Author: John

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My Writing Sessions, How I keep Focused and When I Do My Best Author Work

My YouTube vlog is Out and I’m Writing Away, things are looking Up.

By John Irvin

Today I was able to talk a little about my upcoming Book Tour later this year.

This will be the sixth weekly episode since the New Year’s launch! I can’t been six weeks since I started.

Go check it out:

            I don’t mention the Patreon exclusive Ikkilion Chronicles in the vlog this week, so I’ll mention it here in this post. We are up to our fifth weekly episode. I was just talking with some friends, they agree for the price of one Starbucks coffee each month, getting two free e-books and weekly episodes is worthwhile.

How do I keep my daily writing sessions?

            I’ve found over the past couple of years, I write better early in the morning. When the world is still asleep, before the sun is up, I can immerse myself in whatever world I’m creating.

            My characters’ voices seem more clear and distinct during this solitude.

            The funny thing is, sometimes just an hour of writing can feel like an eternity after awhile. It’s strange, I love the silence, but then my fingers seem to struggle after long bouts.

            So I discovered, if I have music playing in the background, the time goes so much faster and before I realise, I’ve got over a thousand words in one hour and often I’m longing to keep going.

            But, a secret most writers reveal, if you stop in the middle of a sentence, it adds to the suspense and you’re more apt to jump right back in the next day.

            At first, it can be a struggle getting into the daily routine. But it is a must. Psychologists do concur a habit is formed after daily practice over ninety days.

Mornings are my favourite times to write

            It’s not much of a struggle for me, except on mornings after late nights. I try to stay away from late nights. But many friends still enjoy staying up late these days. They call me an old man for wanting to go to bed around eight-thirty or nine in the evenings.

            I like my sleep, too. But I get up at 0430! So I’m not old, just different.

New Publication!

            Tomorrow, the paperback for Longevity, Book 2: Independence finally comes out. The Hardcover and E-Book are planned for the same date in a couple weeks. I hope you’ve been able to get your hands on the first and enjoyed it. I encourage you to meet Ihon (pronounced Ian) as he travels through time as a Wolf-Born.

            This is going to be an intense ride. Six more books to go!

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

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There’s Always Going to be a Struggle for Artists, it’s What Keeps Us Growing.

Rollercoaster Start to this New Year has me contemplating time, life, and the purpose of storms.

Life is a roller-coaster ride

By John Irvin

Well, so far, I’m keeping this YouTube thing running. Episode five is a Part 4 for my Throwing it All Out There start-off series.

I’m thankful, despite the setbacks this first month has already brought me, I still have the ability to keep things running with my Author business.

Check out the short video below where I give brief summaries of five more books in my published collection.

            Can you believe this is already my 135th blog post? Yes, I could have had more, if I’d kept the “daily blog” thing going after the first 100, but seriously, that’s time consuming and I have lots of writing to do for this year’s publication timeline.

            Presently, I’m finishing up the second draft of Magic’s Time Split, Book 4: When Nights Bleed.

            So, my part time job—you know, the delivery gig that’s supposed to help pay the bills until the book sales rise high enough for independence—has…well, to be honest, it’s become a detriment. I got back from New Year’s vacation, as you know, and worked one Monday—last week—then my truck was out of commission up until Sunday night two days ago.

            After so many new parts and much cabbage (as they call it in Eastern Europe: money) later, I was able to work another shift yesterday. Being a Monday, there was not much return with the tips.

            I’m in the middle of having to make a huge decision. I already had my store knowing I’m leaving by the end of February, but I may need to leave much sooner than that.

“Life is a journey, paved by decisions.”

            My proofreading business hasn’t kicked off yet, but that’s simply because I can’t figure out a way to pitch bloggers and online writers. I’ll be pitching the schools in town to see if I could set up a client base among the teacher crowds, but besides that, I’m a little stuck.

            This is just me being bare and vulnerable with you. It’s a raw feeling.

            But, as I often like to reference my favourite movie: The Greatest Showman, when it comes to chasing my dreams. They were in the scrapes right before their big success—I mean, he was laid off! There was also the struggle to get his show launched when people didn’t buy tickets at first.

            But eventually, he made the connections he needed, he found a way, and then it hit.

            So, come along with me, open up your narrow mind, because I’m dreaming with my eyes wide open!

