. I told them chocolate.
Wow! Now if that isn't the stars aligning, I don't know what is, that's just a fantastic opportunity for you and to have them pay for the hotel too? Amazing! I'm thrilled for you. And so glad you've had so much writing time. Great news to read!!
ReplyDeleteLots of great things to celebrate this time Julie. I read your interview and you did a great job. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYay for the excitement and passion for your story! And that's really cool about the invitation. You're going to rock it!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that's so exciting! Glad you're so into your story, it's great when they take hold of you like that :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice interview! I had to laugh about the "almost fell off my couch" comment. I felt the same way when a writers' group asked me to speak and wanted to know how much I charged. I like Elizabeth's idea of charging chocolate. :) And how wonderful that the event is in Marysville, OH! Definitely good karma going on there. It's great to hear how deep you are into your story now. Congrats on making so much progress!!
ReplyDeleteThat WOULD be a thrill to be invited to a book event! Marysville isn't too far from me in Columbus. Love the doggie and kittie computer photos. :-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Good news all around! Good for you! The author event does sounds like a good omen. Enjoy the writing.
ReplyDeleteWow! Wow! Wow!
ReplyDeleteSo much awesomeness all at once! I am so excited for you. I hope your writing continues to go excellently and that more opportunities pour in.
Oh my goodness! It is soooooo exciting that you were asked how much your "fee" would be to attend that author event. I'm so happy for you. Something tells me you aren't quite as introverted as you were when you started your writing journey.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work with your next Polar book. If writing the story is all-consuming to you, it's a good sign it'll be all-consuming to your readers, too. (So hurry up! We're "hungry" for more...)
Exciting things to celebrate today. Having expenses paid is great.
ReplyDeleteWriting is a good excuse for doing (or not doing) almost anything. Glad you made progress.
ReplyDeleteAwesome that your expenses are paid. I'm mean because I would come up with a fee in five seconds. Congrats on your children's book getting a contract. You know there is an animated movie called 'Sing' coming in the fall with singing animals. Maybe you can do a tiny tie in or something. Glad writing is going well and I'm as excited for you Julie as that cat in the pic. Enjoy your life and weekend dear!
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much for your comments! I'm still doing a writing happy dance and looking forward to writing more all weekend. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteAnd Elizabeth, I wish I had thought to say chocolate about the fee! Too funny.
Thank you all again!
How fulfilling to feel your work being recognized and you earn the perks a respected writer receives. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteI love when my story is all I think about. You're in a good place!
ReplyDeleteAll good things to celebrate! And I love the pics you chose. :)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting about the invitation... yes lots to celebrate there for sure:) Have fun with your new story.
ReplyDeleteGlad writing's been going so well for you lately, and that you feel beyond enthused by your story, too. Inspiration like that is far too fleeting sometimes. Also, how exciting about the interview, not to mention the author event invitation! Yay you! :D
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to be contacted like that. Fees? Wow - that would have stumped me too, but it might be worth figuring out what kind of money other authors charge, for when another invitation arrives :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful news and as you say such good omens too :) Such a lot to celebrate and share. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteSpecial Teaching at Pempi’s Palace
Julie, Great interview by Carolyn! Oh, that's cool to get an invitation and offer of paid expenses! You must be doing something right, huh? ;) Your writing accomplishments are definite reason to celebrate. Maybe, one day I can celebrate moments like these, too. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteXOXO, Curious as a Cathy ;)
They asked what your fee was? Heck, I'd have given them one! But at least their paying expenses. That's awesome! Congrats on the interview (I loved it and commented) and on progress with the new Polar book! Woohoo!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome week! And wow...just wow on the fee request. (That still exists somewhere?) Enjoy it to the fullest!
ReplyDeleteWow, super happy for you Julie. One day you can probably demand your fee/s. Enjoy your sweet surprise, you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteThat's when you know you've made it, when someone wants to pay you just to show up. I might've cried. :)
ReplyDeleteExciting that someone's willing to pay you to speak! ^_^
ReplyDeleteYou've got the very best excuse for not blogging! I'm using it as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being asked to appear! Sounds like maybe it's time to figure out a reasonable fee. Although having your expenses paid makes it worthwhile right there. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI do love to hear anyone is writing. The rest are just big fat bonuses. Yay!
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Hi human, Julie,
ReplyDeleteLook at that! A laptop dog!
You've sure been busy, my human friend. Delighted to read that you've been making real pawgress, um, progress, with you new story in your series. Well done and most encouraging.
And it appears the cat must be looking a photo of me. Arf! :)
Pawsitive wishes, your way,
Penny!
I'm of the opinion you should have made up a fee! I mean, when people offer to pay me money, I don't say no. =) Huge congrats on that! I hope you made epic progress while you were away.
ReplyDeleteAwesome news! Congratulations! Hope you're having a lovely week. :)
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo. Wonderful things here. :)
ReplyDeleteWOW!! So Awesome!!! Sounds like you're on a roll!!! Keep going!!!
ReplyDeleteYay on making progress on the WIP! And major cool on the event you were invited to.
ReplyDeleteThose are BIG things to celebrate! How awesome about the conference - if they're seeking you out, you ARE at the point of getting paid to speak about writing. Congrats. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy staying in the throes of your new story. No better place to be. ;)
Good news all the way around for you - congratulations! I agree about the author's event being a good sign.
ReplyDelete