Shout-out to Alex and the awesome co-hosts for today: Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!
November 5 question -
When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?
I don't know that I did imagine my life as a writer. It was just something I started doing one day, and some people liked it, so I kept doing it. Eventually, an elder told me that writing (or "story keeping") was likely the purpose of my soul. That was part of a ceremony. So I kept at it.
Definitely experienced some unexpected twists. I was working on a publishing team, making connections and whatnot. One day, the place I had been working at was blown up. I wasn't working there at the time, but most of the connections I made did not survive the tragedy. (Details are possibly political, so I won't go into more about this. But you almost certainly know about the buildings falling down.) Those connections who did survive, most were no longer in the field. I started over from scratch a few years later, after many more major life changes.
There was a time when I thought being a Native American would actually help me in the publishing world. 😅 I have no idea why I thought that, but it was certainly untrue.
I did believe, at one time, that I'd be able to traditionally publish, despite various obstacles. Okay, see, that belief was fueled by elders saying this is the "purpose of my soul" and such. I thought it meant the universe would be on my side, that there'd be some help along the way.
None of these are complaints! Just observations. Actually, I feel liberated by the self-publishing path. I have a fiction series, a few short fiction books, and two writer's reference books. Some on Amazon, some on other sites. (Smashwords connections.)
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| Amazon sales graph |
Despite the Existence Series discount during the Amazon Prime Days event, my book sales only happened on other days last month. And the big seller was:
Writing Book Reviews As An Author: Inspiration To Make It Easier — Writing Reference, Literary Criticism
Grammarly Inc., Coda Project LLC, and Superhuman Labs LLC are now subsidiaries of Superhuman Platform Inc.
Here's how to check if you're training their AI (if you use Grammarly).
I saw a post on Facebook about this banned books image. I got the sticker for myself, and the shirt for a friend.
Sad News: Sue of the Elephant's Child blog has passed away. I mostly knew Sue from WEP. The last comment left on this blog was a year ago:
📚💙 — J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge
https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social My current favorite social media site.
https://amzn.to/41QBB4P Author page on Amazon — please consider following and supporting this indie author!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner BookBub author profile— I'd be grateful if you'd follow me.
#AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website. Watch for special features: Nov 5- Gaming - Jayden Nov 19- Dream Destination - J
Dec 3- Books Make Great Gifts month - Ronel Dec 18- Keith Richards 🎂 - John
Jan 7- International Creativity Month - Arlee Jan 21- National Be On-Purpose Month - J
Feb 4- Women's Role in History Month - Csenge Feb 18- Fondue Month - Jayden
I used to have dreams about the traditional publishing world -- I'm so glad self-publishing is a viable option nowadays!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the news about Sue <3
I saw that "Romeo and Juliet" is on the banned books list... Not sure what forbidden knowledge it still holds. LOL.
ReplyDeleteBeing an indie author is such a great path, especially when you have stories to share that would otherwise be banned or worse.
Ronel visiting for IWSG day The Truth of the Writer’s Life
That's such sad news about Sue. It's great that you've continued to write, even if it hasn't turned out like you expected.
ReplyDeleteSince you weren't there that day, I'd say the purpose of your soul still holds true.
ReplyDeleteThat's sad because you would think being a Native American would up your chances. Aren't all the big publishers seeking diversity right now?
ReplyDeleteNonfiction does traditionally sell better. *shrugs* Life sure throws some crazy curve balls, eh?
ReplyDeleteWow! What a terrifying thing to happen at your workplace! I'm glad you still found your way down the writing path.
ReplyDeleteEven if writing didn't turn out like you'd expected, you kept at it and that's a great accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex. You were spared for a purpose.
ReplyDeleteWriting reviews as a published author is like tiptoeing through a minefield. I bet that book is very helpful.
Anonymously Esther O'Neill, no signal, no google account. My experience, first job, travelling home, was UK, Troubles related, no fatalities. . You were spared, writing reviews is major responsibility. ,
ReplyDeleteI am very glad you are still with us. Oh, and your sales graph looks a lot like mine. In a good month. I still believe that my purpose is to tell stories.
ReplyDeleteStory keeper sounds a way cooler title than writer, glad you've continued to follow your purpose.
ReplyDelete