Welcome Fall!! Here in Michigan, the world is ablaze with brilliant red, yellow and orange as trees change color. The air is so fresh it practically gives you brain freeze. A perfect time to sit back with a cup of hot coffee and reflect upon this month’s question:
November 5th IWSG question: When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?
First, a BIG thanks to our co-hosts: Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove! Now, on to the question . . .
From the moment my sixth-grade teacher drew attention to a one-page story this incredibly shy girl wrote by having it published in our school newsletter, my fate was sealed. After the initial rush of embarrassment, I basked in the positive attention and remarks after my article was read aloud, confirming what I’d always known in my heart – I was meant to be a writer.
While the projects of my heart were always fiction, I also had an affinity for journalism. The trouble with that career path was soon apparent – I was too introverted to aggressively follow up on leads with strangers. After long discussions with teachers and school counselors, I gratefully stepped back into the private sector of fiction writing with a promise to friends and myself that I would submit a novel by that summer. And I did! A huge historical epic of over 600 pages – that still remains unpublished. I had forgotten a writer’s unbreakable rule – study the market (which was a brand-new thing back then). While all editors agreed that my writing ability was top notch, they had no niche for that work . . . until stars aligned and my extremely long Regency-set romance (another 600 pager!) was purchased on the cusp of the historical romance boom. After that, I sold almost everything I wrote under three different names – Dana Ransom, Rosalyn West and Lauren Giddings – to five different publishers in four romance categories – 60 books worth! I was able to pay the downpayment on our first house and bought my ex a truck and bass boat. I spoke at writing conferences, living the writer dream. And it was everything I imagined . . . until the market took another turn, leaving me stranded as self-pubbing became the next big thing. Again, I drew from my resources, finding a fantastic proofreader and cover artist, and several indie publishers to keep my career afloat and profitable.
And now I have a backlist of 60+ more books I can reissue after the end of the year now that the rights have been reverted under contract!
So what did I learn? Change can be your best friend instead of an enemy. If you’re willing to adapt to it and alter your course mid-stream, you can not only stay afloat as a writer, you can also expand your horizons. There’s no defeat, only change. Don’t try . . . Do!
Now where’s that next Big Thing? What do you, as a reader/writer, hope yours will be?
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. The awesome co-hosts for the November 5th posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
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