Start at the Beginning

Hello, my dear reader

My plan to write this blog to was to give you an idea of my process and what I’d gone through, and am still going through, as a self-published indie author who began with zero knowledge of how to write a book. My hope is that this blog will help others during their journey into writing and publishing a novel of their own. However, in order to do that we should probably go back to the beginning to where it all started because every good story has to have a beginning.

Over a year ago I was working part-time as a cashier at a grocery store. It wasn’t a glamorous job by any means but I loved the staff that I worked with and my superiors. They were kind, supportive, funny, and made my days there seem to just fly by, not to mention my bosses were very understanding about my availability. I have several illnesses, that I won’t get into at this moment, that hinder me when I over exert myself, so having my managers understanding and leniency when it came to my scheduling was more than appreciated. Unfortunately, being a cashier didn’t give me much opportunity to show my creative side. I mean, I can only dye my hair so many colours before it turns to straw. I decided to take up cross-stitching and knitting. I was satisfied with saving my creativity for home. That is until I started writing.

During that time, I began typing out short stories about a half-elf named Quesys. She was inspired by a tabletop RPG character that my husband made for me in what started out as a one-off campaign, and I instantly fell in love with her. I couldn’t stop writing about her; the adventures she would go on, the friends she’d make and the love she’d find along the way. I found myself spending all my free time banging away at the keyboard, just letting the stories flow from my fingers onto the page and one day I realized, I had a novel. Not just a novel, a series of novels. This could be something. More than a hobby perhaps? Could this be… a career?

My husband, as awesome as he is, always encouraged my creativity. He was the first one to stand by all my decisions, no matter how crazy they seemed. Still, asking my husband to be the sole breadwinner while I spend my days writing what I loved seemed like a pretty hard sell. Nevertheless, this is what I wanted so, I brought the idea to his attention. He gave me a serious look and asked, “Is this what you really want?” I gave an emphatic nod. Without hesitation, he smiled and said, “Alright, Let’s do it.” And we did.

I said goodbye to my part-time job as a cashier and spent my days writing and my nights bouncing ideas off of my husband. I woke up each day with vigor and excitement. Finally, I had found my passion. But I was, and still am, a novice writer. I don’t get to just write and voila here’s a novel. No, I had homework to do. I was going to have to do research on genres, outlining, and character bios. I was going to have to find a good writing program that would help me with my outlines and act structures. I’d have to watch YouTube videos on how to write a proper character arc and look up well-known author webpages on how they got themselves started. I was going to have to learn about editing, marketing, and web design. I’d have to ask myself tough questions like; will I be a self-published author or will I send out queries to other publishers? And… what’s a query?

Look, I know it sounds like a lot and I know it seems a bit overwhelming right now but the good news is, there’s answers out there for every one of your important questions and concerns if you’re just willing to look for them. One of the greatest parts about being a writer is that you get to start at the beginning, you’re beginning, and acquire the knowledge you seek along the way. Don’t focus on everything all at once. Take your time. Breathe. Write. Research. As you go, carve out some time to do your homework, set goals and deadlines on what you need to learn about, follow other authors and their journeys in writing and publishing, read more and above all else, make time for your mind to relax. Taking on the whole world and trying to learn it all at once, isn’t going to do you any favors. If you tried to cram your brain full of tons of information all at once, eventually you’d tire and burn out, not leaving much energy for the creative process.

Remember, we’re all learning together. There’s an entire community of people out there, right where you’re at. No matter what stage, someone else is right there with you figuring it out and asking questions. The best tool you can have in your arsenal is having the strength to ask questions and you should always be asking. I know it can be hard and a bit scary but you can do this. I went through the exact same feelings until I decided to take the plunge and started asking questions and introducing myself to the wring community on Twitter. When I did, I felt better, the nervousness faded a bit and each time it got a little easier because I decided that I’d rather be scared than not know. I ended up meeting other people there just like me who were scared to ask for help but once they did they were richer in knowledge and happier for asking. Remember, in the writing community, you’re never alone.

Tldr; Do your research and don’t forget to relax your brain. When you work out a muscle, you have to let it breathe before you work it out again.

Mantra of the day – Is my need for self-improvement and growth, greater than my desire to remain stagnant.