Recently, I was asked to be the main speaker at two different Live Events (like a news presenter but without the manuscript). One in my own language and the other one in English. Needless to say, I was terrified and considered taking the easy way out and just say ‘No, thanks.’

But then it occurred to me that I will always regret it if I didn’t dare to try. So, I accepted – and spent the next few weeks worrying and practising.

And you know what? It was scary, but I think I did a good job – at least that’s what people are telling me – and I choose to believe them, lol.

But I think the most important lesson was that I’m so happy I took the chance and just went for it – even if the outcome could have been a lot worse.

It’s strange how you always regret more the challenges you never accepted, eh? I know I do. So, next time you receive a challenge, maybe it’s time to just say ‘Yes!’ or to quote Pippi Longstocking (written by Astrid Lindgren):

‘I’ve never done that before, so I’m sure I can.’

I’m trying to write a scifi novel and I realise that I haven’t read enough books in this genre, or I’ve simply ignored all the details that is needed to make it sound credible. For example, what do you call the “door” to your quarters, and how do you open it? (provided you’re on a spacecraft, of course).

But honestly, what’s a scifi without a spacecraft? And travelling faster than light? Totally boring, in my opinion.

Anyway, in the attempt of getting all the details correct, I’ve been reading a lot of sci fi stories lately. And I’m surprised by how often they use a “handle” to open the “door” to their “room”. Is i really that easy? Or are there a lot of writers choosing the wrong words?

And then I found this sentence from Star Trek: ‘the door slid open ahead of him’

Avoiding the problem seems to be the easiest solution.

So, I guess my latest dark romance novel became a bit too dark for Amazon. I finally got the email explaining why they blocked it. Bottom line, they refuse to publish it. Apparantly I’m violating a rule and I’m left to guess which one – there seems to be a zillion of them.

Still, I can guess that it was because of the first chapter. The fact that it turns into a sappy romance about halfway through was obviously not enough.

So, I thought I should just remove it completely from their site.

And now I see that it has actually been published.

Whaaaat? How did that happen?

Maybe it’s just my lucky day. If it is, I won’t try the lottery because my luck has surely ran out, lol.

I think I’ll just enjoy it while it last…

Last weekend, I wrote about 8k words on a new story for the Nude Day Contest
on Literotica. And all the time I had the feeling: “This is good. Really good”.

Only to crashland a few days later when I reread it and changed my mind completely. Parts of it is okay, but 
the plotline had more holes than a Jarlsberg cheese.

Sigh, so it’s back to the drawing board again. After all, it was only the first draft, and I usually make about 3 revisions to a story before publishing.

The thing is, I have several stories like that on my laptop. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just me that is too picky or if they are actually good enough to publish.

Guess I’m not brave enough to give it a try – yet.

Or maybe it’s just something that comes with experience. I’m still hoping.

Photo: Freepik Premium

A picture says more than a thousand words, doesn’t it?

My books are again on Amazon. Amazingly enough, it worked to have them reposted.

I’m so relieved, even though I lost all the votes and the best seller rankings and everything. But at least, they are there and available.

I was starting to worry how it would look when I publish the 3.book in the Mooncrest series, and how that would be possible without the second one. Anyway, no I don’t have to worry much longer. I’m just hoping it will be there from now on.

Still, I might have gone a little overboard. I actually published 6 books yesterday. New record, no doubt. And I think I set a new record in using Affinity Publisher (for me at least) to produce the new covers. Great program, by the way. I think I’m hooked for life.

So, here’s a list of the new books:

1. Ebook ‘Turning the Omega’
2. Paperback ‘Turning the Omega’
3. Hardcover ‘Turning the Omega’ (in case all the other versions failed)
4. Paperback ‘Mating the Omega’
5. Ebook ‘Undercover Lover’ – again rejected since the thief still have to write a signed statement lending me the copyright to my own book…. in your dreams, Amazon, sigh…
6. Ebook under a new pen name – I’m trying something new and pushing a few boundaries just for the fun of it. I’ll keep the pen name to myself for the time being. But I might share it later when I stop being embarrased about it

Picture collected from Freepik Premium

I’m terribly upset.

Amazon has removed my best selling book ‘Turning the Omega’ for unknown reasons. I’ve tried to reason with them, and asked which policy I’m supposed to have violated?

But they won’t explain why.

In fact, after I was stupid enough to ask them for an explanation, they even removed another one: the eBook for ‘Turning the Omega’. That makes 3 banned books in just 3 days (2 paperbacks and 1 eBook). Bascially, months of work removed with a mouse click.

I guess it’s only a matter of hours before they also remove any trace of ‘Mating the Omega’ as well. I still have the ebook and the hardcover version left.

So, after sulking for a few hours, I started republishing everything. Hoping for a miracle (or a kind soul) that the books will be accepted. Fingers crossed. It will take 72 hours before I know the answer.

In the meantime, if you want to read my books, please check out the Amazon competitors that still have the book for sale: Apple, Google, Smashwords and Barnes & Noble.

I don’t even feel bad for recommending using them instead of Amazon. Not today at least.

Hopefully, it will be available again soon. I’m terribly sorry for the inconvenience.

—-

The only consolation was to discover that I’m not the only writer experiencing this. I read the community pages on Amazon and learnt that several other authors had also lost books. It turns out that the policy guidelines are open for personal interpretation. So, depending on the person handling your case, you can get accepted or rejected.

In conclusion: I guess it can be worthwhile to give it another attempt.

And, next time, I won’t contact them – ever.

I’m taking a break from writing. I’ve completely lost my inspiration…

Picture collected from Freepik Premium (paid membership)

Photo from Freepik Premium

For some time now, I’ve wanted to learn how to improve my book covers. Particularly to learn how to handle layers and create those beautiful fantasy covers that make the book look absolutely irresistible.

Well, let’s just face it. Some skills are not that easy to master in just a few hours (weeks, even) in front of YouTube.

Actually, the cover was ok. But the size was just about 2 inches smaller than the rest of the book.

Suddenly, the writing feels like the easiest part of self-publishing, LOL.

• 

I’ve done a major mistake.

I’m a pantser so during the last few months, I’ve written 70k words on a long were shifter story. But… without planning the plot in detail. It’s just typical of the way I write my stories and it works well for shorter stories. But, this time it didn’t. I’ve actually written some of the scenes in three different versions, and some scenes simply don’t match at all.

So, now I’m stuck with more plotholes than ever – and I have a story that demands about three times as much editing work as usual. But the good things about it, is that I’ve got ideas and scenes I can use in the next three books. Who would have thought, LOL.

I guess I better learn how to plan ahead before writing. You never stop learning, do you? Well, I can assure you the next one will go much more smoothly – I’ve already made an outline and set the chapter headings.