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Angela M Caldwell

~ Author

Angela M Caldwell

Tag Archives: #nevergiveup

Be the Gatekeepers

07 Wednesday Jan 2015

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 37 Comments

Tags

#author, #authors, #books, #creativity, #dontgiveup, #gatekeepers, #indieauthor, #indiebooks, #indiebooksbeseen, #indiepublishing, #nevergiveup, #publishing, #readers, #whyindiebooks, #writers, #writetip, #writing, #writingproces, artist, ceative, depression, ecouragement, esty, lovetoread

While doing some research online, I discovered an article that lumped all indie authors and their books into one category: a waste of money. The author’s goal was to inform the public on how to avoid buying a horrible indie book. No, I will not share the link because there was only a dash of truth in his rant. He was wrong for the most part because he forgot about so many writers who invest in their work.

This blog got me thinking about creativity in general and how much creative people struggle in silence.

credit: mollyflatt.co.uk

credit: mollyflatt.co.uk

Writers and Artists pour their souls into their projects for months or even years. Sleepless nights become common as their minds continue to spin wanting to make their creation the best it can be. They are dedicated souls and most people have no idea the angst creative people go through to create. Most of them struggle with ever sharing anything, knowing deep down that it will never even be close to the perfection they seek.

Even the brave ones are easily discouraged when they attempted to share their work. Without connections, a platform, or the money they need to advertise, their treasures will go unnoticed and many artists will even become depressed. Their art will no longer bring them joy, but pain. What once was something that helped them through dark-times will become the reason they live in the darkness.

Nothing pains me more than to see an artist who has fallen to the beast of bitterness. They no longer enjoy that part of their being, and they wish they could kill the creativity inside that reminds them of failures and only brings pain. This is not an uncommon story. Many great artists were never recognized as such until their bones were buried. I don’t even need to name their names because you know them. Most likely, friends have even told you how the best never get attention until their dead. And that’s just what you needed to here. (sarcasm)

Credit: spring.org.uk

Credit: spring.org.uk

The world has changed some for artists though. Esty has opened up a platform for artists sell to their work to others.  Tons of talented jewelry makers, designers, painters, and others fill the Esty marketplace it’s overwhelming. Film Festivals and digital cameras have allowed independent film-makers to compete where money once stopped them. And some have thrived. E-books and POD has done the same for authors, but masses of people upload files daily that never were invested in. This has created a stigma against self-published and indie authors. Just think about Esty and all the wonderful things you find from people sharing their creative projects.

But, the publishing word is still trying to exclude the independent presses and authors by pointing to the sloppy, unedited, poorly written, debauchery ridden, books and dismissing all who are independent of large publishing companies.

I believe this stigma can be undone. The indie world needs some kind of gatekeepers to make a difference. The answer to this problem seems quite easy. There are readers all around us. They can be the gatekeepers by supporting authors who have invested in their work. Some readers have already begun to find well done indie books that can compete with mainstream publishing houses. When an author chooses the independent route, the worry of them being lumped in with the stigma of self-published inspires them to invest in every aspect of publishing in hopes to set themselves apart.

Credit: spring.org.uk

Credit: spring.org.uk

Honestly, there is a ton of sub-par art out in this world. Films, art, music, and so on are released on a weekly basis because have they received a stamp of approval some company who had the money to produce a product. Not all gates are kept well. The wonderful thing about indie authors is that there are jewels among the swine. And finding the treasure is not as hard as you think. Let me challenge you to seek out the authors who are investing in their own work. You are a Gatekeeper for independent writers.

encouragementyou're

Credit: http://kevinmartineau.ca

You don’t have to love their story, or their genre, to realize they have talent. Art is subjective. But, what you can do is watch for authors who invest in themselves. Watch for the writers who are working hard to improve no matter what is thrown at them. Encourage others when you see them working hard. Share positive reviews with others; it’s a boost that will help that creative soul continue their plight.

Being around creatively minded people most of my life I’ve seen very talented people who continue to go unrecognized, but would recognition fulfill them? No, but the words and support of truthful friends can be enough to keep them moving forward. Creative people don’t want the whole world to love what they create, most would settle for a few people to be moved by their work. Your support could be enough to keep them going.

