Tag Archives: self publishing

Pupdate – Zodiac

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Today marks two months exactly since we put Zodiac on the truck for his formal harness training. He was still listed in phase 4 on the report this week. Though it is most likely that is his trainer not updated his records just like happened with phase 1. I was expecting it this week so it wasn’t so disappointing. In the past two months we have gotten used to Zodiac not being around but we think about him and pray for his future every single day. Go Zodiac!

The day started out dark and rainy but by the time we got there the sky was blue and the sun was shining. What a beautiful day! Zodiac got to meet his brother Zenith. They are so much a like in temperament, but Zenith has a leaner build than Zodiac. We took one last walk with Zodiac and Dune and then put Zodiac on the puppy truck to return to GDB to start is harness training. Though we already miss him it was a day we have been working toward for over a year. Now we wait and watch the phase reports to see what Zodiac decides to do with his life.

“My Grandma Mary” update

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I got the proof for “My Grandma Mary” on Friday afternoon! Yeah! Overall it looks good but a few of the illustrations are too dark and I forgot the retail price on the back cover. So today I’ve adjusted illustrations and made some more edits. I plan to upload the revisions tomorrow and go from there. One disadvantage of Lightning Source is that there is a charge for every time you upload a new file.

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Pupdate – Zodiac

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Zodiac has finally moved on from phase 1! Not only has he moved on but he has jumped to phase 4! I’m so excited and relieved. I was beginning to worry that he wasn’t enjoying training and/or his stubborn side was interfering with his training. Since two other dogs have showed up on the phase report with the same numbers as Zodiac, the most likely reason is that the trainer didn’t update their status for a couple of weeks.

The only thing about Zodiac that  is fine and light is his hair. He is a lab so he has plenty of hair. It is the thickest and scruffiest of all our puppies. Though as he has grown up it doesn’t seem so scruffy.

An Organized File System

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DOABLE Sidebar OA critical piece to organizing any story project (or any thing for that matter) is a well thought out system. I’ve worked for years on an organizing system for my life and I think it is getting pretty good. But I can’t say the same for how I’ve organized my story projects. They aren’t terrible but they have lots of room for improvement.

So today I started doing some searching for ideas. I came across one that I’d like to try on Genealogy Tools via Organize Your Family History. The instructions are for the Mac. I don’t use a Mac but the principles are the same. One main difference is that instead of “alias” on a Mac in Windows it is called a “shortcut”. The concept of an alias or a shortcut is a great one that I’m really going to start using. Here is Ben Sayer’s series of short videos with very clear step by step instructions on setting up folders on your computer:

You’ll need places to put archival copies of scanned documents, photos, and other files on your computer. This series of video screencasts will walk you, step-by-step, through setting up a folder system and putting files into it. They’re created on a Mac and take advantage of the powerful alias feature in Mac OS X, but most of the system will work well on Windows too.

What do you think? What kind of file organizing systems have you tried?

 

“My Grandma Mary” update

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I seem to have jumped through all the hoops to get a proof copy of “My Grandma Mary” printed by Lightning Source! I got an email today confirming the order from last week. The holiday has slowed things down but if I understand how it works, I should have the proof copy in my hand this week! I’m really excited to see it. If everything looks good than I will make it available for sell asap. My mom is usually really patient about histories but on this one she asks me about it every time I talk to her. It has taken a long time to get to this point. I’ve learned so much. But I’m sure there is a lot more to learn.

One thing I’ve realized is I’m glad there are places like Blurb and places like Lightning Source. Even though they are both print on demand companies their business models and target customers are completely different. I can see that I’ll be using both companies in the future depending on the project. For small runs, Blurb is a better choice. For books with a larger audience Lightning Source can be the better choice. While Blurb has a higher price per book they have no set up costs and no on going cost to keep the book available to print. While LSI has a much cheaper price per book they set up cost of about $100 mean you have to order at least a certain number of books to make it more cost-effective than Blurb. In the case of “My Grandma Mary” you have to order at least 5 copies to make LSI a more cost-effective option.

I’m still waiting to see how the quality of Lightning Source compares to Blurb.

