I recently saw a picture on Pinterest "I'm a Bookaholic and I regret nothing" and I thought to myself, this is just for me.
My book obsession is just as bad as my obsession with writing books. I try very hard to dedicate as much time as I can to my work, but some nights it's just not as planned. You all know how crazy nights can go when you have kids, right?
In this post I'm going to explain how I regret nothing that I've done as a writer. Here we go:
1. I signed with a publisher in the very beginning that took my royalties. Yep, you heard that right. In the very beginning of my writing career I signed with a pub co. that was small press. They made all these promises and then failed to deliver. Not only did they leave me high and dry, but they took my royalties that I made and never paid me.
So what did we just learn? Do your research before you sign with anyone for anything!! Because, dude, that sucked.
2. The Many Lives of Avery Snow is my very first book. It's not the best writing I can do, but I regret nothing. It was my first book! Ever! Not everyone can bang out this phenomenal book and I do not regret Avery Snow in any way. She is not the most exciting character but she's not supposed to be.
She's having a tough time in her life, darn it! How would you be if your mom died and your father left you when you were young? Probably pretty sad, right?
Book two, The Unraveling of Avery Snow is my favorite book in that series and I'll tell you why; Avery grows so strong and I grew as a writer. Yup, even writers have to grow.
3. Having bad book signings, I don't regret that. Let me explain further. I've had signings where I sell nothing. Yep, not one book. But I've learned experience and I've met authors who have given me advice that was worth more than money.
4. Ending The Visitors Series. A lot of fans actually aren't too happy that there isn't a fourth book in the series. They're not too happy that I left Brylee the way I did but I don't regret it. She will be back!!!! Yes, I did just say that. Brylee will be getting another spin-off series called The Shadow's Trilogy. She will be more grown up, think New Adult instead of Young Adult.
Where we left off with Brylee in The White Door, she is just starting her freshman year of college. When we see her again she will be a senior and about to graduate college. Will Ephraim be there with her? You'll have to wait and see.
5. Ending my books with cliffhangers. I don't regret that. I have read reviews of people claiming that it's annoying and that I did it for money. Umm, let me explain that I make no money in this career, not yet anyway. I'm not in this for money anyway. I do it because I love writing and it's a passion that I have. I like cliffhangers because I want it to be suspenseful. And yes, I want you to read book two. I want you to be hooked. I want you to wait in anticipation for the next book to come out. Heck, I don't want you to forget about me.
6. I don't regret how being a writer means making no money. I'll be honest with you, I'm not living in a mansion and driving a BMW because I write books. I drive a Honda and live in a two bedroom house. Hey, my house may be small but it's mine and it's home.
Being an author doesn't mean you become instantly rich. So if you're an aspiring author don't get into it for the money, do it for the love of spreading your work and because you enjoy this. Yeah, sure I hope someday to find an agent and publishing with a big publishing house. But Anchor Group has given me a huge stepping stone into this industry and I'm thankful for them everyday.
7. Reading books constantly. I regret nothing about that. I love reading! I don't care what people think about the topics that read either. I read mostly YA and a lot of people don't understand that. Listen, I read what I enjoy and I enjoy YA. If they don't understand why I write and read YA, then that's they're problem, right? At least I can say that I have a happy life and that's all that matters.
I, like many authors, am not perfect. I've made mistakes in this career and I do not regret any of them. I may not like some of my choices at first but I have looked back and realized, 'Hey, I learned something!'
I can honestly say that I have been enjoying this career and I hope to be able to continue down this path. I love my readers and I hope they stick with me through it all.
Bye for now!
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