Everyone has felt the bite of rejection. It stings for a while and sometimes it's really hard to get over. Luckily, I'm not about to go into the best rejection letter I've ever received, because I've already been there and done that on my post called "Exits and Entrances".
The real reason why I made this four-part series in the first place is to tell everyone about my successes, not my failures. How I've overcome the hurdles in my (short, to some) life and came to where I am today.
No, I'm not a bestseller, but I'm published.
No, I don't make six figures a year, but I'm rich in creativity.
I hope you listen to my words and gain inspiration to find happiness in your life. This is my ultimate goal. I think this is my calling. The only way I can truly help others. Even though I'm currently on a hiatus from writing, I can still encourage other people to make their dreams come true. I've mentioned how you could overcome other people's expectations, how writing can take you away from the stress of everyday life, and how time could affect your creativity. Now, it's time to overcome your own fears and reach your greatest potential.
Yes, it hurts when the people closest to you doubt your ability to reach success, but when you doubt yourself the possible becomes impossible.
In 2008 or 2009 I asked my only friend on the planet to beta read my first book before it became self-published. I sent her the whole novel through email. A couple months went by and I didn't receive a single reply. I wrote her again and she said she was so busy that she couldn't get past the first chapter. The whole time I'm thinking, she must have hated it completely. This friend was an avid reader. She is the person who let me borrow "A Rose In Winter" by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and hooked me on romance. Why would she let me down when I'm trying to become one of those authors she adores?
Let's just say it hurt. I got so emotional about it, I published the book without making sure it was the best it could be. I wanted my estranged family to read it. I wanted my coworkers to read it. I wanted the world to read it. I think it was a cry for attention or at least notice, because after they'd read it I asked for input/reviews, etc. Most of it was positive. They wanted me to write a sequel. Do you want to know why they felt this way? Because I knew them. They cared about my feelings. It became a personal reaction, not an unbiased assessment of my work. Of course, years later, I see every single flaw in that novel and it irks me to know I let this reach so many hands. I'm ashamed, rather.
Then I read the newest book on the bestseller's list and wonder why I can't write like they do. Why hadn't my published book get placed on the list? Maybe I hadn't done as much marketing/promotion as I could have. There are things that I could've done, but so many more things I could be doing.
The fact of the matter is there are things that are in my control and there are things that are beyond my control. Right now, I still write everyday, whether schoolwork or a blog or even a comment. I learn as much about the craft as I can and I take these skills to my own writing to improve the quality. This is all I can do for right now. Until I have a large outreach, this is all I have to do. What I can't do is force people to buy my book and expect readers to find me themselves. Writing is amazing, but it's a career for a reason. You have to build yourself to the top like everything else in life worth having.
So, you wanted the recipe for success? Well, here you go. Never give up, never surrender. Thanks so much for reading. I appreciate every single one of you!
Happy writing!
Diva J.
Confessions of a 20-Something Author: Part 4
Confessions of a 20-Something Author: Part 1
If you came here, expecting a life story, then please read my autobiography in forty or so years. This is a series of confessions that I will tell you in relation to my publishing journey. This is for anyone who ever picked up the art of writing or anything they dreamed of doing and found discouragement. Sometimes, it comes from your friends and family, co-workers, other people in your profession, and yourself. Personally, I think we are our own worst critics. Since we are the author's of our lives, we take the blame for everything that doesn't go according to plan, and we punish ourselves.
No matter what is holding you back, don't EVER stop what you love to do. Why spend your life wallowing in the day to day or finding another outlet to enjoy yourself? If you believe what you love to do is just a hobby, then you are not driven, and your main focus should be is to find motivation. Success never comes before hard work, unless for some reason, someone did everything for you. I really hope this is not your case, because I have more faith in you than you have in yourself.
Speaking of faith, here is my first confession: The one person in my life I thought would stand by my side, told me that I'd never go anywhere in life and that writing shouldn't be my main priority.
