Roslyn Muir's Blog
May 16, 2022
IT’S RELEASE DAY! BOOK TWO IS HERE!
I can’t say that the release day of a book is getting any easier, but perhaps I’m getting used to the excitement now. As an introvert, that's saying something!
This is my third book, and I must say each release has been different. The release of Book One of The Chimera’s Apprentice was so completely new to me that I really was flying by the seat of my pants. I hadn’t ordered any books in advance of the release and there were cover issues right up to the deadline—and some very kind ARC readers had discovered some typos. Of course, I had no idea how to get the book into bookstores or libraries.
The launch of my second book, Writing a TV Movie: An Insider’s Guide to Launching a Screenwriting Career, was considerably chill. My publisher, Three Ocean Press, took care of all the details, and I was able to focus on my audience.
The Stone Traveller, my third book and second in the Chimera series, has been a much calmer process and the book is quite different. I think I’m now a more confident writer, and I can feel it when I hit my stride. I knew the publishing process going in, so I was able to just enjoy the writing and not stress about the entire launch and marketing thing.
Sure, I have nerves and feel the tingle of anticipation, but that also translates into fun and excitement. Like giving birth to a baby, one forgets the pain and focusses on the good thing: the baby! I now have three babies that I’m extremely proud of.
My fourth book—The Chimera’s Apprentice, Book Three, will launch October 1, 2022—there, I’ve said it, and I’m proud to admit I’m almost finished the draft. Summer will find me juggling this book and a couple of scripts I’m writing.
An important thing I’ve learned is that books have a long life. They don’t always come out of the gate at a fast pace; they slowly build up speed and will hopefully entertain and inform for a long, long time.
This is my third book, and I must say each release has been different. The release of Book One of The Chimera’s Apprentice was so completely new to me that I really was flying by the seat of my pants. I hadn’t ordered any books in advance of the release and there were cover issues right up to the deadline—and some very kind ARC readers had discovered some typos. Of course, I had no idea how to get the book into bookstores or libraries.
The launch of my second book, Writing a TV Movie: An Insider’s Guide to Launching a Screenwriting Career, was considerably chill. My publisher, Three Ocean Press, took care of all the details, and I was able to focus on my audience.
The Stone Traveller, my third book and second in the Chimera series, has been a much calmer process and the book is quite different. I think I’m now a more confident writer, and I can feel it when I hit my stride. I knew the publishing process going in, so I was able to just enjoy the writing and not stress about the entire launch and marketing thing.
Sure, I have nerves and feel the tingle of anticipation, but that also translates into fun and excitement. Like giving birth to a baby, one forgets the pain and focusses on the good thing: the baby! I now have three babies that I’m extremely proud of.
My fourth book—The Chimera’s Apprentice, Book Three, will launch October 1, 2022—there, I’ve said it, and I’m proud to admit I’m almost finished the draft. Summer will find me juggling this book and a couple of scripts I’m writing.
An important thing I’ve learned is that books have a long life. They don’t always come out of the gate at a fast pace; they slowly build up speed and will hopefully entertain and inform for a long, long time.
May 10, 2022
The cover story
When you’re an indie author, you wear a lot of hats: writer, publisher, marketing whiz. Each job has oodles of subcategories. The one that I have the most difficulty with is deciding on the book cover. When I first started this crazy self-publishing adventure, I never even thought about the images for the cover; for me, it was all about the words. But I’ve learned—and I mean BIG learning curve—that the cover image is probably the most important marketing tool. And the hardest to figure out.
I have always thought that writing a story with an unusual monster—the chimera—was sort of weird. I have come to embrace it, as have my readers, but at first I had no idea what it looked like. Through my research I found many renderings of the chimera and soon a vision formed in my head.
In one of my Facebook book groups (a great place to connect with other indie authors), I came across a posting of a book cover with a beautiful dragon on it. I knew then and there that I had found my cover artist for The Chimera’s Apprentice series: Elena Dudina. Elena lives in Spain, so we had some logistics to figure out. Fortunately, she works all hours of the day and night!
It’s been trial and error—negotiating the e-relationship between author and artist. But it’s been worth every moment. I’m super thrilled with the outcome. I love both book covers for The Chimera’s Apprentice! And, we’re already working on the cover for Book Three: The Last Murch, which drops October 2022.
I have always thought that writing a story with an unusual monster—the chimera—was sort of weird. I have come to embrace it, as have my readers, but at first I had no idea what it looked like. Through my research I found many renderings of the chimera and soon a vision formed in my head.
In one of my Facebook book groups (a great place to connect with other indie authors), I came across a posting of a book cover with a beautiful dragon on it. I knew then and there that I had found my cover artist for The Chimera’s Apprentice series: Elena Dudina. Elena lives in Spain, so we had some logistics to figure out. Fortunately, she works all hours of the day and night!
