Friday, June 8, 2012

Someday I’m going to write a book, too.



Okay, honestly, how many times after having admitted that you wrote a book have you gotten the response “Someday I’m going to write a book, too.”

I was in the post office mailing off my Golden Heart contest entry a few months ago. I'll admit I was excitied, nervous and relieved to actually have met the deadline and when the clerk asked me if there was anything perishable, toxic, or whatever inside, I may have mentioned that I was mailing several chapters of my novel. In a chipper tone she replied, “I'm going to write a book someday, too. An unbelievable life's story on paper which I know will become a bestseller. After all, my story really happened!”






The person behind me probably wondered at the popping noise from clenching my jaw or noticed my head bobbing up and down like one of those little nodding dogs riding on the car's dash. If it really were that easy I’d have been published years ago! I’ve written five full length novels and countless of children’s stories. Not to mention poems about everything under the sun!
And songs, too!

The truth is, writing is extremely hard. Many of us spend years developing our craft by reading every how-to write book on the subject. Hours at the keyboard laboring over just the right phrase while the rest of the family is gathered elsewhere. I don't want to admit the amount of money I’ve spent taking online classes. Or time scouring the net looking for the best critique groups or mentoring programs, researching writing contests all geared toward one thing; trying to get an editor’s attention and that coveted publishing contract.

Take heart.


It’s not impossible. After twelve years my efforts have finally paid off.

Crimson Romance has just given me a release date of August 13th, 2012. Can you believe it?

Neither can I.

9 comments:

  1. LOL I would have taken off her head! It took me 20 years to get here...not that many people can say that. Try it. LOL

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  2. I'm so glad you didn't give up, D'Ann! You and I both know all the sacrafices it takes to get here. The many years of hard work finally paid off. Enjoy!

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  3. I know what you mean. It drive me nuts when people act like what we do is easy. Just the other day, I had a distant relative comment on my overnight success. Um, excuse me, but it took me a thirteen years of non-stop writing and eight years of serious querying to get a two book contract. And, success? The books aren't even out yet! For all I know, they'll flop and I'll go back to toiling away for the love of writing and nothing else.

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  4. Hi Tonya~
    Exactly! I'm so glad you stuck it out because look at things now! Last month my novella Night Bird released and the popular question I get is 'how's the book doing?' LOL. I don't even know how to check sales! Do you have a release date? I have alot of faith in Crimson Romance and their standards. And all the time spent learning your craft will certainly show in your manuscript. You're going rock, I just know it!
    Best wishes and thanks for commenting!

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  5. Thanks! Entangled won't set my release date for the first book until we do the first round of edits, but we're aiming for sometime early next spring. No clue about the second book, but the first draft isn't due to my editor until June 2013, so I'm thinking it will be out next fall-ish.

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    1. I've heard so many good things about Entangled and even subbed a partial to their Drop Dead line. Love their style and the covers are georgous!

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    2. I love them! But, yanno, they gave me a shot when nobody else seemed inclined to, so I'm a tad bias :)

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  6. Exciting times! Congratulations, Teresa!

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  7. Thanks so much Patricia! I can hardly wait! : )

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Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. You're awesome!