I so enjoyed this! I'd love to meet you one day, Joanna. You're my role model. I'm currently struggling . I've written three novels and I'm on my fourth and fifth - with a five month old! It's hard to juggle writing, keeping house, maintaining grocery shopping and errands, the mountain of laundry, and all that comes with having a family These videos help my sleep deprived mind to keep momentum. I wanted to publish my novel 'Depths Of The sea' (releasing this month) and my second, 'Reckless Love' within a short time of each other so that if readers liked one they could go to the other.
Hi Jessica, It sounds like you need to keep perspective with the long-haul approach to writing :) Your 5-month year old will grow up more every day - and there will be time for writing for the rest of your life. So, of course, write when you can, but also live in the moment - and "do life stuff" while it's intense. Those moments may be fodder for your writing later. Maybe just chill out and don't do the fast release thing. You don't have to. It's not mandatory :) Happy (slow) writing ... !
Same here!! It's so funny how I have a thought in my head and Joanna follows with an interview of the same thought! I'm learning so much. Thank you Joanna!!
Four books a year sounds so unattainable but if you break down the words per day it looks a lot less mad. The difficulty then becomes being capable of plotting interesting stories so that you can keep the word count going - I think, never having done this myself : ) Great interview!
Joanna mentioned using a fit ball at her desk to help prevent back pain & I had one so started using it at my desk also. To help keep from getting unhealthy from sitting I bought a standing desk, which I highly recommend. Standing desks can also be lowered so you can be used while sitting. Thank you Joanna.
Interesting. My creativity runs out at exactally 1700 words, daily. I could keep typing, but everything after that point is carboardy, weak, and at times incomprehensible. Still, I want to force some 5000 word days. Thanks for the interview, both of you, really good stuff.
Brilliant comment about having trouble sticking to one path! Several times you and Toby referred to the three-month schedule for high-volume production. I keep running into people talking about that without ever spelling out what they mean by it, because the discussions also drift into talking about staggering projects. James Scott Bell comes the closest I can find to addressing the specifics but stops short (Other than talking about weekly planning). Is there a video that actually spells out the details -- just the mechanics of various approaches, for the dummy? I'm thinking of How long do they spend outlining? How long for the first draft? How long for formatting? When Toby says, for interest, that she writes 2500 words a day, does that include days when she is outlining something else or just writing days? When I try to extrapolate, I get the impression that high-volume writers have nine 28-hour days every week.
Check out the 6 Figure Author podcast - this one in particular might help - and Elana has books on it too - 6figureauthors.com/podcast/7-figure-author-on-publishing-frequently-marketing-and-starting-fresh/
Honestly I'd only give a series 3 books to take off. If you don't know by then that it'll do well, you might as well not waste your time. Great advice and chat! Thanks for the insight.
It will depend on your definition of "do well," as most series take a while before people start to read them - especially in a crowded market. It will also depend on what you love to write :)
Thank you Joanna, I like Toby lol she's awesome! I finished my first book ( the first part of a fantasy trilogy) and I'm almost done with the second one! Not sure yet if I'm publishing indie or traditional, but for now, I'm creating the submission package. Being a writer really is (more than) a full-time job, especially if we want to self-publish (like you do!) The only "problem" is that I wrote my novels in French (I live in Montréal, Canada), limitings the possible reach (also because Canada's Fench is very different from France or Switzerland... or anywhere else. Do you think I should get it translated in English before publishing? or after the first (original) editions are out? Keep doing what you love, it's always nice to learn from/with you!
I think you will have a limited market in French Canadian - BUT/ that might work well for a small publisher - just make sure you keep the translation rights and then you can go indie with English language :)
Great info, except about carpal tunnel. I had it, got the simple surgery and now I don't have it (for the last 20 years.) They cut the band that holds all the stuff together in your wrist. Once cut, 99 percent of the people who get the surgery have no more pain or problems with it.
Great interview. Always informative. There were some terms I heard that I am unfamiliar with. What was the ku reference, and I think you said wide? Not sure what those are. I've been writing for a long time, but am new on the road to publishing.
Going wide means publishing on all platforms, such as iBooks, amazon and any other platform you can self publish on. But if you publish wide then you cannot make your book available to people who subscribe to amazon kindle unlimited.