One of the hardest things experienced in my life is a loved one who quit writing and doing anything creative for the most part. I spent years trying to encourage them to not. One of the reasons I started writing again was I wanted to inspire them. After years of misery at the thought of creating anything, they wrote this past week and they enjoyed it. This was my Christmas miracle. Let’s support artists and encourage them to keep creating. The world we live in has offered you, the reader, a great opportunity to be Gatekeepers of the independent artists.

 

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An Unforeseen Author

11 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #author, #authors, #books, #debutauthor, #deubt, #dontgiveup, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #fangirl, #indebooksbeseen, #indiepub, #nevergiveup, #writers, #writetip, #writing, #writingproces

I didn’t grow up reading like many authors. I grew up on films. I loved movies and not just current films. I watched films from the black and white era, mysteries, musicals, and more. I made my parents rent the film The Labyrinth every time we went to the video store. (Some of you have never rented from one of those. They’ve become extinct.) Instead of reading stories, I was watching them. I learned about plot and character from film.

Even though I didn’t read much, I liked the idea of books. The first book I read, other than children’s books, was a Nancy Drew mystery. I sat in my room on a Saturday and read the whole book. After that, I didn’t read for a long while. But eventually C.S. Lewis and Frank Pertetti caught my attention with their stories. My lack of reading had to do with my endurance. I would lose my place on the page and daydream if I got bored.

To this day, I have difficulty finishing books if they don’t draw me in.

So how does a non-reader become an author?


There is no doubt I loved stories. I even earned a BA in video production, and became photographer as well. I’ve lived behind the camera for years.
But about 7 years ago, I stared reading young adult novels and I never quit. Over those years, I didn’t keep count of how many books I read. However, I read so much that it inspired me. And over two years ago, I started writing once again.(See my blog post: Why I stopped writing.)

Now, the girl who couldn’t focus long enough to read one book will release her first book The Last Order on Feb 3rd, 2015.

My biggest hope is not that people will love my book, although a few fangirls would be nice. Instead, I hope someone like me, who lost their passion for something they enjoyed, will find their way back and create something that surprises them.

 

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How I designed the book cover for The Last Order

04 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in #TheLastOrder

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

#amazonpreorder, #angelacaldwell, #angelamcaldwell, #author, #book, #bookcover, #books, #debutauthor, #dyslexia, #dyslexicwriter, #fantasy, #goodreads, #indebooksbeseen, #indieauthor, #indiebooks, #indiepub, #indiepublishing, #nevergiveup, #photography, #thelastorder

By Angela M. Caldwell

When I first started thinking about a book cover I knew I wanted it simple, elegant, and it had to have the symbol of The Last Order Silas designs for Lana in the book.

As a photographer, I knew I could shoot my own cover if I needed to, but in my heart I really wanted to leave Lana to the imagination of readers.

So I went to my dad and asked him to draw the symbol. After a week or so he finally came up with two options.

We went to lunch and you would have thought he was meeting a stranger not his daughter. He was so nervous, it was cute. I love my dad.

crownontopLastOrdersmall

 

LastorderSymbolSmall

 

 

 

 

Both photos are original drawings and they are protected by copyright laws. ©rocketcircuspress

I decided on the crown above the triquetra. The triquetra knot is a Celtic symbol that can represent a few different things, but I chose it because of its connection to women and unity.

I loved the drawings and from there I moved forward and scoured the internet for stock photos. I searched for hours to find the right pictures.

I wanted the cover to have a leather look and feel, so I chose this background from www.dollarphotoclub.com.

Old brown leather background

Next, I found a wall with Ivy and removed the wall and kept the ivy, which was very tedious work. I used the ivy in several places by rotating it and flipping it. This also came from www.dollarphotoclub.com.

                                         Before                                               The Green Creeper Plant on the Wall.

After

The Green Creeper Plant on the Wall.

 

After that, I needed a way to emphasize the Last Order symbol, so I found this grey  splotch and placed it on the front and back, and used a blending layer.

greyblot

 

Lastly, I placed the symbol where I wanted it and also used a blending layer. Then I added an inner glow, and bevel & emboss effects. You can still see the guides I used for the layout in this photo.

coverprocesswithguides

 

Next the title, and author name were added. I used 2 different fonts that gave it a Celtic feel. Then, to make the words pop off the page effects were added. Below is exactly what I had.

The Last Order by Angela Caldwell I knew it was missing something so I found the flowers and added them for the finishing touch. I was honestly surprised I pulled it off, but I was able to use my photography background to create a beautiful cover that I hope you love.

