Wednesday, January 7, 2015

IWSG: Gearing Up For The WOVEN Tour and Launch, and You Are Hereby Invited To Kick My Sorry Butt!


Need A Little Support?Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer's Support Group gives bloggers a monthly chance to express their concerns, worries, and insecurities without fear of reprisal. It's a seriously big group now, and with well over 300 participants, it shows no signs of slowing down! I'd like to thank Alex for keeping this group going for so long, as it has proved wonderful in the supporting of fellow authors and the revealing of needed and sound advice.

*     *     *

Hey guys! It's 2015. Check that out! Someone will have to remind me to celebrate the mid-decade when the end of June rolls around ...

I'm starting the new year on a pretty stable foot, actually. Nothing major to be insecure about. Yeah ... that's a lie. There's been a lot on my mind lately. For one, my first published novel ever is out in three weeks. From today. 3. Weeks. 21. Days. I'd break it down into hours (possibly minutes) but my attention span is too short. To make a long story short, I am equal parts mad excited and headless chicken.

I'm super lucky for the amazing blogger buds who have stepped up to spread the word. Expect a WOVEN tour for three weeks, starting January 26. And I'll be hosting. For those of you who are waiting for guest posts and interviews, you will have them shortly. If there is anyone else on the Internets who'd like to spread the word, shoot me AN EMAIL and I will send you an information packet (coming soon).

And the WOVEN website is up, still tinkering. What do you think?

Now for the "end" of it. I don't usually talk about my behind (not the most glamorous thing to talk about), BUT ... I need your help. I'm taking part in an initiative with other authors to get in shape and be in better health. It's an honor point system where the participating authors will post their results each week, starting next week, until February 13th. Whoever earns the most points will collect a book from each participating author and donate them to their readers.

(Best-selling author Jennifer A. Neilsen started it, so it's serious!)

Sooo ... any help and motivation is greatly needed. What exercises work for you? Know any tasty recipes that are easy to digest and burn off? Dire warnings I should consider? Let me know in the comments, and I'll give you my update each week. And if I don't update or fall behind, well ... that's where the kicking comes in.

I'd rather have a healthy bottom than a sorely bruised one ...

Sound good? Great! Guess it's time for me to hit the gym.

Seriously, what workout tips to you have for me?  How was your Holidays/New Years? Who's ready to get their hands on Woven?

I'm David, and ... in case you haven't heard of the Awaken-ing ...

41 comments:

  1. Wow, the website is impressive!
    I already gave you my healthy tips at the Fellowship of the Dragon site. You can do it, David.
    And nearing the end of the book! Determined to finish this weekend. (Probably won't read today except for IWSG posts...)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hmmm. Work out tips? Devote time to it every day. Alternate days so one day is cardio and the next is muscle building (actually helps you lose more weight). Whenever I'm successful at losing weight it's usually because I cut out treats and sugars. I allow myself one dessert a week. Good luck with it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. No fast food and dump full sugar sodas. Stock your pantry with light and low fat snacks. If it's not in the house, you won't eat it. Try air-popped popcorn. Only 31 calories a cup!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the website. It builds on the "brand" established by the cover art. Some motion graphics might be nice, like a spinning ring, or clicking on the Needle of Gailner to zoom in through the "eye" of the needle to maybe an excerpt or something, but that's just fluff that I like when big publishers are involved. After all, they got the deep pockets. I think Woven deserves the full red carpet treatment personally... As for kicking your butt, I'm one of the few people that could actually do that as I'm meeting you and Mr. Jensen on the 30th for the book signing at King's English. Thanks for inviting me by the way. I've invited a bunch of friends and author Michelle Davidson Argyle. Morgan Shammy has been corresponding with me on Twitter. My favorite restaurant in Salt Lake City is across the street, "The Paris Bistro." It's a bit pricey but I think if people plan they can easily afford it. The food is totally worth it. I was thinking I could be there at 5:30 in case you would like to hob knob before your big night. Thanks for being my friend, David. You are the most famous person I know.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi David - the website is awesome - stands out incredibly well - congratulations on that.

    21 days and you're a published author .. how many minutes??!! I'm sure the tour will blast along ... Michael's got you sorted I see ...

    Sweat and that weight will come off??!! Yes lots of water and that means exercise towards the bathroom fairly consistently and constantly .. lots of green stuff and not much else .. good luck - I'm sure the adrenalin will kick in .. and you'll lose the pounds and gain the dollars I hope via the book ..

    Go for it - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  6. So very excited for your release, David.

    I just joined Planet Fitness for $10 per month to exercise on their bike and other machines now that it's too cold out to walk. You might try it too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yay!!! I'm so stoked for you. So stoked. I'm backing off on the blogging bit because of the baby who will be here in about two months, but if you need early reviewers, I'm totally here to help. You've made it through so much insanity with this project and I can't wait to see it bloom!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yay for getting fit. You might want to check out Nerd Fitness. They have the FUNNEST workouts ever! I mean seriously. The Angry Bird workout? :D
    http://www.nerdfitness.com/

    And I'm so excited about your book release. It's such a fabulous story.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Best of luck with all the neat stuff coming ahead :D and what a fantastic idea, we writers really need that, taking more care of our health, or else we can easily run mad you know (at least that's me)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I marked your tour on my calendar!! Big congratulations on the successes thus far. I have a tendency to think too much into the future without allowing myself the pleasure to soak in the pride of my day-to-day achievements.

    Hope you had a wonderful New Years! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good luck on your tour. You're going to be really busy so a good thing you're getting in shape for it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good luck with the tour :)
    My bottom, sadly IS bruised because I slipped on frozen stairs the first day of the new year and rolled down to the bottom one on my bum :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. No to bruised bottoms. But yes to your website. It's so dramatic and exciting to see. Congratulations and best to you on your book.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm so happy for you, David! I wish you all the best with your book! You deserve it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Three weeks - how exciting! Best of luck with your upcoming release! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I look forward to reading more about WOVEN and your writing process in the near future.