Enjoyable interview and Toby talks a lot of sense however I don't agree with the "devaluing" argument of KU any more than Netflix devalues TV and film making.
Question: Could it not be that, for self published authors that are highly productive, that you could assign certain books to the regular KDP and assign others to the global plan to tap into both markets?
Not true about carpal tunnel. A simple surgery usually cures carpal tunnel. It did for me (on both hands.) I had no recurrence once the band which binds the wrist was cut.
Every person is different - and of course, surgery can help some people - but not others. Plus, if you go back to the same practices after surgery, you can get other issues.
Sure. I wouldn't discourage anyone from getting the surgery though, which is how your guest came across. Unless you are in the UK where they are apparently as likely to euthanize you as do surgery on you, it is a very safe procedure that has helped many of my friends with no complications.
I can’t believe she writes so much! It does show everyone that if you want it enough, you can make a good living as a writer!
It's also about hours in the chair :)
I so enjoyed this! I'd love to meet you one day, Joanna. You're my role model. I'm currently struggling . I've written three novels and I'm on my fourth and fifth - with a five month old! It's hard to juggle writing, keeping house, maintaining grocery shopping and errands, the mountain of laundry, and all that comes with having a family These videos help my sleep deprived mind to keep momentum. I wanted to publish my novel 'Depths Of The sea' (releasing this month) and my second, 'Reckless Love' within a short time of each other so that if readers liked one they could go to the other.
Hi Jessica, It sounds like you need to keep perspective with the long-haul approach to writing :) Your 5-month year old will grow up more every day - and there will be time for writing for the rest of your life. So, of course, write when you can, but also live in the moment - and "do life stuff" while it's intense. Those moments may be fodder for your writing later.
Maybe just chill out and don't do the fast release thing. You don't have to. It's not mandatory :)
Happy (slow) writing ... !
This was such a great interview. I'm planning on waiting until book three is finished and ready to publish before I release the first. 😃
Fantastic way to go if you have the patience - I never do :) I just write and then publish every time!
Same here!! It's so funny how I have a thought in my head and Joanna follows with an interview of the same thought! I'm learning so much. Thank you Joanna!!
Chris fox launch
Four books a year sounds so unattainable but if you break down the words per day it looks a lot less mad. The difficulty then becomes being capable of plotting interesting stories so that you can keep the word count going - I think, never having done this myself : ) Great interview!
Joanna mentioned using a fit ball at her desk to help prevent back pain & I had one so started using it at my desk also. To help keep from getting unhealthy from sitting I bought a standing desk, which I highly recommend. Standing desks can also be lowered so you can be used while sitting. Thank you Joanna.
I'm sitting on my swiss ball right now :)
I do a half hour of sun salutations every morning! I'm so glad to hear that another writer does this. Thank you for this helpful interview!
Interesting. My creativity runs out at exactally 1700 words, daily. I could keep typing, but everything after that point is carboardy, weak, and at times incomprehensible. Still, I want to force some 5000 word days. Thanks for the interview, both of you, really good stuff.
Love your energy. Made me smile.
Amazing interview. As always, I learn so much from you and your guests!
Really enjoyed this. Thank you!! Inspirational ❤️
This is a great interview. Thank you. I really appreciate the comments about Rapid Release.
Terrific interview! You are both very inspiring. Thank you:)
Brilliant interview. It made me stop and think about to create a series out of the book I'm writing at the moment. thanks :)
Brilliant comment about having trouble sticking to one path!
Several times you and Toby referred to the three-month schedule for high-volume production. I keep running into people talking about that without ever spelling out what they mean by it, because the discussions also drift into talking about staggering projects. James Scott Bell comes the closest I can find to addressing the specifics but stops short (Other than talking about weekly planning). Is there a video that actually spells out the details -- just the mechanics of various approaches, for the dummy? I'm thinking of How long do they spend outlining? How long for the first draft? How long for formatting? When Toby says, for interest, that she writes 2500 words a day, does that include days when she is outlining something else or just writing days? When I try to extrapolate, I get the impression that high-volume writers have nine 28-hour days every week.
Check out the 6 Figure Author podcast - this one in particular might help - and Elana has books on it too - 6figureauthors.com/podcast/7-figure-author-on-publishing-frequently-marketing-and-starting-fresh/
@@thecreativepenn Thanks!!!
