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Blogs by Pamela C Labud
Pins and Needles 2/28/2005 9:55:50 AM
The life of an author waiting for her first book's national release... Gosh, has it been so long since my last entry? It seems like the time has flown by yet again.
The biggest news is that as this is the last day of February, I begin the long sojourn down my final path to national publication. My book, Spirited Away, a paranormal Regency historical romance will be out in one month.
Picture me sitting on pins and needles, anxiously awaiting the first reviews, the first time seeing my book on a store shelf, the first book signing, and the first time that I get to hold that elusive dream in paper form in my very own hands.
Of course, I have two print-on-demand electronic published books, so I'm no real newbie as some of my compatriots are. I, foolish thing that I am, had to test the waters first. I ventured out in a small press sort of way, touching the ocean of with my toe, debating on whether or not I can stand putting my thoughts, hopes, and dreams on paper in before others who've sacrificed their money and time to share in my fantasy.
This, however, is big time. A once and for all introduction into the reality of literature. My name will be seen in store fronts and even the Romantic Times Book Club magazine.
Eeesh. It makes me kind of woozy just thinking about it.
More than that, my lovely characters will be seen and hopefully enjoyed by others. It's a heady feeling and a scary one, too. Sort of like walking naked down Times Square, I imagine.
Fortunately I still get to hide behind relative obscurity, as authors are seldom seen, (unlike said naked person). Makes the part of me that is a true introvert very happy. Give me a cave, a computer, and scads of time and I can entertain myself endlessly.
It's that other ten percent that people don't understand. Yes, we cavedwellers do crave that tiny bit of human
contact. Writing is a very lonely job and it's amazing how just visiting with my writer friends fills me up. We chat about those long, endless hours spent in our den or office, about larger than life characters, beautiful settings, or impossible story arcs. One friend of mine begins spouting off information about her characters as though they were real people. And, in a way, I suppose they are. Mine are real enough for me.
As wonderful as it is to share with my author friends about my stories, it is not the only reason we gravitate toward each other. Writers face rejection on a daily basis. From editors, agents, other writers, and yes, especially the readers. It's a huge, ugly pill to swallow, but if you want the chance to enter into the ranks of the written word, it's one you accept whole heartedly. And let's face it misery shared is misery reduced.
My friends have been with me from the beginning. We've talked, critiqued, argued, and praised each other on a daily basis. On line or in person, sometimes talking long hours on the phone. The best part of writing, though few nonwriters realize it, happens to be not only in sharing the stories with our readers, but also in the sharing of our lives with other writers. Yep. Though publication is the ultimate goal, it's our friends, published or not, electronic or print, new or experienced, that make the rewards ever more sweet. Whatever happens after the next thirty days, I know that my friends will be there with me.
What do I do in the meantime? You mean besides obsess over reviews, distribution, and my release date? I work on book two, of course. If your asking if I'd go through it all again? Absolutely.
Happy reading! Pam.
