Final #JoWriMoGo Tally for November 2018

I managed 20 chapters, 82 pages and 44,168 word in November 2018

Here's hoping to end the year with a bang!

From Joey's Instagram

Have you heard of #TheBookRobinHoods? It's an amazing site by @mcfrank_author That connects authirs to readers and bloggers! Want to join? . ✒ Authors form: http://bit.ly/2JgdGCW . 📚 Readers form: http://bit.ly/2IpHN9Q . The site is here: http://bit.ly/2q2xm4u . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #readersofinstagram #amreading #books #igreaders #igauthors #igwriters #readers #writinglife #joeypaul #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram
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Review of Celestial by SE Anderson

She wanted a holiday. They needed a chosen one.

Sally, Zander, and Blayde, accompanied by their new friend Nim, have only one request: no more bizarre distractions on their hunt for Earth.

But before their cells can complete a single jump, the team is shoved off course and crash into a dreary old temple. Worse yet, there seems to be some confusion over Sally’s face, as it looks exactly like that the local deity, Selena, goddess of the moon and omniscient absentee. Sally’s ticking every box on the ancient prophecies checklist.

Fresh off of her meds and riding the withdrawal, and Sally must choose between embracing the role of Goddess so as to protect the planet from mysterious Sky People, or being thrown in a Volcano. Not the best way to start a tropical vacation. It’s not going to be easy uniting warring factions, dealing with excitable whispering forests, or fighting both literal and figurative demons. Not to mention keeping up the appearance of divinity when all Sally wants is a nap.

Armed only with some high school improv’ classes and a basic knowledge of foreign pop songs, Sally must save the planet – before everything goes up in flames. 

Amazon

My Review: 5 stars
I was eagerly awaiting this release and I dived into the book the moment I could and I was not disappointed. It's amazing, even better than the first three! I loved Sally and the way she was portrayed with real mental health issues. I loved the story and Zander and Blayde and Nim of course. It was just a brilliantly told story and I am in awe of Anderson's skills. This series is mindblowingly good and I can't wait for book five! The story is a whirlwind of roller-coasters and it just keeps getting better! Highly recommended!

You can follow S E Anderson on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

From Joey's Instagram

New video talking about the points of view in writing! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! ✒✒📚📚 . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #authortuber #writinglife #joeypaul #smallyoutuber #writercommunity #indiesofinstagram
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Points Of View in Writing [CC]

The pros and cons of some of the points of view in writing #Authortube

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From Joey's Instagram

For those wondering about my set up. This is my desk with a #MissViolet For company! Now to get those words down! ✒✒✒ . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #kitty #snuggles #catsofinstagram #booksinprogress #writinglife #joeypaul #indiesofinstagram #writingcommunity #writing
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From Joey's Instagram

#TEASERTUESDAY Tara means well but sometimes she doesn't follow the rules and makes things worse. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️👮‍♀️👮‍♀️🤷‍♀️ Buy here: www.books2read.com/DTFW . . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #igreaders #igauthors #igwriters #DyingThoughts4 #dyingthoughts #books #bookboost #bookworm #amreading #readersofinstagram #yalit #reading #writinglife #joeypaul #bookcommunity #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram
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From Joey's Instagram

I have had a long writing day. I'm now snuggled up in bed with a #MissPenne who's blepping for the camera! 😸😸😸 . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #booksinprogress #catsofinstagram #kitty #snuggles #pastacats #writinglife #joeypaul #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #readers
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Authortube: Mistakes To Avoid

AUTHORTUBE: MISTAKES TO AVOID

I did a piece a few weeks back about what it was like being on Authortube. I wanted to touch on a few bits and pieces about what to avoid when starting out. I feel like a lot of it can be applied to both youtube and generally when starting out on any platform. For some great bootcamp videos, check out Alexa Donne's channel here.

When I talk about authortube and the time I've been on there, I realise that I've made my own mistakes and in doing that have kinda shot myself in the foot. For the first year or so of me being on youtube I made a number of mistakes. What I'm trying to do now is tell you what *not* to do so that you don't end up like me. I want you to learn from my errors and go into it more confident about what you're doing. So here we go.

#1 - ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY
This was my biggest mistake. I would put my videos up, and interact with those who commented, would watch other channels and say nothing. How is the word supposed to spread when you won't say anything on other people's videos? You need to engage and that means commenting and liking and having discussions with other people in the AT community. It was only when I started to comment and actually get to know people that I got more engagement back. So this is a big thing that you need to do.

