Pardon the delay in this week's post. My nicer side was in an epic battle with Kindle Direct Publishing involving a picture book. (See, photo where my alter ego is listed as illustrator and my awesome husband received story credit.) "Inspirational" may not be the right word to describe the event, although I really wish it was. Then again, it did inspire me to dedicate this week's blog to it all, so there is that. To tell you that I have never had a harder time uploading a picture book to the Amazon platform doesn't really do this past week justice. We are talking probably two dozen sets of file changes and uploads to get this thing to pass. At worst, I've had to make a change or two and re-upload once or twice to get the other books where I wanted them. The entire process has had me so frustrated even the cats are avoiding my office right now. BUT, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Supposedly all is well with the book now. I'm not announcing it until I have the proof in my hand and verify that they aren't just fibbing to make me go away. There is a moral to this story, though. If you want something bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen. Also, patience and perseverance are just as important as inspiration in the creative process. Love what you do, peeps, even the parts of it that drive you more than a little crazy!
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How about a something a little different this week?
I've been doing this writing thing as more than the occasional scribble for nearly two decades now. It's a journey with a lot of branching paths. I've had the luck - sometimes good, sometimes bad - of getting to wander around on quite a few of them over the years. I've learned so much from each little jaunt into the unknown. I thought you might like to hear a few of my thoughts on it all. 1) Reading: Yep, it's necessary. Read a lot of things from a lot of different times and places. Give it all a good ponder. Keep what resonates with you. Let go of what doesn't. Reread books at different times in your life. You'll be amazed by how much they've "changed" with each passing year. 2) Writing: The act itself is worthwhile. I am also a firm believer that everyone has a story inside of them. That story will resonate with some. It won't with others. There is no right way to do it. Sure, there are some general rules to keep in mind but I believe the biggest one is just to let that story out. Trust me, it will show you how. 3) Find your Tribe (but still have friends outside of your tribe): You need other writers in your life. You also need non-writers. You'll learn from both of them which will improve your writing. 4) Ideas: They come from the strangest of places. 5) Never Judge a Writer by their Genre: A great number of the nicest people I know write horror. And I'm not just talking "nice to chat with" I'm talking deep down to their bone marrow nice. 6) Publishing: Don't be pressured to publish or to not publish. Your stories are yours. Share them if you want to. Keep them in a drawer if you don't. Also, there is really no "best way" to publish. Find what works for you and your story. 7) The Market: Write to the market if you are just wanting to make money and have found a good way to sell your work. Also, write to the market if the story you are looking to share is in line with what is selling. If you are only interested in writing a good story, don't try to change it to fit. You'll just drive yourself nuts and the story will suffer for it. 8) Support Other Writers: No lie, one of my favorite parts of this journey has been watching another writer or artist that I have in some way encouraged succeed in their endeavors. I could probably find myself on all the best sellers lists in this world and not feel nearly as accomplished as I do when I see someone I have helped in even the smallest way reach them dream. 9) You CAN'T Please Everyone: Not with the plot. Not with the characters. Not with the words you choose. Not with the voice you write in. Not with the cover you select. Not with any aspect of your book. It's okay. You don't have to. 10) Yes, You Need an Editor: Trust me, your typos, plot holes, and mistakes are invisible to you even if you are the guru of editing other people's work. 11) Every Big Name Author Started Where You Are: There was a time when all of your favorite authors were unknown. There was a moment when their first word landed on the paper. They all felt the joy and relief of writing their first Then End - followed by the horror of realizing that just meant the nightmare of editing had begun. They all had to deal with the process of finding their work a good home, and then convincing people to read their book. They all had highs and lows along the way. If they can achieve their dreams, trust me, so can you. 12) Keep Going: Tenacity is one of the most important parts of this writing thing. Keep following your dream and it will get you where you are meant to go. What is meant for you will not miss you. What is not meant for you will make you miserable if you claim it. |
AuthorJosie Dorans Archives
June 2022
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