Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Proposal out the door + new book available + changes to the blog

Whew – busy week, dear readers!

After the invitation from my Harlequin editor to submit some pitches for some non-Amish stories, I sent in six pitches (incorporating some of your ideas!) and she liked three of them. Then I set myself an ambitious goal: To have a proposal on her desk by this past Monday. That meant I had one week to write a chapter outline, synopsis, and three chapters. Imagine hands on fire and you'll get the right idea.

For me, writing is easy. What's tough for me is plotting, though I'm getting better at it. I've learned the best way to get the job done is to write a detailed – and I mean detailed – chapter-by-chapter outline. The outline I wrote for this proposal, for example, is 13 single-spaced pages and almost 6700 words in length.

But once it's done, that's the hard part. With an outline that detailed, the synopsis practically writes itself. I blasted through writing the first three chapters, polished them, and finalized the synopsis. Then I sent the packet to my agent, who forwarded it to my editor, and we'll see what happens from there.

But there's no rest for the weary. In the hopes my editor will accept the proposal, I'm continuing to work on the manuscript. For this, it's a matter of applying NaNoWriMo techniques (writing a minimum of 1667 words per day), and voilà.

Next up: I've been negligent in mentioning the availability of my latest book "The Amish Bride's Secret." The cover art is kinda "meh," but the story (I think) is good. Ahem, you may recognize some aspects of me in the heroine, LOL.

Here's the back cover blurb:

She looks like the perfect bride – but there's something she's hiding…

After a broken engagement leads to a terrible mistake, Cara Lengacher needs to start over, and Matthew Miller's advertisement is a lifeline. She'll go to Montana, become his mail-order wife and live happily ever after. But as soon as she arrives, her rosy hopes start to dim. Matthew's parents disapprove of mail-order matches, and his place in the family is now at risk. To help her husband-to-be, she must show that she'll be a perfect wife. But the secret she's carrying could ruin everything…

Apparently the book made Publisher's Weekly best-seller list, though PW no longer allows non-members to see the list. However another writer posted this info in the chatroom:

This book can be found either on Amazon or the Harlequin website:

Amazon

Harlequin

Next topic of business: I'm officially announcing some changes on this blog. We're increasingly going to monetize it, and that includes joining Amazon Affiliates. While this may seem annoying to some, I should remind readers that I've been keeping this blog for upwards of 15 years and very seldom attempted to monetize it.

For various reasons I won't disclose, we're trying to position ourselves financially to prepare for a loss of one of our larger income streams. That's one of the reasons I applied to my Harlequin editor to increase the number of books I can submit. Monetizing this blog is just another financial iron in the fire, as we call it, and every little bit helps. Remember, clicking on affiliate links or patronizing advertisers is voluntary, not compulsory, so no one needs to feel obliged to support anything they don't want to.

However I have no intention of becoming a link farm or any other ridiculously transparent attempt to part people from their money. I'm just letting readers know why they might see the occasional disclaimer or advertisement. I do ask for understanding for this decision.

(To this end, please be aware that the above Amazon link is an affiliate link, and I will earn a small commission for every purchase made through that link. Apparently a disclaimer is required for every link posted.)

Whew. Lots of stuff. Moving on!

11 comments:

  1. Makes good sense to monetize something that can be monetized. I appreciate that you’re being kind to readers and not making it obtrusive with ads. We surely are all used to affiliate links at this point!

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  2. You most definitely deserve to earn money from your blog. I hope you can hook up with some other companies, in addition to or instead of Amazon. Like you have stated in the past, I also try hard to avoid Amazon, and when I need to order online prefer to order from smaller, independent companies, even if it costs more, but I do understand the widespread appeal, and presence of Amazon.

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  3. These days, it is not a bad idea to create an income stream anywhere you can. Many of us should try to do the same. Thanks for letting us know.

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  4. Happy to support you and buy via your Amazon link. I know I don't have to buy what you've linked. But the link will get me to a place where you get credit for my purchases. Very happy to help support you and your family!!
    SJ now in California.

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  5. Patrice, I remember you used to have the links many years ago, but stopped. So long as you don't have all the ones flashing in our faces.
    Debbie in MA
    PS We all have to do what we need to do.

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  6. You are so faithful and conscientious in writing this blog even when you're busy, I think you're entitled to a little payback. You also show some great photos at times. I've learned a lot of things 😌 from you. Thank you.
    Ramona from NC

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  7. The Amish Bride's Secret: she's a werewolf! She's a Star Trek salt monster! She's a man! She's an atheist! She's a lizard person! She's Deep State! She's president of Uruguay! Anyway, FWIW, monetize the crap out of the blog. Why not? Everyone else does. (And Patrice, I too find plotting my weak area.)

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  8. Your blog is the first one I check every day - have been enjoying it for years and a few extra links won't change that for me. I love it and thank you for sharing so much knowledge, information and enjoyable snippets of your lives. Jenny, Australia

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    1. The same is true for me. Always the first digital stop in my morning. It has been since I found you back in 2009 when my firs son was born and I was searching for frugal practical ways to live. I'm glad you have found a way to help monetize. You are a gifted writer and a I will be happy to use your links. KinCA

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  9. It doesn't bother me at all; most people do have ads.

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  10. Ordered the book via your link. Loved it and could hardly put it down once I started it. Also pre-ordered the next one. So excited to read that you're expanding your line.
    cheers,
    SJ now in California

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