S.C. Mitchell's Blog, page 47

The hardest part of writing is…

When I started writing, over thirty years ago, I remember thinking that if I could just finish the rough draft…I would be almost there. After all, lots of people start writing a book, but most never finish. This has got to be the hardest part of writing.

Fast forward to about twenty years ago: It's finished. (It's also wretched. Believe me, you will never see this first novel, at least not in its current form.) I pick the publisher I want to publish it, and send it off. It will sell, right? Most people don't finish their novels. This one is done. Any problems they will have a professional editor fix, and I'll be published and rich. But the waiting…this has got to be the hardest part of writing.

The rejection letter arrives. What? They couldn't see my brilliance among all the typos, bad grammar, and poor description? Rejection sucks. I'm done with writing. Pack it away along with all my dreams. This is most definitely the hardest part of writing.

But I can't stop writing. Over the next twenty years I make numerous starts on countless stories. Life keeps getting in the way and I keep packing it up/putting it off. Finding the time to write…that is the hardest part of writing.

Then, two years ago…RETIREMENT! Time to write. Stories get finished and polished. I finish Templars Gate (The Forsaken Templar). I even find an agent. This is it. The big time! I write There's no such thing as Werewolves and Son of Thunder. But nothing sells. Communication breaks down. I feel like I'm beating my head against the wall. I have sequels in my brain, but it's no use writing them unless I can sell the first. What can I write that will sell? Am I really an author? The questions…the self doubt…this has got to be the hardest part of writing.

I start entering contests, submitting for anthologies, and I get my first big break. September 29, 2011. My short story, A Requiem for Poseidon sells! It's to a small online publisher. The book will probably only be available digitally. But it's a sale. Twenty-five whole dollars! I have made money with my writing. I am a professional. "So, when is the book coming out?" I am asked continually. "Soon…" is all I can answer. (It's been seven months and I still do not have a release date.) Once again, waiting is the hardest part of writing.

I part ways with my agent, and start the search for another. I have stuff now, a body of work. Two completed novels, three completed novellas, and more starts than you can shake a stick at. Though why people would want to shake a stick at anything is beyond me. I go to work every day. I don't consider myself retired anymore. I'm a writer…an author. It's what I do…what I am. I have two books published (and a short story in an anthology 'coming soon'). There's a ton of stuff I need to do, a mountain of stories I need to write, and it's all hard work.

This isn't the blog I started out to write. It evolved as I wrote it, as my writing tends to do. What I realized this morning, sitting here at my computer, is that the hardest part of writing…is believing in yourself.

Believe!

Steve

Paperback now on Amazon

Just a quick mini-update:

There's no such thing as Werewolves is now available in print from Amazon.com!

Here's the link.

Steve

Now in print!!

It's finally ready, and I think it looks great!

There's no such thing as Werewolves is now available in print at: https://www.createspace.com/3826085

It should also be available soon (5 – 7 days) on Amazon.com if you prefer to buy it there.

Of course, the Kindle edition is still available here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007KAE45A

I am so excited about this release. I'll now have two books available in print to take with me to meets and signings and such. Also now that I'm done with Werewolves I can turn my full attention on The Forsaken Templar, which is the sequel to There's no such thing as Werewolves and the next story in the Demons Rising Saga.

Remember, you can always check my Worlds of S. C. Mitchell page for the status of any of my books.

It's a good day!

Steve

Release Day (Kindle edition)

It's up and available on Amazon. There's no such thing as Werewolves is now available for the Kindle and Kindle readers. Click on the picture above or here to go to Amazon.

The print version is still in the works but will be available soon from both CreateSpace and Amazon.

Steve

Finding your people

I was watching an interesting video this morning that I'd like to share.

Here's the link:

If the above link isn't working click here.

There's a place toward the end where he tells the wonderful story of a girl that becomes a dancer. She's sent to a dancing school and is suddenly surrounded by people just like her. I could so identify with this. I love my small hometown, and have lived here all my life, but it is not the kind of place that nurtures creativity. I've been putting words on the blank page (off and on) for over thirty years, thinking writing is a lonely type of thing, done in seclusion and only brought out when you have something completed. How wrong I was.

Just last year I was invited into a wonderful writing group call Writers Voice. Like that little girl in the story above I was suddenly in a group of people like me. A place we could share parts of stories, ideas, and community.

A bit later I discovered the Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. Again, people like me. The members of my local branch have been so incredibly supportive, and the online community gives me a consistent source of spiritual nourishment and encouragement.