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

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My Book Family of Short Reads and the Rest of My Works, Covered Here and on YouTube for Part Three

Today, over on YouTube, I’ll be covering the rest of my works I’ve published in the past three years.

By John Irvin

Already the third week into January, time is already flying by. The publication date for Longevity, Book 2: Independence is approaching fast and I still have a few loose ends to tie up. Yeehaw!

Today’s vlog is published on YouTube, check it out here. I hope you can tolerate my lame speaking skills, I write better than I talk.

            I have covered the Longevity series, the Magic’s Time Split series, and my StarQuest Anthology. Beyond that, today I’m covering my Mermaid Seas Trilogy and several other short works. I have quite a few more, so now that I’m recording the video, I’m beginning to wonder if I should perhaps add a Part 4 to this opening YouTube series.

            I’m trying to keep the videos to an average of 5 minutes.

            It’s been a busy month already to say the least.

            But, I feel more like an authorpreneur and CEO of my own business. Because that’s what business is: business. No pun intended. No, nothing like the Harry Potter pun I read the other day, you gotta watch out for those, they Slytherin.

            Sorry. Moving on.

            This morning, I’m working on the second draft to Book 3, As Flesh Rots, in my Magic’s Time Split series. Next week will be the second draft for Book 4, When Nights Bleed. After that I’m writing the next installation of the Ikkilion Chronicles for my Patreon backers.

            So the rest of my January is booked in my writing domain.

            I’m also gathering more volunteers for my GoFundMe Fundraiser Launch Team set for March. The plan is to have a pre-launch party, get up to 15 volunteer members for the team and make sure they’re all on the same page. We hope to gather a good chunk of pre-launch pledges.

Look for volunteers for a Launch Team
Looking for a team…

            All funds raised in this campaign will only be sent on the expenses for and related to the John Irvin Author Book Tour 2020. That is set for August and could tentatively take me all the way to Los Angeles! Fingers crossed.

            I’ll keep sharing more info on this as the Launch Day approaches.

Teams make faster progress.

            Backers will be placed in tiered levels, depending on the amount they can give. Believe me, every dollar counts, so whatever can be given is appreciated. Each tier gets a reward, each reward stacked on top of the previous the higher the amount reaches in the stacked tiers.

            It’s been done before, many entrepreneurs in this day and age use crowdfunding to startup their businesses. I’ve done a ton of reading and research on this topic and am finally using this medium in hopes to see my Author dream come into fruition.

            My books may be fiction, but I do believe there is a message—even a small one—in each story. There is always the quote I love reciting, I think C.S. Lewis said it, if not, I apologize.

            “Fairy tales are not real because they tell us dragons are real. Fairy tales are real because they teach us dragons can be beaten.”

            If you know the real person who said that, let me know. Thank you ahead of time.

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

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More News for John Irvin, Author Journey Series for Part Two on YouTube

I’ll be talking about my Magic’s Time Split series, my Ikkilion Chronicles, and my Longevity series, and several other books in my vlog for a three-part video.

By John Irvin

It’s a NEW DECADE!

            Yes, I know, I missed last week’s blog. I did get the vlog out though. So you can check that in the link shared at the bottom of this blog.

So today is the first blog post of 2020, the second YouTube video for 2020 is out now, too. Things are getting off to a good start. I’ve split up these two weeks into two parts.

The Pilot episode for my Ikkilion Chronicles was aired last Friday, got my first Patreon backer for it, too. Yes, it was exciting. Now, only 99 supporters to go and I’ll reach my monthly goal there.  

I’m finishing up the first draft of Book 3, Wandering, in Longevity—I’m a little behind in that, thanks to the holidays and the fact that the ending scene is the hardest to write. I’m a bit sentimental, but there’s a favourite character I don’t want to say good-bye to. Does that make sense?

Author on Vacation

I was actually on New Year’s vacation to Kentucky last week, so things were a bit haywire when it came to my writing and author business. You grab the times as you go, whenever they chance to pop up.

We authors do not get vacation though, for we are always writing or thinking about writing.

            But, now that I’m home in Florida, I’ll be continuing the Ikkilion Chronicles and scheduling them ahead of time for their weekly submissions. My Author Journey has taken on a new level. Every level I reach, it’s been fun and stressful, but then after awhile, it’s not as hard—funny how life is like that.