 FINAL FRONT COVER

The Last Order CoverAdd this beautiful book to #goodreads

Amazon e-book pre-order

 The Last Order

by Angela M Caldwell

Release date:  February 3rd, 2015

THE LAST ORDER - cover reveal

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Parody of Shake it off, for writers only

11 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #author, #books, #dontgiveup, #dyslexia, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #grammar, #indieauthor, #indiebooks, #indiepub, #indiepublishing, #nevergiveup, #pardoy, #rejection, #shakeitoff, #writers, #writing, #writingproces

This was too fun not to share. Google an instrumental version of Shake it off and have fun with these new lyrics.

I don’t have the pipes to pull off the singing or I would have made it into a video. This was just for fun. No Haters…

But, we all already know what they do! So, shake it off.

 

WRITE IT ALL

I make a ton of mistakes. Got there in the wrong place.
That’s what people say…mmm mmm
That’s what people say…mmm mmm

I study grammar books, but they don’t help looks.
At least that’s what people say…mmm… mmm
That’s what people say….mmm…mmm

But I keep writing, can stop won’t stop writing. It’s like I got these stories, in my mind, saying you just got to write.

Cause the Editor’s gonna edit, edit, edit, edit, edit
And the agent’s gonna rep, rep, rep, rep, rep, baby

I’m just gonna write, write, write, write ,write. Write it all. Write it all.

The blogger’s gonna blog blog blog blog blog

The Publisher’s gonna pub pub pub pub pub

I’m just gonna write write write write write. Write it all. Write it all.
I never my miss hook. My betas love my book.
And that’s enough for me. mmmm-mmmmm
Yes, that’s enough for me. mmmm-mmmmm
I’m writing everyday. (writing everyday) My MC won’t go away (MC won’t go away)
That’s how my story goes, mmmm-mmm
That’s how my story goes mmmm-mmmm
But I keep writing, can stop won’t stop writing. It’s like I got these stories, in my mind, saying you just got to write. Cause the Editor’s gonna edit, edit, edit, edit, edit
And the agent’s gonna rep, rep, rep, rep,repI’m just gonna write write write write write. Write it all. Write it all.
The blogger’s gonna blog, blog, blog, blog, blog

The Publishers’ gonna pub, pub, pub ,pub ,pub

I’m just gonna write, write, write, write, write. Write it all. Write it all.

I’m just gonna write, write, write, write, write. Write it all. Write it all.

Write it all. Write it allWait. Wait. Wait.

Just think while you’ve been crying in your corner over there about your rejections, query letters, and agents who won’t read your story.

You could have been writing, the next best seller.

My twitter friend got a new agent.
She’s like “OMG!” but I’m just gonna write.
And the author over there with the new indie book says
Come on over girl and we can Write, Write, Write

Editor’s gonna edit, edit , edit edits, edit
And the agent’s gonna rep, rep, rep, rep, rep

I’m just gonna write write write write write. Write it all. Write it all.

The blogger’s gonna blog, blog, blog, blog, blog

The Publisher’s gonna pub, pub, pub, pub, pub

I’m just gonna write, write, write, write, write. Write it all. Write it all.

I’m just gonna write, write, write, write, write. Write it all. Write it all.

Write it all. Write it all.

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What ifs

15 Wednesday Oct 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #author, #authors, #dontgiveup, #dyslexia, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #grammar, #indiebooks, #indiepub, #indiepublishing, #nevergiveup, #rejection, #whatif, #whatifs, #writers, #writetip, #writing

what if
What if I never get published? What if I never get an agent? What if no one buys my book? What if someone hates my book and slanders me? What if all my twitter followers unfollow me, because they think the cover sucks? What if….?

Negativity is damaging to your creative juice, your muse, your mojo, whatever you choose to call it. And what ifs apply to more than writing. What ifs can really mess up your thinking.

whatifswillmakeucrazy

Every successful writer I’ve chatted with has something in common. They never gave up. They pushed past the negative what ifs, and keep moving forward. One writer in particular now comes to mind. She wrote for 20 years before she landed an agent and a book deal.  She kept writing, because she loved it.

So what if, these things never happen. If you love writing, it won’t really matter. You will write because it’s your air, and without it there is no breath. So today change your what ifs.

