Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Happy Groundhog Day (#IWSG February 2023)


I completely missed the January IWSG. I would love to say it was because I was so busy writing, but that would be a bold-face lie. 

I have been creative, not just in putting words to paper. I think back in November I mentioned I had started painting miniatures again? Well, I got a 3D-Printer for Christmas, so now I've been doing A LOT of painting...




Some people look at these tiny little things and think that painting them must be stressful, but I find it incredibly relaxing. I can paint for hours and the time just floats by. Sometimes (often) it gets finicky and difficult, but I fix it, redo it, try it again, or sometimes just move on. I've learned a lot in the last several months, and I like to think I've improved already.

I've always liked making things, especially small things (I was a Lego nerd as a kid), and I love games and art. I've found a way to bring them all together, which is pretty fulfilling.


That said, I do have a half-finished draft of Gale Harbour 3 staring me in the face, not to mention several other projects I'm either planning or actively working on. I'll get to them eventually, probably when the printer gets boring, or the fumes from it get so bad my wife makes me throw it out.

FEBRUARY QUESTION

If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?

I have gone back and forth between making my own covers and having someone make them. The cover for Ten Thousand Days was commissioned, as were the current covers for the Gale Harbour books. Hell Comes to Hogtown was a combination, as I commissioned the text for the title, a friend of mine took the photo, and I put it together. 


I am always stuck in a situation where I know what I want but don't quite have the skills to make it happen, nor do I ever have the money to pay someone to make it. The covers I have paid for were all pretty cheap (hello, Fiverr!), so they're usually fine but never exactly what I wanted, either.

What about you? Is anyone ever really happy with their cover?

(I know they are, just let me pretend they don't so I don't feel so bad)

Have a great month!

Hugs & Kisses,
-CDGK



The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Writers post their thoughts on their blogs, talking about their doubts and the fears they have conquered. It's a chance for writers to commiserate and offer a word of encouragement to each other. Check out the group at http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/.

9 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

It's great that you're really enjoying the painting. You're very talented. Too bad you haven't found a cover designer you like and can afford yet. It's the route I'd have to take if I was self-publishing.

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

Looks like you've been having fun.

Ronel visiting for IWSG day Strategies to Be a Successful Author

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

The figures are cool. I find painting miniatures relaxing as well.
Just pretend I don't like my covers then...

Patricia JL said...

Out of all your covers, Hell Comes to Hogtown is my favorite.
I've done both. I've made some covers and commissioned them. It all depends on if I can find the right images and have the skills to do it myself as I do enjoy the process.

The figurines are awesome. You must have a steady hand for something that small.

Loni Townsend said...

I love your figurines! I, too, got a 3D printer for Christmas. Unfortunately, after putting it together, it made a bunch of terrible noise, and my husband said he would figure it out and hasn't touched it since. Someday, I will do my own figurines for my characters. Maybe I should send them to you for painting!

diedre Knight said...

I tried Canva - twice. Adobe, I hear, isn't much better. But to be fair, maybe it's me. Before I give up entirely, I've a couple of other avenues I want to try. I'll let you know how it goes...Love the figurines!

Fundy Blue said...

Hi, C.D. I'm glad to hear that you are having so much fun with your #D printer and painting. Sometimes you just have to take time to do other things you want. Have fun! Life is short!

Steph W. said...

Those figures are fantastic! You printed (and painted) those?! I love that sort of stuff.

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

Love that you have a hobby that relaxes you with something that would probably drive me mad! Covers... I'm pretty happy with mine, but they cost more than the books have been earning lately, so I'm not happy with that part and want to find a cheaper way.

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