Okay, maybe this person is a generalization of a few people fused into one. Anyone who doubts someone this much, needs to first get their own priorities straight before offering their disheartening advice. The fact of the matter is that I've heard this from many people throughout my life. Friends, family members, significant others, etc. They are pretty much the people I care about the most. Not knowing how they felt about me was one thing, but hearing it was entirely another. Actually, it was the best motivation I'd ever received. Not even a rejection letter could make me this ambitious. It was like receiving a million-dollar cash prize. Well, maybe not that great. :)
Don't get me wrong, you will become emotional and feel lost, but then you consider it a challenge to meet and beat their expectations. And I'm not even competitive. Believe me, I've been trying to overturn everyone's expectations my whole life. I turn all of those doubts upside down.
When you let your past come in the way of current goals, your view of success may change. Yes, you will no longer consider your profession as a hobby and take it more seriously while working for what you need to survive on the side.
I've read a few articles where people wish they could reach success at an earlier age. Others believe youth is wasted on the young (In which, this is true on many occasions.). For those who think they wasted their youth on less productive endeavors, I salute you. Either you worked really hard to get where you're at right now or you had a great time and laughed. When I say this, I'm coming from the perspective of the youth. College, working retail/fast food jobs to pay rent, etc. is a major setback for people my age. I don't have the time nor resources to set my writing career into full motion. I don't have the funds to attend conferences, or the free time to do anything other than write the books. Looking up publishers and agents is very time-consuming. Every time you think you have a working list, another year passes and it's out of date. :)
In order to cope with the day to day stress, I've gone on a few writing hiatuses, (lasting from one to three months) in order to work more hours, go on vacation, etc. And I regretted every moment of it. Well, maybe not the vacation part. Anyways, wherever you are in life, don't give up on your dreams. Luckily, they don't have a deadline and are attainable at any age. I believe in sacrifice, but not at the expense of your whole being. I love writing so much. It's become a part of me more than anything else. I'd be lost without it.
Thank you so much for reading! Join me next time for the Naughty or Nice giveaway hop and another author confession! :)
Happy writing!
Diva J.
Simply Self-Promotion
When a writer finishes a novel and lands a contract with a publisher, his/her work is not done. Actually, it's far from being over with. Whether you traditionally publish or self-publish, the road is still the same. There is a lot of promotion and marketing ahead that only you can do. Yes, some publishers will kick-start your career by knowing people in the right fields, but most of the time you're the only one who can meet with your readers and give them a reason to read your books.
Here are some ways to start the process before you finish the work in progress:
--Social media networks are the key. If you don't have an established Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Myspace account, those readers who join those sites to find the latest information about their favorite authors will miss out on what you have to offer.
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| I'd wear one, would you? |
--A blog comes in handy for writers who like to help other writers in the craft and connect with even more readers. At the end of the blog tour for To Love An Irishman, I joined my first blog hop and I had over 40 people comment on one post!
--Make a name for yourself. A brand, even. You could create a tagline or interact with as much people as possible. The more readers who hear your name will remember it in the future.
--Other ways to promote include hosting a giveaway on Goodreads, having a release party for your book at your house or a friends, making t-shirts like the one above, creating a hangout session on Google+ to interact with your readers through video, etc.
It doesn't matter what you do, just get out there. Yes, I could've done a lot more for my debut release, attended conferences and hosted a party in my hometown, but I chose to do most of my marketing online. I created a video during the book release party, and I was interviewed by several blog owners.
The best thing about self-promotion is that you learn more tips and tricks along the way.
Right now, I'm on the home-stretch of my work in progress. In between writing and the other projects I have going on, I'm starting the promotion for my book. And it doesn't have a publisher yet. :)
Do you have any tips that are not mentioned here? How do you self-promote your books? Please tell me in a comment below. Thank you for reading!
Happy writing!
Diva J.
