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 A huge historical epic of over 600 pages – that still remains unpublished.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
That's amazing you were able to make enough to buy all of that. And now you have control of your books again!
ReplyDeleteExciting . . . and scary! It's great to have so many wonderful contacts in the field to refer to along the way.
DeleteIt's awesome that you were able to sell so many books. Learning how important change is to life in general is a lesson I'm still working on.
ReplyDeleteIt's a school of hard knocks but SO valuable even if the goal is to self-publish. Like the saying goes: Knowing is half the battle!
DeleteIt goes to show there's no sure thing, even when you've made it, eh? Thank you for sharing. I think too many people think the industry is all in or all out, that there are no fluctuations and unexpected upheavals.
ReplyDeleteWow, this month's IWSG question is helping me understand the life of a writer is so multi-layered, and in ways I never realized. Like you, I began thinking about writing long ago, but only began writing in earnest once I retired. I haven't achieved the lengthy booklist you have, but I'm fascinated by the romance genre and would like to try it. Your advice -- to be adaptable -- is wise. Thank YOU for a very helpful post! Write on!
ReplyDeleteYou've had quite the publishing ride, Nancy--congrats! Sixty books returning to you? What does that entail? Do you have to create new covers for them all? I've thought about self-publishing the measly four books from my small publisher, but I haven't taken that step yet.
ReplyDeleteAnonymously Esther O'Neill, East of the Sun and still with no signal - can't tweet/X or pick up texts for miles.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your inspirational message - Embrace change, as you have by reclaiming your 60 books. With her ' Publishing has changed', my late, great mentor , ' The Spy' ( WWII codebreaker. ) offered striking similar advice .
Don't try. Just do. That's the best encouragement I've heard in a while!
ReplyDeleteHow prolific to have over 60 books - and great to have the rights returned to you. It sounds daunting but also an exciting opportunity. Definitely seems like you're good at navigating changes!
ReplyDeleteBeing able to adapt to change is so important in most fields. It's great that you were able to get your rights back. Now you'll have a big backlist, which I'm told is super important in self-publishing.
ReplyDelete