Lisa Logue Books - Journal

You know what they say about good things...

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 20:33:04 GMT

For years, I've been juggling all the things, trying to determine what works for me and what doesn't. I've listened to the "experts," I've followed all the rules, and I've learned I just don't like to do things the same as everyone else. So sue me :shrug:

So, what does that mean? It means I am changing up tactics as we close on 2024. I'm perfectly fine not being the best at everything, but I know there are some things I'm good at which I need to focus on more. As such, I've decided to archive this blog and instead shift to using my newsletter for updates, news, and random things I feel I want to share. If I'm being honest, I don't have the time or capacity to post something different or compelling in multiple spaces. Between working full time, tending to family needs, writing, and a whole host of other real life issues, it just isn't something I will be consistent with, as seen with this blog! I haven't posted since the beginning of 2024 and it's not December. Clearly, this is not one of those strengths I mentioned a moment ago.

Beginning in January, all of my news, updates, and info will be exclusively found on my newsletter first, before I post about anything else on socials.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER

As a side note, I no longer have Twitter and have moved to Bluesky and Threads. All of my links and socials are on the LINKS page as well so you can follow me!

Hope to see you all around!

Lisa
xoxoxo

My Crazy Little Life

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 04:58:58 GMT

I wish I could say that being an author was my only job (that is eventually the goal, of course!) I wish I could pour all of myself into my creative endeavors and never have to stick to a strict writing schedule. I wish I didn't have ADHD! Alas, all of these things play a part in my day-to-day, so I've had to find ways to work around what I cannot immediately change. Here's what that looks like...

I work a corporate job from home, so my day is full of client meetings, internal communications, and client management tasks. Is it boring? Some days. I work in the transportation sector, so I get the pleasure of talking to a lot of different people. It's kind of interesting to meet some of these people--their stories can be quite fascinating.

Throughout the day, my husband and I care for his mother who is elderly. So on breaks and in between meetings, I help where I can with her needs. Taking care of family is always a challenge, but we do whatever we can for those we love, and care giving for a parent is a huge sacrifice. We make it work as best we can.

Apart from that, my husband and I run a business which is also in the transportation sector. So we're fielding phone calls and dealing with tasks throughout the day and early evening. Some days are busier than others, but such is the nature of the beast when you're in business for yourself.

I also maintain other side-gigs as needed. Some involve sales, others involve business support, and sometimes I just look for ways to make extra money. I'm always looking for passive income opportunities, especially after reading about how millionaires have no fewer than five streams of income. While my aspirations for millionaire status are far-fetched, one can't achieve said goal without doing as millionaires do (except for disenfranchising others which isn't my style.)

Lastly, but certainly not least, I spend some time each day writing and taking care of my bookish tasks and responsibilities. I'm not always as productive as I'd like to be, but writing doesn't feel like a chore to me, it's what I love to do. It's in my blood and bones and even if I decided tomorrow never to publish another book, I'd never stop writing. With that in mind, I try to use the mantra: Just Write. It doesn't matter if I'm going to abandon whatever project it is, it doesn't matter if it ends up a deleted scene. it only matters that I've sat down to do the work.

So where does that leave time for other things? Eh, I make time. Some days I'm burning the candle at both ends. Some days I sleep a lot. But mostly I try to fit in what I can, when I can. Having ADHD means I can be quite scattered and disorganized, and being a sufferer of a chronic illness means there are days I have absolutely no energy, so I can only do what I can do. Do I ever feel like it's enough? Not really, but that drive keeps me moving. I want to prove to myself that I can smash my goals and achieve the lifestyle I deserve. It's slow progress, but progress none the less.

What does a day in your life look like? Do you have any tips for dealing with ADHD as a 30-something year old woman? Drop a line or hit me up on the socials!

'Till next time

Lisa
xoxoxo

The end of an era...or a new beginning?

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 03:42:47 GMT

For years, those of us in the writer community have participated in NaNoWriMo, of which I know many of you have heard or seen me discuss. I believe even my last blog post had quite a bit of information regarding my plans for Nano for 2023 and TAFAR, etc. However, we sometimes learn things about our heroes which irrevocably changes our perspective.

There have been allegations regarding abuses made against minors through the forums on Nano, specifically regarding one mod in particular, in which those who were immediately in charge minimized and brushed under the rug. It wasn't until their board was finally made aware that the forums were locked down, however users were then being purged and subsequent complaints apparently were being removed. All in all, the handling of this was utterly disastrous and I never want to knowingly partner with any company who doesn't take allegations seriously - regardless of their intention.

<< I posted more about this in my IG stories, which you can check out here >>

That being said, I have parted ways with Nanowrimo and apart from this blog and the story linked above, I will not be mentioning any affiliations with them going forward. For those who've decided to stay with the program, I urge you to be diligent in your work and advocacy for those who may be vulnerable and unable to advocate for themselves.

