Writing for five years: a recap

October of 2015 was when I self-published my autobiographical novel "Clara Thinks to Us". I realised, years later, that I wrote it out of fear of death. I wanted to write about the part of my life that I haven't spoken to my children about. The boys were in their early teens then and Kyra was just a preschooler. If something would wipe me from their lives, like it had done to a dear friend recently (that was the trigger), they could have a reference book to go to for answers.

Probably I was starting my mid-life crisis then. The shock of my dear friend's sudden and early death certainly brought up many questions like "is this it?", "there is so much I'd like my children to know about my past but they are not interested", "my children only know me as the nurturer, the house manager and the mum. Will I ever get the chance to show them another side of me?".

That is why I started writing about me. I didn't expect it to be so cathartic and even therapeutical. In the process, I discovered hidden feelings in me that I didn't know were there. I started this blog because I wanted to share the wonderful healing power of writing.

At some point, I started writing anonymously and I wrote content for other blogs. I wrote for money and I wrote for therapy. I also wrote for pleasure.

Writing and networking

Putting ideas out there has brought me close to people who think alike. It has also kept some other at bay. It definitely made it clear who my true friends are. 

My life as an author

My beginnings as an author were very timid. I didn't consider my work was good enough for me to call myself an author or a writer. Writing in a second language and with an academic background in Science did not help my self-confidence. Then I started reading books by people somehow connected to me. And I found typos in their books that were published professionally. 

My current place

I have assumed that I am a writer because I write and I am an author because I published books. It is not about book sales, reviews or official presentations. I envision a TEDTalk one day soon. In the meantime, I keep writing and I keep connecting with people who can relate to my work. I heal from my traumas and those of my ancestors. Writing is a soothing balm in my life. 

Public projects

I started working with Nora on her blog Under Heat and Pressure a few months ago. It is about ancient feminine wisdom and related topics. I have recently published my latest book in Spanish, Jose y Juan, on printed format. 

Anonymous purpose

When there are disabilities or challenges that affect the lives of our loved ones, writing anonymously is the only way to be able to express how we really feel about things. In writing anonymously I am protecting my loved ones and growing as a person through situations that must remain private. I have over a thousand followers under my pen name and the community will keep growing because people can truly identify themselves in this particular universe of challenges.

Your Turn

Have you tried writing? You can write a letter to a loved one next time they hurt you. You can burn it if you don't want to send it.  Make sure you include a paragraph where you describe what you expected from them or how you would like things to be between you. You can write in your head, by thinking while you walk. Imagining that you are journaling is an excellent way to organise your ideas and come in touch with your emotions. You can write a letter to yourself as a child, to a dead parent or to your boss. Try it, it works.

Editing is also cathartic: Let it out, then delete

Writing is cathartic without a doubt. Creative writing is a valuable tool for healing and self-help. Sometimes it is wise not to publish what you have written during those sessions in which you let it all out. Once the 15-20 minutes have passed you stop writing, then you read what you've written and lastly, you must decide what to do with it. You can throw it away, burn it, or change it.

Editing is necessary before publishing a hurtful piece or sending an angry email. Especially when it can cost you your job or the affection of someone you love. In spite of removing the aggressive part, that bit that felt so good releasing from within you as you wrote, once it's on the paper it remains there only if you decide on that option.

What else can you do? You can:

• change it into a more polite form
• delete it and leave only the expectation you wish to communicate
• disguise it by swapping genders of characters or changing the context

Either way, you will have taken it out of your mind and body. Writing your mind to an annoying colleague is cathartic and there is no need to let them know how you really feel about them. Have you tried this? 

Reasons why you should write

Writing...

Is cathartic
Allows you to get in touch with your feelings. By describing your feelings you start to feel better.
Enables you to change your own perspective on a situation, past or current.
Makes it easy to visualise a better future or outcome.
Is as therapeutical as having a conversation with a good friend.
You can write things you want people to understand about you in the future.
People will pay to read what you wrote.
You'll get the chance to reach out to people you didn't expect.
Does not expire. What you write remains written.
Makes room in your mind for it to focus on solving other problems.
Is an inexpensive and rewarding hobby.
Helps introverts socialise by starting a conversation in writing.