#2 - STICK WITH A SCHEDULE
When I first started, I didn't have an upload schedule. I would simply plan to do one video a month, then about a month into it, four videos a month. From there it went to a post on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th of the month and then finally I worked out that that didn't really work and started to post every Thursday with bonus content on Sundays. Once I got into this schedule, I did so much better, so even if you're plan isn't a set day of the week, go for how many times a week and stick to it as much as you are able.

#3 - PLAN YOUR CONTENT
This is something I did right, in that I planned what I was going to film and when. I pretty much had the whole year planned and while I wouldn't say you have to do that, it's a good idea to know in advance what you're going to record and when. It also means you can leave gaps for seasonal content or for something that needs to be said should the need arise. I did pretty well with this in deciding that my second video of every month would be the Life Of Joey video. It gave a personal touch, some background on what I did every month and also allowed for me to give a little part of myself.

#4 - GET HELP WITH GRAPHICS
I didn't do this. In fact I barely got any help with editing either, which is something you should learn how to do. Because I didn't do my research, my first year of videos had cringe worthy graphics. So much so that I have since deleted them all because I didn't want people to look at those and think that was the kind of thing I put out now. I always planned to use my webcam and so I take a thumbnail before I shoot the video and then add my own touch to it. If you're unable to do this, then a picture of you, either your author photo or something similar and basic text is more than fine.

#5 - DECIDE TO SCRIPT OR NOT
I also didn't script for my first few videos and they sucked! Like seriously, it showed so much that because I didn't script, I wasn't confident and it sounded like I had no idea what I was talking about. That is a bad look on any level, but especially because I was giving writing advice! On the same topic, if you don't feel confident about tackling a certain subject, don't! The worst thing you can do is give advice on something you either don't know much about or don't do yourself. That sounds fake, and it cane lead people away from you.

There are other things to decide, like whether to caption or not. I personally do because I feel like it's more inclusive, but not everyone knows how or has the time. In which case it can be something you can open up to the community. I feel like the majority of channels rely on craptions and because of that, they exclude people like me who have hearing issues. There's things like working on the right setup as well, but I'll cover that in another piece. Check out Alexa's channel because she's really good at giving the bootcamp advice and have a good time getting yourself started!


Follow Joey here on her blog, or on Facebook or Tumblr to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books

From Joey's Instagram

It's Sunday! And I'm working on edits but I also have company! A #MissPenne On my neck and a #MissViolet on the desk to make sure I work!! 😸😸😸✒✒✒ . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #booksinprogress #catsofinstagram #kitty #snuggles #pastacats
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From Joey's Instagram

Ah it's Saturday and I have a chapter to write but someone says no. #MissViolet has decided it's pets no write time! 😸✒😸 . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #booksinprogress #CrampingChronicles5 #indiesofinstagram #writingcommunity #joeypaul #writinglife #readers #readersofinstagram #catsofinstagram #kitty #snuggles
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From Joey's Instagram

And I'm starting the fifth #CrampingChronicles book today! Me desk is all laid out for character notes and getting back in the story! ✒✒✒🤯🤯🤯 . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #igreaders #igauthors #igwriters #amreading #readersofinstagram #bookworm #booksinprogress #indiesofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul #writingcommunity
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Review of She's Not Here by Mandi Lynn

Willow watched her father diminish in front of her as Alzheimer’s pulled him further away each day. When a fire creates the perfect disaster, Willow’s desperation to find a cure to the disease causes her to change Samantha Ellison’s life forever.

Treated as an experiment, Willow injects Samantha with a serum that mimics Alzheimer’s and deteriorates her brain. With Sam’s mental capacity declining at an alarming rate, it won’t be long until people start looking for answers. With Willow’s husband as the doctor, it’s only a matter of time before he uncovers the truth. The only question is whether he discovers Willow’s secrets in time to save the innocent life at stake.

Amazon 

My review: 4 stars
I really liked the premise of this story. The idea that one life to save thousands, possibly millions, is it justified? Willow was written as a likeable character, she was caring and kind, a nurse who loved her dad and hated what the disease had done to him. The story was engaging, and you felt pulled along by the words. There are twists and turns that have you wondering what's going to happen, and the ending is beyond what you could imagine. Overall a good read and a solid four stars!

