As part of my role as Published Author's Online
Newsletter co-editor my job is to further promote
our chapter's published talent. With this directive
in mind, I tapped into my inquisitive inner self
and thought about what I always wanted to know.
There are questions that have been lurking at
the back of my mind but I never quite got around
to asking. Perfect. As a new monthly feature in
the Spotlight I will share their answers, insights
and wisdom with you.
I smiled at some of the responses, nodded sagely
in agreement with others and laughed out loud
at some of the more practical ones. So, go grab
yourself a drink, snuggle into your favourite
reading spot and settle down for a nice chat with
some of GVC's fabulous authors.
Helen Cho: Now that you are
a published writer, what is next? Where are you
planning to go to from this point in your life?
What are your future aspirations? As a writer
and as a person, what has your life been like
after your first publication?
Eileen Cook: I have aspirations
of being a literary diva and lounging about with
chocolates, a feather boa and a fountain pen.
In reality, I plan to keep writing and trying
to improve as a writer. Anne Lamott talked about
"bird by bird," right now for me it
is about book by book. My first book doesn't come
out until February. I suspect my life will be
pretty much the same except for the amount of
time I will spend stalking the bookstore shelf
where my book sits waiting to cheer when someone
picks it up.
Joyce Sullivan: I have tremendously
enjoyed being a published author. I consider each
published book a miracle and mourn the projects
that never see publication. Life is supposed to
be about change and transitions, learning and
growing. I hope that no matter what I am writing,
I am learning and growing from the process.
Kay Gregory: What next? No real
idea. Not planning much except to write - and
sell - another book, which I have started at last.
Or maybe to sell more short stories. Future aspirations?
That's pretty much it. As a person, I'm pretty
much content with where I am. Life did change
after my first publication. Hey, I was a writer!
Not just a dreamer, although I'll always be that
too. At first I felt pretentious when people asked
me to sign books or looked awestruck. I knew I
was still just me. But I kind of liked being somebody
new. Life has definitely improved since publication.
No more ridiculous jobs, like gutting fish or
packaging paper bags.
Susan Lyons: I sold 4 books
and 1 novella in a year, and I want to keep moving
forward with my writing and build a solid career.
I write stories about character growth, facing
up to your personal demons, dealing with parental
expectations, the bonds of friendship and, of
course, the incredible power of love. My stories
are intense, passionate, heartwarming and fun.
And that's what I want to keep writing. The first
year of selling and being published has been wonderful,
but incredibly fast-paced and crazy-making! I
feel like a rider in the saddle of a terrific
horse that's in danger of running away with me,
so now I need to figure out how to exert a little
more control without breaking my horse's spirit.
Leanne Karella: Being published
by small e-publishing houses, my goal is to make
it to print with a larger print house. To keep
learning my craft, become better through practice
and hard work.
The only real change since becoming published
is that I'm much busier than ever before. Finishing
the manuscript really is just the tip of the iceberg.
And then I still have to be the mom and wife the
family has come to expect from me. *grin*
Kate Austin: What next? That's
kind of a pun in my case because I write for Harlequin's
new women's fiction line, NEXT - and I guess that's
what NEXT. Sell them another book or two. I love
my life just the way it is - busy, chaotic and
a lot of fun. My future aspirations are just to
keep living the life I love. And life after my
first publication? Hmmm, not much different -
just that I'm getting paid for what I was doing
for free before - oh, and doing a lot more promotion.
Laura Drewry: More writing.
And then more writing. LOL. We've just moved back
to our home town (after living away for almost
9 years), so our lives have taken a bit of a turn.
We're living closer to family, which means I can
focus more on them and enjoy the time we get to
spend together. Over the next few years, I will
continue to write, as well as continue to study
the craft and the business.
Gael Morrison: Publishing my
first three books was a thrill, and having two
of them picked up for large print was exciting
too. Libraries were where my love of reading began
and to know my books were in them felt awesome.
As to what's next, professionally, I simply want
to carry on writing books I love and continue
to perfect my craft. Personally, I'm enjoying
my husband and four sons and watching my boys
experience amazing things.
Helen Cho: Great answers, ladies!
Thanks for sharing. We'll continue with our chat
in next month's Spotlight.
Please note: When this online interview was
conducted last year, everything the authors said
was current. At time of publication (months later),
their success has in all likelihood grown. Isn't
that wonderful?
Cheers...Helen
Articles may be reprinted in RWA® chapter
newsletters, attributed to the Spotlight.
Non-RWA® newsletters may not reprint articles
without the permission of the authors.
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