Today I wanted to muse a little about covers over my coffee, because, well, covers! And I have coffee, and am waking up still, so this should be interesting. Join me as my mind wanders.
I've entered the point where I'm starting to get personalized covers for my stories every now and then, which turns out to be a great feeling. It's been fun to see what the artists come back with, and very exciting to know that it's specifically for a particular story. And so, coffee in hand, I present to you a couple covers for some upcoming stories.
The first is for a steamwestern coming out next month! This is my first cover that is just for my story alone, and I love it. Hopefully I'm not the only one. The second one (bottom) will be out in December, a holiday-themed science fiction. The cover reminds me of those Original Star Trek episode openings, which makes me smile for some reason.
I've also been thinking about what it is about covers that makes us like or dislike them...Is it color palette, extensive detail, lack of detail? Definitely the font is something I personally notice, and I do tend to be drawn more to covers that convey atmosphere rather than detailed images of the characters. I think the story feels more real to me if I can believe the world actually exists.
What does everyone else look for in a cover? It's always interesting to me to know that the very things that draw me can be things that other readers don't care for! Aaaand, I'm out of coffee! Time to go forth and write.
Cheers!
Recently the cards have been indicating I need to focus on my health. Annoying but true--my exercise over the summer had more or less ground to a halt. I had to take the message as a kick-in-the-pants, so I did!
I had been eyeing trying out geocaching for a while now, but a book I recently read put it back in my mind again. I figured now was as good a time as any to try out something I'd been meaning to do. (And as an aside, has anyone else ever taken up a hobby or tried something after reading about it? Funny how inspiring a good story can be.)
Surprise surprise, I am perhaps slightly obsessed. Geocaching is like a tremendous scavenger hunt played over the entire world. Not only did it serve its purpose in getting me out from behind my computer and into the world, I've found I'm seeing places in my town I would have never even known existed. There are far more little parks, wooded nature trails, and beautiful scenic overlooks than I would have imagined. Now it's becoming fun not only finding the cache, but seeing something new, too.
I've learned so much about the community, from info about geological formations to history. Recently I stopped at a cache in a cemetery for the old county mental health facility, which was fascinating. But I think my favorite discovery so far was the lock on the bridge, not part of geocaching, but a wonderful little find nevertheless. Someone had fastened a lock on a bridge, the words "when she said yes" written on its front. That had me smiling the rest of the day, and inventing little stories about this mystery couple.
My main concern is that this will be difficult to do in the winter--but winter is not yet here, and I'll deal with that when I get to it. For now, I'll let the community inspire me. And try not to get too obsessed with my new hobby (doesn't help that it counts on my day zero list!).
Cheers!
