Tuesday, December 22, 2009

**Embarrassing Author Moment**

If that title doesn't your attention, I don't know what will.

Yes, I'm actually going to spill on something I did this year that I'm sure you all will enjoy. It's been long enough that I can laugh about it, too, but at the time...well, you'll see.

Early this year I was shopping for business cards that designated my new place in this world as a writer of young adult fantasy novels. So I trot over to our local print/packaging shop and fill out a request for business cards. This is how I designated myself:

Cheri Chesley
Young Adult Fantasy

Did you catch it? Along with that title, I entered my email, cell phone and other contact information.

About ten minutes later, I was in line at the pharmacy when I realized I had given myself a title that could possibly get me arrested. As soon as I paid for our medicines I rushed back to the printer to add AUTHOR to my title. Much, much better.

I am so glad I caught it before they printed, and especially before I handed them out to a bunch of strangers.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

And the Seed of Doubt Returns

Here I am again. I've returned to the doubt that plagues all writers, despite their accolades and successes. I hate this, but I cant' escape it.

What is the best way to publish my book? Which book should I publish first? Should I hold out for something that can be fantastic, or take publisher suggestions and get the book published? Should it be one, or two? Can I make the second half follow the format acceptable to today's publishers?

What to do, what to do?

The only thing I can't do is the thing I sometimes want to do the most--give up. Quit. Stop writing. Live a "normal" life.

But then, if I was normal I wouldn't be extraordinary now would I?

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

I Write

I write because I can. Because I have to. And because I do have some skill at it. I'm actually better putting things into words on paper than verbally. Recently, I wrote a beautiful letter to a member of my family--things I'd been trying to say for a solid week face to face.

Writing is a valuable skill. Gross understatement. Historically, writing has been important for centuries. I need it. Not like a fix or anything like that. But I get really stressed out when I don't write. And that's a well known fact.

There's just too much in my head to ignore. I can't push it back or make it stop. I've tried to deny it and it doesn't stay denied. It pushes to the front and begs, nay, demands release.

So this is what I do. God help me.