Every Master was an Apprentice

           You are afraid to start something, because you feel unready or scared you’ll fail. But then you start, and yes, you hit those speed bumps and tumble out on your butt. You get back up and keep pushing through. After awhile, you’ve learned all the ends and outs of that level and it’s now no longer so hard. It’s more a routine, in fact.

            Every master of anything must first begin as an apprentice.

            Same goes with running an authorpreneur business. This is the writing life, and just like any life of freedom, we must take full responsibility of it. We must become CEOs of our own work.

            Every one has their journeys to take. This is mine. I’m finally learning to appreciate and to enjoy each step.

            Do I wish I was already making a six figure living as an author? Yes, who wouldn’t? But I know, I’ll get there soon enough. Right now, I need to focus on today, hone my skills, and keep learning.

            We must all keep learning, if we are to succeed. Isn’t that right?

            Anyways, I hope you have an amazing Friday tomorrow, subscribe to my newsletter below and you’ll get personal emails on Fridays. Here’s the link to last week’s YouTube vlog: Check Out My YouTube!

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

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New News and Author Business Advancing!

My Vlog just had its Introductions posted Today, check out the link, or Watch the Video on this Blog…

By John Irvin

            Finally, I’m able to bring to you John Irvin, Author Journey Series, a new vlog I’ve just started over on YouTube.

            Check it out here:           

            If something’s up and you can’t watch it on this blog, click this link here: JOURNEY SERIES VLOG to go see the 5 minute video and, maybe, subscribe. Please, as I mention in the short, this is my first time so please be gentle.

            Over time I do hope to make it more professional and better. I don’t like feeling amateur for very long. But for now, I’m happy I was able to get it working finally. I originally planned to have the vlog coinciding with the blog since the beginning back in May. Yeah, that never happened.

            As you can see.

            But, hey, you learn as you go. Life’s a dance. And all that good stuff.

            So, I’m throwing it all out there over the course of the next few videos.

            It’s a new phase preparing for this New Year. I’m looking forward to seeing where it all goes. So I look forward to seeing you on YouTube on Thursdays now, or over on Patreon with the new short story weekly episodes on Fridays.

            This is going to be a fun year!

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

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What Book made Me Realize Reading Meant Something to Me?

I started reading at an early age, as far back as I can remember, but, I think, the one Book that entrenched my love for reading more was…

By John Irvin

A tale of knights and ladies…

            It was a tale of knights and ladies, lords and princesses, of vengeance and justice, it was a tale carved from the dark ages, to bring light to this young lad.

            Men of Iron by Howard Pyle was one of those books you read more than once. It is the tale of a boy who becomes a page then a squire, seeking to restore his father’s good name.

            He falls in love with the Earl’s daughter, sneaking visits to her throughout the years. When he is knighted and finally able to challenge his family’s rival in a duel to the death, he garners her favor.

            The aches of growing into manhood touched down with my young heart. The desire to see justice served was close to my heart. And naturally, being a hopeless romantic who believes in soul mates, the romance was perfect—though a tad bit too light for me.

            After reading once, then twice a year or two later, I found it enjoyable each time.

            In fact, I believe the sense of honour and chivalry has stuck with me, inspired by that book. Thinking back, it is dawning on me, most of my main characters tend to act related to the hero…intriguing. I may have to revisit that work again.

            As for now, I’m past halfway with the first draft of Longevity, Book 3: Wandering. I have felt as if I were wandering time and space with my hero, Ihon.  The hardest struggle is keeping away from repetition. When your hero is a long-living Wolf-Born, the years passing by can get monotonous.

            But the hardest part is keeping that monotony interesting for my readers. This is why I have to do more than one draft. Thankfully, I have till May of next year to have this ready for publication!

Book 2 is on its way smoothly!

            Book 2, Independence, is on its way smoothly! Unlike its predecessor, it appears the first three formats (Hardcover, Paperback, and E-Book) will be able to be published at the same time.

            I’m still trying to figure out a time and way to get the final format (Audiobook) into publication for this series and the rest of my books. That’s going to take awhile.

            I’ve spent the first half of this week recording videos for my upcoming launches. It’s been intense, not to mention a struggle for this introvert. I am anticipating the turnout in the next few weeks.

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com