The Changing Obsession

Hey All,

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately  about my future as a blogger and  how I can make life easier for myself so that I'm not constantly absent for extended periods of time. As the blog name suggests I am an obsessive person by nature and when I am in one of my obsessive moods everything else seems to get pushed to the side. For example, I am doing NaNo at the moment and my house looks like  a bomb shelter. We've eaten take away almost every night and there's no clean laundry left.
       But I recognize that things need to change. I love my blog and being able to interact with everyone and I want to put more priority on it. So I've devised a list of things that I'm going to overhaul in order to get me back on track:

DNFs: I know a lot of people frown upon reviews for DNF books but frankly my dear bloggers I don't give a damn. I  spend 50% of my reading time with books that eventually become DNF. Sometimes because the book wasn't really my style. Sometimes because I hate it with the fiery passion of hell. Regardless, I think I should at least get credit for trying!

Reply Comments: I've decided that I'm going to scale back on replying to comments on my blog if I'm really busy unless I have something really pressing to say. That way I have more time to visit the blogs of people who do comment on my blog. Please don't be offended if I don't reply to your comment. 

Reading Challenges: I am officially dropping out of all my reading challenges. As sad as that makes me it's for my own good. Not only have I not kept up with my reading challenges I haven't even kept up with counting books as part of my reading challenge. I think it's better for me right now if I give myself some flexibility.

Reader/Writer Balance: I'm going to try and post at least one review a week and one writer post. I keep thinking that reading is cutting into my writing time but in all  honesty it's what motivates me to write and helps me improve as a writer. Also, the other week, I had dreams about creating a separate writer blog. That was monumentally stupid of me. I can barely keep up with this one. So I'm going to continue posting my writer stuff on this blog. I hope you guys don't mind.

Review Policy: I'm going to do a major overhaul of my review policy. Sad as it is, I think I was way over zealous when I first started blogging and just accepted anything to review. Most of what I've got isn't anywhere near my kinda book. So now that I'm older and wiser I am going to put in strict criteria so I don't waste my time or anyone elses.

That's all for me today. Hope everyone is well and see you on the flip side of NaNo!

Lan

Reader's View: My Ebook Price Rant

I recently read a post over at Camille Picott's Blog that asked when an ebook is too expensive. At the time I didn't really think too much about the topic because I'm not in a position to spend big on anything and there wasn't anything I wanted to read that was over the usual $2.99 ebook price tag (I don't buy traditionally published books as ebooks because I think that's kooky).  
       Then a few days ago I read a review of a book that's been really popular. It was a glowing review in a long line of  glowing reviews that I've seen pop up all over the place. I started to get really keen so I jumped on to Amazon to give it a shot. To my horror I clicked on the Kindle edition and the price came up close to $9. At first I thought it was a mistake. So I checked again. Nope. Then I looked to see if maybe the book had been snapped up by a traditional publisher and hence the now hefty price. Nope.
       It could be crossover annoyance at having to type all day as part of NaNo but I found myself getting really irritated. I totally understand indies wanting to make money off their books the way any other author would. I get that if something is in demand it should be priced to match. But be reasonable. I won't buy a traditionally published ebook for over $5. What makes you think I'll buy your ebook for $9?? Especially when I can just get the paperback for the same amount of money.
      Before anyone asks, I've put myself in the author's shoes and totally believe that if I were in the same position I wouldn't even dream of pricing my book so high. Mostly because I know that in doing so I'd make it inaccessible to a lot of readers. I would prefer for more people to read my book even if it doesn't make me as much.
      Maybe I'm delusional in my belief that indies tend to price their books lower in order to entice readers to buy. Maybe the author no longer needs to have a cheap ebook in order to move her stock. Whatever the case, there is no chance in hell I am going to buy this book now. Neither the ebook nor the print version. EVER. I just don't understand the necessity. Angelfall by Susan Ee has been an immensely popular ebook and yet I've never seen it go over the $2.99 mark.
      I hope this isn't the way ebooks are going in the future because I am one reader that won't stand for it.


*PM if you'd like to know what book I am referring to. I can't be bothered naming names on here as I don't want to encourage trolls.

Insecure Writer's Support Group: Musings on the Influence of Randomness

Insecure Writer's Support Group is a blog hop hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh where totally insecure writers can get together and share the things that are making us go argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
          This month I started reading The Click Moment by Frans Johansson. It's a breakthrough book which looks at the influence of randomness and serendipity on success.While it's an amazing book and teaches that you never know what's going to speak to people and propel you into super stardom, it also takes the standpoint that often talent and hard work aren't enough to ensure you become successful.
           One of the examples used to highlight the points made by the book is Stephanie Meyer's huge international success with Twilight and how she went against the grain in terms of making her vampires differ from the norm. People responded to this in a completely random way and now she's laughing all the way to the bank.
           Whilst reading The Click Moment has been a huge eye opener and has taught me to cast my net wider as you never know what's going to strike a chord with people, it's also given me pause to worry about never being able to tap into the random opportunities and therefore never being able to reach the audience I need to enable me to pursue writing as a viable career. 
           Let's face it, half the reason why writing is so desirable to me is because it doesn't involve too much human contact. At least not for the most part. I'm not overly shy per se, I just feel like conversations always go better in my head (or in a book!) than they do in real life. Therefore, I'm not really the kind of person who jumps at small opportunities that could lead to big success. I guess what I'm saying is that if success is based on randomness and serendipity, where does that leave control freaks like me who work hard but lack the confidence to grab opportunities when they arise?
          That my friends is my insecure moment for the month!