Aspiring or Author: That is the Question

When I started writing, I referred to myself as an aspiring writer. I do have to say it was quite the aspiration that I never, ever thought I would achieve. Basically, I had an idea for a book, and I started writing it. That was that. For reals, I didn’t think I’d ever get to where I’m at now. But inside, I wanted to have the chance to have lots of people read my book, now books. I desired to inspire others to read through my words as reading had done for me. It was and still is a humongous hope. 

The closer I get, the more I want to see my stories on the shelves at bookstores or listed on Goodreads.

It’s every authors dream, right? That’s just it: an AUTHORS dream.

Lately, I’ve been noticing a lot of people referring to themselves with the title “Aspiring Writer.” But folks, if you write, you ARE an author, no matter what stage you’re at. Don’t slight yourself! Right now, you can refer to yourself with the lovely and prestigious title of AUTHOR.

Have you referred to yourself as an aspiring author in the past? When did you start calling yourself an author? If you are still referring to yourself with the word aspiring, are you ready to step off the ledge and call yourself an author? What are your thoughts on this subject?

I know I’m being blunt, but it is a great reason to be frank, my AUTHOR friends.

Writing. Jewels.

What I've Learned Wednesday: My Special Day

For todays "What I've Learned Wednesday," I'm going to place all the attention on me. I want to be published author, so I may as well get used to all the attention. Right? So what I've learned is before you even get published, you need to get you name out there. So, social network! Yah, for blogging and Twitter. I've met lots of nice people through it. And my name is out there, even if it's just on a small scale. Why I am saying all of this?

Because today's my birthday!!! I'm the big 29! So exciting!

So as a birthday present to me, I want at least 50 comments on my blog telling me Happy Birthday! It would be nice to get at least 20 new followers, too! hehe Bring on the cheers of happiness on my day! Make 'em creative, kids. (Kids = term of endearment) Please, make my head bigger than it already is. No, really, I have a big head. It's the King curse. hehe.

Thank you! Or written in Chinese 謝謝

Early-On-Set-Mid-Life-Crisis

I'm going to be way honest with you right now. As the cliché says, honesty is the best policy. I have been suffering with symptoms of what I’d like to call “Early-On-Set-Mid-Life-Crisis.” So, I’m going to turn 29 next month. Relatively speaking, 29 is way young. I’m still in my prime. However, and this is going to be a massively gargantuan however, I feel like I’m having an identity crisis. Why? Because ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted nothing more than to be the blushing bride with a hunk of a husband, and to be the mom who walks her adorable kids to school. Has that happened? No. Do I hope it happens? Absolutely I do. If not, I am going to ask for a major refund at life’s ticket booth.

Life has required me to take an alternate path, that of a career. A career I haven't really figured out yet. I never, ever thought this is where I would be at the age of 29. However, and this is an Empire State Building times 100 however, I’ve had a way great life thus far. I’ve been able to travel A LOT, live in a couple different countries, learn Mandarin Chinese, obtain a bachelors degree in Anthropology, gain a great work ethic through many years of employment, and most importantly have successfully driven a car for 13 years of my life.

And now my friends, I desire to be an author. If you would have told me even 18 months ago that I would be aspiring to be a writer, I would have spat in your face and then ran away giggling with a heart shrouded with guilt for spitting on you. Over the years, I have found that the best way to make it through life is to be constantly progressing. Becoming an author is helping me to progress, to make something more of myself. Since I don’t have the family life that I always dreamt of, yet, I can at least be doing something that gives my life greater meaning.

Now my life carries three desires:

1. To be the blushing bride with a hunk of a husband, and to be the mom who walks her adorable kids to school.

2. To be a published and successful writer.

3. To travel, travel some more, and just for the heck of it, travel a lot more.

What are your greatest desires? How are you making those happen? Have you ever had a mid-life crisis, even the early on-set variety? And how have you overcome such feelings? Man, I feel really philosophical right now. Tell me to shut up before I turn into Kant, Plato, or Socrates.

Interview with Kiersten White – New York Times Bestselling Author of “Paranormalcy” - Part 2

Oral Interview with the charming Kiersten White continued . . .

Julia: How long have you been writing?
Kiersten: I have been writing seriously now for, I would say, since the summer of 2008 was when I got really obsessive about it, but I’ve been writing books since 2004. I was at home and my husband was in law school, and I had a very fussy baby, so I started writing just to entertain myself. My first book was a middle grade novel. And then in the summer of 2008, I started writing YA and that first book I wrote in a month. And then I wrote another book that December. And “Paranormalcy” I wrote the next January.

J: Now that you’re published, how does it feel?
K: Most of the time, it doesn’t feel any different. Honestly, it’s still quite surprising when I get an email from someone I don’t know who read my book. It is a little more intimidating to write than it was before. Writing under contract is a different experience because there’s a lot of pressure. You essentially are writing something you already sold. But it’s a little more exciting to create things because there’s not that question of will this ever have an audience. I know it will have an audience.
J: You’ll have me, for sure.
K: I know Julia will read this. (J & K laugh)

J: How did you make getting published happen?
K: I did all the research I could. I learned everything I could about the industry . . . The first book I wrote, I really had no idea what I was doing. I would send out one query letter a month, which I hadn’t really edited the book, hadn’t workshopped it, and didn’t have any critique partners. But once I started writing YA novels, I said, “I’m gonna make this happen.” I sent out fifty query letters before I got my agent. It was over the course of about three months and then once I signed with her I kept writing. I always say persistence, know what you’re doing, how the system works, keep writing, and always moving on to the next thing. Start writing the next project while you are querying.

J: What advice would you give aspiring writers?
K: Don’t write because you want to be an author. Write because you love it. Learn how to edit. You can have the best ideas in the world, but if you don’t know how to self-edit and streamline your story, and make that initial draft into a book, you’re not going to go anywhere with it. Be prepared to work because it is a lot of work at every stage. If you want to be successful as a writer, you have got to know there’s gonna be a lot of rejection and it’s gonna be a long process. And like I said, I’ve been writing since 2004. I have other friends who have been agented and on submission for a year, a year and a half, and they still don’t have any sales. Most of my author friends did not sell their first book—even the book they got an agent for. And most of them that got an agent, it was not on the first book that they wrote. It isn’t to say that it can’t happen because it does happen. It happens a lot, but you know there’s a learning curve, as there is with anything. Be informed and be persistent.

The End.

If you haven’t read “Paranormalcy” yet, you are definitely missing out. Buy it now. I promise you’ll never regret the investment. Plus, it’s a series, so you’ll have two more books to devour after this one.

Thanks-A-Giving

Last night I reflected on those things that I am thankful for and came up with a few I would like to share.

1. My God for giving me talents and a really good life. I couldn't do anything without Him.

2. My parents for their support and unconditional love.

3. My family for always being here for me and listening to my blabbing.

4. My friends for being the best ever.

5. For a good job and great coworkers.

6. For trials - I would not be who I am without them.

7. And for the life-altering blessing of a really good idea for a book. Before this year, I would never have imagined I would aspire to be an author. Now it is all I think about and what I want to be for the rest of my life.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Thank you for following my blog!