My brother recently came to stay, he’s an intellectual introvert like me, although he’s more intelligent. I value his opinions and arguments, even though I might not always agree with them! In recent years though we have become more aligned as we shift to being the sandwich generation. My parents are very much healthy and hearty at the moment, but I try to look out for them as they have done (and still do very much) for me.
Anyway, back to the point. I’ve always wanted to be an author, since childhood. I’ve always written stories and created entire universes in my head. It’s getting them down on paper that’s hard. You also have to take a leap of faith with your time and be prepared to ‘lose’ it. Imagine, you finally finish your long-overdue novel, but nobody except your mum wants to read it never mind publish it or paying for it. Yes, I write, I write nearly every day in the form of blog posts, social media posts, and the like. I’ve written for other publications and clients apart from my own blogs, so you could say I am already a professional author and writer. In one of my favourite films, The Runaway Bride (a true classic), Richard Gere’s character is a journalist who wanted to be an author, and his Mother told him that journalism is a novel in a hurry. I’ve always sought comfort from those words.
So, why haven’t I written a novel, apart from the time commitment? Well, that’s a big one to start with – time is money as they say. I also only seem to have a certain amount of energy, especially mental energy per day. If it doesn’t make me money, give me pleasure, or is a necessity for living, then it’s hard to garner motivation. In true ADHD fashion, I have several creative ideas constantly going around my head and I have no idea which one to focus on. Which one would people like, which one would sell? Should I write in the style I mostly like to consume? This can change with the weather anyway. I sometimes like trashy romance novels which are so predictable, I like to know they are going to end up together, I like the security of it. I like the certainty that the male is going to be full on in love and not going to cheat or find his heroine wanting. Does that mean I should write the same? I also like to read intricate sagas, crime, fantasy, and science fiction.
I asked my brother recently about this quandary (in case you’re wondering how he fits in to my ramble).
“Should I write a formulaic romance that I know people will enjoy, or should I write a more traditional romance novel, one which I’ve had in my head for years?”
This is the question I posed to him. His answer was so simple, and my Mum agreed, you shouldn’t write for a particular audience, or where you think there is a gap in the market, write what you enjoy writing, what you want to write.
I know this isn’t rocket science, but it helped me. I’ve started writing already, and I’m adding to it when I feel inspired. It won’t be time wasted because I’m doing it for me, to get my story out of my head and onto the page. Of course, I’d love to see it published one day and I know I can self publish. I’m still not sure on the total direction the book will take, will it be a straight romance, an erotic novel or a bit if both, I’m going to just write the first draft and then look over it again. I’ll be guided by my muse. I may even publish a chapter or two here for you and ask for feedback.
I have already written and self published one book, but it isn’t fiction, its my own true story of the trauma my family and I went through when I had my first child and trying to have healthy children. So far it hasn’t been turned into a Hollywood film yet but I’m still hopeful. I really just wanted to get all those thoughts and feelings out of my head and to remember them if I wanted to. It’s sold a few copies here and there and it’s always received positively when people read it, but I don’t focus on promoting it as much as I should. So here’s my plug, if you’d like to read my story, it’s available on amazon for £4.99 or less if you have amazon prime.
I’m trying to be more proactive about becoming a writer full-time, so you may see some more writing/ramblings soon. I am willing to bet if you are reading this, you have thought about it too at one point in your life. So come with me for the ride, remember, it’s never too late to start and something is better than nothing.