 

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Pupdate – Zodiac

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Zodiac has always been attracted to sounds and somewhere along the way he learned that the doorbell usually meant something interesting was about to happen. When Zodiac hears the ding-dong, he gets all excited, barks a couple of times and runs to the door.  I then ask him to step back from the door and wait calmly for me to answer it. With maturing he has made progress and the last few days he has done much better than average. Hopefully he is out growing this behavior.

Zodiac is still in phase 1 this week. I can’t help but be a little disappointed. There are three reason I can think of why he is still in phase 1:

  • he is have trouble with something in the training
  • he is sick
  • his trainer didn’t update his status

Next week’s report will probably give us some clues. There were two other dogs who stayed in phase 1, which might help the theory that the trainer didn’t update their status. I’d love Zodiac to be a guide dog but even more than that I want him to have a happy life. If being a guide dog will make him happy, I all for that. If he wouldn’t be happy being a guide dog, I’d like him to find another career.

 

Your Story Coach

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I found a new blog today that looks great for helping with all the writing aspects of a story project. It is Your Story Coach. I’ve only scratched the surface of what Tami has to offer but it is wonderful. Here is an example.

“I encourage everyone to write stories from their lives instead of writing their whole life story. Life story implies a chronological retelling of your life from birth to now, but writing stories from your life is more like telling stories at the kitchen table.

Many people take writing too seriously and worry about “doing it right.” Believe me, your family would rather have something from you rather than nothing at all—even if it’s not perfect! Writing your stories should be fun and easy. Here’s my formula:

  • Keep your writing relaxed and informal.
  • Write in your own voice—the way you talk.
  • Don’t worry about grammar and punctuation. You can always use spell check and grammar check on the computer.
  • Write your life in “small bites” of two- or three-page stories so it’s not too overwhelming.
  • Keep your audience in mind—your aim is to inform and entertain.

By writing short, two- or three-page stories from your life, a picture of you will begin to emerge. Before you know it, you’ll have a stack of stories to share with friends and family.”

I can’t wait to explore more of Tami’s blog. I’m sure I’ll be sharing more from Your Story Coach in the future. Pop on over to her blog and see what I mean.DOABLE Sidebar B

 

Our Days at Adams Mill Road

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I put together this book for group of women (one of them is my mom) who had been roommates in the 1950’s in Washington D.C. They are a fun group and have stayed in contact for more than 50 years. Many of them contributed photos, letters and stories from their days at AMR. It is kind of amazing that 10 young women could get along so well in one household. But they did and formed a kind of family.

Do you have friends or roommates from you young adult years that you still keep in contact with? I have a few but not very many. Keeping in contact with people is not one of my strengths. Those I’m still in contact with is because they are good at in not me.

Your Guide To Self-Publishing

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I’ve been on the look out for information on self-publishing lately so we I saw a link to Your Guide To Self-Publishing I clicked on it right away. Christian Cawley has complied a lot of good information and food for thought in this free guide. The guide is well-organized and easy to understand. If you have an upcoming story project that involves publishing take some time and at least skim through it, then stop and read those areas that you need more information in. It will be great to refer back to DOABLE Sidebar LDOABLE Sidebar Dwhen questions arise later.

More than Words

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I’ve always love commercials with no words or onDOABLE Sidebar Dly a few but I never thought of a book with no words, only sound effects. Do you have a family story that you could tell without words? It is food for thought for me. What do you think?

You can see more of the pages of “Leaf” here on Amazon. Click on the “Look in side.” Enchanting.

The Reading Mum's avatarThe Reading Mum

Leaf - Stephen Michael King

This is the book that inspired me to start this blog.

Leaf by Stephen Michael King has no words, only “sound effects”, and is sort of a child’s comic book. We stumbled upon it during one of our weekly library visits, but I think this one warrants purchasing.

Iris is at a very chatty, curious age. From the moment she wakes up she’s yammering away, like the lovely crow/rooster that wakes us the instant the sun pops its head over the horizon, but much cuter and less grating (mostly). This behaviour is very apparent when I read to her. She has, at the age of two and a half, mastered the Who, What, Where, Why and How.

Leaf_2

When you’ve got a book with words to get through, this can be a tad disruptive and the plot can go wandering off in a huff in the midst of her barrage of questions. She also has a tendency…

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