Criminal Minds

 

What would you do differently if you were starting you career in today’s publishing landscape?

I am still at the beginning of my writing career, but there are always things you wish you could have or would have done differently given the chance. One of the biggest ones for me seems obvious. Write more. I spent years dreaming of the moment when I would find the perfect agent. I even had a few dream agents on my list.  I thought about the book release, the celebration, the joy of accomplishing my dream, but not so much about what would come next.

I’ve since learned that most writers, the successful ones, surely, never stop writing. As soon as one book is done, they immediately start on the next one. Even before I ever had a book deal, I wondered how someone like a Stephen King constantly had a new book out. Now I know, consistency and the hard work of getting your butt in the seat. Not sexy, necessarily, but the grind rarely is, is it? Which brings me to my second big change, the nine-to-five.

It’s not a secret that may writers still have to work a second job to make it in this world gone wild. I used to have a job that paid the bills. It was quite annoying, but I never had to think about it after the clock hit five. I gave that job up for a much more challenging job with a much more impressive salary.  It also came with a huge workload and the stress to match. Which, not surprising to anyone but me, meant less writing time or energy. Was the trade-off worth it? Given a chance to do it all over again, I’d keep that little annoying job and put my writing first. Having an idea, or the desire to write and having the space, time and energy, is two different things. Because rest assured whatever else you have planned, life is just going to keep on lifeing, whether you like it or not.

And finally, social media. Ugh! I’ll admit. I used to love it. If I’m honest, I probably would not even have a writing career at all without it. It was on social media that I was able to find a writing community.  That community helped me onto the path that led to me to finding my editor, then my agent, and finally becoming published. It was also a place to connect me with writers far ahead of me in their writing careers. They became my mentors, sources of encouragement, and friends. And then there were the writers who were in the early stages of their careers just like me. We dreamed together, supported each other, and cheered each other on at each victory, big or small. I can do more there and should, if I want to grow my career.

Sadly, I have no time machine to go back and fix the mistakes of the past. So, I’m having to rely on the tried-and-true method of learning from my mistakes. That’s fine. But don’t be surprised if you start seeing me pop up on your social media feed with videos of me talking about my books. And If I just happen to be announcing my new little job. Just know that that’s okay too.