Monday, May 21, 2012

More Cemetery Art

Happy Monday! Here's another picture from my Cemetery Art project.

I'm not sure if this is a life-like statue of the woman who is buried there, but I'd like to think it is. I had lots of fun trying to capture her just right. Bright sunny days are not all that great for taking black & white photos – as I learned. And back then, I didn't discover that until I actually developed the film. That's when I made multiple trips back to the cemeteries. Thank goodness I didn't have to drive far!

On Friday, I think I was feeling anxious, thus my post. I've done a lot of thinking since then. Yeah, I'm not ready to go the self-publishing route right now. I have a lot to learn (and need more stories). However, if by the time our house is paid off and I'm not yet published, I will self-publish. That won't be for at least another four years (if we're lucky). I can probably get at least four more books written in that time.

In the meantime, I will continue to search for that dream agent, or a small press publisher (if the agent search is a bust). I still think those ways are the best, even if I won't pocket as much money. The experience alone is worth that.

So please excuse that little rant on Friday. I just get so impatient at times, and I really need to slow down. Feeling old isn't helping me any, either, but there's not much I can do about that.

Weekend was fun (but then, I didn't have to work, so why wouldn't it?). On Saturday, our friend visited and cooked (always a good time there!) and on Sunday we went to a Dragons Game. They actually won (they are currently in last place, so we were a bit doubtful). Got some editing done, but it's been slow because I'm taking an editing class (which has been really helpful).


11 comments:

Maria Zannini said...

I've never seen a life-sized image of someone by a grave. I'd like to think it's her too.

Ref: frustration
If you're not frustrated, you're not a writer. :o)

When I decided to write professionally, I was very methodical. I made a promise to myself that if I didn't find success in 7 years, I'd quit and do something else. I made it in three. --though sometimes I still think about quitting. There's so much more I want to do before someone plops my statue on a grave.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Maria - Thanks for the smile re: "before someone plops a statue on my grave." I couldn't put that any better. But could you really quit writing? Really? I'm beginning to think I couldn't. Yeah, I've only been doing it for 3 years now, but that's all the proof I need to know I'll never stop. Published or not, it's in my blood.

LD Masterson said...

I've never seen a statue like that one by a grave. Sweet yet eerie at the same time. Great photo.

Jennette Marie Powell said...

Cool photo! I learned the same thing about bright sunlight, also the hard way, when I took a photography class. It creates too many harsh shadows.

Your plan for your writing soumds very smart. Too many writers jump to self pub too quckly, hence the lingering perception of "an ocean of crap." And yes, not even the well-written stories all find a market.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Linda - I hadn't either. That's why I had to take its picture!

Jennette - Yeah, I certainly don't want to be part of that "ocean"! I figure if I have lots of product to sell, that might help separate me from the pack. Of course, I have to have lots of product, first!

DL Hammons said...

The writers conference I was at this past weekend was very positive about the self-publishing route. It really is becoming a viable option for more and more writers! :)

Stacy McKitrick said...

Don - That's how it was at the RT Con, too. I went to every panel regarding self-publishing. But one thing I did notice, it works better for someone who already has an audience (or a back list). If you start out the self-pub way and don't have enough books to grab an audience, don't expect to sell. So, if I'm going to do it, I want to do it right.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Jeanne Estridge said...

This is very cool.

Photos today are soooo much easier (and cheaper!).

Stacy McKitrick said...

Jeanne - They may be easier and cheaper, but not as much fun. I loved the dark room!

Anne Gallagher said...

kind of a creepy stutue. But I suppose it brings comfort to the family.

I'm sorry I never did get to send you that email. But I'm glad you got your head wrapped around your angst. I probably would have only added to the fodder.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Anne - There's so much out there re self-pub, heavily sided one way or the other. It's almost hard keeping a level-head about it, but I'm trying.

It's almost like the California Gold Rush. People were sucked in when told how easy it was to make money, when the truth was - it was a lot of work and not a guarantee you'd strike it rich!