It's all good!!

Let me know if you have something to add.

Cheers,

Verónica

Self Publishing? Beware of your EGO!

Are you looking for ways to publish your own book? 

It's been over a month since I did an internet search on How To Publish a Book. I sent applications to all the publishing companies that offered an easy to fill form and requested either a few chapters or the whole manuscript. 

Everything was ready for a Writer's Competition, so after not being selected for the long list, I decided is was time to move in a different direction. I had heard of self publishing but wasn't sure of what it entitled. The result? After submitting the forms I went on to read articles about the topic of self publishing. 

What I learned from articles about Self Publishing

• There are many companies offering services to help new authors publish their book
• Some companies belong to large traditional publishers and specialise on self publishing
• Smaller companies have been created by authors who self published themselves 
• There are options for all budgets and needs
• You can publish for FREE on Amazon and get 70% in revenues
• It is not easy to design a book cover
• It is very difficult to design a printed book
• Marketing your book is a big issue for authors
• Indie Authors don't rely on any publisher to put their written work out there

Beware of your Ego

You probably worked very hard to get to the final version of your current manuscript. Of course, you'd like to see it reaching as many potential readers as possible. It might be tempting to sign a contract and contribute towards production costs, especially if you're not a known author.

Beware! There seem to be thousands of potential authors and new authors wanting to do exactly the same thing. Competition is fierce, otherwise there wouldn't be so many companies offering to help you self publish your book. Of course you want to give your baby creation the best possible chance for success, just make sure it's not your ego making all the decisions. 

Take Your Time

Don't make any decisions based on how the publisher approaches your manuscript. Let's face it: it it's really THAT good, they wouldn't ask for a contribution from you, since they'd know for sure it would be a selling success. 

I understand you must invest if you want to get a return, but how about your time? It takes hours of your day to write and polish your ideas. It will take time to work together with any editor, marketer, graphic designer and public relations team to reach the level of success you want to achieve as an author. 

Your Turn

Are you an aspiring author? Do you have experience with contracting the services of a publisher yourself? 

I'd love to hear your input on this matter. Let me know in the comments. 

Cheers,

Veronica 

From Blogger to Indie Author.

A bit of background

After blogging for 3 years about Social Media marketing, I decided to stop this past May. Since then, I started putting my thoughts in writing and discovered how cathartic it can be. It helps me organise my ideas and get in touch with my feelings.

I ended up using fantasy and wrote a novel, based on my own experiences. So you can call it an autobiographic novel.

Why a Novel?

The great thing about novels is that they are by definition, fictitious.

Getting in touch with your inner self and the possibility of using writing as a tool for visualisation is a powerful combination.

Once you discover what your fears are, you can write a positive outcome.

That person you find a bit harsh? You can soften it in your novel.

Writing can be cathartic.

Writing can also help you realise how far you've come. You can write down all the good things that have happened to you, even just what you're grateful for today. Then, read it.

Writing Clara Thinks To Us took me back in time, to better days that I chose to revisit. I could sweeten certain facts that I had perceived as not so happy. I personally found it very therapeutic. Like a visit to a counsellor.

A Long-term process. 

During the weeks that I wrote, there were times when I turned to my online connections for feedback. I found some beta readers who made very useful observations. Most importantly, they kept me going. Some of them were people I didn't expect would be interested in reading my draft. But they did and they were 'hooked'.

This is something that you can only do when you are working on a long-term project. If you write blog articles, they have to be published quickly, there's no time to mature the ideas as much as there is when you don't have a, say, weekly deadline.

I'd love to hear from you.

Do you blog? Do you write? I would love to connect with you and hear your story. Let me know in the comments below. You can visit my full profile from the bio on the right and check my social profiles, there might be something that interests you.

Clara Thinks To Us

I have published an electronic version of my novel on Amazon. It was an amazing feeling, very fulfilling. I am officially an Indie Author. I know my writing is not perfect and my book might never become a best seller, but it has already touched the life of a few people who are part of mine.

That is my reward. Thank you to all my beta readers, to the ones who have written a review, to those who are happy for me and to YOU for reading this article.

Happy writing,

Veronica