reading | Joan T. Warren: Heart to Heart

Did you know you can create your own QR code without having to purchase it? Totally. Free.

At first search, it seems everyone wants to sell you one, which is absolutely not necessary! Now, if you need an ISBN for your product, that will cost you, but for QR codes, there is no required purchase. It is easy to do yourself, and it only takes a few minutes. With a free (or inexpensive) account with Canva.com, start on the left side bar and scan down to apps, and search by entering QR code generator. Choose the free one that pops up. It leads you through the steps, asking the web address you want the code to take people to, and then it creates it for you. Bam! There it is! Canva saves it for you, and all you have to do is choose download to save it to your computer or phone. Then you can paste it like a picture, wherever you want!

I made one for my recent release and also for one to lead readers to my blog. They really came in handy for posting on social media and also on posters, cards and bookmarks for events like book signings and such.

Just thought I’d share this with you, my readers, because so many of you are writing, too. Here’s a sample of how I used mine. Check it out with your phone cam and see if it works!

Happy reading and writing!

With the Power to Love,

Joan T. Warren

So many of us here, who follow each other’s blogs, are writers who want to publish. Others are writers who just want a place to express, create, share and sometimes just vent.

I’m both. I’ve enjoyed times here when I’ve been very active on WordPress. I’ve taken breaks and focused more on other things, including personal writing. Around 2010, a concept for a novel twinkled my eye. I set out on the journey, and the journey took so many more years than anticipated. But folks, it’s almost ready!

With only a couple of chapters left of the first draft, this thing is a monster! If I were to format it for your basic paperback, it would be nearly a thousand pages. That’s too big! Who wants to read a book that thick? I usually won’t. So, soon I’ll approach blue-pencil time. Time to edit. Cut. Rearrange. Re-phrase. Clean it up.

I’m turning to you, my fellow bloggers and readers. How have you managed parting with your treasured paragraphs? How have you ensured your books are concise and on point, while also richly laced with delights for the senses? Have you paid beta-readers? Have you paid editors? Do you have family who can be that honest with you about what needs to change? How soon before publishing did you start your pre-release marketing strategies?

Please tell me your experiences rather than your advice. That’s what I’m after. Thanks for following, and thanks for sharing your comments and experiences!

Typing away,

Joan T. Warren