The Rules of Writing With Passion
When an author tells a story, no matter if they write romance or not, they are doing what makes them happy. At least, I hope you do what you do for good reasons. I mean we can't depend on the money coming in, and who knows how many people will buy your finished product (if/when you get published), but what we do know is how to make what we write the best. I came up with this plan to add more passion into my work when I was reading someone else's book. The emotion on every page was heightened and the character's seemed to connect through the air. I know this sounds crazy, but it is possible for everyone to make their pages sizzle with words.
The Misconception of Writers: How You Can Fix Your Views
Hello, everyone! There is so much to talk about in the world today. A lot is happening right now and it's hard not to state my opinions on so many pressing matters. Luckily, this is a blog about writing, and I love talking about that!
- Writers will claim they write out of passion, but money is a driving force. Of course, even artists who are professionals in their field have bills to pay. Stephen King, Stephanie Meyer, and J.K. Rowling have mortgages, electricity, internet service, etc. I will admit, some days, the only thing keeping me out of bed in the morning is hope. I wish I could aspire to become a best-seller, but the reality is without hard work and perseverance the road is very long indeed. Please don't stop supporting your favorite writers, though. We all have good intentions, no matter the drive, and sometimes we use the income to pay for things other than bills like weddings. :)
- Writers have degrees in English literature (or the like). I'm not saying don't ever go to school and acquire a degree in your field. Sometimes taking the courses can give you a better understanding of your craft. Many writers take creative writing to supplement their learning. Although, writers do like to maintain professionalism with their work, not everyone has a degree in English literature. College is a great expense to those who haven't had the opportunity or time to attend. There are published writers out there who challenge themselves every day to study English grammar, or take free workshops on writing, to further their knowledge without ever taking a step into a college classroom.
- Writers have read all the classics. You know, all the classic literature from Dickens to Shakespeare to Austen to Poe. Of course, we have a genuine interest in all these books and what they could teach us, but sometimes we find our time limited to just writing. Wouldn't you rather us write our next novel or read Great Expectations? Personally, this is why they make a movie adaptation. So, writers like me who like the story lines, could watch the movie and write at the same time.
- Writing is not a real job. A job according to dictionary.com is the material, project, assignment, etc, being worked upon. Even if you write for fun or for class, you are still working on something so therefore it's a job. After all, a project that can take up to six months to complete is definitely worth noting.
- Anyone can be a writer. Yes and No. Yes, because like the sayings go everyone has a book inside them or a story to tell. No, because many people do not have the drive or the extreme ambition to work hard enough to achieve success. Yes, there is potential for money, because it is a job, but not everyone is born with the ability to write a great story. A writer is a scribe. Some one who is able to relate stories in a manner that everyone can remember. Those who have the passion will study the craft and write every day. Those who don't, well their books just remain inside them. Do you have what it takes?
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| Here is a popular meme about being a writer that is floating about cyberspace. |
Uncertain Wonders
WARNING: You might read some ranting and raving about authors changing their manuscript's genre to make a sale. Please bare with me! :)
Last week I read an article about an author who changed their book's genre in order to make a sell. I have mixed opinions about this matter. I am a firm believer in not conforming to society. For those who feel they should change their book for a specific publisher who accepts manuscripts out of their league, I think this is qualified as cheating. Why don't you leave the genre alone so others who are passionate about it could get a step in? Instead, you strip your novel of important elements and pawn it off with another name.
As a historical romance author, I will NEVER write to impress a market nor will I change a piece for someone else's benefit. I want to sell my work to those who'd appreciate my stories the way they are as much as I do.
On the other hand, if you are not already an established author, then changing your genre is a part of your growing process. Some people find their niche after they've written dozens of books about something else. Say you've loved fantasy all your life, but the right story doesn't come to you until ten years later. Well, you've wanted to write this romance for a while now, so you do that, and it sells. Then the fantasy idea comes along and you write a great story that you want to pitch, but your name is attached to romance. You could a) get a pen name, b) stop writing romance, and focus solely on your fantasy career. I would totally go for the pen name idea, because you never know if your original name gained a following or not. Your readers come first.
