I never intended to become a writer. It started as a fluke.
I’d always loved reading, had a big imagination and talent for crafting stories but hadn’t inspired to do it professionally until I turned nineteen and got my first computer.
From that moment another world opened up to me.
My very first story started from a vision of this boy on the beach. I just couldn’t get this out of my head.
Everyday I added to that scene and before long I had my first finished novel.
After seeing that nothing else had ever made me feel so good as writing I decided to try to become a published author.
I had my share of setbacks before feeling the rewards of my accomplishments. If any writer says their journey to publication was easy they’re lying.
I started out naïve like the next newbie. I thought all it mattered was to have talent and want to bring that to the world.
When I got into the publishing side of things, I saw that the writing was the easier of what it takes to construct a book that would sell.
I studied editing techniques and even took a class.
I bolted myself in my chair and read all kinds of guides about how to become the best writer and about the publishing industry.
A lot of writers do not realize that the writing process is at least sixty percent learning no matter how far you come in the industry.
Nothing thrills me like writing mysteries and crime fiction.
Since I was a child it was my favorite genre to read as well as favorite types of movies.
Alfred Hitchcock is my idol and it’s because of him that I decided to become a full-fledged mystery writer.
I also write interracial romances within my crime books because this is a personal preference of mine outside of books and I’ve always loved reading these types of romances as well.
My writing process is simple.
I just write. I don’t do any rituals.
I don’t light candles, listen to music or do a voodoo dance before typing.
I just sit my butt in my chair and write.
The funny thing about me is that I am “writing” even when I’m not.
Seems like my mind never stops focusing on my characters. I could be doing anything and a scene from my story pops into my head or I get an idea at the weirdest times.
Writing never feels like a chore to me. I feel like if it gets that way I should stop writing.
Writing is a joy and I wouldn’t do anything else even if I had the chance.
I’ll never stop writing no matter how frustrated or angry I get with certain aspects of the publishing world.
And believe me there’s a lot about the industry that’s made me angry.
I admit that sometimes it gets hard to even crank out a few sentences.
What writer doesn’t ever feel pressured or tired?
But most days my ideas overtake me and it becomes easy to transform myself into the lives of my characters.
Whoever said writers eat, drink and sleep their characters was right.
I’ve learned so much in the last twelve years of my writing journey. I can’t explain the impact writing has had on my life.
It’s forced me to analyze how I looked at myself and my true goals in the industry.
When I started out I had all these big time dreams. I still do but I’ve become happy with the success I’ve gotten so far and I’m very satisfied.
I’m a storyteller and not a status seeker. Advances, print runs, big time reviews don’t matter to me.
The happiness I get from writing and having people read my work is what’s important.
Writing has taught me not to make plans. It’s cool to have goals but the plans you hope to reach aren’t always sensible in this business.
There are a lot of things that go on you can’t control so you should be fair to yourself and work on what you can control.
You can’t control getting published or getting an agent. You can’t control becoming a best selling author or gaining readership.
What you can control is being the best writer you can be and if you do that, you’re on the right track.
New writers set themselves up for heartbreak when they are not realistic or aren’t writing for the right reasons.
The joy I get when folks read my work is unexplainable. I want my work to go down in history and entertain for generations to come.
My happiness and satisfaction comes from having the opportunity to do what I love and to share that with people all over the world.
Goodness no being a writer isn’t the perfect career choice. The publishing industry isn’t the friendliest place or the most endearing.
Writers get no respect. Hardly shown any love. It’s an uphill battle just to stay sane from day to day in this business.
Despite knowing the industry for all its faults and bad points, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
My site:
http://www.stacy-deanne.net
http://www.twitter.com/stacydeanne
(I’m also on Facebook so add me!)
You can find my books in stores or online at Amazon.com and other online retailers.
Be on the look out for my fourth book, Giving Up the Ghost coming 2011 from Peace in the Storm Publishing.
Read more about it at my site.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Stacy-Deanne is the author of Melody, and Everlasting.
Really nice. GReat advice for writers
Hey Stacy!
