New Blog

I have a new blog at:


http://www.storiesbystacy1.blogspot.com/

This blog has been discontinued. Please refer to new blog on Monday, 19 October 2009. Thank you. Have a great day.

Blessings,

Stacy

Latest Information

This blog will only be added to periodically. Instead, for writing information, please refer to three different sites:
http://www.storiesbystacy.com/
http://www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/
http://www.sacredstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Thanks!
Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

On Taking a Break From Writing by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

I really recommend the prospect of taking an extended break from writing if you're like me. I write every day--all day long. Taking a month's hiatus was tough, but I think very worthwhile. I feel fresher and ready more than ever to get back into it and think my writing will be a great deal better because of it.

Taking a break:

* Helps us to recharge.
* Frees mind space.
* Allows us to look around and see the world in a whole new light and from a different perspective.
* Makes us appreciate the art and craft even more.
* Gives you time to actually stop and think about a new storyline (or several).

Give it a try sometime. Most cannot afford to have a month off. So, why not try a week?

It's something to think about.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Greetings from Stories by Stacy

Hello! It's been a while. Sorry to not be here yesterday and add a posting to this blog. However, I'm here now.

I am mostly settled in my new home in Omaha. It's been fun (not sarcastically speaking, but I'm serious) setting up a new home and combining two households in one. This is the first time my husband and I've been under the same roof. Therefore, it's quite nice. I not only love my husband, but I like him. So, it's been a while in coming but here we are.

Omaha is a great deal better than I anticipated and I had positive thoughts about the place beforehand. It's pretty, green, and hilly. I love the people, the community in which I live, and so on. It's a slower pace than Denver and I definitely love that facet. It's also nice to be near more Christians and patriots. Everyone is friendly and when you let a driver over in front of you, they actually wave and say thank you.

It took us a month to get some of our furniture (and we're still waiting on the last round to come in on Friday). But, the wait was worthwhile. The house is a sacred place and quite peaceful. It's a retreat and that matters more to me than anything else.

We got a kitten named Sinan (pronouced See-naw-n) on Sunday and have been enjoying him very much. He's a huge ham. He has no fear. He's vocal, follows us around, and comes when called. He's a lover and purrs loudly. It looks like I've got a good helper.

I really have not had time to miss Denver yet and I think that's a good thing.

My dad is coming out to visit next week, so I'll be a little out of the loop again. Sorry about that.

It looks like I have four books I'm working on at the moment, as far as writing goes:
1. A book on 1 Corinthians. It's a bible study, devotional, reference, journaling type of book. It's meant to be done individually or in a group. Non-fiction.
2. A book on journaling. I actually call it journalblogging. It's a combination of journaling and blogging where you get thoughts out on paper or in a blog. It forces us to realize that we miss most of life every day because of busyness. We need to slow down and try to process what we experience, think, feel, be intentional about living, plan and seek our goals every day or we miss life. We forget what's important. Non-fiction. It can be done individually or in a group.
3. Zeagar. Fiction. Sci-fi.
4. A book about if walls could talk. It's set in the future and is going to be an epic love story about a construction worker who helped built the arch in St. Louis. The construction worker is purely fiction, but I want to do a series about 'Building America,' and how everyone has a story and these stories build America as well as the hands that build the landmarks. Fiction.

Also, I need to edit and get ready for publication:
1. Cammi's Story
2. Demarcations

How are you? What's new with you? Let me know.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

I'm Back

Greetings from Omaha.

I'm back and will start to blog again tomorrow afternoon. Thank you for your patience.

By the way, I have a new kitten. He's an orange tabby, named Sinan (pronounced: See-naw-n). Sinan is a good lion name. He acts like a lion and looks like one in a way. Sinan means spearhead. So, get ready for tales of the adventurous one.

How are you? What's new with you? Drop me a line and let me know.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

See You in August

I will try to write some blog postings whenever I am able. However, plan on me taking a hiatus until August. Then, look out! I will blog daily once again.

