I am compelled to share something with you. It's completely inappropriate and I will no doubt regret this blog post in the days to come, but I think if I must declare it, this is the place.
My debut novel, Death by Chocolate, released last week. It's not a Honey Creek book. It's something else entirely. In fact, the manuscript was written years ago, before I had a handle on who I wanted to be as a writer. All I knew then was I wanted to be published. I thought the key to that was coming up with something remarkably different. And it is. But maybe not in the super best way. Or maybe it is. I'm on the fence over it's ability to succeed because I'm biased.
You see, since the days of trying to stand out in that way, I've come to learn a lot about myself. Despite my age, I've really grown into my own in the past year. I've embraced the idea I AM a writer. I've submersed myself in books I love and found my voice - so to say. In my mind now, things have solidified. I am a romance author.
I write Honey Creek sweet books, and a YA from time to time, but central to my YA story is also a very sweet romance. Romance has become a visible thread pulling all my works into a beautifully vibrant quilt. I'm quite pleased about this.
And then Death by Chocolate arrived.
And I'm out blogging and touring and promoting this book that feels so completely foreign to me now. I read my words and am astonished they came from my head. I wonder how I ever wrote anything without the pull and zing of chemistry inside. It's a strange and surreal feeling to be sure.
So, there it is. I've bared my heart to you and feel a bit relieved having done this. At the end of the day, I shake my head and marvel at what a difference one little year can make.And on that note, I can't help but thrill a little at the idea of what 2012 will bring.
Hi, Julie,
ReplyDeleteYour post strikes a nerve in me...in a good way! It's been not quite a year since I published my first novel - my third will publish in a few days. And I feel a tad as you do. Oh, I still love my first novel. It will always be my 'first-baby' and hold a special place in my heart. But I've seen my writing change from my first book to my second - and now from my second to my third.
I take it as a sign of success. You should too. It signals that we're growing as writers, gaining skill as we weave our stories. That's what should be happening, right? The longer we practice our craft, the better honed, the sharper, the more evokative we'll become with our words. Hats off to you for seeing yourself change so much over the last year!
I still think you can be proud of it, after all, it got published, so the publisher had to see something in it. And I do like to get away from romance genres and read a cozy mystery. But well, does this mean there won't ever be a sequel? Or will your protaganist get a love interest? Remember, a cozy mystery series has a lot of potential to really slowly build a relationship over multiple books.
ReplyDeleteAnd well, I do like books getting better and better as the author grows in her writing.
Nadja and Aurian, I completely agree with you both. The more we write, the more we'll see change and growth. And now I need to go pick up a copy of Death by Chocolate!
ReplyDeleteI think it's good to be versatile as a writer, and writing in different genres can only make you a better writer. :)
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