You can follow Mandi on Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

From Joey's Instagram

And we're at the end of my writing year. So I've tallied up all the chapter, pages and words I've written! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! 📚📚📚 . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #authortuber #indiesofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul #smallyoutuber
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Year of Writing Count [CC]

All I've written in the last year! #Authortube

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From Joey's Instagram

I love when you start a new book and you gotta get back into the head's of characters. Today is day one of writing #Visible and I am super happy to be taking these characters on a new journey!! 🤯🤯🤯♿♿♿✒✒✒ . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #book #booksinprogress #invisibleseries #indiesofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul #lovemyjob #ilovewriting
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From Joey's Instagram

#TEASERTUESDAY Harriet never expected to travel in time but Dot needs her help and she can't refuse. 👻👻😧 Buy here: www.books2read.com/DUKN . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #igreaders #igauthors #igwriters #bookworm #bookboost #yalit #reading #readers #readersofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul #indiesofinstagram #writingcommunity
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From Joey's Instagram

And that's book 24 done too! #CrampingChronicles4 is finished and filed away to be edited at a later date. I'm now planning the 5th and final in the series! 🤫🤫🤫✒✒✒ . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul #booksinprogress
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Spoonie Writer: Balancing Health & Work

SPOONIE WRITER: BALANCING HEALTH & WORK

As I write this piece (I write them in advance just in case you didn't know) I'm awaiting my PICC line insertion and also dealing with the sadness that comes from knowing that I won't be well enough to take part in NaNoWriMo 2018. I planned to, oh I planned to do this and that and just carry on my merry little way, because November is a huge month for writers. I also have it, usually, as the start of my massive editing train and that's always more stress, but then my health got in the way and because of issues with my port, I'm now getting a PICC line put in for a short period to deal with some new meds I'll be having over a couple of weeks. And that sucks. My port has decided it doesn't want to be in my body, and so that's another stress and the possibility of having surgery soon to remove the old one and put a new one in place. It's all added up to mean that no NaNo for me. :(

But that's a good reason to write this piece because it happens, whether it is a PICC line and multiple hospital days or whether it's just a flare that zaps your energy and time. As a spoonie, your body can also be a bit of your enemy. And a lot of the time, the focus in writing, both on and offline, is that you have to be productive to be valid. I don't help this by posting the words and pages and chapters I do for #JoWriMoGo every month. I hope that people know that I'm not looking at anyone but myself with those posts. They're a way for me to track things and yes, to celebrate at the end of the month with how I've done, but I do see a lot of people who feel like they're not valid as a writer because they didn't make this word count. And that gets worse, I think, during November because so many people are telling you to push through and that you must get 50K no matter what. And that's a tad unhealthy. Not just for spoonies, but for anyone really.

And it made me think about writing something about it, because as I said above, I perpetuate that with the way I do things, and I want it to be clear for my followers or anyone reading this: Your worth is not measure by your productivity. I don't care if you manage a page or fifty words a day or a week or a month, you are not valid no matter how little or how much you do. I don't think it's been said enough. I don't think people realise just how damaging this mindset is because it is so engrained in us as writers and people. The idea that to be valid and worthy you have to have achieved x number of words a day. And that's so harmful.

At the same time, I'm a big believer in things like NaNo as a way to set a routine, so don't be thinking I'm shitting on that because I'm not. I'm just aware that a lot of people can't reach 50K and during the month of November, they're kinda told that they're supposed to push past and suddenly hit this word count that they'd not be able to make any month. I understand wanting to be motivated and take part in the events. I also like the community that surrounds it, but so much of that pressure is harming people and turning them off writing rather than wanting them to continue. And that's something that we shouldn't be ignoring.

As a spoonie, I've contemplated not posting about my monthly word count. I mean the tag has done it's job in that now I have a very good writing routine and because of that, am able to get a lot done in a month, but I don't want it to be detrimental to other people's writing journeys. Nor do I want to be perpetuating the myth that word count is the be all and end all of writing. I've publishing thirteen books, they have ranged in word count from 40K to 130K. All of them have the right amount of words to tell that story. I've grown as a writer sure, and because of that some of my story telling has necessitated more words than before, but I don't look down at other word counts and think that the bigger ones are the best. I know I'm an over-writer and I know that a huge chunk will be cut from the story when I go through edits and betas.

So what's the point of this piece? It's a mix of things. Your worth is not decided by how many words you write this November, or well, ever. But also it's okay to take a while to write your book, I've taken at most thirteen years to finish a book - and it was my shortest by far - but as I've said before and will say again. It takes as long as it takes, and that's okay. Keep writing!

