Lessons learned

About almost a year ago, I accomplished something I never thought possible. After years of daydreaming and wrestling with my self-doubts, I published a short story. It didn’t feel real. I did it. I was officially an author.

With it came this boiling cesspool of emotions smacking me all at once. First, there was an overwhelming relief that the editing was over, worrying over whether will like me, and whether my story isn’t good enough. And most of all, holy crap, I can’t believe I’ve done this. I had just achieved my dream. A story of my own was out into the world. 

I was an author so what now? 

That remains the biggest question. My assumption was well now I advertise. People give all sorts of advice. You build up a platform and business and completely bog yourself down desperate to find any way possible to become relevant.  You get a Twitter, Instagram, etc, and a website to look official that you will probably never use like me.

Then you’re told to blog and develop and gather an email list. I don’t think I had ever in life read a blog before I became a writer. I couldn’t care less about people rambling in their own adult show and tell on the internet. It’s partly why I’ve kept my Facebook circle so niche. And it’s why I felt it would never work. We live in a day and age where the internet is desperately trying to grab us by the eyeballs and cling for dear life. Social media has never been my favorite.

But I suppose much like writing, you’ve only failed if you haven’t tried. If I’m being honest, I haven’t. One, technology flat out hates me. I know seniors who are better with a computer than I am. It took me forever to get a Facebook, and even longer to feel slightly comfortable posting this. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out how to post. So I haven’t.

The second reason is, again being honest, I’m lazy. There I said it. It’s the worst excuse too ever have. Reading terms and conditions, and following time-consuming website tutorials, most of which were outdated felt like a lot of work, and not worth it, so I did nothing. This website sat dormant and never even got off the ground.

My excuse was I needed to hone my craft. Truthfully, I did. I hated my short story. I felt it was terrible, and the ending wasn’t satisfying and so on. So after a two-month writing course to create my story, I ended up only listing it for free. I figured no one would want to read it because they didn’t know me. My solution was to list it free and hope it would help put my name out there.

And where did it get me?

Nowhere. I’m still just a blip on the radar. I still had no audience beyond ten-twenty people. It accomplished nothing. Granted. I have no way of knowing how well the free eBook did.

So what’s happened since then?

I’ve joined six writing groups for feedback, support, and outreach. Three of which are actually on Facebook of all places, and one on Discord. I’ve sat down put in the leg work and in ninety-seven days completed a rough draft for a fantasy novel.

I guess email lists may be worth a try. I just don’t feel comfortable forcing myself on people like a needy leech. There must be a middle ground somehow, so I’m not spamming people and whatnot.

So all this to say, I’m still figuring things out. This is probably not the first time that I will make mistakes, and certainly will not be the last time. I’d like to thank all the amazing people who’ve put up with me and helped me along so far.

I’ve learned that I need to be more proactive to be successful and that we are all learning. Most of what I’ve heard is in order to “make it” really comes down to sticking with it. The writing field is a game of endurance. You don’t get back up, and you lose. I’ve hunkered down poured my blood sweat and tears into a story I hope to release soon.

Five months after publishing, I struggled. No matter what I did, I felt I couldn’t get any better. For five months, I tried my hand at short stories and started books but never finished. I posted them on forums, and it was ignored or destroyed. I felt had no guidance on what to do next. The joy of writing was lost.

It wasn’t until literally through a Facebook ad that I joined a class that I had the discipline and the feedback that worked. Partway through the class, my friends and I reformed our old D&D group, and I fell in love with storytelling all over again. I have a completed manuscript and it has become my baby. Ugly as it may be, it’s still mine, and I love it.

If anyone actually found me on this dark corner of the internet and listen to me ramble this long, my point is to pursue your dreams. Examine the cost of course. I’ve had to give up a lot of T.V. and time with friends to meet my deadlines. If it’s what really want though, go for it, and don’t look back.

My game plan going forward is researching how to better use the tools I have, like this website, and post content that will help establish myself as a writer, and potentially help or entertain somebody. I want to become a better author. I plan on posting more. It’s time to get cracking.