Just the Beginning

There weren't many, but somehow I snatched enough moments from my over-booked life to finish my first novel, a historical/contemporary romance, Forever Yours. Over the eight years it took to write it, I learned quite a few lessons. Unfortunately I didn't realize them until the last couple of years, but better late than never.

Probably the most important is to schedule time for writing every day. Every seasoned writer will tell you this. It is like taking a part of your paycheck and putting it away. Time is money. Your writing is an investment in yourself. This was something I failed to do and it tacked on way too many years from beginning to end.

I was so excited, though, that my first inclination was to let everyone and anyone read what I wrote and I found out I should have been more selective. I think it is a good idea to narrow the list down to those who are actually eager to read your work, although even then it doesn't mean that they will. Someone who is familiar with the genre and who can be brutally honest is someone I would seek out. A placating "That's really good" may serve to stroke the ego, but isn't really helpful - at least for me anyway. Makes me wonder if they really did like my writing or if they are saying that just to be nice. That is not to say that sharing your work with friends and family shouldn't be done. It just depends on why you are doing it.

Stand firm in your vision. Other people's opinions are just that. Opinions. Weed through them and embrace the ones that resonate with you and either toss the others out or pack them away to revisit later.

Finishing my novel, albeit later than sooner, has given birth to a new level of boldness and creative flow. At first, when I had typed the last few words of my novel, there was a feeling of let down, like now what? But after a week or so of having a pity party, a voice inside my head (couldn't tell you which one because there are, in fact, many) started rattling off story ideas, both new ones and ones that I had stashed away until I finished my first novel. Key word here. My FINISHED novel. I did it once and I could and would do it again and again. Actually I have no choice. I love the written word. Period.

After the enormous task of editing Forever Yours multiple times and sending out query letters, I shifted my focus to all the other story ideas I had while I waited to hear (or not) from potential agents. I went to my writing notebook and found all the little notes and scribbled ideas of future books and dug in. Labeling four different notebooks with working titles of my soon-to-be novels made it easy to keep my outlines and ideas in order. So far I have a young adult paranormal, young adult fantasy, young adult science fiction, and a women's fiction (co-writing with a writing buddy of mine) simmering and ready to go. I have a few other novel ideas, but those will have to wait in line.

So here I go. The process starts once again. I can't wait. I still have to steal moments, but for the most part, I readily give them to myself, handing them over with a smile that just won't quit.