It’s been trial and error—negotiating the e-relationship between author and artist. But it’s been worth every moment. I’m super thrilled with the outcome. I love both book covers for The Chimera’s Apprentice! And, we’re already working on the cover for Book Three: The Last Murch, which drops October 2022.
May 1, 2022
.99 cent sale!
In celebration of the upcoming release of The Stone Traveller, Book Two of The Chimera’s Apprentice series, Book One is on sale!
The Chimera's Apprentice
The Chimera's Apprentice Book Two: The Stone Traveller
The Chimera's Apprentice
The Chimera's Apprentice Book Two: The Stone Traveller
April 13, 2022
Book Two arrives May 17!
Book Two of The Chimera’s Apprentice series arrives May 17, 2022!
I’m thrilled and scared. Of course, it’s an exciting time. After slogging through a pandemic and being waylaid by my second book, Writing a TV Movie, I’ve finally returned to Kyra and her adventures with her familiar, the chimera, and her new found family—Mercy and Coyne.
When you write a series it’s sometimes hard to know where you’re going. I did start off writing a three-book series and always knew the ending, but it’s the middle that often gets me. What’s the in-between?
I focussed on character. What’s going on with Kyra after saving her mom and reuniting with her dad? Family is what Kyra craves yet she’s dissatisfied with the new world and really feels better with her friends. (Sounds like a teenager to me:)
Adventure is at the heart of the story. I loved exploring the new landscape of Antiica and delved into the backstory of Mercy and Coyne, and I introduced a forgotten tribe of Raturro living in a far off nestling. I hope my readers will enjoy reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. Of course, I’m bursting to talk of other details in the book, but you’ll just have to wait until May 17!
Oh, and the bit about being scared? All creators feel anticipation and nerves around giving birth to something new. I’ll try to stop holding my breath!
I’m thrilled and scared. Of course, it’s an exciting time. After slogging through a pandemic and being waylaid by my second book, Writing a TV Movie, I’ve finally returned to Kyra and her adventures with her familiar, the chimera, and her new found family—Mercy and Coyne.
When you write a series it’s sometimes hard to know where you’re going. I did start off writing a three-book series and always knew the ending, but it’s the middle that often gets me. What’s the in-between?
I focussed on character. What’s going on with Kyra after saving her mom and reuniting with her dad? Family is what Kyra craves yet she’s dissatisfied with the new world and really feels better with her friends. (Sounds like a teenager to me:)
Adventure is at the heart of the story. I loved exploring the new landscape of Antiica and delved into the backstory of Mercy and Coyne, and I introduced a forgotten tribe of Raturro living in a far off nestling. I hope my readers will enjoy reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. Of course, I’m bursting to talk of other details in the book, but you’ll just have to wait until May 17!
Oh, and the bit about being scared? All creators feel anticipation and nerves around giving birth to something new. I’ll try to stop holding my breath!
December 20, 2021
What to write next?
A book launch is kind of like Christmas. There’s lots of hype and excitement leading up to the big day. The book is ready to go and the writer hopes everyone will like their carefully wrapped present. Then the day arrives and there’s a big flurry of activity, and when it’s over the exhaustion sets in.
The week after Christmas, the elation ebbs and it feels like the next book is so far away that it’s not worth worrying about. But you suddenly have time on your hands and you try to take a holiday but the brain doesn’t stop churning out ideas. Even if you know there’s another Christmas just a year off, you really want to start something new. But what?
How do writers figure out what to write next? I really want to know.
I have a few first draft books that linger in my files, unfinished. I know that I want to get back to them, to complete them, but the lure of the brand spanking new story pulls at me. The purity of the fresh idea and its potential whispers in my ear: pick me.
I’m a starter not a finisher. I race through the first draft, so excited. It’s the only way I get things done. At least with a crappy first draft there’s something to edit, lots of things to fix. But then, BAM. My mind puts the brakes on. Doubt sets in. Is that idea really working? Is it worth continuing?
I often fool myself with the idea that giving the draft some distance (time) will be good for it, so I tuck it away in a drawer like items bought in a flurry of post-Christmas sales and hidden for next year. Then other stories fight for prominence. The new characters jostle in my head: Me! Me! And the gift in the drawer becomes a distant memory.
Fortunately, deadlines exist. Deadlines are the writer’s saviour and foe. Like Christmas, they sit on the calendar like a bright beacon, but as they get closer a kind of panic sets in. Will I be finished in time? Is the book ready? When unwrapped will the present delight?
Yes, writers overthink things. We also look for diversions, like blogs and social media. But we do eventually get things done. I’m looking forward to the next project, whatever it may be.
Happy Christmas everyone!
The week after Christmas, the elation ebbs and it feels like the next book is so far away that it’s not worth worrying about. But you suddenly have time on your hands and you try to take a holiday but the brain doesn’t stop churning out ideas. Even if you know there’s another Christmas just a year off, you really want to start something new. But what?
