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| "Veil of Dreams" (detail) MM Sikes |
I've known Cathy for over 20 years, from the time before she was a published author. She joined Virginia Romance Writers a few years after it was founded and soon undertook the role of a vivacious leader in the organization.Cathy has an amazing smile, and long after she leaves a room you remember her smile. That beautiful, happy attitude has helped Cathy become and remain an outstanding, successful author in historical romance. The article I read said that it took Cathy two years to sell the first novel she wrote. She now has 22 published novels and has been part of five anthologies.
Cathy had a dream, and despite adversity when she lost her husband in a tragic accident, she hung on and continued to write. Romance novels account for nearly 50% of mass market paperback sales. Her books are part of that popular market.
But you don't have to be a romance writer to be a selling author. If you dream about writing mystery or even non-fiction paranormal books, hang on to those dreams and keep writing. Write, write, write until you sell. That is a real key to success.
10 comments:
Great point, Monti. Dreams are important -- they point us in a direction that feels right. And though some may seem vague at first, often the picture becomes more clear with time. Dreams and discovery go hand-in-hand. Thanks for your post. I enjoyed it!
You have to hang on but there that thing called working for it. You are so right about continuing to write, write, write.
Thanks, Daisy and Mary Vaughn for your comments. You do have to work for it and keep on working!
Can't see myself accomplishing all of that - just happy one book happened!
Lovely post, Monti. My dream started in 1960. Self-doubts quickly followed. Fear moved in with a 3-piece set of luggage. I wrote, but never shared. Finally my husband said, "Do this. Start working at it." My first book comes out in July. Dream, yes. Write, always. Take classes and join a critique group, for sure. As for fear and self-doubt, there's always the delete key.
Alex, I know that next book is coming from you!
Vonnie, thanks and congratulations on your July book. What an exciting time for you!
Very nice post. As writers we really do have to follow our dreams. It worked for me as well. Six years ago, I would never have believed I would be published, but I didn't give up and it paid off.
Write write write until you sell ... I like that! And be flexible too as the markets and peoples needs and wants seem to be in constant flux.
Good for you, Anita!
You're right, Stephen, the markets are always in flux. What's popular now won't be in a couple of years, and what's out now will be back in. That means by the time you write for an out-of-favor genre market, it will be back in!!!
Dreams can give you plots too. So remember to write it down too.
Bargain with the Devil
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