Debi Chestnut's Blog - Posts Tagged "books"
5 Things I Learned About Being a Writer
Write a book they said. It will be fun they said. When one of my friends said this to me I thought they were right, and they were right in part. It was fun. It was also many other things. However, those words started me on my journey into my writing life.
Along the way I made a lot of mistakes, but I learned from them. Here are the top 5 things I've learned about being a writer.
1. DON'T GIVE UP: One day I saw a post on a social media page. It said: A professional writer is a writer who doesn't quit. I wrote those words down and put them on the wall in my writing space so I would see them everyday.
Follow your dream. If you want to be a writer - then keep writing! Keep submitting! Don't let rejections rule your life. Steven King's book 'Carrie' was rejected 30 times before it was published and look where he is now! You can do this!
2. GET AN EDITOR: I cannot stress this enough. I found a fantastic writing coach/mentor named James Parsons. He lives in Australia. His advice, and 'suggestions' as he likes to call them, have been invaluable.
Keep in mind many writing coaches charge a lot of money. James' prices are easily affordable and worth every penny. Find a coach/editor who doesn't tear you down as a writer- that accomplishes nothing. If you don't want a writing coach that's fine, but at the very least, have your work professionally edited before you submit it to a publisher.
3. FIND SOURCES: Since I write mysteries, I often need to know specific things about police procedure, death, murder, and everything associated with it.
Among my favorite sources are my local firemen - especially helpful if there's an arson in your book. Policemen - I'm notorious for walking up to one of our local sheriffs when they are eating at a restaurant and asking for advice and answers
to questions.
Other sources I use are doctors, attorneys, medical examiners, etc. A lot of time you can't find exactly what you want online and you have to go directly to someone who works in the field and ask questions. Most of them are happy to help!
4. FIND OTHER WRITERS: I live in a very rural area. Writers are few and far between. However, not too far away from me is a writer's group that meets once a month. I try to go to the meeting every month. I also joined some writer's groups on social media.
No one can understand the struggles you may be facing while writing a book and trying to get it published more than other writers. They are a
Godsend.
5. AGENT OR NO AGENT: Do I need an agent? This is a question I've asked myself a thousand times. I've managed to traditionally publish all my books without an agent. Yes, it was hard work, but it was worth it.
Having an agent is not a bad thing, there are many advantages to having an agent. It's a personal choice and one you will have to decide for yourself.
If you do want to hire an agent, do your research and find one that not only represents what genre you write in, but sounds like they are a good fit for you.
So, that's it. Those are the top 5 things I've learned as a writer. Please leave a comment and tell me what you have learned as a writer, or ask a question.
Until next time - write on!
Debi
Along the way I made a lot of mistakes, but I learned from them. Here are the top 5 things I've learned about being a writer.
1. DON'T GIVE UP: One day I saw a post on a social media page. It said: A professional writer is a writer who doesn't quit. I wrote those words down and put them on the wall in my writing space so I would see them everyday.
Follow your dream. If you want to be a writer - then keep writing! Keep submitting! Don't let rejections rule your life. Steven King's book 'Carrie' was rejected 30 times before it was published and look where he is now! You can do this!
2. GET AN EDITOR: I cannot stress this enough. I found a fantastic writing coach/mentor named James Parsons. He lives in Australia. His advice, and 'suggestions' as he likes to call them, have been invaluable.
Keep in mind many writing coaches charge a lot of money. James' prices are easily affordable and worth every penny. Find a coach/editor who doesn't tear you down as a writer- that accomplishes nothing. If you don't want a writing coach that's fine, but at the very least, have your work professionally edited before you submit it to a publisher.
3. FIND SOURCES: Since I write mysteries, I often need to know specific things about police procedure, death, murder, and everything associated with it.
Among my favorite sources are my local firemen - especially helpful if there's an arson in your book. Policemen - I'm notorious for walking up to one of our local sheriffs when they are eating at a restaurant and asking for advice and answers
to questions.
Other sources I use are doctors, attorneys, medical examiners, etc. A lot of time you can't find exactly what you want online and you have to go directly to someone who works in the field and ask questions. Most of them are happy to help!
4. FIND OTHER WRITERS: I live in a very rural area. Writers are few and far between. However, not too far away from me is a writer's group that meets once a month. I try to go to the meeting every month. I also joined some writer's groups on social media.
No one can understand the struggles you may be facing while writing a book and trying to get it published more than other writers. They are a
Godsend.
5. AGENT OR NO AGENT: Do I need an agent? This is a question I've asked myself a thousand times. I've managed to traditionally publish all my books without an agent. Yes, it was hard work, but it was worth it.
Having an agent is not a bad thing, there are many advantages to having an agent. It's a personal choice and one you will have to decide for yourself.
If you do want to hire an agent, do your research and find one that not only represents what genre you write in, but sounds like they are a good fit for you.
So, that's it. Those are the top 5 things I've learned as a writer. Please leave a comment and tell me what you have learned as a writer, or ask a question.
Until next time - write on!
Debi
Bad Karma Reviews
Hi Everyone!
Just thoughts I'd share a couple of the reviews from my new mystery, Bad Karma!
📖My Thoughts?
This book had my mind swirling with theories! Were any of them right? No... I always think way too dramatically 😂
I really loved this book and was pulled into solving this crime with Zoey. Zoey's character is headstrong, determined and oh so stubborn. If anyone is going to solve this mystery, it's her!
Also... I love Karma! (the cat) She's adorable and hyper, of course! 😂
I love the scene where she crawls into bed with Zoey, her purrs calming Zoey. Cats really do have something magical within them. 🥰
Debi has such a way with words that had me immediately hooked into reading more of her story. Her writing detailed, her story line clear and her characters are ones the readers can connect with.