How do writers figure out what to write next? I really want to know.
I have a few first draft books that linger in my files, unfinished. I know that I want to get back to them, to complete them, but the lure of the brand spanking new story pulls at me. The purity of the fresh idea and its potential whispers in my ear: pick me.
I’m a starter not a finisher. I race through the first draft, so excited. It’s the only way I get things done. At least with a crappy first draft there’s something to edit, lots of things to fix. But then, BAM. My mind puts the brakes on. Doubt sets in. Is that idea really working? Is it worth continuing?
I often fool myself with the idea that giving the draft some distance (time) will be good for it, so I tuck it away in a drawer like items bought in a flurry of post-Christmas sales and hidden for next year. Then other stories fight for prominence. The new characters jostle in my head: Me! Me! And the gift in the drawer becomes a distant memory.
Fortunately, deadlines exist. Deadlines are the writer’s saviour and foe. Like Christmas, they sit on the calendar like a bright beacon, but as they get closer a kind of panic sets in. Will I be finished in time? Is the book ready? When unwrapped will the present delight?
Yes, writers overthink things. We also look for diversions, like blogs and social media. But we do eventually get things done. I’m looking forward to the next project, whatever it may be.
Happy Christmas everyone!
December 1, 2021
Launch Day!
I’m excited.
My synapses are firing and my pupils are small. I’m cold and sweaty, and over-caffeinated.
I’ve written another book, and it’s all happening so fast. When you write a book it takes ages to gel and work with an editor and get notes and make decisions. Then you wait. You bug your publisher, and you’re super nice but really you’re screaming inside: Get the damn book out!
And then it happens. Launch day.
And you question everything. Am I really a writer? Do I have anything worthwhile to say?
You call your friends. Is the book readable? I hear Costco is hiring...
It’s like teetering on the edge of an abyss. There’s a salient vertigo that smacks you in the face, roughs you up, and forces those doubts to the surface.
At 5:00 A.M. my head is clear. The oatmeal is bubbling on the stove and the coffee dripping. I feed the cat, because yes, I’m that crazy, reclusive cat lady slash writer.
Back in bed, pillows plumped behind me, laptop on my lap (where else), I start the day. The nerves haven’t quite set in but they hover in my psyche waiting for a moment of weakness: something minor I overlooked becomes a looming tower of anxiety.
Such is the life of this writer. Maybe not all writers, but I’m betting many go through a curtain of impenetrable darkness before reaching the light.
The light for me is the new story. It sings a siren song that lures me back to a false state of security. It’s the crafting and shaping that a writer really loves. You get lost in a story and don’t want to leave that cocoon of creativity. Tomorrow doesn’t matter. The next book launch is something to look forward to and your mind conjures a scenario of book tours, bestseller lists, and movie adaptations.
And maybe, just maybe, I’ll stare imposter syndrome down and remember it’s part of the writer’s emotionally taxing but ultimately compelling journey.
Writing a TV Movie: An Insider's Guide to Launching a Screenwriting Career
My synapses are firing and my pupils are small. I’m cold and sweaty, and over-caffeinated.
I’ve written another book, and it’s all happening so fast. When you write a book it takes ages to gel and work with an editor and get notes and make decisions. Then you wait. You bug your publisher, and you’re super nice but really you’re screaming inside: Get the damn book out!
And then it happens. Launch day.
And you question everything. Am I really a writer? Do I have anything worthwhile to say?
You call your friends. Is the book readable? I hear Costco is hiring...
It’s like teetering on the edge of an abyss. There’s a salient vertigo that smacks you in the face, roughs you up, and forces those doubts to the surface.
At 5:00 A.M. my head is clear. The oatmeal is bubbling on the stove and the coffee dripping. I feed the cat, because yes, I’m that crazy, reclusive cat lady slash writer.
Back in bed, pillows plumped behind me, laptop on my lap (where else), I start the day. The nerves haven’t quite set in but they hover in my psyche waiting for a moment of weakness: something minor I overlooked becomes a looming tower of anxiety.
Such is the life of this writer. Maybe not all writers, but I’m betting many go through a curtain of impenetrable darkness before reaching the light.
The light for me is the new story. It sings a siren song that lures me back to a false state of security. It’s the crafting and shaping that a writer really loves. You get lost in a story and don’t want to leave that cocoon of creativity. Tomorrow doesn’t matter. The next book launch is something to look forward to and your mind conjures a scenario of book tours, bestseller lists, and movie adaptations.
And maybe, just maybe, I’ll stare imposter syndrome down and remember it’s part of the writer’s emotionally taxing but ultimately compelling journey.
Writing a TV Movie: An Insider's Guide to Launching a Screenwriting Career
