Behind the Scenes

This week on Open Book Blog Hop we are discussing how our writing gets done.  Behind the scenes if you will.  

I’ve spent the past 3 years writing.  I was a woman who, later in life found the courage to sit down and write.  It came from years of hoping that some day I would be able to publish a book.  Gene and I used to always talk about “someday” when I wrote my book.  Years ago, I simply didn’t think it could be possible.  Hearing the stories of rejection upon rejection, I just couldn’t imagine going down that road.  Life has a way of beating you up, letting some publisher take his licks at me wasn’t something I wanted to go through.

Then, I started hearing about self publishing.  That and the internet make finding information about self publishing easier to find, more than even ten years ago.  I was still so green at this thing.  I think a lot of people think you just sit down and write.  That’s what I thought, but, boy was I wrong.  It isn’t just about the writing.  It’s the editing, cover design, find beta readers, find ARC readers and, gosh, marketing, marketing, marketing.

On top of all of this, I worked full time.  So, how does this all work together?  It’s taken me this long to figure it all out.  I used to go through these frenetic days of spending hours upon hours on Facebook, trying to figure it all out.  Joining groups, posting my books, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Tsu, AuthorRise, Amazon, people telling me you have to do this and this and then this.  I would have panic attacks and spent months not writing.  Then, I realized, if you have nothing to sell, it doesn’t matter how much marketing you do.  The best piece of advice I ever received was “Write your next book.”  I tell authors this all the time.  They are worried that they haven’t sold 10,000 copies of the one book they have out there.  I repeat that phrase over and over – “write the next book.”  Some listen, some don’t.  Those who listen, will be successful.  Basically, if you open a store and all you have is one item, you won’t stay in business very long.

So, for the past two years, I would get up at 4:30 a.m. and start my day by managing my Facebook author page, find interesting content to post, any sales I have that folks need to be aware of  and then move to Twitter.  I have Pinterest boards for each of my books and I find content for them.  Then I move on to my website – research for a blog post, write the post and then get ready for work.  After work, I come home and eat supper.  I am very fortunate because my husband, Gene, likes to cook and usually has supper ready for me if he isn’t working.  Then, I head to my office and write for a couple of hours.  This is not marketing time, it is writing time, research time, book time.  

I’m fortunate that recently I have been able to cut my day job working hours back a little and have gained a couple hours per day for writing time.  This should help me to focus more on my books and building this publishing business.  I am so appreciative of my family for the support they offer me and, especially Gene, for all he has done to support me and keep me propped up.  But, I also want to recognize that without my readers, I won’t make it in this business.  So thank you readers, for buying my books, for entertaining me on social media, for spreading the word and for being appreciative.  

If you’d like to join us on this hop, please add your link in the InLinkz below.  Hop on over to my fellow authors and see how they get their writing accomplished.

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40 thoughts on “Behind the Scenes”

  1. Since I don’t write fiction but rather how to books, most of my time is spent researching. That is one of the reasons I went the blog to book route. It hasn’t hurt my sales to have already published the content online. In my book it is more organized, instead of scattered over several months on the blog, and I provided bonus content that didn’t really fit a blog post.

  2. Write your next book. Excellent advice. I admire your dedication, 4:30 a.m.? The house better be on fire! LOL!

  3. It’s so interesting to see how other writers allocate their own time to write. I have my routine which somehow works but it’s good to see what other do… there’s always room for improvements! Thanks for sharing, Patti!

  4. Nice to hear of another writing getting up early to catch a winds in one’s writing sails. I’m retired, and have more time that way, but hadn’t counted on the reduced energy-time at 65+ 🙂 All the best wishes, Patti 🙂

  5. I write everywhere – in my car, on the soccer field as I cheer on my kids. I use recording devices, pads of paper, old receipts, the palm of my hand – anything to jot down an idea, a scene, a fix. Thanks, great read.

  6. Sounds like your schedule is packed! Mine is a little less full but not from lack of trying!

    • Oh, well, it’s kind of passing the time now that winter is here. Summer is a bit harder to take because I want to be out riding. 😉

  7. I got tired just reading your schedule. I recently retired and have trouble fitting it all in. Good luck to you!

  8. So true. The promotion is overwhelming. I so want to join this blog hop because that’s a great way for an author to get her name out there. Sadly, we’re in the middle of a kitchen reno, and next week I have surgery. Maybe next time.

  9. It’s so hard to find a good balance between actually writing and all the work that goes with it!

  10. Sage advice! “if you have nothing to sell, it doesn’t matter how much marketing you do. The best piece of advice I ever received was “Write your next book.”

    🙂

  11. PJ Fiala, you are officially AMAZING. I never get up at 4:30 a.m. unless there is an earthquake! Brava!

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