So I came to the conclusion I have no time to be an author and, therefore, I should just give it up. But then, after several weeks of moping over that heinous thought, a good friend pointed out that I was simply experiencing the same summer fizzle which I go through every year. She also threatened mass injury if I did stop writing, so it appears I won’t be quitting after all.
The whole summer fizzle thing definitely resonates with me. As my stepson isn’t at my house any more in the summer than other times and my daughter goes to preschool year round, it isn’t the kids at home that is the issue for me. It’s the light and brightness. The draw of the morning sunshine and the breaking dawn wonder and stillness that I know will be gone with the coming of the fall and winter months. Oh, the dawn still breaks and often glorious, but the ability to step out on the porch in my sleep shirt and nothing more, and draw in a breath of fresh, warm country air will soon be passing. And the light is an issue because my daughter can’t sleep if it’s light out. I can close up the house to utter blackness and her inner light vamp somehow still knows it’s light out and she must be up and “entertaining” mommy….in other words the writing time, which is only ever at night, goes kaput.
In the midst of this summer fizzle, I stopped the other day to find I had a new book release. I honestly missed its release day. I knew it was coming, then it blew past and it was a few days later before it occurred to me it had come and gone. Wow, that is so not like me. I must be fizzling more than usual this year. Anyway, the book in question is Sweet and Sinful, my latest out of Kensington Aphrodisia. When I got the cover art (see pict above) for this book, I wasn’t sure what I thought. Hot or just cheesy? Honestly, I still don’t know. I do think it’s cheesy, but maybe it’s also hot…enough so to outdo the cheese?
Speaking of covers and the like (and, yes, this is a jump in topic, but my brain is fizzling as well), how do you feel about receiving cover art and bookmarks in the mail? Not really talking about from an author you enjoy here and are on their reader list for that reason. But, rather, do you like it when authors you enjoy send other author’s material to you with their own? I ask as I often pick up various items at conferences. The marketing specialist in me is in love with anything shiny and bright and printed. But then, I get home and realize I have way too much stuff to contain. So is it good to share it, or is that cheesy, too?
~ jodi
www.JodiLynnCopeland.com
August 8th, 2008 at 7:35 am
I think its good to share
August 8th, 2008 at 8:50 am
I think it’s good to share too, and that it’s really cute to do that! Congratulations on the new release, Jodi!
August 8th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Jodi I’m glad you aren’t going to quite writing because that would be awful and all your readers would be so sad and I’ll be very upset. Sweet and Sinful is in my top TBR pile since I won it autographed by you.
August 8th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Thanks for the congrats, Limecello! Release time is aways a great one. And thanks to you and Beth for the input on the giveaways.
Phoebe, I definitely don’t want to quit writing. It’s just been an issue of trying to balance the day job, kids and writing lately. The darned economy is not helping matters as I have to work more hours at the day job to make up for it. But I shall do my best to get back on the track. I actually started writing my novella due this fall today and it felt really good! Thanks for the positive thoughts and wonderfully kind words though. I can always use them.
August 8th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
personally I dont think your writting is ever cheesy!! and the cover is tooooooooooooooo awesome always a draw do i like cover art oh hell ya! i think we all get into slumps but its our friends and family that see us through. trust in yourself you can do it. and your fans are here to back you
August 8th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Sharing is cool.
Maybe you should gather up all the stuff that was “too much” and do a contest. 
August 9th, 2008 at 1:03 am
LOL - I should have written, and likely am b/c it’s 4:02 am… “sharing is caring!” and Jodi - I hope the new book is also encouragement for keeping on. I definitely understand taking a break if real life calls for it - but I’m glad you’re not quitting- it’s something you love!
August 11th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Ok… you can’t even think about not writing, your books are too great! And sending out other author’s stuff, good by me, if it is for someone’s work you would recommend.