I feel like I'm standing a little bit closer to the book publishing world. I sent my manuscript to a small independent publisher last week and they have another company doing the distribution for them, so they are freed up to respond quickly to manuscript submissions. We'll see in a few weeks (instead of months) if they are interested. Cross your fingers and toes people.
I'm excited and apprehensive. Am I ready for the next step? I have a lot of experience in marketing and have lots of good (I think) ideas on promotions, here the BUT? We've all heard that the writer has to promote his/her work in order for it to succeed. Okay, that's a given. But, how much time? I can do it inexpensively but there will still be costs - that add up. How far do I dip into the coffers?
My the questions and doubts never stop. I'm thinking that I have to at the very least have book signings within a 3 hour driving distance of home. If I go further, say Chicago, then I'll bunk on a friend's couch. That'll help.
Wish me luck folks, I'll keep you posted.
BD
That's really what writing is all about. We write because our life would not be complete unless we do. It isn't always easy, in fact writing is pretty hard to do. Day-to-day living gets in the way, but is vital fodder for the stories we tell. Finding time to commit them to paper is a challenge we all face. I'm glad there's still paper in this world...I carry around a notepad and pen. I eavesdrop shamelessly, but I'm told I write pretty good dialog. And there's nothing as nice as holding a new book in your hands and turning the pages for the first time. The real dream is my name on the spine of that book. Stranger things have happened.
Write on, my friends.
BD
Whether is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of...what? Critiques? Editors? Other Writers?
I don't know about you, but I've found most writers to be wonderful people. Sometimes funny, almost always creative, and supportive, too. So, if we received a batch of rejections 4 inches thick on various words written and submitted with a whole heart - do we hang up our pens? NOPE. Not me. About the time someone tells me I can't do something - well, that's when I think I may develop super powers or whatever - so I can.
Bottom line, success is the journey, not the destination. I repeat. Success is the Journey! Tough one, isn't it? The only saving grace I can think of right now is that the rejection folder is smaller than my published folder, and that's because the more I write the better I get. The more I send in, the more I publish. See a pattern here?
So, fellow writers, don't give up, do not pass Go and collect the $200 bucks for a new aspiration. KEEP WRITING!
It's what I do.
BD
Which came first, the writer or the mom? I know, not all writers are mom's, but in this case the writers on the blog Mama Needs A Book Contract - that is the question.
In my case I was a writer long before I was a mom. I was writing and telling stories when I was very small. That's not to say I lied, I just imagined much more exciting reasons for not making my bed, like there was a monster under it. You know what I'm talking about, don't you?
Those of us that are mom's and writers know. Kids come up with some really imaginative reasons why they jumped off the top of the apple tree - it wouldn't hold me anymore or a giant ate all the apples.
My grandson's are very creative and I love when they tell me stories. You see, what is said at Grandma's house usually stays at Grandma's house - unless there's blood or something get's broken and must be replaced.
We are all natural story tellers, but some are better at it than others. Some of us are still waiting for the publishing gods to smile upon us and grant us a contract and modest advance. That's what my dreams contain.
Being a writer is a life sentence, just like being a parent is, I'm afraid. But hey, there are much worse things - I love being a mom and I love being a writer. I'm a Gemini, too, maybe that's why.
Enough of the bed time ramblings.Was writing first with you?
Just curious.
BD
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