where I've been and what I've been up to

I'm still here, fellow bloggers.  I haven't blogged because I haven't had much to say, and because I've been working on (aka thinking about) getting a personal website together.  I bought the domain a couple weeks ago (meghanschuessler.com, of course) but that's about the only thing I've done with it.  I've been taking a basic HTML class from savvy authors which has been helpful.  I need to practice more, though, before I actually put anything out there on the web.  I really know nothing about how to build a website or HTML or CSS or any of that!  I debated hiring someone to build my site for me but (a) I'm broke & unemployed and (b) I'd like to learn how to do this stuff for myself for future reference and in case I need to change/fix anything, ya know?

I've also been looking into freelance writing, but again looking is the key word.  All the sites I've checked out want to read a writing sample, and I've never done freelancing before so I don't have a sample!  Most sites say they want to see a how-to article or something like that, they're not really interested in reading your fiction.  So I'll have to whip something up eventually, or else start looking for another dreaded desk job (*shudders*).  Unemployment helps me pay the bills, but it's not enough to pay more than the minimum on my credit cards and there's certainly none left over after paying bills to put in a savings account!

On the novel writing front, I am officially one of the three members of the Beta (aka online) group of Warrior Writers Bootcamp, run by Kristen Lamb.  We've been working on character profiles so far and I've been really challenged to go deeper than I'm used to.  Also since I decided to write a sci-fi romance, I get to do an extra profile for my story.  I get to do world-building yaaaaaaaaaay!  (Please hold your applause LOL).  So I bought a book from amazon and rented a few more from the library because the fiction I can handle, but the science part is way over my head.  I know almost nothing about planets and space travel and possible alien life forms.  I just happen to be a fan of "Roswell" and "V" and "Battlestar Galactica"!  ;-)

I guess that's about it for me for now.  If anyone has any advice on the website building, please let me know.  I'm thinking about using Joomla! but I don't know much about them except what I've read on their site.  I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of August and a great Labor Day!  I'll be back soon, once I've figured out the website thing probably.  TTFN!  :)

Blog Overhaul!

I've been gone for a while, and I see I haven't been missed very much lol  ;-)

While I was away, some interesting (*cough*not really) things happened - I got let go from my job, managed to get strep throat, went to RWA Nationals (while still getting over strep), and most recently came down with a bad summer cold!  Needless to say, the last few weeks haven't been so great for me.

Moving on though, I have decided to give in and really work on this blogging/twitter/platform nonsense experience.  I'm reading a fabulous ebook about social marketing by Kristen Lamb called We Are Not Alone.  It's extremely helpful and easy to understand, I highly advise checking it out (& for $7.99 how can you not!).  I'm also going to be participating in the Book Bloggers and Authors Online Conference this weekend.  Basically it deals with online promotion and how to make it work for you.  (You'll get a better explanation of it by clicking on the link lol.)

I will be working on fixing up my blog - as well as possibly setting up an actual website - in the days and weeks to come.  I look forward to seeing what you'll think once it's finished.  If you're also in a platform predicament, definitely check out my links above.  See ya'll soon!  :)