I'm moving at the beginning of July and will take a while to set up my house. Then, I'm going to join some time off with my best friend and hubby before our lives get quite busy. Moving from Denver and going to Omaha.

I hope all is well with you. Take care.

Stacy Duplease

Lighthearted Writing

I've been having dialogue with a fellow tweeter, @KMWeiland, about lighthearted writing. I also tweeted about this on occasion the last couple of days.

Is it possible to write a lighthearted, fun novel if your thoughts and heart are on deeper matters? Please give me feedback on this subject.

I keep trying to write a lighthearted book, but it always turns more serious and gains more depth.

I hope to be able to learn to do so, however. I am a firm believer that even though we may not be able to write a certain genre, or write at all, we can learn. We all have the ability to learn. We can all write. It just takes hard work and a whole lot of practice.

Where do you get stuck?

What do you want to learn to write or to write better?

I love to learn. I love writing. I love writing because I always learn how to be a better writer. It's a lifelong pursuit. To be the best writer I can be and bring light to dark parts of life to everyone.

But, I still want to write lighthearted and fun stuff. I will learn. I just hope it's sooner rather than later.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Writing What You Know and Who I Am:

On Twitter today, I was moved by a quote I received by a new friend. This is NOT original to me.

We are to not only write what we know, but we are to write who I am.

It's a rather deep thought.

In writing, we not only come to terms with our life experiences, but we grow as individuals and can celebrate who we are. There is no one else on earth with our experiences, with our outlook, or with our personality. Therefore, this is what makes our writing special. We write who we are and about what formed us to be who we are.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Thought for the Day: Live Your Dream by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Are you living your dream of writing? Are you actively living it and are you living it with purpose? Why or why not?

Aim to dream and to live your dream.

Take time to make plans to live your dream. Do so today. You can always put if off until tomorrow, but then you would not be living your dream, would you?

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Followers, Comments, and Emails

If you read this blog, please:
* Sign yourself up as a follower (in the margin of this page, it gives you the opportunity. Use a fake name and a fake picture if you desire privacy.).
* Add comments at the end of each blog posting. I want all of my blogs to be interactive rather than just have me flapping my trap.
* Send me email comments if you desire to: storiesbystacy@gmail.com

Thank you! My bloggings are not supposed to be about me, but about life in general and about you.

Stacy Duplease

Writing Rules of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

Stories by Stacy Writing Rules (Tips, Suggestions, & Ideas):
Everything in life, unfortunately has rules. Writing is no exception. Here's my list. I will add to it over time. I think you'll find the list is unique and very Stacy.

It does not matter if you write articles, fiction, non-fiction, novels, short-stories, movies, or plays, these rules apply to all writers.

Rule #1: The Most Important Tip and Rule About Writing: Write
The most critical tip, and most important tip, I have for you about how to be the best writer you can be is: Write. Yes. The answer is: Write. It really is that simple.
How do you achieve the most success as a writer? Answer: Write.
What's the secret to writing the best you can? Answer: Write.
How can you become a writer? Answer: Write.
What do you do when you don't want to write? Answer: Write.
What do you do when you're too busy to write? Answer: Write.
What do you do when you're sick? Answer: Write.
What do you do when you're stuck? Answer: Write.
What do you do to prevent writers' block (other than never believe in it to begin with)? Answer: Write.
Write.
Write, write, write--and then, write some more.
The only way to begin is to: write.
What if you might stink at it? Answer: Write anyway.
If you have a passion for writing, then write.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

Tip of the Week

Writers, I learned something new today. Fridays are a GREAT day for networking on social networking sites. If you want to promote yourself and your novels, do it on Fridays.

The only problem is now that I've done that all day, I haven't edited, written any of my novels, or packed to move in July to Nebraska. Joy. But, it's worth it.

Blog Queen (Or Blog Nut, depending on how you look at it.)

