On 15 Years of Publishing

My first publications came in 2008, meaning 2023 marks 15 years of publishing under L.A. Fields. Here’s how it’s going:
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Confidence
I’m working with genres and subject matters I never imagined I’d be able to handle competently as a teen that I’m now perfectly confident in tackling. Historical fiction, actual history, political fiction, and characters who are wildly different from myself. My first book came out of as much first-hand experience as I could muster (a struggle as a latchkey kid), and each character felt like a piece of myself or someone I knew. Now I rely on my research skills more so I can effectively write about strangers. Basically: we’re not so different, you and I, that I couldn’t understand your motivation with enough study.

Perception
Related to confidence, any imposter syndrome that I used to fret about is all but dispelled now. Half of that comes from reaching prime adulthood (I’ll be turning 35 this year) and realizing that fellow adult artists and scholars aren’t so hard to match (and some are shockingly easy to beat). The other half comes from how I’m perceived — people are taking me seriously now. From family to former professors to employers and colleagues, somewhere between 10-15 years of publishing, my diligence as a writer became impressive and admirable (“your talent and work ethic,” “your discipline,” “so inspiring an accomplishment,” etc). Not just a hobby, not just a fad; I knew I would be a writer for the long haul, and now other people believe it too, and it feels nice. Do I know myself or what, huh? Who was right about me this whole time? This gal, that’s who, and I’m happy to have everyone else on board.

Ambition
I used to worry in between books that I would lose the knack if I fell out of habit with writing, but I no longer worry about that. I used to think I would run out of ideas that really moved me, but I have not. I used to believe there were certain types of writing I couldn’t do, but I know now that’s not the case. I have the ability to do any kind of writing on any subject I want, I only need desire enough to put in the work. Upcoming projects will grapple with the social ravages of the pandemic, unionization efforts as plots, characters in prison, and who knows what else after that? I’m booked up to 2025 already, and if I'm reaching for another idea by then, I know the world is full of them.
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In summary: it’s been an honor! I’m so happy I found the freedom of an indie publisher who trusts me (Steve Berman), I’m so glad my art-honed writing skills stay sharp at my job (legal marketing), and it is very nice to wake up one day and realize that the people I love and respect acknowledge me as I’d wish them to see me (dream come true).