Wednesday, April 5, 2023

A Writer's Dreams vs Reality #IWSG


So, I started a new Instagram account. The old one no longer exists. You can find my new one here: @Elle.Cardy

I'd really appreciate it if you could like and follow my new account.

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IWSG Question of the month: Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you're at the start of the journey, what are your goals? 

When I was bright eyed and bushy tailed, full of unrealised dreams, I decided I wanted to be a writer. I had no idea how to make that a reality. All I wanted was for my stories to be in every bookshop across the world and to have movies made from my books. Not too much to ask, right? 

I shake my head at my younger self. At that stage, I hadn’t even written a book. So that’s where I started. I threw everything into it. If I only could’ve won on enthusiasm alone. 

First mistake: Other than reading a lot of my favourite genre, I did no research. I had no idea what made a good book, structurally or otherwise. Consequently, my first book was not up to scratch. It was insanely long. Some chapters were 10k plus words. For a single chapter! And that’s just one of its many flaws. 

I had no idea how to approach agents and publishers. Which agents? Which publishers? What was a query letter? What was a synopsis? I hadn’t even wondered how to get my story across in any form of interesting manner that might pique ANYone’s interest. Erm, it’s a fantasy. Lots of adventure and stuff. You’ll love it. 

I soon realised this dream of mine wasn’t going to fall into my lap. I finally did the research. How to write, how to structure, how to edit. I also researched my genre of choice, preferable book lengths, chapter lengths, story beats. And I wrote a whole new book. Then I edited it and edited it some more. Then delved into the business part: finding an agent. 

Second mistake: I gave up too easily. I convinced myself my new book wasn’t good enough. So I stopped looking for an agent and started writing another book. (As if I couldn’t do the two things at the same time). I went through the process again. And did the same thing again. 

Then life got in the way. 

When I finally got back to writing and publishing, life had taught me a tough lesson: It’s short. After some mighty rough times, I wanted control back. So, I took the self-publishing route and haven’t looked back since. 

I’m proud of my books. I love the stories I’ve written. I’m living the dream where I can continue to write what I want, when I want, all within the parameters based on my research of what readers want to read. Life is continuing to throw those nasty curveballs, but I’m not stressed about my writing. As long as people are still reading my stories and enjoying them, then I’m in a good place. And that makes me smile. 

What makes you smile? 

 

Wielder's Prize, Wielder's Curse, Wielder's Fire

Wielder's Storm Trilogy Box Set

Well of Ash a fantasy novella.

 

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.

 

 

 

Note: I'm not actually here. I'm 6.5 hours away visiting family again for a week. When I'm back, I'll tour around the blogsphere to say hi.


17 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Life is short indeed! Despite curve balls, you have several stories out there. And they're great.

Natalie Aguirre said...

I started out writing without reading much about the craft of writing, so I made a lot of mistakes too. That's great that self-publishing has been the right way for you to keep control of your writing career.

Jemima Pett said...

At one stage, that would be the right way to do it, before self-publishing became 'acceptable' (Is it, yet, in certain circles?) But I love the look of your books. I hope I enjoy them as much as the covers (another space taken on my TBR)
Thanks for joining in the IWSG today.
Jemima

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I made your first mistake and didn't figure it out until the second book.

H. R. Sinclair said...

It really is short. We must keep going to reach our dreams and battle the muck that gets in our way.

Nick Wilford said...

So great you're in a happy place with your writing. I think we all start out clueless and with glittering dreams. Then you realise you can be successful in other ways, carving out a niche with your books.

J.Q. Rose said...

I had to giggle at the account of how you started writing. We all have stars in our eyes. When my book was available on amazon, I thought I was done! Noone tells you about marketing to sell a book. I think you have learned a lot, but it seems in this business we are always learning.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Life is definitely short and throws curveballs. I'm glad your books are out in the world. :)

Patricia JL said...

Life is short and a huuuuuuuge b--- I won't finish that. The most we can do is minimize our regrets so when we look back we are happy with what we see more than not.

Jen said...

Life is indeed short. That's one of the many reasons I'm back after a long, health challenge induced hiatus. It's so good to be back in the IWSG world. Doing the research and writing the stories we want to read helps me as I plot along on my journey to book publication.

Rosemary Johnson said...

Well done on getting so much writing done and self-publishing. We all think it’s going to be easy when we start off, don’t we?

Carol Kilgore said...

I think writing is a continuous learning curve. At the beginning we don't have any idea of all we don't know. I learn something new almost every day.

J Lenni Dorner said...

I'm glad you took the time and effort to improve and now have books of which to be proud.

Happy IWSG day! Here's a giveaway- rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4fa90ac761
It's April, so I'm focused on the #AtoZChallenge.
Proof of Existence, book two in my dark urban fantasy series, is out this month.
I'm running another giveaway on my blog.

J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Reference& Speculative Fiction Author, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, and Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge

Diane Burton said...

LOL at your description of your beginning writing. That was me, too. I was so sure it would be easy. LOL You learned a lot because your books are so good.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Lynda - interesting to read your journey to publication ... personally I've loved your books - they've taken me on great stories ... cheers and here's to many more - Hilary

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Alex, glad you like my stories. That definitely makes me smile.

Natalie, I think most of us started that way.

Jemima, oh awesome! I'm so glad you like the covers. That's always so hard to get right, yet so important too.

Diane, at least you figured it out.

Holly, yep. We must keep moving forward.

Nick, exactly right.



Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

JQ Rose, you make a great point. There's always more to learn, especially with so many changes in the industry.

Tyrean, I'm glad too. I didn't let fear hold me back. Or life distractions.

Patricia, well said!

Jen, welcome back!

Rosemary, ha, yeah. I sometimes wish it was easy.

Carol, so true

Lenni, I'm glad too. Thanks

Diane, Thanks so much. That means a lot.