Happy Anniversary To Me!

Three years ago today, I published my first book. Well, since I’d already written them, I also published my second and third ones too.

1st 3 book covers 7-13-11A Fine Mess is the only one with its original cover. I tried a new one but, while it was pretty, it looked like a professionally decorated birthday cake so I changed it back.

On July 13, 2011, I made a decision to make writing my only professional goal. I’d been composing stories since the age of fifteen, and with doors opening right and left in the publishing industry, I knew I needed to take a chance.

Common sense tried to talk me out of it, told me I didn’t know what I was doing. My budget didn’t allow for professional editing  (I hadn’t heard of beta readers at the time), the odds of  succeeding as such a small fish in a huge ocean of other authors were slim to none. I thought about giving up on my dream but then it came down to a choice.

I can’t mention one of my grandfather’s favorite sayings here so I’ll just say it was a ‘damn the torpedoes, full-speed ahead’ kind of thing. I’d do the best job I knew how to do at the time, give it everything I had to give … and I haven’t looked back since.

Is it easy to be an author? Nope. Writing is hard work. Characters have temper tantrums – and make Hollywood divas look like docile little puppies. Story lines that sound like a good idea can start giving me problems partway through the book. And then there’s the editing… And more editing. And more editing.

Choosing a career where you’re constantly pulling scenes and ideas out of your head, and trying to make your heroes and heroines (and their entourage) three-dimensional people … people you might know if you saw them walking along the street or browsing the aisles at the local grocery store … isn’t as easy as one might think. In fact, I wind up as exhausted from several hours of writing as I would from several hours of working hard around the house. Sometimes even more so.

But you know what?

I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve met some of the most wonderful readers an author could hope to know. I’ve gotten to know fellow authors that really get what this life is like.

The first three years of this journey have been amazing, and I’m looking forward to many, many more anniversaries. But for each and every one of you, there wouldn’t be a reason to celebrate. So, from the bottom of my heart…

Thanks for loving my characters and the worlds they live in as much as I do.

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7 Responses to Happy Anniversary To Me!

  1. karenmcfarland says:

    Congratulations Kristy! Happy Anniversary girlfriend! Wahoo!!!!!

  2. I’m so happy for you! Happy anniversary. 🙂 You know I’d love to support you in any way I can. Just say the word.

    • Kristy K. James says:

      Thanks so much, Kitt! I don’t suppose you know a doctor who does secret cloning, do you? Cause I could totally get into the Multiplicity thing. There’s too much writing to be done and only one of me. 😀

      Seriously though, I know it. Someday when you’re not quite so busy, I might hit you up for some beta reading. 😀

  3. Shineka says:

    Happy Anniversary!!!!!!

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