It may seem like a reasonable question, but even I would like to know how I got here? Obviously, I know that I walked up my stairs to my office and sat down at my computer, but what I actually mean is - the journey I have taken to finally say - 'I am an author'. I believe this journey has most probably been the most harrowing and yet the most exciting expedition I have ever taken. Harrowing because at times I felt that I was going to become a 'failure' – wow! Even now that word just fills me with dread! I worried myself stupid over what might become of me and my work if I never found a publisher and all the ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ would come to me in the middle of the night like a bad dream and I would wake up in a sweat, wondering if it really was all worth the worry and sleepless nights...
Like so many people before me, I approached so many publishers I started to believe my work would never be published. I would write, and then re-write a dozen chapters only to re-write them again just in case they weren't good enough. I dread to think how much 'good work’ I have wasted on worrying about what the publisher would think. Does any of this sound familiar?
Eventually when I couldn't stand it any longer, I joined a writing forum which I believed I could trust, (I think I was starting to have issues by then) and I became a member of 'youwriteon' a fabulous website that really helped me sculpt my chapters and also enabled me to start believing in my work and for the first time, I wasn't thinking about what the publishers would want to see.
Over the next few months my confidence grew and then I was able to show it to ‘real’people who I felt confident with and also comfortable enough to cope with their honest opinions. With bated breath I watched their faces light up when they told me they 'loved' my story - yes it came from someone else's mouth - they 'loved' my work. Elation doesn't even cover the way I felt when I
saw that my book made people smile and when they spoke about my characters and how they could see these people I had created – there, in their minds, well, that feeling was the most wonderful sensation I have ever experienced and no matter what happens to me on my journey of life, no one will ever be able to take it away from me. Since taking my story and self-publishing, I have received astounding 5 *****reviews in the UK (still waiting for places like the US to review my book, hint-hint) however, the key point to all this is that somehow through it all, I never gave up and kept with it, even when it looked hopeless.
To all you aspiring writers out there just remember to believe in yourself and you too can make your dreams a reality. This journey has been the hardest road I have ever travelled but I have to admit it has also been the most rewarding.
Best wishes to you all,
Lynette
Like so many people before me, I approached so many publishers I started to believe my work would never be published. I would write, and then re-write a dozen chapters only to re-write them again just in case they weren't good enough. I dread to think how much 'good work’ I have wasted on worrying about what the publisher would think. Does any of this sound familiar?
Eventually when I couldn't stand it any longer, I joined a writing forum which I believed I could trust, (I think I was starting to have issues by then) and I became a member of 'youwriteon' a fabulous website that really helped me sculpt my chapters and also enabled me to start believing in my work and for the first time, I wasn't thinking about what the publishers would want to see.
Over the next few months my confidence grew and then I was able to show it to ‘real’people who I felt confident with and also comfortable enough to cope with their honest opinions. With bated breath I watched their faces light up when they told me they 'loved' my story - yes it came from someone else's mouth - they 'loved' my work. Elation doesn't even cover the way I felt when I
saw that my book made people smile and when they spoke about my characters and how they could see these people I had created – there, in their minds, well, that feeling was the most wonderful sensation I have ever experienced and no matter what happens to me on my journey of life, no one will ever be able to take it away from me. Since taking my story and self-publishing, I have received astounding 5 *****reviews in the UK (still waiting for places like the US to review my book, hint-hint) however, the key point to all this is that somehow through it all, I never gave up and kept with it, even when it looked hopeless.
To all you aspiring writers out there just remember to believe in yourself and you too can make your dreams a reality. This journey has been the hardest road I have ever travelled but I have to admit it has also been the most rewarding.
Best wishes to you all,
Lynette