Words of wisdom for the new writer and you speak the truth! Writing can get crazy, but you wouldn’t trade it for the world!
I have your books in my TBR pile and can’t wait for your latest!
Stephanie Williams
What an awesome interview! This blog was so encouraging and enlightening. You spoke truth and gave very good advice for newbies like me. Thank you, Stacy for sharing!
Hugs,
Serenity
Hey Stacy!
Words of wisdom to new writers. Being a writer can be crazy, but you wouldn’t trade it for the world!
I have your books in my TBR pile and can’t wait for you new one to come out!
Stephanie
Very true! It’s often a thankless business, and yet, we can’t help ourselves. We have to write. I think you’re right. We’re insane. 😀
What a great article. Best wishes to you.
Vivienne Diane Neal´s last blog post ..ABCs of College Dating By Carol Vertz
Ruthann: I would agree. Often what we as writers name as our insanity is really the weight of our imagination that compels us to write.
Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to comment.
Ruthann: Writing, like mothering often appears as thankless work, but in the end we gain the greatest joy from having followed our hearts, lived our passions.
Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment.
Stephanie: It’s for people like you that writers like Stacy–and I–craft our stories. We all can use more money, and want to make money selling our stories, doing what we love.
But in the end the loyalty of fans and readers like Stephanie and all those who have so graciously commented means more than money can ever equal.
What you give cannot be purchased. And for that we love you.
Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment.
Serenity: It’s really important that successful authors share the truths of what they have learned in the publishing business.
And it is through sharing and hearing what writers like Stacy-Deanne have to say that I learn.
Thanks Stacy.
To Serenity : I also appreciate your taking the time to visit and leave a comment.
Abigail: Writers and authors never receive too much advice. I’m always thirsting to hear seasoned writers like Stacy-Deanne share of their wisdom and experience in the business crafting and publishing fiction.
Thanks for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment.
I try to think as a reader as well as a writer. When I write I think about what I like first, then when I go back to read what I’ve written, I think like a reader. I then try to merge the too.
Stacy, keep doing what you do. If you pleased everyone you’re doing something wrong.
Sometimes I feel like I’m in an elite group, being a writer and I enjoy discovering new writers (for me). I am so glad I found Stacy, she writes mysteries and there aren’t a lot of them out there that write them with an IR slant, so she is very refreshing!
Vivienne:
Rarely do we find authors who will be as honest and self-revealing as Stacy-Deanne has done in this essay.
Thanks again, Stacy.
And to Vivienne. I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Stephanie: This is so important to do as a writer and the reason good writers read voraciously. The best and most successful writers never forget about their readers.Then again, we are the first reader of our work. As such we owe it to ourselves and our craft of writing to read continuously.
Thanks again for your spirited comments.
Please come back.
Wow you guys are the greatest! Thank you so much for dropping by. I am so happy that my advice helps because you guys know I love helping new writers especially.
I really appreciate all of you and thanks so much for this opportunity, Anjuelle!
Best Wishes!
Stacy-Deanne: The pleasure was all mine and to all of your fans, I truly appreciate your energetic, inspiring, and thought-provoking responses and comments.
They were truly heartwarming.
This was simply wonderful.
I will definitely have Stacy back to do more guest blogs.
Also I’d love to host you on Book Talk, Creativity & Family Matters. I will be in touch with a date.
And hope all of you will listen, chat, and/or call in with comments and questions.
Again, thanks so much.
Peace & Blessings.
Let’s see if this takes. Stacey, I’ve tried to post on another recent blog of yours and for whatever strange reason it wouldn’t take. I love reading your thoughts on blog and have placed your books on my to buy list.
I’d love to interview you for my Author’s Spotlight on my website.
Dyanne
Loved the advice, Stacy!
Dee Dee:
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
We have all learned so much.
Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment.
Dyanne:
This came through.
Thanks so much for our perseverance.
Great blog Stacy, you expose what a lot of authors feel.
Lorraine: I definitely agree. If I don’t write, I become truly insane. And it doesn’t take that long.
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.