A beautifully written modern-day crime book in which I can highly recommend!
What a read!
📖Rating: 5/5✨ @the_bOOklover
rhiannonsbookworld
📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚
·
Bad Karma by Debi Chestnut
·
When I first read the blurb for this book I just HAD to read it....and I was not disappointed!! The author set the scene well without dragging it out before jumping straight into the action and thrills
·
We follow Zoey on her quest to find out what the real circumstances behind her uncles death are and along the way she gets mixed up in finding out who the serial killer targeting teenage girls is while becoming a target herself
·
I loved the way the author kept the suspense up throughout and just as my heart rate settled after one hair raising moment another appeared, but this was done so well in a way that you wouldn't get tired of the suspense
·
The author does such a good job of keeping you guessing who the killer is by providing a few different but believable theories about who it is although it's kept hidden until the climax of the book
·
I also loved how there was a strong and realistic backstory to Zoey that made her relatable and likeable. There is also the extra element of the loveable black kitten Karma who reminds me so much of my black cat Apollo
·
This is one book I will be recommending to absolutely everyone but if you love a suspense filled novel that makes you want to look over your shoulder and double check your doors and windows are locked then this is definitely the book for you!!
·
I really hope we will get to see much more of Zoey Callaway in future novels and they will be top of my tbr list!! 5⃣⭐
Just thoughts I'd share a couple of the reviews from my new mystery, Bad Karma!
📖My Thoughts?
This book had my mind swirling with theories! Were any of them right? No... I always think way too dramatically 😂
I really loved this book and was pulled into solving this crime with Zoey. Zoey's character is headstrong, determined and oh so stubborn. If anyone is going to solve this mystery, it's her!
Also... I love Karma! (the cat) She's adorable and hyper, of course! 😂
I love the scene where she crawls into bed with Zoey, her purrs calming Zoey. Cats really do have something magical within them. 🥰
Debi has such a way with words that had me immediately hooked into reading more of her story. Her writing detailed, her story line clear and her characters are ones the readers can connect with.
A beautifully written modern-day crime book in which I can highly recommend!
What a read!
📖Rating: 5/5✨ @the_bOOklover
rhiannonsbookworld
📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚
·
Bad Karma by Debi Chestnut
·
When I first read the blurb for this book I just HAD to read it....and I was not disappointed!! The author set the scene well without dragging it out before jumping straight into the action and thrills
·
We follow Zoey on her quest to find out what the real circumstances behind her uncles death are and along the way she gets mixed up in finding out who the serial killer targeting teenage girls is while becoming a target herself
·
I loved the way the author kept the suspense up throughout and just as my heart rate settled after one hair raising moment another appeared, but this was done so well in a way that you wouldn't get tired of the suspense
·
The author does such a good job of keeping you guessing who the killer is by providing a few different but believable theories about who it is although it's kept hidden until the climax of the book
·
I also loved how there was a strong and realistic backstory to Zoey that made her relatable and likeable. There is also the extra element of the loveable black kitten Karma who reminds me so much of my black cat Apollo
·
This is one book I will be recommending to absolutely everyone but if you love a suspense filled novel that makes you want to look over your shoulder and double check your doors and windows are locked then this is definitely the book for you!!
·
I really hope we will get to see much more of Zoey Callaway in future novels and they will be top of my tbr list!! 5⃣⭐
It's All About the Book - Not Ego!
I've heard from various people that writer's have a big ego. Maybe some do, and maybe to an extent I have a bit of ego. I'm proud of my accomplishments when it comes to the books I've published, but I don't think that's ego - I think that's a part of being human. One should be proud of what they've accomplished no matter what it is.
Yes, it always stings to get a rejection letter, but it's not the end of the world. It's important to keep going. Someone said a professional writer is an amateur that didn't quit., and I've found that to be true.
Then one day it dawned on me - yes it took a while - sorry about that, but I came to realize what I write isn't about me - it's about the book. Nothing but the book. It's all about the story, the characters, and everything that goes with it.
I've heard other writers say be true to yourself and write the story for yourself. Maybe to some extent that's true, but when I sit down and write, it's all about my readers, my fans, the story, the characters - nothing else matters. Sometimes I feel like I'm only the typist and the characters are only using me as a tool to tell their story.
When I set out to write Bad Karma, it was the character, Zoey Callaway, that came to me first. It was as if she was calling to me to tell her story. After Zoey came the idea for the book, and from their I just stood back and let Zoey tell her story her way.
So, for me, it's not about being published - that's the last thing on my mind. No, to me it's always about the book. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading Bad Karma as much as I've enjoyed writing it!!! Stay tuned for Legacy of Blood, the next big adventure in Zoey's life!
Yes, it always stings to get a rejection letter, but it's not the end of the world. It's important to keep going. Someone said a professional writer is an amateur that didn't quit., and I've found that to be true.
Then one day it dawned on me - yes it took a while - sorry about that, but I came to realize what I write isn't about me - it's about the book. Nothing but the book. It's all about the story, the characters, and everything that goes with it.
I've heard other writers say be true to yourself and write the story for yourself. Maybe to some extent that's true, but when I sit down and write, it's all about my readers, my fans, the story, the characters - nothing else matters. Sometimes I feel like I'm only the typist and the characters are only using me as a tool to tell their story.
When I set out to write Bad Karma, it was the character, Zoey Callaway, that came to me first. It was as if she was calling to me to tell her story. After Zoey came the idea for the book, and from their I just stood back and let Zoey tell her story her way.
So, for me, it's not about being published - that's the last thing on my mind. No, to me it's always about the book. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading Bad Karma as much as I've enjoyed writing it!!! Stay tuned for Legacy of Blood, the next big adventure in Zoey's life!