Okay. I'm done. Yes, I feel better. Thank you for asking. :)
The wedding plans are coming along. I am waiting to go visit the ceremony location sometime this month. So, until that happens, I can't do anything else.
The two works in progress are going along smoothly. I've hit over 20,000 words in Loch Lomond, and over 10,000 words in The Earl's Son. Wish me luck!
Thank you so much for being patient with me and reading this far. YOU rock!
Happy writing!
-Diva J.
I'll Take The High Road
I write this as I pen the manuscript for Loch Lomond. One of the two works in progress I'm currently writing. I found inspiration for this novel after listening to a song with the same name. A romance ballad about lost love and the yearning of two hearts to find one another despite extenuating circumstances. The Legend of Loch Lomond is a 30 minute video adaptation created when the Loch Lomond National Park opened. Although, it helps to interpret a lot from the song, there is so much more to tell. This song deserves to be a novel. I want to give it the recognition it deserves.
You don't have to 'know people' to become an author.
When I hear the phrase 'know people', I think about lawyers, people with high-standing in society, the insurance companies, or the police. You know, the whole mob lingo involving 'my people calling your people'. It may sound ridiculous, but I actually used to think in order to do anything so awesome as become a writer is that you have to know other writers. Or at least know an editor from a large publisher. The biggest lesson I learned in my writing solitude was that you don't need anybody in your field but yourself.
Like the cartoon states, your people ARE my people. We share in this journey together. As I've said before, no one should look at this as an opportunity to say we are better than anyone else. You are the only one who could make your dreams come true. Not the 1,000 best-selling author friends you have on Facebook. Success depends on your state of mind and your goals in life. Sometimes it depends on help from those around you. But never solely on WHO you know.
No one can write like you do. You are unique.
Of course, always take work for what it really is...if you are serious about your career, always seek knowledge to improve your craft and write every day. This will make you stand out among the rest.
"Be different, stand out, and work your butt off."
~Reba McEntire
After all, without dedicated readers and support from friends/family, it's much harder to find success in what you love doing. These ARE your people. Cherish them.
Who do you have on your side? Who has helped you the most in your career? Family member, friend, fellow author? Tell us who makes you shine in a comment below! :)
Happy writing!
-Diva J.
"To Love An Irishman" Book Release Giveaway Party!!!
Blog Tour, Day #1: Happy St. Paddy's Day!!!
Things You'll Need:
- Large Skillet
- Sauce Pot (optional)
- 1 Head Green Cabbage
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion
- 1/2 lb. Thick Cut Bacon/ Canadian Bacon
- 2-3 White Potatoes
- 4 Cups Vegetable Stock or Chicken Stock (your choice)
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting Board
- Remove core from the green cabbage and coarsely chop the remaining cabbage leaves.
- Finely dice the onion.
- Chop potatoes into 1/2" cubes.
- Use a separate cutting board to roughly cut the bacon into 1/2" pieces.
Cooking Instructions:
Step 1: Melt butter in the sauce pan set on medium heat. Add onion and bacon. Saute for 8-10 minutes until onions become translucent and bacon begins to crisp.
Step 2: Add chopped cabbage and potatoes. Continue to saute for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Pour in vegetable stock. If necessary, transfer ingredients to a larger stock pot if saute pan is not large enough. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes until potatoes are tender.
Step 4: Season with salt and pepper as desired.
Step 5: Serve.
Of course, everyone's tastes vary. You might find adding chicken stock instead of vegetable stock tastes richer. I prefer Canadian bacon instead, due to the lower fat content. If you try the recipe out, please feel free to tell me all about it!
Where was the first St. Patty's Day celebration held?