I am now finished adding blogs. I hope not to add any more because this is more than a full-time job keeping up with each of these. I want to touch on the topics most important to me, though, and help people to see life from a fresh perspective--and let people know they aren't the only one who... (You fill in the blank.)

Please check out whatever blog tickles your fancy.

My main blog is and will always be:

www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/

My daily blogs are:
www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.speclitstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday Blogs:
www.sacredstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.writingstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Mondays and Wednesdays Blog:
www.momstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays and Thursdays Blogs:
www.journalstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.marriagestoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.usastoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

From the Crazy Writer and Blogger,
Stacy Duplease

The Economy, Self-Publishing, Stories by Stacy, and Publishing by Stacy

More Information Learned from the CCWC:
The Economy and Writing
It's not just the Christian Book Association (CBA) who's having problems within this economy. The American Book Association (ABA) is having problems as well. The truth of the matter is that both the CBA and ABA are not producing as many books. Nor are they as willing to try to publish a first-time author. It's too risky. Furthermore, they are now more picky as to what type of books they will accept.

Problem with Publishing Through ABA or CBA
It's a dog-eat-dog world out there and the publishing market is no exception. However, it can be argued that it's always been that way. It's just worse at the moment. The problem is not with the editors. They want to publish a great deal more books than they are able. The problem lies with the industry as a whole. The industry as a whole only can accept what they believe will sell.

The question is what really sells?

The answer, I believe is more complicated than anyone tends to address.

The bottom line is: I believe more books would sell if given the chance. Ahh... But, that is where the problem rears its ugly head. If you're a big publishing house, or a small one for that matter, if you try to print a book that does not measure up to your standards and it fails to sell thousands of copies, and immediately, then you lose money and eventually you would have to close down your company. This is a fact. As a supporter of capitalism, I understand this and welcome this fact. Therefore, there has to be a way to get more people published and not lose money.

The answer to this dilemma is self-publishing or going with a company that can afford to take a chance on you. I want to set up a self-publishing company and a company to publish those who don't want to do it on their own and need guidance. I also can help people to self-publish.

In self-publishing, you can make a lot more money than if you ever went with a major publisher. You don't have to share your profits with anyone. Ever. Unless you chose to share some with your graphics designer, or anyone else like that. It's a win-win situation because in the major publishing industry as an author, you have to market your books anyway. The publishing houses don't do that for you.

Stories by Stacy (SBS)
I'm forming a LLC, a Limited Liability Company to get all of my books published. I'm in the process of the next two months of getting it set up officially.

Publishing by Stacy (PBS)
It's another LLC and is to help others get published through this company or through their own means and I walk them through the process.

My Current Writing Plans:
Stories by Stacy (SBS) is working on editing two novels at the moment in order to get them out in the next couple of months. "Demarcations" will be the first one I publish. "Cammi's Story" will be next.

I'm in the process of writing two novels:
* "Driftwood People"
* "Zeagar"

Driftwood People is about a family in crisis learning how to get serious about their faith, their country, and strengthening their family again.

Zeagar is a sci-fi about Americans getting tired of the country being ruined and they try to find a new place to live in outer space in the galaxy of Zeagar.

Business Plans:
Also, in the process of working on logos for each company, business cards, and so on. Also, working on the cover for "Demarcations" and "Cammi's Story." That's the latest.

Thanks for listening to me ramble. I'll get back to blogging about other matters tomorrow. I just wanted to let you know the state of affairs in my life since the CCWC. Thanks for listening. Have a great day.

Blessings,
Stacy Duplease

Writers, Novelists, Wanna-Be's, the Creative Types, & Freelancers

This blog is dedicated to all of the above. I want to talk about... Drum roll, please... Writing.

I want to establish a writing group--where we encourage one another, promote one another, use each other for publicity, share our writing with in order to critique it or ask how it sounds, to offer advice, to share writing quotes, share references, and anything else regarding writing.

Interested? Send me an email at: storiesbystacy@gmail.com or comment to this blog.

I will update this blog on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Take care. I look forward to hearing from you.

Stacy Duplease