I’m pissed off at the moment. In the grand scheme of things it’s so small, but I’m still really angry. And I can’t get past it, so I’m going to tell you about it instead.
I ordered a banner from Fiverr at the beginning of the month. I’ve sung the praises of this place and continue to do so, but this is the first time I’ve experienced a disappointment.
I ordered a banner for this blog. The photo shoot with Grace happened so long ago, I really (REALLY) want to show you some of these pictures (because she did such an amazing job!) and my plan was to kick that off with a new banner. At the moment, the blog looks a lil boring with no colour to link the pages together.
I ordered the banner of 2 March and received the usual message giving me an estimated delivery time. 16 March. o.O Two weeks? Yikes, okay. But what I asked for was pretty involved, it would take a lot of work. Fine. I’ll wait two weeks.
Fast forward to yesterday, I receive a message at something daft like 1.30am (though time zones make it less daft, when I think about it) telling me that the designer was unable to fulfil my order because of equipment issues.
My angry face returns. -_-
It happens. I know, but I consider this a reminder; you get what you pay for. If I’d paid hundreds of pounds for this design work, I would have been updated at every turn (or so I hope) and, if there were issues, I would have been told about it much sooner. Not on the projected day of delivery. What if it was a book cover? What if I had a looming deadline and now there was no chance to fix it? Needless to say, I won’t be using this person again, the trust is gone.
And this brings me onto what I actually wanted to talk about today (conveniently).
Trust.
It’s a big deal and in the panel I managed to sit on during the States of Independence event on Saturday, there was a lot of talk about this. The panel was on integration of LGBTQ books, whether it’s necessary, has it been done already and do LGBTQ readers and authors even want it. Very interesting.
Pinocchio….
Now… from a personal point of view, I don’t care who writes my books. Man, woman, gay, straight, tall, short, fat, thin, religious or not, it doesn’t matter. So long as the story is good I’ll read it and probably tell people about it. But I don’t like to be deceived. Nobody does.
Nobody is asking you (as an author) to bare all and keep nothing to yourself, but in this age where corporate media does it’s absolute best to trick you and deceive you at every turn, it’s important to be upfront and honest. It’s not just part of a brand or a gimmick, but… just decent, you know?
I never pretend to be someone I’m not. That’s because I don’t like lying. Yes, in distancing myself from Raven I’ve drawn a line between different preferences, styles and desires, but it’s still all there. It’s still me.
I don’t know if I’m being clear any more. It’s too early for this and I haven’t had enough sleep. I guess what I’m trying to say is, while I’m working on ‘building my brand’ I will always been honest and upfront with you. Because that’s how I want to be treated.
Yeah. That’s it.
Goals now.
Last Week
Continue reading my review book (The Unsuspecting Mage) – at least three chapters
Done. I’ve slowed down somewhat. Mainly because I’ve watched a lot of Breaking Bad this week (finished the series, at last! It was AMAZING!) but also because I’ve been hammering away at SORB. Ho hum.
Read (and make notes on) at least ten chapters of SORB, post reverse edits
Yep. Done in fact. I suppose it’s a good sign that once I started reading I didn’t want to stop. I certainly did more than ten chapters to get to the end of the novel.
With each word I read I’m more and more excited. Not that I didn’t like previous versions, but this one, I really do believe is it. I’m there. I just need to pull it all together, give it a spit polish and send it to betas.
I wanted to do that in April, but I’m not sure that I’ll be able to. I’ll keep you posted, but, with all the other things on the go I’m not moving as fast as I initially wanted.
Read at least two posts from other bloggers each day
I’ve actually done more than that, on average. I forgot how wonderful all you bloggers are. How talented! I’ve been so wrapped up in my own work and what’s going on in my life that I forgot about you. I’m sorry about that. But I’m back now and making far more of an effort to keep in contact with you. 🙂 And find more of you. One can never know enough other authors, right? 😉
This week
- Finish reading my review book (The Unsuspecting Mage) – I’m there now. Let’s just get it done.
- Work on three chapters of SORB, neatening up the text based on read through notes.
- Read at least two posts from other bloggers each day
- Find another designer to work on my banner -_-
Remember I mentioned Liar’s League last week? The event got cancelled, due to illness, and has been moved to tonight. Fingers crossed we’ll have a sitter in place which will allow me to go. I think I’d really enjoy it.
If I do manage to go, I’ll tell you more about it next week. Or on Saturday. I think it’s my turn. *checks* Yes, it’s my turn. ^_^
Catch you all then, have a good week!
I wrote a letter to the editor of Writing Magazine on Friday. Yes, them again! I know, but stick with me.
I’ve worked this way for several months now and the moral boost I get from waking up each morning and being able to say, quite honestly, ‘I am a successful writer’ is amazing. And it keeps me going, ready and eager to keep pushing and achieving. And I’m not published yet. 😉
Teal (daft name) felt horribly self centred to me. I know its a real character trait and that I’m not required to like every character I read about (nor should I), but I found it hard to empathise with her. She talked about herself far too much; background that had little to no bearing on the tale being told.
Writing: A Conversation Without Interruptions 