    I'm the person who'd sometimes reward myself with ice-cream after a workout, so I am no fitness expert. But something that I've found to be filling and delicious that is also supposed to be low-calorie is Korean tofu soup. If you eat at a Korean restaurant, they should serve you various sides (called ban chan) as well. Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratulations on Woven. See you around the ridges. And thanks for reminding me that it'd IWSG! Erk. Totally in holiday mode and forgot. May have to remedy that situation...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Three weeks! How awesome.

    I wish I had health advice to give. Nothing I try ever works. I guess I'd be better at telling you what not to do.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Three weeks! That's awesome. Congrats! I'm trying to get into better shape, too. My fiance and I try to go to the gym a few times a week. It's great to use the treadmill and the weight machines they have there, but I also have some free weights to use at home.

    ReplyDelete
  20. The release sounds so exciting! I have no tips for getting in shape--something I'm trying to do too. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hey David, that's a really cool dedicated page. Good luck with everything. And I've started back at the gym and eating better again. I totally let myself go Thanksgiving to New Years day.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Because of my arthritus my exercise has to be low impact. Mostly I just spend time on the treadmill. We've been trying to add fish to our diet lately for its health benefits. We've designated one day a week as 'fish night'. I'm not a fan of fish so I have to have a designated time, otherwise I just keep putting it off. My goal is for the fish not to taste like fish, so if you want recipes like that I've got a few.

    ReplyDelete
  23. David, I have to say I am in LOVE with that cover. Seriously. Me thinks I'm going to wind up owning a hardcover copy. The colors are gorgeous. Finished my draft copy! :D Rated it already; just working on the written review. Have a great night. Eva

    ReplyDelete
  24. The health kick sounds fab! I'll do what I can to help you out---and spare your poor behind a whipping. :) Looking forward to having you on my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm definitely looking forward to Woven, and good luck with the working out. I'm trying to get myself healthier, but I don't think I'm brave enough to share it with everyone!


    www.readingwritingeverything-heather.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow healthy eating and working out. These things sound like a lot of work. :)

    Woven! Exciting!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm also making it a point to exercise more regularly than before. So, far I'm doing well. Eating healthy is no problem for me ever since because I prefer healthy ones over junk every time. :D

    Looking forward to Woven...and more this year!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would say cross fit mixed with running and cardio is a beast!!! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Such a great time for you! Congratulations again!

    Tips to help with transformations: Do not make this a short term thing, or when it's over the weight will come back with a vengeance. Make lifestyle changes you can maintain, a few small ones at a time.

    Willpower is can get used up. If you use all of it up on one goal, you will find yourself powerless to work on another that same day. So set up your environment in such a way that you have to exercise less willpower to eat healthfully. It really is true: women who leave cereal boxes on the kitchen counter, in sight, tend to weigh 21 pounds more than women who leave it out of sight in the pantry! Keep the stuff out of the house or far away, you have to exercise less willpower to not nosh on it.

    Don't overdo the cardio! It will backfire, you will hit a plateau faster.

    Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  30. That's a terrific plot - Woven. And already, I'm proud it's doing well on Kindle. Much success.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I have sworn off my before dinner alcoholic beverage. That cuts some calories from my daily intake! And I had gotten better about going to the Y to work out until I aggravated some muscles (or ligaments or tendons -- I don't know what I hurt. Just that it hurts.) But there's no reason I can't fill in with muscle building. Ahem. There is a bowflex gathering dust in the basement ...

    ReplyDelete
  32. Awesome about Woven, and the reviews you've gotten already, wowza!

    Happy writing

    ReplyDelete
  33. David, shoot me an info packet via email. I don't think I can do a guest post or interview but I will definitely help spread the word! And I signed up to do the Author Workout Challenge thing too. Excuse me while I cry in the corner mentally prepping for this. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  34. That sounds like a great incentive to get in shape! Good luck getting your butt in gear. Sorry I'm late for the blog tour signups but I'd still like to spread the word if you can send an info packet my way.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Woven Website is awesome!!! Good Luck and Much Success!!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Woven looks amazing! I'm sure it'll be such a success. Nothing to worry about at all. Though I can absolutely relate with the whole crazy feels going on about the release. Mine is still a long way off, so I have lots of time to get spectacularly neurotic.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I like the web site (I'm working on mine now). Those are some good reviews you have posted there, well done:) I'll be eagerly counting down the days with you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Like I said, I read Woven in one day. It's been YEARS since I've done that. I know your book is going to be a huge hit. It's going to be a great year for Woven!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Woven is an awesome book. The website is wonderful- so very professional and impressive. I think you're ready to go.

    Have you tried the 3-2-1 cake? It's a weight watcher's thing and worth just a few points (I've never done weight watcher's, I just know low points is good) Mix a box of regular cake mix with a box of angel food cake mix (I use a ziploc bag and use it to store it too). Then when you want a tasty little cake, you mix 3 tbs. of mix with 2 tbs. of water, microwave for 1 minute and enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Love the website! So excited to walk into B&N on the 27th and buy your book! Hoping to take a group of people with me and then hang out at the B&N cafe and read the book and eat cheesecake...it will be my birthday after all...I can eat cheese cake at 10 AM for such an event as your book release! Sorry, that is right you are starting a health program! Good for you and sorry for talking about cheese cake!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Oh, and walk jogging is awesome for getting in shape. Run one block and then walk for three! Your heart rate is up for the 3 blocks without the hard impact to the body! I have found it to be very effecting!!! Best of luck to you!!!

    ReplyDelete