Follow Joey here on her blog, or on Facebook or Tumblr to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books

From Joey's Instagram

A writer writes in today's bonus video! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! ✒+✒=📚📚 . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #authortuber #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul #smallyoutuber
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#AmWriting - #006 [CC]

A writer writes... #Authortube

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From Joey's Instagram

And it's official! #Translucent is finished! Now to file it away ready for edits at a later stage and plan the third in the series! I also hope to be able to say the same of #CrampingChronicles4 in the coming days! Love this feeling!! 🤯🤯🤯💜💜💜 . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #igreaders #igauthors #igwriters #booksinprogress #bookfinished #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul
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From Joey's Instagram

And I'm 80% done with my final edits before it goes to my editor! So loving the story and really happy with how it's shaping up! ✒✒✒ . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #amediting #DyingThoughts7 #books #DyingThoughts #igreaders #igauthors #igwriters #booksinprogress #editor #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul
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Review of Traveler by S E Anderson

Sally’s search for Earth isn’t off to a good start: chased out of her hotel room and into the broom closet of a spaceship, she’s accidentally become a stowaway on the Alliance Flagship, Traveler.

But when sabotage and murder show the crew’s true colors, Zander and Blayde are forced to stay and help them out of their mess. Lies, drama, and deceit lead them light years away to a mysterious planet on the edge of the galaxy, where the crew must band together just to stay alive. Which would be much easier if they didn’t have to deal with a diva first-mate, a droid with a religious obsession, and Blayde’s Ex whose brain is a spaceship.

Finding Earth has to be put on the back burner, as Sally’s stuck tending alien boo-boos – and she still has no idea what she’s doing. And she might not live long enough to get off the planet in one piece.

Amazon 

My review: 5 stars
I adored the first two books and so knew I was in for a treat with this book and I was blown away by how good it was! You pick up with Sally, Zander and Blayde almost instantly from the end of the second book and immediately you're thrown into the action and drawn into the page with Anderson's unique writing style. I adored following Sally on her next adventure and loved every minute of this book. I will be eagerly awaiting book four!! Highly recommended!

You can follow S E Anderson on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

From Joey's Instagram

And this week I'm talking about ARC or launch groups when it comes to publishing. Check it out at the link in my bio or here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline 📚📚📚 . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #authortuber #writingvlog #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul #smallyoutuber
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Publishing: ARCs or Launch Groups [CC]

And today I'm talking about ARCs or Launch Groups in the publishing journey #Authortube

BUY WALK A MILE: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
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BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/
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FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MsJoeyBug
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GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1UcS61E

From Joey's Instagram

Snuggling in bed, writing and kept company by #MissPenne who keeps my leg nice and warm. A perfect way to spend an evening! 😸+✒=📚 . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #kitty #snuggles #catsofinstagram #pastacats #writinglife #joeypaul #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #readers #iwriteya #igauthors #igwriters
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From Joey's Instagram

#TEASERTUESDAY Tara isn't having the best summer. Her dad was clear, she has to work! 😖😖😖 Buy it here: www.books2read.com/DTTW . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #igreaders #igauthors #igwriters #DyingThoughts3 #dyingthoughts #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #bookboost #yalit #joeypaul #writinglife
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From Joey's Instagram

You shall not write only pet. That's the rules by #MissViolet who's planted herself in my lap! Time to write over a fluffy kitty! ✒😻✒ . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #catsofinstagram #kitty #snuggles #writinglife #joeypaul #indiesofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram #writingcommunity
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The Trials Of An Indie Author: All The Hats

THE TRIALS OF AN INDIE AUTHOR: ALL THE HATS

I've done a piece on this before about how as an indie author you wear a lot of different hats. (Found here). But it's been a good few years since then and I wanted to touch on it again under this series instead of just under the creative process. Because of course, I chose to do the indie route, but some people will choose to go traditional and I don't want it to appear that there's any right or wrong choice, because that's simply not true. Each patch appeals to different people for different reasons and both are valid. And when it comes to marketing, that's something the majority of authors will have to do whether they are indie or traditional. It's just how it works.

So, where do the hats come in to indie life? Well, marketing is one of those big ones. And as I said above, it's something that you'll have to do no matter which path you choose. While some traditional authors will have a little help with that, that's not the norm and they will be expected to do a lot of the hype-building and long term marketing on their own time. On top of that, the divide that has started, between those who are indie and self-pubbed and those who have gone the traditional route, is something that needs to stop. Authors working together can be a glorious thing and can lead to all of us feeling a little less stressed and a lot more included in the community.

