budget – Debatably Dateable

The choice to self publish

The dream for me had always been to be picked up by a big publishing company in the future of my writing career. I knew that would not happen right away and self publishing some books would almost be like building up a resume. I could grow my own fan base, I would be showing that I’m not just a one hit wonder, and I would show that I have the passion and commitment to continue on for many more years.

There’s definitely stress and frustration that comes with putting a book together but I do love having control over every decision and making my collection EXACTLY how I want it. As I’ve never been traditionally published, I don’t know when the hand off happens exactly. But I’m sure there’s Cover Designers and Illustrators that can give your collection a complete makeover – a makeover you may not want. You can be included in the conversation but how could you disagree with the professionals if you didn’t like the design?

A big plus of signing with a traditional company is the marketing resources that can be dedicated to getting your book to consumers’ hands. When you self publish all the marketing and promoting falls on you. The thing is I’ve seen some collections that were published by traditional companies but barely have 50 reviews on Amazon. I know reviews don’t equal sales but one of the big 5 publishing houses should have enough resources to ensure their books are being promoted well.

Traditional publishing companies have been in the industry for a long time, they have a lot of connections, and they know all the ins and outs to get your book in front of the right people. But will they use that knowledge on you, that’s no guarantee as this recent thread on Twitter speaks to.

After publishing my first two collections, I’ve learned I want control of all creative decisions and I want as much promotional help as possible, it seems there are plenty of examples in the industry that traditional companies don’t help me with either of those things.

Being picked up by a publishing company could be the greatest thing to ever happen to your writing career. It could be the greatest to happen to mine as well, I’m just saying that I no longer feel that hungry desire to chase after one of the big 5 houses. I’m happy self publishing. It’s difficult at some points and I know traditional would have it’s own difficulties as well. Self publishing has been making steady strides in this industry for years and I am here for it’s next step.

25 before 25 list

It’s time to see how I did on my list of 25 before 25.

1. ~~Go on a caribbean trip~~

6 month check in: I’ve finally booked a trip for February!

Totally lied lol, we ended up using that money to go to California instead!

2. Figure out how all this self hosting works (how can I find my view sessions?! lol)

6 month check in: It’s a work in progress.

It’s actually going well!! Last month, I reached my highest monthly view yet! I also became a member of a few affiliation programs and made $12 from Google Adsense, so slowly but surely I’m figuring it all out!

~~3. Breakeven on my self hosting investment~~

6 month check in: That is definitely not happening lol

One of the things I often discredit is that my books are actually products so the money I make there could be used to counter my self hosting costs. First year, I did not make money, but maybe I’ll breakeven this second year.

~~4. Sell 100 copies of my debut poetry collection Cracked Open in its first 6 months~~

6 month check in: haha definitely not… but I have made over $100 so I’ll take what I can get

Cracked Open is a year old and I am definitely not near 100 sold copies but I do have high hopes that Where I Ache will do much better than my first collection. Fingers crossed!!!

~~5. Go hiking regularly in the warm weather~~

6 month check in: I didn’t get out much as I wanted it

I’m hopeful I can get back into hiking this Spring/Summer!

6. ~~Advance my career~~

6 month check in: Still hoping to

I’m actually switching career paths! I’m very excited to be heading in a new, happier direction.

7. ~~Write 125 new poems~~

6 month check in: I’m at about 50 so I’ll probably only get to 100

In addition to this 50, I also wrote over 50 exclusively for Where I Ache! But I fell short of 125 by a few since I’ve been using my older poems on the blog.

8. ~~Create some healthy eating habits~~

6 month check in: Some weeks I do, some weeks I don’t

I don’t have the self discipline for this… lol

9. Be more active with my dog

6 month check in: Definitely taking my dog on more walks

Had to slow down with the winter weather but I’m planning some doggie park adventures!

~~10. Go kayaking~~

6 month check in: Didn’t get to it this summer

I think I’ll try something else this summer, leave some suggestions in the comments!

11. Go to a concert

6 month check in: I didn’t this summer but who knows with the holidays

I went to a Post Malone concert on New Year’s Eve with my boyfriend!!

12. ~~Publish 200 new posts~~

6 month check in: I post 3 times a week and with 52 weeks in year, I’ll be about 50 short. (should have done some better math before making this goal lol)

Still fell short but I actually have switched my posts from 10 times a month to 12-13 monthly so I am posting more content!

13. Dye my hair a new color

6 month check in: Indeed I did! It’s blonde now

Check out my different hair colors through the years!

14. Start organizing for my next poetry collection

6 month check in: You know it! I have over a 100 poems ready for this one.

WHERE I ACHE COMING OUT JUNE 10TH!!!!!! Guys I am soooo excited!! I’m so happy that this collection is longer than the first and features a lot more diverse content. I’m also so so happy that I got to work with my boyfriend for this project!! Grab your copy of Where I Ache to see his amazing illustrations!!!

15. Surprise my boyfriend (no more details incase he reads this)

6 month check in: I surprised him with a dinner cruise for our 1 year anniversary!

This reminds me that I need to do something nice for my boyfriend! He puts up with a lot from me haha

16. Grow Blog and Twitter following immensely (hard to put a number on it right now)

6 month check in: I’ve been working hard at this one!

