What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published?
My first piece of writing (and calling it a piece is very appropriate) went through many changes before I abandoned it in a file. It was called One Last Night when I started it. Now it's Jacks & Jills & Jezebels. It's about a group of girls who go bar-hopping in the 90s for a bachelorette party. There's lots of fun, excitement, and of course chick-lit drama. I even started a second story about the wedding and the bad behavior of the bridesmaids...
I had to give it up because it required way too much work, bad writing, no clear theme or direction, just a big mess! I would basically have to start over. Plus, it was based loosely on my twenty-something friends and experiences, but probably too closely for comfort. Not to mention, Chick-lit was on the way OUT!
But it was great reminiscing and growing and learning how to really write, which led me into the writing world and then on to get my first book published.
My IWSG worry this month and steadily this year is Should I keep going? Is my publisher going to drop me if my successive books don't sell well?But I have to keep going. I have goals to reach and make new ones all the time. So that's why I keep coming up with new ways to market. Plus, I'm going to keep searching for an agent who can hopefully help me navigate the deeper publishing waters. I really just want to stay afloat!
My IWSG advice for today is GO FOR IT! If you have the drive, even if you change gears, keep steering for the goal!
And now, here's my BIG NEWS!I'm counting down to the release of CRADLE ROCK! And I'm ready to start recruiting VOLUNTEERS. I really appreciate the interest some of you have already shown and will be sending some ARCs this week. Now, to get more organized I have a nice neat
You guys are the BEASTLY BEST!! (and if you know me, you know I like to reciprocate and reward my helpers!) And I also have some fun, exciting, creative new ways to pump up the promos - check it out!
The rest of this month, I'll be talking about these and other OFF-the- beaten-like-a-dead-horse-PATH Marketing Strategies. It should be interesting (and possibly embarrassing). You don't want to miss it!And one more thing - The Thing That Turned Me anthology is set to release Friday!! So many wonderful authors participate in showing how one moment can change a characters life.
Add it to your Goodreads list today!
Happy August! Have a great week! and Thanks for stopping by!
Book two - very cool!
ReplyDeleteAs long as you had fun writing that piece, that's all that matters.
Keep going! And whoo-hoo for Book Two! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like your dusty first tome could be used to make a new Bridesmaid movie. I'm worried about how my next book will do, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this one will be a super fun read! Congratulations. As to the insecurities. You definitely are not alone.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like one of my first pieces of writing!
ReplyDeleteYes, don't give up. =D
Congrats on the new release. Sign up. Wishing you much success.
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit
So proud of you and all that you've accomplished!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck on finding the right agent for you! I'm sure it will help immensely!
You ROCK!
I can't wait for Friday! I hope we get lots of traffic for the anthology!
Heather
You definitely want to keep going. Even if your publisher should drop you, you can still go indie. Especially now that you're an established author.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I signed up for Cradle Rock.
I still have my first. Written in longhand on yellow lined paper. It will never see the light of day. Congratulations on the upcoming release. How cool is that? And I'm looking forward to the anthology.
ReplyDeleteJust signed up! And you absolutely MUST keep going!!
ReplyDeleteSweet! I should have you over for a Writerly Wednesday. I'll have to double check my calendar, but let's do this thing, eh?
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! Congratulations, Tara on your next book!!
ReplyDeleteEven though I have a wonderful indie publisher, an agent would be great. It's those dang rejections that keep piling up that gets me down... :( I wish you better luck!
I wish you all the best with Book Two. Congratulations! And I hope you find a successful way to market. I keep trying new things, too, trying to find that golden ticket. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! There's nothing to lose if we go for it, and everything to gain.
ReplyDelete