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Friday, August 13, 2010

Change is all we ever have

Puck, getting grown.

The only constant is change. Sayings are a cliche for a reason. This saying has certainly been ball peen hammered into my head these past few weeks (ow, ow, ow). First, Puck the puppy being a puppy is changing every day, sometimes every hour. It's like meeting a different dog each day! He's three times the size he was when we first got him! Quite a bit more dog, although almost potty trained and that helps. A lot.

Second, I'm currently shopping a novel, plus a few short stories, so I'm following...um...embroiled in the whole e-book revolution. Revolution?! Before people start screaming, oh wait, too late. It has surprised me no end at the hysteria and vitriol flowing through the Internet about e-books, e-publishers and e-magazines. Yes, it is the end of publishing life as we now know it, but it's not the end of printed books. Remember, horses still exist, radio does, movie houses are bigger and better and still show movies. All it is, is different. Changing. And what will be the change? Too soon to tell--which is crazy making for all us authors.

Third, my film life exploded unexpectedly a couple of months ago and now is taking up much more time and energy. That may change after this project...but maybe not. I'll know when it happens. Meanwhile, I'm playing catch up with my writing.

And trying to stay in creative flow--not easy when I'm so busy that I'm afraid the lights will go out because I forgot to pay the bill! Everyone's comments helped a lot last time...this time I'm asking how you, dear reader, flow with changing current while still being focused and creative and effective?

All suggestions gratefully accepted--or your own struggles.

19 comments:

Aubrie said...

Puck does look bigger! Glad he's potty trained now. :)

Good luck with your ebook submissions! Let us know what happens!

Dave King said...

It's good to know that you are so up-beat about the current scene. I do believe you are absolutely right to be so and it does sound as though things are moving in your direction. May that be so, too.

Cynthia Reed said...

Conda, I am always *so* impressed by your energy, determination and, of course, your successes as they roll along, one after another!

It is lovely to see someone continue to adapt and change--and this post is a testament that you do, and have the self-awareness to look at it when it feels like you don't.

How do *I* flow with the changing current? I don't feel I do it well at all but am, instead, constantly being caught in the undertow and then having to struggle to the surface, catch a breath and work toward heading off in the right direction.

But, that said, things ARE changing for me again and I feel a move back toward the creative and away from the mundane creative that pays the bills but makes little deposit to the soul's account.

Hopefully, that is changing. I'm staying tuned to your life--and mine--and still working toward It, whatever "It" turns out to be.

And Puck...what a guy! Adorable. I am so happy for you.

Helen Ginger said...

Puck is a cutie patootie. I'm not great at going with the flow. This morning my computer wouldn't boot up. Grrrrrr. Now I'm using DH's iPad. I'm sort of being dragged along by the rapids.

Carol Kilgore said...

Puck is adorable. I can tell he makes you smile.

Right now I'm standing on a rock in the middle of the stream searching for the strongest current. I wouldn't mind my work going e-book only IF it still made the same money or more as a printed book, IF it still received the same quality of editing as a printed book, IF it still received the same amount of marketing push it would receive as a printed book (and, yes, I know this is usually minimal or none). Anything less gives the industry the right to say the book is less.

Conda Douglas said...

Yes, it is a relief that Puck's mostly potty trained, Aubrie. But right after I posted this, he had an accident!

Conda Douglas said...

Dave, thanks--but of course sometimes it's "laugh or scream" with this new world!

Conda Douglas said...

Cynthia, dear friend, you're one of the people who "flows" the best! And yes, the animals in our loves bring so much love, so freely.

Conda Douglas said...

Helen, ah, the glories of technology...

Kathy McIntosh said...

Yes, Puck is cute, and SMART, and getting bigger (although he's still small in my book!:))
Staying in flow...I love Carol's analogy of being on a rock in a stream. Mine's wobbly and the stream's powerful.
I think there's something to just being with your work, relaxing into the current project, and not worrying about where it is going and how it will be marketed, until it is finished. I DO think we should keep the ultimate reader in mind, but try not to worry yet about how our words will reach her. Maybe that's putting on tinted lenses, but if we don't finish the book/story/ then marketing won't matter.

Conda Douglas said...

Carol, excellent points all--and why the e-book revolution is a revolution, i.e. in the midst of change...right now not all of this is in place all the time. Some e-book publishers are as good as print, some not and vice-versa! Makes my head hurt...

Enid Wilson said...

Have small goals. At the moment, I only ask myself to write 500 words a day. I put it as a sticky note on the desktop and now I seem to be able to write more than that every day. I'm quite proud of myself.

Really Angelic

Talli Roland said...

I really think e-books is a great thing for publishing - especially smaller independent publishers. Nice to hear you embracing it!

DJ Kirkby said...

"Remember, horses still exist, radio does, movie houses are bigger and better and still show movies. All it is, is different." Excellent points! I'm not keen on eBooks as a reader but I'm more than happy to have my novel go out as an eBook eventually.

Conda Douglas said...

Kathy--all your points are so...on point!

Conda Douglas said...

Enid, I don't think 500 words a day is a "small" goal!

Conda Douglas said...

Talli--I love this new world, sometimes!

Conda Douglas said...

DJ, welcome to my blog. I just visited yours and I love the reviews.

Anonymous said...

Change is good. I love change, an environment of controlled chaos. Its what keeps me mind fresh, alert, and adapting. Familiarity is boring. I'm getting sleepy just thinking about it.

Stephen Tremp