From April 2018 to this April my blog gained 1,810 followers

From April 2018 to this April my twitter gained 2,595 followers

17. ~~Get another tattoo~~

6 month check in: I’m not in a rush and I’m still thinking about what I might want

Since I’m changing career paths I need to be more financially conscious so this is on hold for a while.

18. Attend a sporting event

6 month check in: My boyfriend took me to a baseball game.

I also saw a college basketball game!

19. ~~Have half of the finances needed to buy a house~~

6 month check in: I think I’ll reach this goal

Starting on a new career path is going to push me back a few years unfortunately.

20. Visit another state

6 month check in: I think I will be, still working out the details

Went to California with my boyfriend over the winter!!

21. Visit 20 new places

6 month check in: I’ve been to quite a few new restaurants and local attractions.

I think I’ve reached this one!

~~22. Go to the golf range more often~~

6 month check in: Nah didn’t happen

I’m not as interested in this goal this spring.

23. Go on a boat ride

6 month check in: You bet I did!

24. Get stronger so I can start seeing my chiropractor less

6 month check in: I am seeing the doctor less

I haven’t seen my chiropractor at all this year and I’ve only had a few shoulder flare ups!

25. Have some adventures this summer – fun and carefree!

6 month check in: I definitely got to do some new things and see some new places!

Summer is around the corner yet again, I can’t wait to get a tan and spend time with my family!! Lots of celebrations coming!

Check in on my 25 before 25 List

It’s six months till I’ll be 25 so I figured I’d check in on my list of 25 before 25.

1. Go on a caribbean trip

I’ve finally booked a trip for February!

2. Figure out how all this self hosting works (how can I find my view sessions?! lol)

It’s a work in progress.

~~3. Breakeven on my self hosting investment~~

That is definitely not happening lol

~~4. Sell 100 copies of my debut poetry collection Cracked Open in its first 6 months~~

haha definitely not… but I have made over $100 so I’ll take what I can get

~~5. Go hiking regularly in the warm weather~~

I didn’t get out much as I wanted it

6. Advance my career

Still hoping to

7. Write 125 new poems

I’m at about 50 so I’ll probably only get to 100

8. Create some healthy eating habits

Some weeks I do, some weeks I don’t

9. Be more active with my dog

Definitely taking my dog on more walks

~~10. Go kayaking~~

Didn’t get to it this summer

11. Go to a concert

I didn’t this summer but who knows with the holidays

12. Publish 200 new posts

I post 3 times a week and with 52 weeks in year, I’ll be about 50 short. (should have done some better math before making this goal lol)

13. Dye my hair a new color

Indeed I did! It’s blonde now

14. Start organizing for my next poetry collection

You know it! I have over a 100 poems ready for this one.

15. Surprise my boyfriend (no more details incase he reads this)

I surprised him with a dinner cruise for our 1 year anniversary!

16. Grow Blog and Twitter following immensely (hard to put a number on it right now)

I’ve been working hard at this one!

17. Get another tattoo

I’m not in a rush and I’m still thinking about what I might want

18. Attend a sporting event

My boyfriend took me to a baseball game.

19. Have half of the finances needed to buy a house

I think I’ll reach this goal

20. Visit another state

I think I will be, still working out the details

21. Visit 20 new places

I’ve been to quite a few new restaurants and local attractions.

~~22. Go to the golf range more often~~

Nah didn’t happen

23. Go on a boat ride

You bet I did!

24. Get stronger so I can start seeing my chiropractor less

I am seeing the doctor less

25. Have some adventures this summer – fun and carefree!

I definitely got to do some new things and see some new places!

So I’ve got 10 done already and 4 that I didn’t get the chance to. I think I’ll get another 5 in the next few months but the rest we’ll just have to wait and see.

Love on a Budget

I think people often mistake expensive dates for romance. You don’t have to a fancy restaurant every weekend, in fact idea number one is

Cook In instead of dining out. Yes usually grocery shopping is more expensive than just one evening dining out but the food you get can be used for multiple meals so at the end of the day you’re definitely saving money. Cooking together is a great bonding experience too, you learn how particular your partner is about materials, measurements, and sanitation as well as learning what frustrates or stresses them out. Creating a meal together allows you to feel like a united team accomplishing a goal together and the shared memory is a great building block in a relationship.

It’s much easier to find free things to do over the summer such as hiking, parks, and finding some water to splash around in. However low key or intense you want your adventure to be, you can find a good fit! Back in high school when everyone was just learning how to drive, I loved late night adventures just driving around, singing along to the radio, and feeling the wind on your skin. You can make amazing memories out of nothing as long as you’re with people you love and the good vibes flow.

Look into events going on in your neighborhood since the tickets are usually cheap or free! There might be a cover band at a brewery, the local theater putting on a play, or a food expo at the museum across town.You can have fun with your friends too by inviting them over for game night or splitting the cost of a weekend getaway trip.

You don’t have to always miss out on dining out or an expensive experience, you can look for deals on Groupon and other coupon sites to make it more affordable. Restaurant week is the perfect time to dine at the fancy places on the water that you would normally never go to (or be able to afford).