Calm Before the Storm

In was at the end of 2012, that I began to write. Not actually began, but revisited writing. I’d gotten this notion that being an author was my intended path. For the past 20 years I’d been a property manager. Not a complete happy one. You know, just doing the job and paying the bills. Who aspires to collecting rents and receiving calls about a leaky toilet?

I took off two months or so, and for that time, all I did was write. I was consumed. Where were these stories coming from? In the shower, in my sleep–all I did was write in my mind. After I collected a few books on paper, I researched what to do next. So I began querying my books to agents. I got a few requests, some advice, and mostly after that, rejections. It was disheartening. But also a gift of knowledge. What I was writing wasn’t ready for publication. I needed to attend some workshops, join some writing groups, and read! And that I did. All of it. I entered contest after contest, some even put me as a finalist, but most importantly, I received valuable advice from the judges. What I needed to tweak, work on, and get better at. And so I did. Then came more rejection. I was almost at the end of my ‘what if I’m just no good.’ So…I took a break from it.

In that time I took a hard look at what I wanted to do in life. And what I found out is that I wanted…no, what I needed, was to write. I would not give up. I would not accept rejection. Shortly after this I received word from a publisher that she wanted to contract me for a book. I was over the moon. Me? Are you sure? LOL

So for that year until publication I continued to write, I started my blog, and I got a Twitter and Author Facebook. I was on my way! Then came another contract for my second book. Yay! I was doing it now:)

Most recently my first publisher and I parted ways. I always try to see the lesson learned and move past it. Next month I will release my debut book, “Waking Amy.” I’m slightly freaking out. This is not the way it was to be, but I’m so much better for it. Still, I’m very nervous. Talk about opening your soul for the whole world to see! I’m releasing my words, my imagination, my feelings, out to the universe. Certainly the entire universe won’t witness this, but they could should they go to Amazon or Barnes and Noble and click “Buy Now.”

I’m going to try and stay away from the reviews. I can only imagine I’ll be like the groundhog…slipping back into my hole if there’s a bad one. But I’ve been told that a bad one is better than a blank one. Okay, I think. I’ll try and remember that when I’m sobbing in my wine glass, blabbering incoherent things.

I’m crossing off everything as I go. Joined this club, check! Talked to this reviewer, check! This is my first time out, and I’m alone…I’m sure there will be a million things I don’t do that I should. But the most important thing I keep telling my self, is that I’m doing it! I’m really releasing my book! May everyone who takes a chance on this girl and reads it, be blessed for it:) I’m counting on it!