Many are saddened by the ending of the NanoWriMo era, which is not unlike many nostalgic things we encounter in our lives, but the spirit of Nano is still alive in all the writers who've made it possible throughout the years. Want to write a novel in 30 days? Write 1670 words a day! Want the nifty badges of accomplishment? Make some cute stickers and reward yourself each time you complete your daily goal. Want to find a community? Head to a local library, search Facebook for groups, reach out using hashtags on IG or Twitter. You are in control of this new beginning and I believe in you!!

Let's go kick December in the ass, shall we?

Lisa
xoxoxo

Just keep swimming...

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 05:00:00 GMT

For those who've noticed my absence over the past year or so...I apologize! Life has gotten stressful, to say the least. Priorities have shifted, responsibilities have grown, and I have been pretty tired, to say the least. Life has a funny way of doing that sometimes and there really isn't a good way to get through it other than getting through it.

Or in the words of Dory, "Just keep swimming!"

A lot has changed for me in the past year, but I had never intended on abandoning my goal of finally finishing the rewrite and other stories which I'd planned to publish. But things happen, you know? It wasn't intentional, but in order for me to move forward, I have to be intentional now. That being said, I'm ready to kick this book in the ass!

How might I do that, you ask? Well, just in time for Nanowrimo, of course! In case you didn't know, November is National Novel Writing Month (or Nanowrimo for short) and this is a time where authors are challenged to write 50,000 words in one month. Why 50,000? The standard length of a novel is 50,000 words (where for me, that's about 10 chapters!) That roughly calculates to about 1670 words per day, or 2000 if you want to buy yourself a few days over Thanksgiving (but really you're probably fine to write after the weird 2:00 pm dinner, am I right?) Ultimately, achieving this goal also instills the habit of writing every day, which for many writers is actually pretty difficult. We're the kings/queens of procrastination.

Last year during Nano, I wrote about 15 chapters worth of words, however I came to realize that I had made a huge boo-boo and left out a major plot point of my book. I've since been combing through the chapters to make the corrections because otherwise this book will be a giant dumpster fire and I've worked far too hard and too long on it to allow that to happen. So, for Nano, I'll be picking up after these changes and writing the remaining chapters. That also means that I'll be extending Nano for myself into December, because there's no way in hell I'll finish this book by adding only 50,000 more words. (She's gonna be thiccc)

So, if you haven't already been following me, head over to my socials and click the things. I'll be providing updates (starting next week!) It's been about five years since I've published and I'm ready to hop back into the bookish world with all the horror and glory it will bring! Are you ready?

(I'm not sure I'm ready, but I'm gonna do it anyway!)

See ya on the flip side

Lisa
xoxoxo

Where'd the time go?

Sat, 19 Nov 2022 02:49:44 GMT

It seems like just last week when we ushered in 2022 collectively hoping it would be better than the previous years. Personally, this year was full of much growth, learning, and healing on a personal level. I've set and met my goals, read a lot of books, attended therapy, managed my health and wellness, and overall tried to do better. Some of that energy carried into my professional life, which has helped me make new connections and grow my network, which is so important in the indie author world. I've been so thankful to have met some wonderful people who are so fucking talented it's insane! I'm learning so much about this new bookish world—although I'm still behind the curve a bit.

As far as 2023, I've got plans! Currently, I'm working on a revised version of my bestselling Legacy of Secrets series. It will be completely rebranded, reimagined, and rereleased. If you read LoS, you'll be familiar with the characters and some of the story, but the new version is darker, grittier, and spicier than the last and I'm stoked about it, if I'm being honest. While it's been a labor of love, I'm committed for this version to be the last, which means the series will finally have a conclusion after all these years! *crosses fingers*

I also plan to have Falling Undercover revamped and released, though it will remain largely the same apart from new editing and some added scenes. This is currently being reviewed with my publisher and once it's been completed, the new version will be available first on KDP and then widely through retailers. The sequel, Loving Undercover, will follow later next year and there may possibly be a third installment, though that is still TBA as I'm not sure how far Kris and Joe's story will go!

Shifter Tales will also be getting a bit of a face lift as NLM works through my catalog of books. Currently, there are about seven novels/novellas planned for the series, Thea's Reawakening will be the first to be released and Layla's Vindication will follow. Several more titles will be added between 2023 and 2024. Updates will be in my newsletter.

There are so many more projects in the works that I can't wait to announce, but they're not quite ready for that stage just yet! Once I get the green light to discuss future projects, I'll spill the beans because I can't wait to tell everyone! I really hope you all will be as excited as I am!

I'll be posting again soon (no seriously, I will!)

xoxo
Lisa