Writing – Lotus Dance Press

Wow, it’s been over two years since I posted on this site… sheesh.

2018 has been about building.

I’ve made a few posts on my personal site, www.lesleehare.net, but have mostly been focused on writing and becoming part of the community here in Pine Lake, Georgia. It’s quite lovely here.

I’m very encouraged by advice Jane Friedman gives in The Business Of Being A Writer, about what authors should focus on: building a platform, or writing?

She talked a bit about the value of brand and platform to some writers, but when I read that she thinks a fiction writer should focus on their craft, my heart swelled with relief! I was wondering how I was ever going do it all.

Crafting my writing? That’s something I can manage to build on, for sure.

On the publishing side, it was a thrill to get 21 Steps To Happiness out in the world and onto Amazon in October, and to participate in the authors’ booth at 2018 Pine LakeFest. Looking forward to doing it again next year!

Work continues on a series of Coloring Books that we hope to have out in the next few months. I want us to offer something unique and meaningful to this genre. Its market has exploded in the past couple years, and I’ve seen examples that range from captivating to crude. Hoping I can contribute to the finer end of the spectrum.

Here’s an example of one of the images – work in progress, of course.

I’m also excited about a new novel I’m working on thanks to the great folks and wonderful process at NaNoWriMo. It’ll take me a few months to edit Sophia Learns To Fly (working title), but once I’ve gotten it past the rough first draft stage, I’ll be shopping agents.

I’m happy with this quick cover study I threw together, and plan to do a more refined version with a watercolor image I’ll create.

With the holiday season upon us, I hope everyone is enjoying winter and time with loved ones.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year, too!

It’s been a crazy year so far.

I continue adjusting to life in Atlanta, and some of the bumps still catch my toe once in a while.

Downtown still looks tired, dirty, and gray, but the City finally patched the sidewalk outside the office, and the explosive flames (leaves) descending from the maples light things up, especially in the frequent rain.

But that’s not the craziness.

For years now, I’ve known something was going on with my body, and I’ve finally begun to get to the bottom of it. Some of it’s been mind-blowing. Lupus, Candida, Leaky Gut, a parasite, and now Autism. Along with a completely new – and astonishingly restrictive – diet, it’s enough to slow anyone down.

But somehow, Lotus Dance Press has managed to get off the ground, and 21 Steps To Happiness is now available on Amazon!

I’m working on several volumes of Coloring Books for adults (simply meaning they might be a little complicated for small hands), and tackling NaNoWriMo with zeal. The move to Atlanta blew the air out of the tires under my memoir, but we’re rolling again and it’s hard to choose whether to work on my NaNoWriMo piece or that. So far I’m managing to touch both without totally losing my balance.

I’ve been out of the loop socially, but am working on that.

So please give a shout out and let me know what you’re working on! I’ve learned encouragement works best when it flows around.

Wishing you a happy November!