This whole thing has been an adventure, a learning experience full of new and surprising things. Some things were expected and some things weren’t.
1.
I handle criticism better than I thought I did. The editing process was daunting and a bit overwhelming. I was worried that I would be offended or just completely stubborn when it came to the suggestions made. I went into it with and open mind and thought about each change as a reader and it went pretty smoothly.
2.
Designing covers isn’t for me. I love my cover for
Tears in the Rubble, but designing it just wasn’t my cup of tea. While I have a creative eye blending the elements was a job left for Rebel’s wonderful cover artist. Maybe it has something to do with my indecisiveness.
3.
People will always assume that you based the story off of an experience, or a character off of a person. I’ve been asked a lot of funny questions but most people assume the male and female characters from
Tears in the Rubble are based on my boyfriend and me. I can tell you that is in no way true.
4.
Marketing is hard. Especially marketing a book. I have to market myself for my full time job too. This is very different though. Knowing what works and where to put your blurb and cover is time consuming and sometimes tedious.
5.
People are under the assumption that if you are having a book published you are going to be famous and make tons of money. Not the case. I won’t instantly be the next Stephen King or Nicholas Sparks. I didn’t get an advance to write my book and I probably won’t ever. It doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it though.
6.
Independent publishers are frowned upon by bookstores. Self-publishers as well. They may not say that but it sure seems to be the truth to me. They will sell your eBook left and right but not you’re paperback.
7.
It’s a really good feeling to have people love something you’ve created. I know there will always be fans and there will always be haters. Not everything is for everyone. I’m sure there are those out there that read or will read my stories and not enjoy them, but that doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is the people that do like it. The ones that love it and the ones that share the fact that they love it.
8.
There are places that my obsessive compulsive habits come in handy. And that would be in writing. Making sure things add up and that my timeline flows. I always notice things like that when I read a book and when it came to writing my own story I double and triple checked those things.
9.
I love this. Writing that is. I will do it as long as I can. No matter how much money I make or don’t make. I just want to share the world in my head with everyone around me.
10.
I have an incredibly strong and wonderful support system. There was a time that probably wasn’t true. I’ve done some weeding and become much pickier about who I let into my life. And the people that are left are amazing. They are there for me when I need them and have never judged me. Without them this would have been a whole lot harder.
So there you have it. Ten things I learned publishing a novel. Some of them are personal, some professional, and some are just my little observations.
If you're curious about
Tears in the Rubble head on over to the tab at the top and check it out. Part two is coming soon!
