Me? A published author? It still seems like a dream. After my career in education ended, I renewed my passion for writing. I joined a writer’s group that meets at my local library and with their encouragement, I found my unique voice as a writer. I had published a few of my short stories in local magazines, but could I write a book? Bit by bit my manuscript came together, and I realized that through self-publishing I could accomplish my dream.
But a writer’s life isn’t always a fairy tale. Here’s a look at week in the life of an indie author:
MONDAY: Girl Dreams of Success
After three years, I had finished what I hoped would be the final draft of my “transition from teaching” memoir. Eager to test the waters, it was in the hands of three trusted beta readers. I opened my morning journal and mapped out my road to success: I already had a blog up and running and had plans for an author’s Facebook page. I’d been reading up on marketing strategies. Book signings? Local bookstore events? The possibilities were endless.
TUESDAY: Girl’s Dreams are Dashed
The critiques came in:
“Good job, this part is good, loved this section, so funny here, it’s going to be a great book that many can relate to. But… this part reads slow, move this chapter to the front, watch verb tense here, you have some comma issues, eliminate this chapter – it doesn’t add to the story.”
I was devastated.
WEDNESDAY: Girl Struggles with Self-doubt
And here it comes…the negative self-talk. Maybe I don’t want to be a writer. It’s too hard. I don’t want to put in the work. I’m a terrible writer. No one would want to read this, anyway. My life is boring. Blah. I’m going to sit on the couch for the rest of my life and binge-watch Netflix.
THURSDAY: Girl Receives a Glimmer of Hope
Text from a friend: “Just saw your story in the DesertLeaf magazine. Loved it!!”
I had submitted my short story six months ago, and they had accepted it for publication. After being rescheduled once, it was to appear in the September issue. It was in the back of my mind, almost forgotten, until I got the text. The next day, I received my copy in the mail. There it was on page six: Stir Crazy by Debra VanDeventer. A writer’s high; a glimmer of hope arrived just when I needed it most.
FRIDAY: Girl Gets Back to Work
Maybe I’ll take another look at my teacher-retirement manuscript. It has potential. Let me take out this part…move this to the front…add comma here…work on the flow…add more details to this section…
My story has a happy ending after all. Soon after that fateful week, I published Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement and Life and am currently working on my second book. If I can do it, you can. Believe in yourself, find your unique voice, persevere, publish that book. Dreams do come true.
Debra VanDeventer is a former educator who now channels her creative energies into writing. Her style can best be described as creative nonfiction as small moments bloom into words. She is the author of “Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement and Life” and is currently working on her second book. In addition, her stories have appeared in The DesertLeaf and Oro Valley Style magazines and in several anthologies. Along with being an indie author, Debra is a sewist, traveler and blogger.
Find Debra’s book “Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life,” the story of one woman’s humorous, poignant and inspirational journey to discover a life after teaching, here.
Subscribe to Debra’s blog, “Seams Like a Story,” here. Find her on Facebook here.
If you’re an indie author and you’re interested in guest posting on this blog, email here.
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