But I digress, one of the big points I made in the original piece is that as an indie author, you are expected to wear a lot of hats, which is still true. The question is, which one of these you delegate and which ones you wear yourself. For every indie author, editing is one that needs to be delegated and for the majority of them, so is cover designing. By that I mean that no matter who you are, you need to hire an editor and when it comes to cover design, unless you yourself are a graphic artist, it's best to leave that to someone who is.

I could go over why on both of these points, but I feel like it's been said enough in regards to editing and covers, so instead I'm going to focus on the other hats and how working with other authors can be a good thing. It can help you grow your audience and also give you writing buddies which are always amazing to have. A lot of the time, I feel that too many places paint other authors as the "competition" and while I've talked about this before, I feel it bears repeating. Authors aren't your competition, they are your community. And being a part of that community is a very rewarding thing.

It's as simple as this. People read more than one book in their lifetime, they will read hundreds if not more. Buying someone else's book doesn't then mean they can't or won't buy yours. Lifting up and celebrating with people who have a similar audience to you is a good thing. It brings about connections and networks and also friends to rely on. For a long time, I was in the indie community on my own. I had other author friends... kinda. They had their ways of doing things and I had mine. We didn't talk unless one was going through a release and needed help and all of that stuff. It wasn't the right way to do things. But it was the only way I knew how.

I wore all the hats I needed to because I didn't know there was another way to do things. I did everything wrong. I went through my day spewing out blurbs and buy posts without really connecting with my readers. And that's basically why I'm still very much a small fish. You don't want to do that. You don't want to end up with thirteen books out and very little hype behind your name. I do well with the releases, I've learned over the years how to work them right, but for a long time I did that alone because I didn't realise that the writing community could be welcoming and working together.

And yes, I hold blame there because I didn't research and I didn't question the way that group of authors did things. I did eventually, but it got to the point where I felt so isolated by my work that I wondered if there was ever going to be any point in continuing. And then I started to see change because I was connecting with different people. I was actually engaging with people on Twitter instead of writing sales post after sales post. I started to communicate with other authors, starting doing the Friday posts which is solely about lifting up other authors within my community. And because of that, I realised that you don't have to wear all the hats, you can delegate but more than that, you can find your people. You can lift up other authors and know that shouting about how great they are, isn't going to hurt you.

So when people tell you that as an indie author you'll be isolated or doing everything yourself, realise that there is a grain of truth to that, but there's also something to be said for finding your people and growing with them, allowing yourself to cheer and be proud of other authors even if their success doesn't spur yours on. It's a hard business to be in, and you're gonna need friends. I know I do.

Follow Joey here on her blog, or on Facebook or Tumblr to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books

From Joey's Instagram

And it's a bonus video today! I'm talking about comparison and jealousy in the writing world! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! ✒✒✒ . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #authortuber #indiesofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul #smallyoutuber #writingcommunity
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That's The Tea With Joey: Comparison & Jealosy [CC]

And today I'm talking tea about Comparison and Jealousy #Authortube

BUY WALK A MILE: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
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BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/
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From Joey's Instagram

#MissPenne is feeling better and all snuggled up with me while I celebrate getting to the 50% mark with edits for #DyingThoughts7 😸😸😸 . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #catsofinstagram #kitty #snuggles #pastacats #joeypaul #writinglife #indiesofinstagram #writingcommunity
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Review of Salf For Air by M C Frank

Seventeen-year-old Ellie dreams of mermen. She writes fanfiction about them and spends time in underwater kingdoms in her imagination, trying to escape the sad reality: she is an orphan. And not only that, but she’s bullied every day at school -she’s a nerd, she hates sports, she loves books and she used to be overweight. What’s not to bully?

One day, the bullies go too far. They try to drown her, but at the last minute an otherworldly creature shows up in the water. He keeps her breathing and tells her to live: "How will you be able to save anyone if you can't even save yourself?"

She thinks it was a dream, but the emerald-eyed merman boy who rescued her appears in her school the next day. Is he really the exiled prince of an ancient kingdom that's on the brink of utter destruction? And is he asking her to save him? Or is something far more sinister and deadly lurking in the water that surrounds her little Greek town?

When myth and reality collide, can love save their lives?

