CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

December has been a busy month. I’ve applied the lessons learned in my Back-on-Track Challenge pass-fail . Pass, because I’m back on track; fail because I learned I was being unrealistic in what I thought I could achieve, and realised I had to change what getting back on track meant. Pass, because I can actually achieve what I’ve set as publishing goals for next year. And, yes, it bothers me that I didn’t succeed in the goal as set, but I’ll get over it—too much else to get done to wallow in it. And speaking of December, and making changes, and setting goals for next year, it’s important to try and plan ahead. I’ve cut my study load by one subject, since I can’t finish my degree any faster by doing the extra one, and I could better use the time elsewhere. I also rejigged my publishing schedule so I am taking into account the fact I am a full-time student and I need to improve my grades by about 10 per cent, in order to keep a future option open. I also had to factor in the fact ...

I made a concerted effort to read more blogs this month. I read these from start to finish - in two sittings: Writing and the Writing Industry http://kriswrites.com/2015/02/11/business-musings-weird-misinformation/ : Kristine Kathryn Rusch on changes in the writing industry and misinformation; http://jakonrath.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/welcome-to-2015.html : J.A. Konrath on New Year's resolutions, indie publishing, Scott Turow and other bits; http://jakonrath.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/my-thoughts-on-amazon-debate.html : J.A. Konrath's thoughts on the shared worlds of Amazon and whether or not it's good for publishing; http://jakonrath.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/jack-daniels-associates-kindle-worlds.html : J.A. Konrath on his new setting for Amazon worlds; http://jakonrath.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/on-copyright-again.html : J.A. Konrath on what changes might need to be considered to bring copyright laws into the 21st century; http://kriswrites.com/2015/02/18/business-musing...

As far as I can recall, I had no time in October for blog reading, but that doesn't mean I didn't read some anyway. Most of the blogs listed below, however, were read in November. I have tried to divide them up into categories for ease of browsing: The Art of Writing: http://gretavanderrol.net/2014/11/21/on-the-art-of-writing-what-you-know/ http://sfrcontests.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/descripturbation-how-to-and-how-not-to.html http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/writing-in-public-year-2-month-4-day-16/ http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/writing-in-public-year-2-month-4-day-15/ http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/writing-in-public-year-2-month-4-day-14/ http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2014/11/18/we-can-do-this-the-easy-way-or-the-hard-way/ http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2014/11/17/how-to-motivate-yourself-as-a-writer/ http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2014/11/10/on-the-detestation-of-your-manuscript-an-expedition-into-the-dark-tumultuous-heart-of-authorial-self-hatred/ http://terrib...

Keeping tabs on the industry is very important. Watching trends and garnering opinion and advice with with to feed our own decisions is vital to making a living at this profession. As such, I made a specific effort to actually do some reading this month. Here are the blogs I found helpful or articles I found inspirational. Craft of Writing http://jakonrath.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/guest-post-by-chris-eboch.html http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/middle-grade-plot-maps-by-lee-wardlaw.html http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/revision-technique-book-mapping-by.html http://mollyblaisdell.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/blooming-plot.html Publishing http://kriswrites.com/2014/04/16/the-business-rusch-generational-divide/ https://twitter.com/ChuckWendig/status/456809435353350144 http://jakonrath.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/guest-post-by-dale-t-phillips-and-vlad-v.html http://jakonrath.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/no-one-knows.html http://jakonr...

Scalzi-Hines Aicardi Pose-Off http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/12/25/pose-off-with-jim-c-hines-round-two/ Vale Gerry Anderson http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/2012/12/rest-in-peace-gerry-anderson.html Author News: http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/12/26/here-comes-the-blizzard/ http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/12/26/boxing-day-blizzard-update/ http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/12/26/more-boxing-day-blizzard-photos/ http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/12/27/editing-a-book-today/ http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/12/27/book-editing-update/ Book Reviews: http://darkfaerietales.com/day-christmas-true-love-gave-3.html Christmas Greetings and Traditions: http://fantasyhandbook.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/merry-christmas/ http://grubbstreet.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/merry-christmas.html http://historicalhearts.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/christmas-food-and-fun.html http://paizo.com/paizo/blog/v5748dyo5leav?Goblins-Burn-Goblins-Fight-Goblins-Wish-You Craft: http://crimeficti...

As part of my tidy up, I have been catching up on the blogs. This time there were only around 800 to go through, and there were a lot more that made me stop. Here they are, separated roughly into subject areas: Readers http://www.thepassivevoice.com/12/2012/dont-hide-your-harlequins-in-defense-of-romance/ Scalzi-Hines Charity Pose-Off http://www.jimchines.com/2012/12/choose-the-form-of-the-scalzi/ Industry http://www.lindsayburoker.com/ebook-news/kobo-becoming-a-player-for-indie-authors/ http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2012/ten-bold-predictions-for-ebooks-and-digital-publishing-in-2013/ http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2012/kobo-partners-with-major-it-retailer-in-germany/ http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2012/urban-readers-prefer-ebooks-rural-readers-prefer-print-new-study-says/ http://www.thepassivevoice.com/12/2012/uk-copyright-reform-affects-fair-use-format-shifting-and-big-data/ http://www.thepassivevoice.com/12/2012/a-devastating-report-for-amazons-kin...