The more I work on my writing, the more excited I get. I’ve started another edit of “Not Too Late Forever”. So far, each week at my writers’/critique group, I’m getting better and better feedback. Whichever of my two genres I work on, Soft Science Fiction with elements of romance and Midgrade Urban Fantasy, the joy I get from my writing continues to grow. Now I need to publish in one, then the other. From that point I can pursue working with both. I can do it, but how?
Last year, at The Surrey International Writers’ Conference, I went to a workshop with Meg Tilley and KC Dyer. They both talked about having to self publish, because they felt a need to write in a different genre than what they had first sold with their agent’s assistance. I’m not saying that I am anywhere near as good a writer as either of them, however I am a writer and I want to get my work out there and get my work published.
Over the time that I’ve been working on my books, workshops from multiple writers’ conferences have helped me polish my craft. Along with the best critique group that I can imagine, I have gained greater insight into my writing and me personally. Combined with these experiences, over the years, years because I have written some form of fiction all my life, I have built on my knowledge and passion for writing. I have also escaped into the lives of characters, some like me, some not.
There are so many opportunities I have had the privilege of enjoying that have led me in the direction that I now pursue. When I started writing, I was lucky enough to participate in a workshop class put on by local best selling author, Con Sellers. it was amazing to take a class at the local community college and listen to the brilliant creativity of others. The first I shared something of my own creation, I did not have the courage to read it. Instead I asked one of my gracious classmates to read it for me. Even at that, my heart was pounding so heard I could hardly hear the words being read.
I have come a long way since then, in so many ways, not the least of which is that I have a complete novel. Someday soon, once I’ve gone through at least one more edit, I hope to share it with the world. After that I have so much more to write.
So for now, keep the coffee flowing.
Respectfully submitted,
Jodi