Thank you for this video. But what is the K Analytics mentioned at 3:30 mark?
You can find K-lytics at www.thecreativepenn.com/genre (my affiliate link) or just at k-lytics.com
Honestly I'd only give a series 3 books to take off. If you don't know by then that it'll do well, you might as well not waste your time. Great advice and chat! Thanks for the insight.
It will depend on your definition of "do well," as most series take a while before people start to read them - especially in a crowded market. It will also depend on what you love to write :)
I'm publishing them as i go along, but waiting on having a bunch out before i do any paid promo
Absolutely helpful and inspiring!
Thank you Joanna, I like Toby lol she's awesome!
I finished my first book ( the first part of a fantasy trilogy) and I'm almost done with the second one! Not sure yet if I'm publishing indie or traditional, but for now, I'm creating the submission package. Being a writer really is (more than) a full-time job, especially if we want to self-publish (like you do!) The only "problem" is that I wrote my novels in French (I live in Montréal, Canada), limitings the possible reach (also because Canada's Fench is very different from France or Switzerland... or anywhere else. Do you think I should get it translated in English before publishing? or after the first (original) editions are out?
Keep doing what you love, it's always nice to learn from/with you!
I think you will have a limited market in French Canadian - BUT/ that might work well for a small publisher - just make sure you keep the translation rights and then you can go indie with English language :)
GREAT ADVICE!! Thank you so much for your reply Joanna!
This was great! I'm working on two series and thinking I should have at least 3 done before publishing. Then I get impatient...lol!
Exactly - I have zero patience :)
I love you two so much, thank you so much!!!!
Thanks :) It was a fun interview
Lots of good info in this interview!
Great info, except about carpal tunnel. I had it, got the simple surgery and now I don't have it (for the last 20 years.) They cut the band that holds all the stuff together in your wrist. Once cut, 99 percent of the people who get the surgery have no more pain or problems with it.
Joanna's giggle and her accent is so cute. Is there any wine that won't give a headache? Also do you work 24/7? You seem to get so much done. :D
Really experienced advice!
Great interview. Always informative. There were some terms I heard that I am unfamiliar with. What was the ku reference, and I think you said wide? Not sure what those are. I've been writing for a long time, but am new on the road to publishing.
ku is kindle unlimited
Going wide means publishing on all platforms, such as iBooks, amazon and any other platform you can self publish on. But if you publish wide then you cannot make your book available to people who subscribe to amazon kindle unlimited.
As below, KU is Kindle Unlimited which is Amazon's exclusive program
Here's more - www.thecreativepenn.com/pros-cons-exclusivity-for-authors
Thank you
great interview
great guest great info :) thx guys
Enjoyable interview and Toby talks a lot of sense however I don't agree with the "devaluing" argument of KU any more than Netflix devalues TV and film making.
Just listening now. I'll listen out for the "devaluing" comment.
It's more about how much the author makes, rather than a comment on the value.
The creators of content are the ones being devalued. Consumer standards are rising, I think.
Question: Could it not be that, for self published authors that are highly productive, that you could assign certain books to the regular KDP and assign others to the global plan to tap into both markets?
Yes, many authors do that. But it means that your fans who are not in KU don't get to read your work.
Toby, I know this is a year old now but where in "wine country"? I grew up in Napa.
A pandemic romance? Interesting timing.
As for coming to an end, character arc, series.... try writing back stories on some of the side characters.
Not true about carpal tunnel. A simple surgery usually cures carpal tunnel. It did for me (on both hands.) I had no recurrence once the band which binds the wrist was cut.
Every person is different - and of course, surgery can help some people - but not others. Plus, if you go back to the same practices after surgery, you can get other issues.
Sure. I wouldn't discourage anyone from getting the surgery though, which is how your guest came across. Unless you are in the UK where they are apparently as likely to euthanize you as do surgery on you, it is a very safe procedure that has helped many of my friends with no complications.
I guess we need to have a side business so we can maintain our genre independence and not give in to the pressure of typecasting.
Exactly :) Genre independence is important in a shifting world.
I can't imagine putting out a book a month! That doesn't even make sense to me! How does that work with beta readers and editors involved?
Most authors who do a book a month are very experienced :) They have a team in place and just get things very organized.
@@thecreativepenn they have à TEAM☝️makes a difference
Ppl have to get away from Amazon somehow