Popping in to say:
- 4 hours of sleep a night isn't enough. I hate insomnia. But I'm working on it. (The problem I have with insomnia is that it isn't something I can tackle with sheer grit and determination, or I would have solved it years ago. The harder I try, the harder it gets. But I will get it.)
- I'm going to nap today. That's a promise. If you get a chance, you should, too.
- I love the book I'm finishing (Splinters of Light, out next year from Penguin, HOLY PREORDER BUTTON, that's early!).
- I also adore the book that's coming out on August 1st, Fiona's Flame, the newest Cypress Hollow novel, and HEY, while you're thinking about it, you should add it to your Goodreads list (and enter the giveaway!). (US version*.)
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Fiona's Flame
by Rachael Herron
Giveaway ends August 17, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Okay, I'm going back to my imaginary beach to work on more words, and when I've scooped up enough of them and have made a couple of fantasy sandcastles, I'm going to stare off into space, because I'm actively trying to waste some time now and again (see last blog post).
Next week: Texas, for RWA National! The week after that, Australia and New Zealand! MEEEEEP.
* Oh! To answer a frequently asked question, yep, I'm self-publishing this in US/CAN, as I did with Cora's Heart. The books were contracted and professionally edited by my awesome editor at Random House Australia, and while my old American publisher (HarperCollins) offered to bring them out here in the US, they could only support doing so in digital form. So last year, I decided that if my books were only going to come out in e-format, I could do the same thing myself and make more money (while keeping the book price lower for you). And because I do it myself, I can actually offer the print form, which a lot of you, my dear readers, still like better. That's why there's no preorder link for the book, and also why you should be on my mailing list so you never miss any of the good stuff!
Hi Rachael,
You have my sympathies about the insomnia; I’ve had it since I was small. One of the things that helps now is breathing in a deep, controlled manner with a cat snuggled next to me (dogs work too). Something about the combination of pretend-like-I’m-sleeping and warm furryness sends me off within minutes ~
Great news on Fiona’s Flame! I’m putting through my request to order it for the library now. Thanks for continuing to offer a print version; you have several loyal readers here. And for making it plain that the books still go through professional editing to maintain the high quality we’re used to in your work. I think it’s great that you’re self-publishing and that you can actually earn more for your work while producing in the formats people want to read.
Here’s hoping you have a great RWA conference and a lovely trip Down Under!
Physical Book Lover here! Thanks for publishing the print versions. For books that I will read once and then never read again, digital is fine (digital library loan being one of the best things since sliced bread) but for books that I want to keep and perhaps even get signed, print is the way to go!
I finally got my copy of Pack Up the Moon, I ordered it from my favorite Oakland bookstore and proudly informed them that you’re an Oakland author and they should know about you!
I’m sure you’ve tried this, but I need to sleep during the day or in chaos sometimes and I’ve been bad at it since birth. My 40 blinks eye mask has become a mental switch to me that I should be asleep. Even if it only gets me an hour or a rest, it’s better than nothing. Plus it’s adorable. Plus I sleep through EVERY flight now with it on. I’m not embarrassed.
http://www.amazon.com/Bucky-Blinks-Mask-Ultralight-Black/dp/B000WNX21Y
If you ever solve insomnia please write about it here or publish a book! I’d love to solve it. LynneW above says cuddling a cat helps her; my cats keep me awake! Last night I shut them out and after they finished whining and went away I slept. On the other hand tonight I may find cuddling a cat the only way to sleep. That’s what makes it so frustrating; the same thing never works twice for me. Good luck to all my fellow sleepless ones!
Oh, I hear ya, girl. I get insomnia when I’m stressed or upset. I haven’t slept well all month at this point. I’m dealing with all sorts of emotions about family issues, and it doesn’t help that the 2nd anniversary of losing mom is the 27th. July is not a good month for me.
So I totally get it. There’s nothing I can do at this point other than ride it out and give in to the fact I just can’t sleep. Well, I CAN sleep, but only in 1-3 hour naps. It totally sucks. Eventually I’ll make it to the other side, but probably not until August.
Your blog is no longer showing up in my Bloglovin feed. Anyone know how to fix it? I’ve tried unfollowing and then following again, but it doesn’t work.
Also, on the insomnia, I struggle too. I was reading about this stuff recently and am going to give it a try. You drink a cup before bed. http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Calm-Raspberry-Lemon-16/dp/B00BPUY3W0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405992547&sr=8-2&keywords=natural+magnesium+calm
Did you know I’ve been dreaming of a romance novel involving a lighthouse? Mine had a shipwrecked pirate in it, but I’ll take what I can get.
dam you were in SA forty miles from me and I missed out seeing you!!! I need a kick in the a@@ If you come to Texas again, be sure to let me know!!!
I had insomnia for ages (all sorts of reasons) and had gotten sort of used to only getting 2-4 hours of sleep a night most nights, and feeling like I was stumbling through a great deal of my days. I happened to mention it on a visit to my orthopedist on a visit about my back pain, and he wrote me a prescription for Tizanadine. Works wonders for me! It’s a muscle relaxer (which don’t normally work for me), and the dosage varies enormously from person to person (anywhere from 1 to 9 pills!) – 3 seems to be the magic number for me. It broke the cycle of insomnia for me, and even when I lost my insurance (and couldn’t get the prescription refilled), the ability to sleep has stuck around fairly well. Now that I have insurance again I’ll go get a new ‘scrip, since I’m working graveyard now and sleeping during the day is proving a bit harder. The only side effect I had was the occasional very vivid dream; well worth it for a solid 6-7 hours of sack time!