I am delighted to welcome Lynsey James back to Rachel's Random Reads. She was last here, talking about her debut book back in May, and now she is telling us about the 5 Things she has learnt since becoming an author, So over to you Lynsey...
When I was an aspiring author, I read so many interviews and posts from my favourite authors saying how amazing the whole experience was. I was completely sold: what bookworm wouldn’t love getting their own ideas down on paper and sharing them?
My dream came true in December 2014 when Carina UK signed me to write for them. Since then, I’ve discovered that the experience of being an author is completely beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve learnt a lot too, so I thought I’d share some of it here.
1. Getting signed is just the beginning
I always imagined getting a book deal to be like the ‘happy ever after’ moment at the end of a Disney film or rom-com. You finally get what you’ve always wanted and everything else just falls into place. That’s not entirely true. Signing with a publisher is not the end, but the beginning of so many amazing things. Suddenly, you have an editor who loves your work and is determined to make it the best it can be. You get to have input in your cover design and all sorts of other cool stuff. So far from being the happy ending, it’s the even better beginning.
2. Editing is really hard to start with. REALLY. HARD.
The biggest transition from aspiring writer to published one comes in the form of edits. At its most basic, it’s someone taking a look at the work you’ve slaved over for x amount of years and telling you what needs to change and what they don’t like about it. What it actually is, is a process that’s going to take your work from a draft into a book people will hopefully love. It’s just quite hard to see that when you first look at them. It’s hard at first having someone else’s input on your work but it really is invaluable. My editor has spotted things in my drafts that make me go ‘duh!’ when I see them and I can’t imagine doing a book without her now.
3. There will be times you want to cry. And that’s OK.
It might be because of a bad review or some tricky edits. It might be because you just got a message from someone saying they loved the book and you’re their new favourite person in the world. Writing is pretty bloody emotional and I’ve found myself crying or about to cry on quite a few occasions. I didn’t factor in how much of a rollercoaster it was going to be, but I’ve loved pretty much every minute of it. And getting messages from strangers saying they love my books will always, ALWAYS be cool.
4. It’s OK to admit you have no idea what you’re doing
When I do Q&As for blogs, I try to make it sound like I have a pretty sound idea of what I’m doing. For the most part, I do but I still have a lot to learn too. Writing is one of those things you never stop learning and I’ve recently learnt it’s OK to admit you don’t have everything figured out. Carina authors are an amazing bunch of people and if there’s something I’m not sure about, I know I can ask them and they’ll do their best to help me with it. It can be pretty scary starting out as an author and there’s lots to pick up in a really short space of time. Never be afraid to ask for help.
5. It’s the best damn thing in the world
It really is. I dreamt of becoming an author for so long before it happened and when it did, it was everything I thought it would be and more. There’s been ups and downs, like with everything, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love being an author and I’d say to anyone who’d like to be one too, DO IT. And get ready for the best experience of your life.
Thank you again Lynsey, that was really interesting and sounds like you are really enjoying your journey as an author so far.
The Broken Hearts Book Club
Secrets never stay buried for long...Lucy Harper has always been good at one thing: running from her past. But when her beloved Nana Lily passes away she has no choice except to return to the one place in the world she most wants to avoid...
Luna Bay hasn't changed much in the eight years she has spent in London. The little Yorkshire village is still just as beautiful, but the new pub landlord is a gorgeous addition to the scenery!
Lucy only intended to stay for a day, yet when she discovers that Nana Lily has not only left her a cottage but also 'The Broken Hearts Book Club', Lucy is intrigued. Her Nana never have mentioned the club and Lucy can't wait to get started, but walking into her first meeting she is more aware than ever that her past is finally catching up with her.
One way or another, Lucy must finally face the secrets she's kept buried for so long - or spend the rest of her life on the run...
Lynsey James was born in Fife in 1991 and has been telling people how to spell her name ever since. She's an incurable bookworm who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good story with memorable characters. She started writing when she was really young and credits her lovely Grandad- and possibly a bump on the head from a Mr Frosty machine- with her love of telling stories. She used to write her own episodes of Friends and act them out in front of her family (in fact she's sure she put Ross and Rachel together first!)
A careers adviser at school once told Lynsey writing wasn't a "good option" and for a few years, she believed her. She tried a little bit of everything, including make-up artistry, teaching and doing admin for a chocolate fountain company. The free chocolate was brilliant. When Lynsey left her job a couple of years ago, she started writing full-time while she looked for another one. As soon as she started working on her story, Lynsey fell in love and decided to finally pursue her dream. She haven't looked back since.
When Lynsey's not writing, eating cake or drinking tea, she's daydreaming about the day Dylan O'Brien FINALLY realises they're meant to be together. It'll happen one day…
Links
Website: https://lynseyjames.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lynsey1991
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynseyjamesauthor
Book Links:
Amazon UK | Amazon US | Goodreads
Live the Dream! Love your answers.
ReplyDelete