4/21/2015

Jan Schliesman's Bumpy Road to Publication

It's a little more than two weeks until my first book releases and my world is a crazy combination of fun and fear.  Surprised?  Maybe you think that signing a contract and sending your baby out into the world means you'll be dancing through fragrant fields of flowers?  I guess that could be a possibility, but I live in Wichita where we have lots of windy days and not an abundance of fragrant fields.

I also happen to know lots of writers. Self-published, e-published, traditionally published and who write everything from romantic suspense, historical, mysteries, paranormal, inspirational and erotic. Writers who churn out stories like well-oiled machines, writers who struggle to get words on the page and writers who fall somewhere in between.  Not a one of them says this is the easiest job they've ever had.  Most of them have toiled for years, striving to sell while working day jobs that pay the bills.  Juggling kids, husbands and household duties with time on the computer to get words on the page.

When it comes to writing challenges, I'm my own worst enemy.  I've said this before, I have no idea why technology hates me!  I think maybe it's because I fall into that gap of learning specific computer programs for specific jobs and not really having a need to create templates, format headers, renumber pages for contest entries and, gulp, add photos to anything.

As proof of my total incompetence when it comes to techy stuff, I will share an embarrassing story.  I needed a headshot and I happen to have a bossy-as-hell best friend who handed me a shirt and jewelry and hauled me to a local park in Dallas, Texas, for pictures.  I'm thinking a dozen is probably a sufficient number and instead, there were four hundred!

The pictures were saved to a flash drive, which was handed to me with instructions to upload the pictures to my laptop.  I'm a drag and drop kind of person.  If something can't be coaxed into moving to another folder, I convince myself that I probably didn't need it anyway.  These pictures appeared to be cooperating and I was uber-proud of myself for making a file folder and politely dragging the pictures into it.

I'm sitting on one end of my best friend's couch while she occupies the other and she seems to be happy with my progress. Five minutes later she asks, "Are you moving those pictures one by one?"  Her tone insists its a ridiculous idea and I'm sort of torn about my answer.  She quickly takes possession of the computer and then starts laughing hysterically.

FYI: The worst thing you can do to an insecure person who already says they don't have techy skills is laugh at them.

I had actually created a new folder on her flash drive...not on my own computer...and I was merely dragging pictures back onto the flash drive(!)  This is only funny because I would have gotten home to Wichita and tried to open the folder on my computer and there would have been nothing there.  Although this is sad, pathetic and wrong, I'm blaming this on the Microsoft Corporation for selling me a laptop with Windows 8.  Why couldn't they make it easier to use??

Rather than dwell on this minor speed bump, I'd like to celebrate the fact that I shared this story for your entertainment!  And what's a celebration without a giveaway?  I'm going to award a copy of my not-yet-available debut, Protecting His Brother's Bride, to a lucky North American commenter.  Scroll down and click the comment button, include your email, and answer this question:

NAME THE SKILL THAT CHALLENGES YOU THE MOST

ANGI ADDENDUM: The previous account is BASED on a true story. Otherwise... I don't think we'd still be best friends.

I'd also like to add some links for our most humble, Jan "say it with me" She-lease-man. And here's the romantic times review from her debut book.

“First, coffee mogul Dalton Matthews walks in on Kira Kincaid trespassing on his property, and later, Kira’s truck explodes as an intruder comes after her to kill her. Though Dalton is unsure of Kira’s motives, he defends her against the intruder. Kira is on a mission, desperate to clear her name from embezzlement charges, and Dalton joins her, compelled to keep her safe. While searching for evidence, Kira reveals to Dalton that his late brother, Josh, was her husband, and matters only get more complicated as the attraction between them grows. Plenty of action and a few good plot twists are the highlights of this story. The sharp, witty banter between Dalton and Kira, along with their sizzling chemistry, makes this story one entertaining romance.”

~ ~ ~
Twitter @JanSchliesman

On Sale at Harlequin     Kindle    Nook

20 comments:

  1. Jan, I am not the most computer savy person either and having teenagers in the house to point this out is not good. Now don't get me started about using a smartphone. Phones are made to talk on only if you ask me.lol
    eppersonkatrina@yahoo.com

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    1. Katrina, I wrote a response and didn't hit the publish key! Of course I'm on my phone without the benefit of my "cheater readers":). Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Sewing! Didn't even have to think about it. If someone told me I had to eat worms or sew I would have to grab a fork and start munching. I don't know why that skill has always eluded me... but it has.
    Congratulations on your debut book. May it bring many more success (not bad techy ones) to you.
    blameitonabook at gmail dot com

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    1. I had forgotten that I can't sew either, Julie! Not sure I'd be willing to eat worms, but maybe have some dental work done:)

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  3. Ah, Jan, that is so wonderful! Congratulations on your first book and I know many more fabulous ones are to come.

    As for challenged...I wish I could run for a lot of miles. Somehow, running has always eluded moi. Hugs!

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    1. Hi Vicki! Thanks for the kind words. I can't run either, so all these answers are making my list of things to avoid grow even longer!

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  4. That's a pretty funny story about the pictures, Jan! I'm not too technically challenged, but I did have two different hard drives in two separate computers completely die on my within six months of each other. So now I am the back-up queen of the universe.

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    1. Hi Janie! I've been burned by loosing documents before so now I use Dropbox. Everyday and every time. Hope all is well on your side of the world:)

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  5. Congrats on your upcoming debut Jan! :)
    I am one of the few that does not have a cell phone... it is funny when my mom or sister hand me their phone and tells me to answer it or type a response for them, LOL... each time I have to ask what I have to touch or push to do what is needed. I guess with more practice I would have no issues.

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  6. Hi Colleen! Maybe you have the right attitude. Avoiding technology might reduce my stress level:). Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. Congrats on your upcoming debut novel. I'm looking forward to reading your work. 😄

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    1. Thanks Teresa! It feels like it's taken forever to finally hold my book in my hands:)

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  8. can't think of anything

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  9. Thanks Clover! I'm In love with it too:). Great seeing you at the NT meeting!

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  10. Congrats to Jan. Adding numbers in my head. I always use my fingers. My husband does it so easily too. yenastone at aol dot com

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    1. Hi Tammy! So far, doing math in my head is the only thing on the list that I can do. Probably because I love to bargain shop and have to figure out the 60% off the already marked down price! Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. I have a long list of things I suck at. Anything with numerals in it has to come first; then technology; then anything resembling craft; followed by navigation. I could go on but it would become a book...

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  12. I'm starting to think that you and I should write a book about all of these things, Avril!

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