Eldon Farrell's Blog: The Writer's Craft - Posts Tagged "recap"

I checked the calendar the other day only to realize that 7 months have flown by since I started this journey to becoming a published author. So much has happened in that time! So this week I thought what could be better than recapping the road so far and sharing all the ups and downs, the pitfalls and the promise with all of you!!

It doesn’t require much elaboration but needless to say, when I clicked on that “Publish” button back at the beginning of April it was an amazing feeling and one every indie author knows well. A highlight right off the top :) But of course every indie author knows the feeling that follows that as well…akin to “what now?” It doesn’t take long for the glow to fade and you to realize that you’re just another drop in the ocean of authors out there and gaining visibility will be much harder than clicking that publish button ever was.

Still, while visibility was a problem then and remains so now, I have to say when that 1st review from a complete stranger rolled in on Amazon…I was over the moon. It took a little more than a month but seeing those 5 stars up there and reading the thoughtful review that so perfectly captured what I was trying to say when I wrote Stillness is a feeling that is beyond words. My fellow authors out there know what I mean.

Another highlight early on was when I somehow found myself on an Amazon bestseller list next to the likes of Michael Palmer and Tess Gerritsen! It didn’t last long and I still don’t know how the algorithm placed me there but for that brief shining moment I got to rub shoulders (so to speak) with an idol of mine. Definitely one of the highs so far :)

Then came the moment that as writers we all dream about; actually holding a copy of your book in your hands. Digital media is all well and good but nothing compares to holding your work in your hands and knowing that in some small way…you’ve made it. I owe Createspace a debt of gratitude for enabling me to fulfill a lifelong dream.

I have to say that this amazing experience wouldn’t be the same either without Goodreads being a part of it. I don’t recall exactly how I stumbled upon this place but I’m so glad that I did!! I cherish the connections I’ve made here with my GR friends and am grateful every day for every one of my followers. Back when I joined I couldn’t imagine reaching 48 followers and yet here I am on the way to 50!

Being able to connect with so many people from all walks of life and every corner of the globe has been a real highlight of this journey for me. I’ve met some amazing people and terrific authors through this site and even managed to cultivate something of a support group that I can go to with questions. Nobody does this alone and I have received a lot of help and support along the way so far that means the world to me. A BIG thank you to everyone who has helped me out—you know who you are!!

I found the groups here to be beneficial as well; for those starting out take a look around as there are many helpful groups here. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a few in particular though. Support for Indie Authors is a wonderfully welcoming place and aided me early on by allowing me to participate in Hash’s Bash; a promotional extravaganza full of talented authors. Wealth, Writing, World has grown to become my go to group here full of lots of amazingly talented writers and supportive readers. It was through this group that I met up with Mehreen Ahmed and Denise Baer who were both instrumental in producing No Bounds, a short story anthology to which I was able to contribute. Collaborating with them and so many other talented indie authors was a real high point so far.

I also need to mention the first group I joined here on Goodreads, A Good Thriller. A large group but a fun group and helpful as well. Having Stillness as the BOTM there this month has helped boost my profile a little and for that I’m grateful.

I believe it was also through A Good Thriller that I met Dr. Alex Lettau. Dr. Lettau is a former real life medical epidemiologist who actually worked for the CDC in the Epidemic Intelligence Service. He was gracious enough to read Stillness and provide me with copious notes that enabled me to make numerous changes to enhance the realism of my story. Having a real insider read my words was exciting and tremendously beneficial. Many thanks Alex!!

A special shout out here to Jessica Hernandez, who interviewed me on her blog Coffee with Architects of Worlds Afar back in June. Jessica was generous enough to interview me and help me along the road as she has done with countless other indie authors. A fantastic interviewer; the experience was greatly appreciated!!

Not everything has worked out the way I planned of course. I participated in review rounds as mentioned in a prior post that just didn’t work for me. In many ways I continue to be the invisible man on Amazon after having gone through a period of stagnant sales before changing up my price. And as was bound to happen eventually…some critical reviews have begun to be posted.

The most important thing I’ve learned so far though is…grace under fire. It’s never easy to read that people didn’t connect with your story. You spend so long writing it and perfecting it that it’s almost inconceivable to you that someone won’t like it. But it will happen. And when it does…I’ve learned you just need to accept it. You can’t please everyone right? And if you’re going to last in this business than you’re going to get lots of reviews and they won’t all be positive. Take the good with the bad, learn what you can from both, and carry on.

So I’m sure I’ve missed something along the way but on a ride this wild you can’t remember everything. Three books published now, I look to the future and the new experiences to come. I do so with the certainty that it’s not the destination of best seller lists and thousands of sales a day that matters (though I’m sure it would be nice!) You may never get there—I may never get there. But by trying you get to experience the best that this life has to offer.

Truly, the journey means so much more than the destination.