why we write
Naturally, I cannot speak for all writers but will say where it comes to me, every time I bring out a new book, I am uncertain-- should I do it now? That was never more true than with this last one, Round the Bend. I had no idea how it would be received. I did what I knew to do in terms of getting the word out but just because readers see a book exists does not mean they will think it's worth their time to read.
My nervousness where it came to this book was why I waited so long. I have mentioned that it took finding the right image for the hero who had so long been in my imagination, for me to finally decide-- okay, I am going to do it. It was something more-- that the book deserved its chance, these characters deserved their chance, the Oregon Trail deserved its. The story was bigger than me.
Then came waiting to see what people thought about it. First indicator would be sales. There are writers where every single book goes into the stratosphere, as they have street teams and fans eager to read every word they write. I am not in that league. I have no street team. It's not that I'd object to giving out a lot of copies ahead of a book's release for reviews. It's that I don't know who would even want them. In view of that, I did all I knew in the way of getting the word out to those most likely to want such a book. I tweeted, blogged, commented, and posted. In the end, it's not about me or even the book. It's about readers. Would they like this kind of story?
When the book came out the 21st, I started editing the book which will come next, Where Dreams Go, aiming it for June 21st. It takes the story of some of these characters farther into Oregon's development as a Territory on its way to statehood. Communities were growing into towns and the people were trying to decide what they wanted them to look like. Working on it was also a way to distract myself from worrying about how Matt and Amy were being seen by readers.
With happiness, from the start, I saw sale results the best of any of my books since i stopped offering them for free. The only one that had come close was Arizona Sunset. Now these results weren't the spectacular ones of some authors, but for me, they were good. Book One was not immediately falling into Amazon's black hole.
Then I became uneasy when no reviews showed up. Now, I've had some books that never got a review... not one. But I was hoping that this one would get a few. Reviews are supposed to be for the readers, but they mean an awful lot to writers-- even those who have had a ton of them. For me, it would be my first chance to see how readers felt about a book that probably is as close to my heart as any I ever wrote-- given the length of time it's been in my life.
Then the first review showed up. Nervously I looked down to read it.
I never really know what people will think of my work until they tell me through an email, comment somewhere, or best of all, a review. Writing is pretty much a lonely game, but promoting and talking to readers about what they thought, that's where it becomes less so. This was a book that I knew some might not know what to think. So the fact that it got a pretty good launch made my week brighter.
The map at the top was drawn years ago by my archaeologist daughter when she was still in college. She gave it to me as a gift because she knew I had been writing this book. I appreciated it then and now when I can finally share it with others.
My nervousness where it came to this book was why I waited so long. I have mentioned that it took finding the right image for the hero who had so long been in my imagination, for me to finally decide-- okay, I am going to do it. It was something more-- that the book deserved its chance, these characters deserved their chance, the Oregon Trail deserved its. The story was bigger than me.
Then came waiting to see what people thought about it. First indicator would be sales. There are writers where every single book goes into the stratosphere, as they have street teams and fans eager to read every word they write. I am not in that league. I have no street team. It's not that I'd object to giving out a lot of copies ahead of a book's release for reviews. It's that I don't know who would even want them. In view of that, I did all I knew in the way of getting the word out to those most likely to want such a book. I tweeted, blogged, commented, and posted. In the end, it's not about me or even the book. It's about readers. Would they like this kind of story?
When the book came out the 21st, I started editing the book which will come next, Where Dreams Go, aiming it for June 21st. It takes the story of some of these characters farther into Oregon's development as a Territory on its way to statehood. Communities were growing into towns and the people were trying to decide what they wanted them to look like. Working on it was also a way to distract myself from worrying about how Matt and Amy were being seen by readers.
With happiness, from the start, I saw sale results the best of any of my books since i stopped offering them for free. The only one that had come close was Arizona Sunset. Now these results weren't the spectacular ones of some authors, but for me, they were good. Book One was not immediately falling into Amazon's black hole.
Then I became uneasy when no reviews showed up. Now, I've had some books that never got a review... not one. But I was hoping that this one would get a few. Reviews are supposed to be for the readers, but they mean an awful lot to writers-- even those who have had a ton of them. For me, it would be my first chance to see how readers felt about a book that probably is as close to my heart as any I ever wrote-- given the length of time it's been in my life.
Then the first review showed up. Nervously I looked down to read it.
"This is my first experience in reading one of Ms. Trueax's books and I wasn't disappointed. The story was exciting and never got boring. Amy and her family were traveling to Oregon along with Matt, his brother Morey, and father. It was a large wagon train so the storyline had many characters. I just loved St. Louis the Wagonmaster. He was the salt of the earth with so much experience in leading and understanding people. St. Louis had healing experience which was invaluable to those who traveled with him. I've never read a book like this with so many avenues that kept me fascinated. Amy and Matt were lifelong friends but he started feeling more than mere friendship. Amy actually began being courted by Adam, the Wagontrain Scout, but found out "the feeling" just wasn't there and soon realized her love for Matt was more than being a friend. Matt's brother, Morey, was disturbing in this book and led to the violence in Matt's life. The father was also part of the lies and deception that led Morey to hate his brother, Matt. I don't want to spoil this story for you so I won't go on. However, if you want an exciting, adventuresome and mysterious book, this historical western genre is for you. There is some violence and sexual content but the author did a great job in making all actions part of the story itself. I loved it!"Wow, I was so happy when I read that-- a new reader and she liked the book. Then after that one, another came from a longtime reader.
"Rain Trueax is at her best from the first sentence. Each phase of the plot and characters are richly developed.Her equally in depth review doubled my happiness. It's nice to get a new reader but knowing, a long time reader was not disappointed, is a joy.
The Oregon Trail experience, physically and mentally grueling, either built character in the hero Matt or caused dangerous psychopathic mental breakdown in Matt's brother Morey. The wagon master St. Louis Jones' experience went beyond previous trips on the Oregon Trail. He had lived with Indians and trappers. He had a depth of understanding of humanity. He was a believable mentor for Matt's amazing growth. Through him Trueax revealed insights to the Indian and emigrants' points of view and their conflicting interests. Obviously Trueax's writing reveals extensive research with exact details of folk and Indian medicine, cooking, weapons, and geography. On fly fishing I thought didn't exist until after the civil war but I was wrong and Trueax was correct to have dry flies and a bamboo rod. I am eager to read more of the series to find out if Loraine finds her true love and the destiny of Scout Adam Stone. Will they eventually get together?"
I never really know what people will think of my work until they tell me through an email, comment somewhere, or best of all, a review. Writing is pretty much a lonely game, but promoting and talking to readers about what they thought, that's where it becomes less so. This was a book that I knew some might not know what to think. So the fact that it got a pretty good launch made my week brighter.
The map at the top was drawn years ago by my archaeologist daughter when she was still in college. She gave it to me as a gift because she knew I had been writing this book. I appreciated it then and now when I can finally share it with others.
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