Amazon

My Review: 5 stars
I picked this up because I have slowly fallen in love with the worlds MC Frank creates. And once again, I was along for the ride. The story is heartbreaking, but also empowering. It dives into a world that so many forget about, bringing Greek Mythology to life in the most poignant and beautiful way. Ellie is very much alone in the world and a writer who lives in her own worlds. I related to her so much, even as an adult, and I loved the way Frank weaved stories and myths together. It was amazing from start to finish and I cannot recommend it enough! You need to read Salt For Air!

You can follow MC Frank on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, her website, and The Book Robin Hoods.

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

From Joey's Instagram

That time of the month and I'm talking about what I've achieved, reviewing my goals and setting new ones! ✒📚✒ Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #authortuber #joeypaul #smallyoutuber #writinglife #indiesofinstagram #writingcommunity
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Life Of Joey & Bi-Monthly Goals - November 2018 [CC]

All about my life in the past month and what I've been up to! #Authortube

BUY WALK A MILE: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
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BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/
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TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MsJoeyBug
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1UcS61E

From Joey's Instagram

#TEASERTUESDAY Hetti has a lot to adapt too including Sabrina's driving! 👮‍♀️👮‍♀️👮‍♀️ Find out more here: www.books2read.com/WAM . . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #igreaders #igauthors #igwriters #amreading #readersofinstagram #bookworm #bookboost #WAM #yalit #reading #WalkAMile #joeypaul #writinglife #readers #indiesofinstagram #writingcommunity
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5 Facts About My Current WIP: Cramping Chronicles: The Fourth Torment

5 FACTS ABOUT MY CURRENT WIP: CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE FOURTH TORMENT

Last week I did five facts about Translucent (found here) and this week I'm doing the same about my other work in progress: Cramping Chronicles: The Fourth Torment. As usual, before I start I'll give you a bit of a rundown about what this book, and series is about.

Jessie Oliver is 15, and up until a few months ago, everything in a life was as it should be. Of course then she got sick and developed both M.E and Fibromyalgia which led to her needing a wheelchair. It was hard to adapt, but that's okay. Of course then the other problems started, she developed the ability to literally feel certain people's pain. It didn't take long for her and Gray to work out that she was an empath, a psychic recens empath. Her whole life got thrown up in the air and as she started a new school, made new friends, things just got more complicated. And in the fourth book, it's not different. Life is getting serious and she doesn't know if she has what it takes to win.

So onto my five facts!

#1 - JESSIE IS BI AND IN A RELATIONSHIP
Jessie and her girlfriend Meera, are only in the beginning stages of their first relationship. I didn't want to do an insta-love story and I also knew that for teenagers sometimes it's about getting together and then working out what you actually feel. The same can be said for a lot of adults too, myself included. I don't know if that's linked to my own possible ace-ness, but it made sense for it to work for Jessie and Meera.

#2 - GRAY IS JESSIE'S BEST FRIEND
Now Jessie didn't always have a lot of friends. Back at her old school, she hung out with Gray and pretty much believed that everyone else in the friend group just tolerated her. This wasn't completely true, but when Jessie had to move schools for access issues, and lost that daily contact with Gray, she had to test out her own ability to make good friends. She chose well, but she also still has that very strong friendship with Gray, and it's completely platonic and always will be.

#3 - JESSIE IS UNSURE ABOUT ATTENTIONOne thing becoming disabled did, was put her in the spotlight. When you throw in the added problem of the twitch, which is what they call her empath abilities, you start to be the one in the spotlight a lot of the time, and Jessie has never really been someone who liked that. Oh she's been told she does, but if she's honest, it aggravates her anxiety and makes her feel uncomfortable. Something she's still working to get over.

#4 - JESSIE TRUSTS HER FRIENDS, BUT CAN SHE TRUST OTHER PEOPLE?
To be fair, Jessie has been through a lot of things in the first three books, and part of that is knowing that not everyone has your best interests at heart. She'd always been someone who found it easy to give people the benefit of the doubt, but after what's happened, she's finding the world is different when you're different and even more so when you change from standing to sitting.

And finally, #5 - JESSIE DOESN'T KNOW IF SHE'S STRONG ENOUGH
There's a point when you have to realise that you can't do things alone. You have to ask for help, and part of Jessie's problem isn't that she didn't ask for help, it's that she relied too much on that help to the point where now she's facing something she is the only person able to do, and she's not sure she can. Lives are at stake, more than lives, and she's just not sure she's strong enough to do it, but what other choice does she have?

So those are my five facts about The Fourth Torment. Feel free to ask me questions in the comments!

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