What if they love my book, even though I’m an indie author? What if readers create fan art. What if readers demand more? What if that agent loves my next novel? What if my twitter followers stick by me during the ups and downs?  What if my story can help somebody else keep writing?
What if…?

whatifsohwells

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*Leaps*

22 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #bookcover, #bookpublishing, #bookreleasedate, #books, #contest, #debutauthor, #deubt, #dontgiveup, #dreaming, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #indie, #indieauthor, #indiebook, #indiebooks, #indiepub, #indiepublishing, #nevergiveup, #publishing, #selfpublishing, #vote, #voting, #write, #writing

 

©AngelaCaldwell

©AngelaCaldwell

I’m going to become my own publisher. #indebooksbeseen After months of querying very few people, and waiting on decisions from full requests, I’ve decided to publish my debut YA fantasy novel on my terms. Well kind of, here comes the crazy, insane, ridiculous part.

I’m offering you, my followers and fans, some control over things. You’ll make use of your powers for good and vote on the release date, cover, and more. You now think I’m officially crazy. Welcome to the club.

one does not simmply publish on amazon2

I struggle making final decisions. I can’t choose favorites. But, you guys are very good at those things. And with your help, my book will be judged by the cover you choose! The fun will start next week with your very first choice-the release date.

I will choose 3 dates and give you reasons why I chose each date, and you will pick my release date by voting. Please follow this blog, my Twitter (I follow back awesomeness) , Goodreads or Facebook account to make sure you don’t miss out on voting.

And yes, I am officially hyperventilating. And want to thank you all, my writer friends, and avid readers who have already signed up to read a book that isn’t available. You guys remind me to be fearless everyday.

 

 

 

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Do you have the writing blues?

13 Saturday Sep 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #angelacaldwellphotography #LorenNeal, #art, #author, #authors, #ballandchain, #books, #dontgiveup, #dreaming, #dyslexia, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #editing, #figment, #grammar, #gustaveflaubert, #melindahaynes, #nevergiveup, #photoessay, #photography, #rejection, #thewritingblues, #writers, #writetip, #writing, #writingproces

What are the writing blues? I’m not sure. I just made it up. I wanted to address the blah I feel from time to time about my writing. You know when the passion and excitement seem to have disappeared and you don’t want to even open the story you’ve been working on? I’ve found out part of the problem. I’m not writing for me.

 

celebratewritinghayes

 

Maybe you’ve been querying and gotten a few rejections and it’s made you second guess yourself. Or maybe you’ve worked on a novel for over 2 years and you’ve become burnt out. Why is that? Art needs to be seen. Take my photography for example, I get the most joy when someone views a photo and it touches them. It makes all the hard work worth it.

 

©AngelaCaldwell from my photo essay Ball and Chain.

©AngelaCaldwell from my photo essay Ball and Chain.

 

But, with writing, it may be years before more than a few people read your manuscript. Writers want to be read. They write to share the stories, feelings, ideas, adventures, mysteries, and fears. 
What does this have to do with the writing blues? 

If no one’s reading your writing, that defeats your purpose, right? You wish to be read. And if you’re like me, you try to make people feel something or take them on an adventure. And if you’re constantly getting rejections to have agents or editors read your writing it’s like slowly taking all the air out of your balloon. Or for me it drains the passion from my soul.
How do you overcome the writing blues?

 

write for yourself quote

Write for you. Write what you love, a story that you can’t put down. Do not seek to follow trends or what’s popular. For me, that means I need to quit trying to please an imaginary person that may or may not read my work. However, what I need to do is make my story the best story possible. Sharing with trusted critique partners and beta readers to challenge me.

 

As for getting your work out there, develop a plan for your novel. Self-publishing is one option that many authors are considering. However, if you don’t want to self-publish you can join sites like Figment and share your work. Various writers on there will swap stories and give feedback. There are some really serious grammar people on there too, who are willing to contribute too. Figment is where I tested the first chapter of my novel. The feedback I received gave me the push needed to finish writing my the novel. Do not forget to be professional, no matter where you are talking and posting work. 

Have you ever had the writing blues? What do you think caused them and what changes can you make to protect your writing from joy thieves?

