I participated in an author takeover today. If you haven’t heard of that term, what I mean is, I shared some posts in an author / readers group. I shared some information about my books, and why I write. Made some new virtual friends, chatted about books and stories we love to read.
I’ve always read, and as a dear friend reminded me, I’ve always loved writing. My journey to self-publishing – being an indie author – started in earnest a couple of years ago. I wanted to get some messages out. I did that, in my first couple of books, so why am I still writing?
The characters just jump out of the page at me, they write themselves. So many ideas, stories and characters run around in my head, they just run out onto the pages of my laptop.
I realised today that my writing is also a way to deal with my anxieties, and to keep me from driving hubby crazy with my to do list of things I want to do here. I love my time in my garden, and in my craft room, but this writing gig is the only thing I can do totally independently, without having to stop and ask for help.
Well, that’s not quite true. I seek assistance from talented individuals for book covers, edits, and illustrations, but the initial writing, that’s all on me. I work out the posts, the marketing, the selling, the whole lot. It keeps me occupied when I’m not in the garden or at work.
The older I get, the more I seek the quiet time that reading or writing affords me. I do love engaging with like-minded people and chatting about stuff. I love that the internet makes this possible.
My aim for the rest of the year is to have at least four books published, ideally more, but I’m biting off small chunks of my list at a time. It’s all about the way I look at it. I can do it. It is possible. I will achieve my goals.