Little Secrets

In a nod to the anniversary of my first published book, allow me to say "what a year!"  Whew!  Highs and lows, for sure, but mostly highs because I don't take success too seriously.  It is fleeting and unreliable at best, an ethereal thing that can disappear as soon as it's grasped.  I prefer to focus on my more tangible successes.  Well, they're 13, 14 & 16 at the moment, so perhaps I should wait awhile before declaring victory there.   

Anyway, during my year-long journey over the chaotic landscape that is publishing, I ferreted out a few little secrets that I thought I'd share.  New authors, you heard it here first... 

1.  Your family will not read your books.  Oh, sure, they'll buy them because they love you and want to support you, but they will not read them.  It took me a very long time to get over this fact.

2.  You will meet some really smart, really cool people.  I had the opportunity to interact with amazing readers and writers this year (who do not share my last name or blood, I might add!) who happen to love reading and writing just as much as I do.  I never once heard any of them whine "I'm just not a reader."   

3.  A somewhat painful secret—writing takes a tremendous toll on the human body.  Tendonitis, carpal tunnel, blurred vision, a widening of the posterior, elevated liver enzymes.  Wait, that last one probably has more to do with the wine, but I have to drink something after the coffee, don’t I?  Of course, regular readers will know I’m just kidding here.  I mean, jeez, I don’t even drink coffee. 

4.  I've learned that slow and steady wins the race.  Do not obsess.  Ditch the cyber stalking of ranks, ratings, and reviews.  I wish I had some of those hours back.  If I did, I’d probably have another book out by now.  But, you should cherry pick a few great industry blogs and read them regularly.  It will eliminate having to weed through all of the time-wasting minutiae. 

5.  I guess the most surprising secret is that the passion for writing does not fade after the first year.  If anything, it grows hotter.  The challenge intensifies.  For me, the start of each new book is like working a jigsaw puzzle, trying to fit together all of these little bits and pieces.  Sometimes you try with all your might to cram one of them in, but when it doesn't line up just right, you have to abandon it and find another piece.  When finished, a work of art is unveiled.  Sure, it has divots and cracks and twists and turns, but underneath it all is a colorful, spectacular story. 

At the end of the day, secrets & pitfalls aside, it's been a great year.  I am head over heels in love with the worlds and characters I have created.  Beck, Kiernan, Airron, Rogan, Kenley, Kane, Kellan, Reilly, Jala, Izzy, Fallon, Kade, Blane, Nikki, and so many others in their supporting roles.  They're friends now, good friends, and I don't want to ever let them go.  So, I'll keep writing and sharing their adventures, and I'll owe it to extreme good luck and a healthy dose of Karma if a few of you decide to tag along with me.

Thanks for reading.

~Valerie~