Now it's GIVEAWAY time! Win a free e-book copy of To Love An Irishman when you comment below with your answer to the question. (Don't worry, all comments will qualify for the contest. The question is just for fun.) Winners will be posted on Wednesday, the 21st, along with the correct answer.
Thank you so much for sharing in this special moment with me!!!
Next stop today is Ravencraft's Romance Realm. See you there. :)
Don't forget to join me tomorrow for Blog Tour, Day #2 on Happily Ever After Thoughts.
Happy writing,
Diva J. :)
Purchase To Love An Irishman from Black Opal Books today!Also available at:
Amazon - Kindle
B&N - Paperback/Nook
The Lonesome Boatman
Hello, readers! This will be my last Friday post for two weeks. In the mean time, be sure to check back during my book release party and my blog tour for more information about where I will be at next.
For the past two weeks, I have barely been able to do anything but answer interview questions and write blog articles for my tour. I have two works in progress that hardly get a couple hundred words a day put into them.
Sometimes I discover the greatest ideas while brainstorming what to write though. Sometimes I just can't believe where I am today. It all feels like a dream. A menagerie of what could really be happening. Once again, I am inspired by an Irish song. Like the lonesome boatman, endless possibilities surround me. Yes, I could dwell hopelessly on the sea, wondering what could be, but I choose to see the brighter side. Just because you are alone in the marketing/promotion of your books doesn't mean it's the end of the world.
Today, publishers give you very limited options on book promotion, but it's up to you to market your work. This is why authors host their own blog tours, subscribe to similar blogs, actively contribute to social networking sites, create a Pinterest account, etc. It takes many hours to get the word out there, and it's not easy sometimes, but it's worth it. If you feel the same way I do, and wish to reach as many people as possible to share your hard work with the world (or your message), then the time you spend will not be in vain. I want you to have something to be proud of.
What do you believe is your single most useful marketing tool?
Mine is Facebook. Please share your answers in a comment below.
Good luck in all your future writing and promotion endeavors! Thank you for reading.
Happy writing,
Diva J.
My Love Is Like A Melody Sweetly Played In Tune
I am a romanticist. I write about the incredible power of love and how it can change someone's history. The wedding theme has surrounded me throughout October.
Last Wednesday, a couple who'd been married for seventy-two years, died only an hour apart. The story hit the media in full force and many posted it all over their Facebook and Twitter feeds. If only writers could be as steadfast as that marriage?
Your work is truly unique and don't use others poor judgments as an excuse not to show the world what you are capable of.
Upcoming events:
-I received the 2nd-round edits for To Love An Irishman. I am currently working diligently on those.
-www.youtube.com has asked me to create a revenue account. They will place ads on my video blogs and I will receive a percentage of the income. So, therefore, I am in the process of creating several video blogs to post a month (probably once a week) so viewers will be able to tune in regularly to my updates.
-Some content featured on the video blogs will be: my journey on the publishing/editing process, read excerpts of my past novels and upcoming ones, and an explanation of historical facts...
If there is anything you'd like me to talk about or if you have any questions, I will start a live Q&A session where I answer your questions in a video.
Thank you so much for reading...and until next time...
Happy writing!
-Diva J.
And The Countdown Begins...
Two months have passed since I submitted the first round edits to my editor. It feels like an eternity. I spent over a year writing and editing To Love An Irishman, and knowing I can't do anymore for it right now makes me feel like I'm missing a long lost friend. My writing friends have told me that it takes several months to receive the 2nd round edits, because those require more attention to grammar.
I don't know about you, but a lot can happen in several months. I hope to at least write another book and submit work to magazines. I do have a few short stories that need to be recognized and a website that needs to be completely reshaped. Oh, and did I mention? The day job is an endless shadow looming over me.
With so much to look forward to and to do on a daily basis it's no wonder many writers are stressed out!
According to a study by the Center for the New American Dream, more than 50% of Americans would be willing to take a day off work without pay in an effort to feel less stressed and have more time with their families.