 

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Editing is like trying to fix a bad hair dye job

29 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #angelacaldwellphotography #LorenNeal, #author, #authors, #badhairdyejob, #dyslexicwriter, #editing, #haircolor, #nevergiveup, #selfediting, #writers, #writetip, #writing, #writingproces

I recently tried to color my hair red again. The red turned out way too intense, not the color I wanted at all. But, it’s what I did the next day that reminded me of editing.

photo credit

photo credit

I had two options. Option one, leave it alone and let it fade, but eventually I would have to fix the shade. I chose option two, to pull out the red, knowing my color would get worse before it got better. I was right. My hair was now orange and patched with blond. There may have even been some blue tint on some of the blonde pieces. Even worse my hair was damaged. And the brief thought that I should shave my head crossed my mind.
What happened next surprised me though, I didn’t cry. I’d been through this before and I knew orange hair was part of the process to get my hair back to a more natural shade. I conditioned my hair with coconut oil and made a second trip to the beauty supply store with all my hair tucked under my cap. I needed help.

 

Photo credit

Photo credit

 

Editing is much like this process. You’ve finished your manuscript but it’s not right yet. You need some advice, some critiques, and feedback. Finally the email arrives with what you hope are praises. You stare at pages and pages of overwhelming notes. You may even cry. You may want to quit writing all together. Your manuscript looks like a bad hair color. A really bad hair color and you feel like you may not be able to fix it or are even qualified to fix it. You want to ignore all the comments, and say forget them I’ll just leave it. But, how will you ever learn. I was able to laugh at my orange hair because I knew it was part of the process. And so is this mess of notes you now have.

So now what? You fix your manuscript, just like I fixed my hair. To be a writer you have to be willing to edit and change things. The secret is to know what you are willing to change and what you can’t live without. My hair is now a color, not the best color, but it’s way better than it was. I still have a few more steps to get it back. First, I need to condition it every few days and wait 3-4 weeks before doing anymore coloring. And getting a trim is necessary. I may lose an inch or two, but it’s better than having dead ends and unhealthy hair. Your story probably needs some trimming. You may loose characters and cut scenes, but if you want your story to be done well, this is part of that process. Even worse you have to change the whole story line. Editing is a big part of what makes you a writer. You have to be willing to strip away pieces and pour in the new gems if you want to become a stronger writer.

 

photo credit

photo credit

So now you edited and worked hard on the plot holes, built up relationships, and enhanced your world, it’s time to send your baby out again. But, hopefully when you get your notes back they will be way less frustrating and you can add the highlights. Just like my hair will need to be highlighted in a few weeks.

perfection

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Why I stopped writing

12 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 34 Comments

Tags

#author, #dyslexia, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #faliure, #grammar, #nevergiveup, #rejection, #writing

I had worked on this paper for weeks and today the verdict is in. We had done peer reviews and I had corrected everything they’d said. I’d gone to the library every day during lunch to worry over every word. This was going to be it; I had put tons of time and effort into to this one paper. I was going to get an A.

 

As my teacher returned the papers to us, I thought my heart would explode out of my chest. I knew my diligence would be rewarded. After all, I didn’t really try most of the time. I just showed up and received As and Bs; although, I did settle with the occasional C in extremely boring classes. Not this time. I had worked hard.

 

The paper landed on my desk with a thump. There on the front was a D-.

d-minus

That day I had believed a lie–that no matter how hard I tired, people would not see past my errors. Even worse, I could not see my own errors. I would never try that hard on my writing ever again.

 

I didn’t know it at the time, but my brain works differently. I can read a sentence or write a word, and believe it is on the page. I read words that are not actually on the page sometimes. I also miss words that are right on the page. This is a nightmare for a person who loves to tell stories.

 

You see, my mind plays tricks on me. I can go back to something I wrote, and it will be missing phases or words. My brain processes too fast for my eyes to keep up. There’s a wire loose.

 

In college, an English teacher realized it wasn’t just common grammar errors. She told me I most likely had Dyslexia. She wanted to help me, but I was diagnosed too late for help through the school. So, I avoided the written word, and studied video and photography instead.

 

steven-spielberg-dyslexia

 

After all these years of sloppy diaries, notebooks, pieces of stories, and a chapter here and there, I’ve chosen to write again. Will it be hard? Yes. Some people will never understand why I make so many mistakes. But, I am tired of being silent. I’ve found my passion: Writing.

book papers-small

Why did you stop writing?

 

 

Edited by Jessica Schmeidler

http://www.jessicaschmeidler.com/

 

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