I've always felt a bit of an outcast in my home community – that guy that just didn't fit in – but when I'm with these people…I'm home.

So I guess what I'm saying here is: No matter what you are pursuing, seek out and find people like you. Believe in yourself and find the people who will believe in and support your dreams.

To all those who understand…thanks!

Steve

Coming soon

I'm getting close to the release of my second book:

There's no such thing as Werewolves – Demons Rising: Book 1

Over the past week I picked up a program called Book Cover Pro and purchased rights for the cover picture from iStockPhoto. I think the cover design is a vast improvement over the one I threw together for Swiftly Beats the Heart. I've also purchased rights for the picture I'll be using in the 2nd book of the series:

 

 

The Forsaken Templar – Demons Rising: Book 2

I am very excited about this series. The Forsaken Templar needs an extensive edit, but I hope to have it ready to publish next month. I have also got a good start on the third book in this series. You can read the descriptions of these books on my newly updated Worlds Page.

 

 

 

Stay tuned for the big release announcement,

Steve

Good things happen in threes

In writing there is the Rule of Three. It's not so much a rule as a guideline, but it works. Sometimes the rule of three carries over to the real world and today I've got three pieces of good news to pass along:

First: The print version of Swiftly Beats the Heart is now available to purchase on CreateSpace by clicking here. It will also be available soon from Amazon.com (but I make a little more if you buy it direct from CreateSpace). I know there are some of you that are unable to read the Kindle Version. I hope you will pick this up and let me know what you think.

 

Second: Yesterday I received a request for a partial of Amulet of the Fallen God from one of the literary agents I queried. Of course it's not a sure thing, but it is the first step in getting a new agent for my writing. Also, this was a well respected agency, who represent some awesome authors, with many books on the best sellers lists. I sure hope they like what they see.

 

Third: I am moving ahead on a deal that will possibly make Spanish & French translations and Audio books available for Swiftly Beats the Heart and any future self-published books.

 

There is so much happening right now, and it's all very exciting. For the first time in my life, I think, I'm really looking forward to going to work each day.

 

Until next time,

Steve

Query time

Amulet of the Fallen God is complete and extensively edited, which means it query time. I have been planning on using this novel to search for a new agent, so it is once again time to cast a wide net and see if I can get any nibbles. I'm really happy with the way the novel came out. It's 99,040 words and has a lot of action and romance. It's a fantasy with romance elements. It's not a romance because I just couldn't get Allsa and Dravious together at the end for a 'happy ever after' ending. It will probably happen in a sequel, but there was a a small roadblock at the end of the book that needed to be there for the right ending of this part of their story.

I'm very happy with the initial results for Swiftly beats the Heart. Lots of copies were downloaded during the FREE promotion, and I've also had a few sales for real money. I just received the proof for the print edition today, and I am hoping to have that available soon for those of you without the ability to read the kindle ebook version.I'm also hoping to get some reviews on Amazon and GoodReads to help create new interest. It's still amazing to me that so many people are reading my story.

There is so much to do. I am now planning on my next release. I'm going to try and release my Demon Gate series. First will come There's no such thing as Werewolves and I hope to have it ready to upload by the middle of next month sometime. That will be followed by Templars Gate and after that Demons of Dusk. I still need to finish writing the last book, and give the first two a really good edit run. Then there's covers and formatting.

It's a lot of work, but I have to admit…I've never been happier.

Until next time,

Steve

 

 

Free! Free! Free!

It's right here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0077T6F06

Okay, it's no longer free, but it's still just $1.99.

Steve

Adventures in Self-Publishing

Well it's done. Swiftly Beats the Heart is now available on kindle from Amazon. For some reason the wrong cover is showing, but I'm not concerned. It took me three attempts at publishing it and this was the original cover I uploaded, so I'm hoping it fixes itself over time. The right cover displays when you look inside. Click here for a link to it.

But wait until tomorrow to order it and it will be Free!!!

More big news:

While waiting for the kindle version to publish I started playing around with Createspace. It turned out to be incredibly easy to navigate so I will also have a print version of Swiftly Beats the Heart available soon as well, for anyone wanting to read the book who doesn't have the ability to read the kindle version, or just likes to hold a real book in their hands. I just ordered the proof of the book and it should be in my hands on Wednesday. It's hard to imagine, and I am so looking forward to it.

I'll let you all know when it's available.

Exciting times,

Steve