Here are ten ways you can reduce stress at the workplace (or home offices):
- Eat Right. When you allow yourself to choose unhealthy foods, you are decreasing your energy levels. During your lunch break, don't opt for the first candy bar you see in the vending machine.
- Drink Less Caffeine. Coffee and sodas increase your stress levels. Choose to drink water instead.
- Exercise. Just 10 minutes a day of walking could get your blood moving. Not to mention, your mind will get a break, too.
- Eliminate Noise. It could be very distracting. Invest in some ear plugs or pull out the iPod and listen to your favorite tunes with headphones to decrease the outside noise.
- Stretch. It helps relieve stiff muscles and reduce the tension that makes you stressed.
- Simplify the Morning. Lay out the clothes you'd like to wear the night before, pack lunches, or just wake up 15 minutes earlier. Once you're organized, you're more focused on other less-stressful tasks.
- Think Positive. Reflect on all the good things in your life; everything you have that makes it all worthwhile.
- Breathe. Stress causes us to take shallow breaths. Just inhale deeply through the nose for eight seconds, then exhale slowly for sixteen. Concentrate on counting out one breath at a time.
- Rest. Get enough sleep. They recommend for adults to get 6-8 hours of restful sleep a night.
- Enjoy Life. Do something you love everyday to give yourself something to look forward to.
If you were given the chance...
Over two weeks go, I found myself in an old city. My decision to go to Charleston was spontaneous. That Friday evening a hotel room near town was booked and I was setting out on the journey the following Saturday morning. Although, the almost four hours on the road (due to traffic) was uneventful, my GPS turned me onto a one-way street going the opposite direction and a car honked me out of the road. Scary!
So I checked into my hotel room, brushed my hair, and took the road toward the Aquarium. Right beside is a ferry ride to Fort Sumter. Missing the last tour for the day, I found my way to Hwy 17 and crossed the large bridge to Patriot's Point where I took the last ferry ride for the day. Then I toured Fort Sumter, touching brick that has been around since the Civil War. Amazing.
Later on that evening, after finding a parking place, I walked down the street heading for one of two Irish pub and grills located in the same building. I heard music playing from an upper terrace and chose Molly Darcy's. I ordered a pint of Guinness and corned beef and cabbage. Soon I discovered the musician was a Dublin, Ireland native. He'd only been in town for four weeks and he loved Charleston. Then one pint turned into two. The food was delicious. I told the Irishman that I'm a writer, my book takes place in Ireland, and he told the owner who said he'll buy it for his wife. I exchanged email and phone numbers with the musician and the owner. I thought the night couldn't get any better!
Two pints turned into four before my eyes (thanks to my flirtatious waiter whom insisted he accidentally poured another). I was introduced to a man who shares my ancestral last name of Foley. He told me we are from the mountains of County Kerry. So we all sang Irish ballads with fuzzy minds, stood with hands on our hearts for the Irish anthem and laughed all the while. I couldn't imagine a better time or place for anything. I felt renewed, spirited. Wonderful!
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| You can find this architecture style in my upcoming novel "To Love An Irishman". |
The return trip home was very sad, indeed.
Sometimes life steps in and tells you where to go. My decision to go to Charleston was too spontaneous to believe otherwise. It's like the publishing world. Every time you turn around, there is something new to learn or to experience and sometimes it happens so fast you don't know where you started. Red flags are never spelled out in easy terms. You have to do your homework and research every thing about the industry. I'm anxious to receive my 2nd round edits. It took me almost a month to complete the first and that was no easy task. Everything takes time to come to fruition. Dreams are made to be worked for.
Make sure where ever life leads you, you are well-prepared for whatever comes. You never know, you could be having the time of your life drinking pints and singing with a group of Irishman in Charleston.
Never give up on life. You never know where you will end up next!
Happy writing!
Diva J.