Can You Feel The Love?

I want to prepare you for something. You might want to sit down. Are you sitting down? There is going to come, in the very near future, a week where you will be forced to reread some of my older posts. I will be in a delivery room freaking out with a big smile on my face.

You’ll be OK…no, don’t cry. Please. You are embarrassing both of us. Hise, Kat, or Laurie will pick the posts, but that is not what is important. What is important is the epiphany I had last night. Not the one about robot controlled congressmen and the war on terror. That was kind of a half-asleep thing. The real epiphany was as follows.

I was looking through the IU archives, and I didn’t remember half my posts. Then I looked at some of my friends’ ‘back-stock’, and it occurred to me, there is (this is a very literary turn of phrase I am about to lay down) a CRAP-LOAD of stuff on here.

I remember when IU was just a few chimps and Hise with his whip. In looking at it now, I realize that I cannot think of ANY other resource for the indie writer that is as helpful as IU. And that’s not just team pride talking. I mean it.

If you are a writer, or you know a writer, or you look like a writer and you do not spend some time going back through the old stuff, you are doing yourself a disservice. I’m not going to name names because I will surely forget someone, but there is some great writing and great advice on this site. For reals.

I can’t help but wonder what life would have been like if I had access to IU ten years ago when only my closest friends even knew I wrote, and I only showed my stuff to five people.

Point being, it is kind of amazing that this exists. There are great books on writing, for sure, but all of this is free! You can skim through and take what is relevant, separate the wheat from the chaff. And you can feel good about it because everyone on the IU team would like nothing more than to know they helped a fellow writer out.

I don’t want to get all ‘Kumbaya’ on your asses, but I feel very fortunate that I get to write for IU. I feel even more fortunate that I get to benefit from it like everyone else. Everyone has their skills and their weaknesses. IU has the bases covered (in maple syrup even).

So, anyway. The point is that life moves really fast and it is easy to get into ‘oh, I’ll bookmark that so I can read it later’ mode, but this resource is here, 24 hours a day. That’s pretty astounding. Use it.

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JD Mader is a Contributing Author for Indies Unlimited and author of the novels ‘Joe Cafe’ and ‘The Biker’ – co-author of the mighty ‘Bad Book’ – and author of the short story collection ‘Please, no eyes.’  (available here). For more information, please see the IU Bio page and his blog: www.jdmader.com.

Author: JD Mader

JD Mader is an award winning short story writer and novelist. 'Joe Café' and 'The Biker' are out now, as well as 'Please, no eyes'. and the collaborative 'Bad Book'. Mader has been writing for half his life and has no plans on stopping any time soon. Learn more about JD Mader at his blog and his Amazon author page.

32 thoughts on “Can You Feel The Love?”

  1. (Gives self a big hug and imagines all IU friends in that group hug)I second that. Thanks to all the IU members and friends. I couldn't do it without all your help, your information, and your humour. Oooooh, all warm and fuzzy, now.

    Dan, hope all goes well with daughter number two. Let us know as soon as you find a minute after the news breaks.

  3. Word. Good luck to all of you, brother. Ain't nothin like a new baby in the house to completely screw your writing schedule – er, um, I mean "to make you see that parenthood is the most important responsibility we can have"

  4. Yeah, echoing the crossed fingers for the new baby. (How does one "echo" crossed fingers?) But yeah, this is a true archive now. Invaluable stuff.

  6. I have been blessed with three daughters JD, and my youngest is 51, there have been challenges and you will face them along the way – but let me tell you I wouldn't have wanted to miss one of their growing up years (because I grew up also). God Bless this new birth!

    I also have been blessed by the sharing of knowledge from all of you here, and I thank you for allowing me to absorb your hints for my opportunity of improvements.

  7. Dan, you lucky fellow, you'll be surrounded with even more beauty in that household of yours :)) Can't wait to 'meet' the newest wee Mader.

    With regards to your past posts, of course, I know they're there. If it was possible, the computer screen would be dog-eared! I go back and read many of them for the great wisdom and experience that is imparted. Indies Unlimited, FTW!

    So happy for you and Karen! Now go concentrate on your soon to be new arrival. BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Congratulations and so many hugs you'll be sick of me!

  8. Congrats on your soon-to-be bundle of joy! The use of your past posts can be way more easily forgiven than you working on new ones with a newborn beckoning for love and attention(and diaper changes).

    As for IU, I appreciate all that you, and everyone else associated with IU, has put into this site. The support, information, and community that has been created for indie writers, or those looking to enter the indie writing community, is invaluable in many ways.

    Best wishes for a smooth delivery and much happiness with your new baby!

  11. Doh… I've bookmarked more than one how-to article on IU but I only just realised that there is a category called 'Tutorials' down the bottom of the left hand pane… and that is where ALL those very useful articles can be found.

    Oh Evil Mastermind! Could you make that link a little BIGGER please? Those of us who are visually challenged would appreciate it 😀

    Oh and best of luck to you and the family JD! Please let us know when bubs arrives!

  12. I came here for the laughs and stayed for the great advice. Or maybe the other way around. I'll contemplate that until you get back.

    Wishing you guys a smooth delivery.

  13. I truly feel that it is an honor and privilege to be a part of the IU community- I learn so much.
    The world is lucky to have two future power chicks being raised by JD Mader- you did say it was a girl right?

  15. Congratulations — have fun in that delivery room. BTW my brother had his first child – a little boy. I saw a picture of him with the baby and the only adjective I could come up with was pole-axed.

    Cyn

  16. Dan, good luck and Godspeed! Wait, you are not an Apollo launch, at least good luck.

    I agree with the "if I found this years ago" comment. So true, so true. I know that you are helping someone right now that won't have to go through ten years of wondering how to do this self pub thing.

    Thanks for all you do.

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