Showing posts with label indie author. Show all posts
Showing posts with label indie author. Show all posts

Tuesday, 5 January 2016

Dreams

I went back to work on Monday after having the full Christmas period off. A whole week dedicated to reading, writing and social media. I can't even tell you how good it was to have that time to dedicate to all of it, and I managed to finish the YA novel I'd been working on. (If you're on Wattpad, it's called Dorm Room.)

My job is pretty new. I've been there about a month, and let me tell you, in the grand scheme of things, I've won the lottery with this job. Going back after time off is always hard in a job, but Monday, my motivation was just down. I didn't want to be there, because I wanted to work on my writing.

I started writing, seriously, when I realised that I didn't have a hobby. That thought seemed wrong to me, and I started thinking about what I could do as my hobby. What do I enjoy, what am I good at? I've always been a storyteller as such, a writer even. I'd started books before, for years, but I'd never get past the first chapter or so. In 2014, something took over me, and I decided it was now or never. Then I wrote Synergy.


I don't know whether it works the same for everybody, but finishing my first novel gave me the writing bug. I could write a book, I had, and I would do it again. The ideas were flowing, and suddenly I had multiple book ideas and not enough time to write them. Even now, I'll be somewhere thinking about something irrelevant, and bam - a book idea.

I've dedicated so much time to writing, and promoting, and everything that comes with trying to be an author. I've burned myself out at times. Still, I know now more than ever that this isn't a hobby anymore. This is something that I really want to do. I dream about being able to do it for a living, to not have to go back to working for somebody else, even though I'm in a great job. Why else would I not want to go back to a great job? The only reason is simple; because I want to do an even greater job.

Writing isn't something I'm open about. Most people that know me personally don't know I write. Only close family and a few friends, and even some of them were told when I'd had one too many to drink. The reason? I think J Cole said it best.

"If they don't know your dreams, they can't shoot them down."





Sunday, 12 July 2015

Exploring Goodreads and Seeking Reviews

I joined Goodreads a while ago but I never really explored what you can do on there. I didn't realise there are all sorts of different groups you can join on there, all with their own forums. It's been great to explore and make new connections.

This week I've been focusing on reviews, and a few lovely people have agreed to read and review Synergy, as well as be a Beta reader for part 2. It's pretty scary, putting yourself out there, but you have to, right? You'll never get anywhere if you don't try.

I'm on holiday from work for 2 weeks after today so I'm looking forward to grafting on part 3. I took to pen and paper a few nights ago to plan it out - something I've never done! I even got the highlighters out for key words and made a mind map. Hopefully the chapters will start to flow soon and I'll have a semi-solid plan.

I do find that I write better when I don't plan it out 100% but I still need some sort of structure, so I know exactly where I'm going with it.

I've just finished work so I think I'll have a lazy Sunday with what's left of it, then get to it tomorrow.

 - Georgia