by Sam Woodgarth

When strangers asked, “What do you do?” I assumed they were not interested in my multiple craft projects, or my newly acquired cooking skills. They wanted a convenient and conventional socioeconomic pigeonhole into which they could categorize me.

“I am a teacher,” I replied. My identity and purpose rolled into one.

When strangers asked, “What do you do?” I assumed they were not interested in my multiple craft projects, or my newly acquired cooking skills. They wanted a convenient and conventional socioeconomic pigeonhole into which they could categorize me.

Until I sustained an injury at work and the doctors eventually deemed me unfit for work.

TPD. Total and permanent disability. This sounds far worse than it is. I have a limited mobility and I experience pain every day. However, the intensity varies. If you think of it as a radio, most days it’s anodyne background music; I’m so used to the pain I don’t notice, but on bad days, it’s like someone turned up AC/DC Jailbreak full volume without warning.

Those high intensity pain days make me unreliable. I struggle to walk, or even get out of bed, which is why I can no longer teach.

Being retired at 48 was not part of my plan. Suddenly, I had no idea who I was. Injury stole not just my well-being, but my identity.

I floundered for several years until I rediscovered my teenage habit of writing. As a teen, I filled teetering stacks of notebooks with atrocious, self-indulgent poetry. Existential angst to the max. My high-school teachers loved it, which, in hindsight, makes me question their qualifications and judgement.

Although I participated in local stand-up poetry events and received applause and positive feedback, I am under no illusions: poet laureate, I am not.

Chronic pain is soul destroying. Several of my pain therapists advised me to write. Overflowing with naïveté and enthusiasm, I launched into a novel.

Mistake. Stonking huge mistake.

What, in the name of everything holy, made me think I was qualified to write a novel.

I thought being a teacher, having a degree in English literature, and being an avid reader, would make writing a novel straightforward. How hard could it be? After writing approximately 40,000 words, I put the novel aside and devoted myself to learning the craft of writing.

Variously credited to David Eddings, Ray Bradbury or Jerry Pournelle, the first million words are only practice.

Writing short stories is a great way to practice techniques and skills without committing to a six-month project. I confess to being ridiculously pleased with my early attempts. When I look back on them several years later, they make me cringe. To put a positive spin on that means I recognize how much I have learned about writing and story structure. My writing evolved and continues to improve. Even the short stories I sold to anthologies and literary magazines are not perfect, yet editors liked them enough to pay.

Writing allowed me to assume a new identity. I published short stories under my legal name, but when research showed just how common that name is, I assumed a pen name: Sam Woodgarth.

Now, when someone asks me, what do I do, I tell them, “I am an author.” Oddly enough, people find this interesting. I have a purpose and a new identity.

DragonSkin I The Goddess Reborn, is not my first completed manuscript, but it is my debut. Indie publishing is sometimes viewed as inferior and I needed my debut to compare favorably with traditionally published novels.

If reviews are to be trusted, I achieved my goal.

Advantages of indie publishing include absolute control of the product you put out. All the responsibility is yours, and all the credit belongs to you. Humility and a desire to learn can carry you to unimaginable heights.

Advantages of indie publishing include absolute control of the product you put out. All the responsibility is yours, and all the credit belongs to you. Humility and a desire to learn can carry you to unimaginable heights.

Disadvantages of indie publishing include absolute control of the product you put out. Deliberate ignorance and arrogance will banish you to the depths of author hell.

I started my author journey believing the endeavor would be solitary. Along the way, I gathered trusted friends who bravely advise me when I’m wrong and encourage me when I’m right. Being accountable, on a daily basis, to a critique partner makes an enormous difference, not only to my motivation, but to the quality of the finished product.

Product? Isn’t it art, darling?

Yes, writing is art, but once you release it into the world for public consumption, then it becomes a product. As the creator, you have a duty to provide the best possible product, and build relationships with readers eager to consume your stories.

As an indie author, there are no gatekeepers to challenge you. Anyone with access to a broken purple crayon can publish whatever drivel pleases them. Therefore, finding your tribe is vitally important. I am blessed with an awesome critique partner who tells me when my words are wanky. In return, I tell her that her story has turned up to the party, handed a bottle of cheap plonk to the hostess, and is lurking near the buffet, but ain’t dancing on the table.

“Dancing on the table” has become our code for telling each other the magic is missing. This level of honesty may not work for everyone, but tough love works for us.

To enjoy a fast-paced action fantasy populated with authentic characters and unique creatures, check out DragonSkin I The Goddess Reborn.

Free to read on Kindle Unlimited. 

Sam swapped her teacher’s desk for a writer’s desk, and runs a local writing group. Her teacher instincts for continuous learning and development are strong. She spends her days reading, writing, reading about writing, and chatting with her imaginary friends. Her short stories have appeared in international publications, including the ever popular Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas anthology. Born and raised in drizzly Manchester, she uprooted and transplanted herself in tropical Cairns, where she shares a home with her amazing husband and clowder of spoiled cats. Find her on Facebook.

If you’re an indie author and you’re interested in guest posting on this blog, email here.