AUTHOR UPDATE

As I sit here, staring at my to-do list, I thought I would catch you up on where I am in this crazy journey to become an author. I can say with certainty that it is not for the faint of heart. As I write this, I sit in our home office after an exhausting day at my real job. It’s 8:18 pm and I still have hours of editing ahead of me. 

I could never have imagined the complexity involved in becoming an author. When I first started, I just loved to write. After two years, I decided I would have a go at making this my long-term career plan. It all seemed so simple in the beginning. I would do what I loved and eventually get paid for it, boy was I blissfully unaware.

If someone had told me what it would take, I am fairly certain my motivation would have been dead on arrival. I am glad they didn’t. It is tedious and frustrating but when you keep the end goal in mind; it is worth it.

I am working on a review of my first manuscript. It just came back from the first editor and I am preparing to send it to the second one. One thing I didn’t account for is the time it would take. I really thought it would go much faster. I am reminding myself daily to just be patient and enjoy the journey. I also think I will be so much better prepared when I start the process for book two, so that’s a win.

My next step is fleshing out a comprehensive launch plan. I have already started diving into this area a little but there is so much more to learn and I have an idea there always will be. What I have learned so far is slapping your book up on Amazon is not enough. Actively marketing is not an option if you have any chance at success. Now the question of the hour. Where to put those marketing dollars?  

What I have accomplished so far is setting up all the basics. Besides completing my manuscript and handing it off to the first editor, I have been busy setting up the groundwork for my author platform. My domain is up and running, I have also set up Facebook and Pinterest accounts. That may not sound like much, but setting up the web-site alone took days to complete. In reality, I am still not happy with it, but my perfectionist ways will drive me insane if I let them.

In closing, if you are a new author who is feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. I am right there with you and always open to questions and comments. It is a huge learning curve, but if we just keep at it, we will get there. Hang in there, stay focused, and give yourself a ton of grace.