Each Beginning Chapter Each Unique Tale

Perhaps not everybody has what it takes to forge their own path, to create the way of life they want to experience. The world we're in demands we give it what it desires should we want to continue living with a roof over our heads and food on our table.

But then there are those who try; those who are brave enough to step aside and admit "I don't want that life for me,"

Whether it's due to stress, a lack of freedom, or the sheer desire to do what makes your soul ache for more, no matter what stage in life you're at, you'll know when you need to do what's best for you.

And right now, like so many out there, I am at that stage.

"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."

—Toni Morrison

Writing is something I have always loved. It broadens the potential of creative routes you can explore, where the written word is accompanied with other creative mediums.

With written words you can explore stories, films, audio products, pictures and much more. So many avenues and a lifetime to explore.

My love for writing connects strongly with the creation of stories.

I want to write books — paperback, hardback, eBook, and audiobook. Whatever for format, I want it out in the world. I want to see my work in peoples hands, have strangers discover the characters of this world for the first time, to feel what I felt when I wrote those scenes.

And while it can be possible to do that, it is also a difficult road.

"No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader."

—Robert Frost

For the purpose of this article, I'll focus my attention on the main publishing route I wish to go — self publishing. While I do hope to publish some work traditionally in the future, self publishing gives me the creative freedom I currently crave.

No matter how much you think you'll become a rich (or financially stable) author, when it comes to self publishing, income is something which takes time.

A lot of time.

It's common within the writing community to see authors publishing work while also working full time jobs. If your goal (like mine) is to earn a steady and reliable income from published work, then you need to accept and be prepared to embrace the fact that it will most likely be a long term project.

Unless of course, you have some superpower which makes you capable of publishing work every few months. I envy you. I think we all do.

When it comes to publishing books, there are ways you can broaden your list of potential reasons. That ways are publishing in multiple formats.

Above, you will have seen me mention paperback, hardback, eBook, and audiobooks. As the writer, utilizing all of these options gives you the best chance of income. Not everybody favours eBooks and not everybody favours audiobooks, but there will be readers who will stick to one of these methods to read. So why lose them as a potential reader?

Marketing is also something you usually have to tackle alone. I'll admit, I'm dreading this part. Your marketing skills can really determine whether or not you make a sale or two. Especially if you have a small audience.

My current audience (potential buyers to be more precise) are friends and family on Facebook who have shown there interest to my book announcement and those on Twitter in the writing community who I have become mutuals with.

It can be difficult when you feel as if you don't have the best communication skills (introvert mixed with a little social anxiety) but finding other writers online, who I try my best to communicate with by commenting on their posts, has given me an added sense of worth. Seeing them in all positions of publishing inspires me; I love that we share interests or are simply excited to support each other despite never meeting in person.

"A word after a word after a word is power."

—Margaret Atwood

If this writing dream goes in my favour, my wish is to create a steady, recurring income for myself and my partner. To have my own books on our bookshelves as I dive into every possible avenue with them. And when I feel I have the time and knowledge? I'll expand that skill into audio dramas, publishing them online for listeners to dive into, as well as creating a novel based on the drama itself.

It'll be hard work, it'll be a sense of achievement each and every time I finish a rough draft and every time I publish the final draft.

It'll be perfect.

I have so much to tell, so many worlds to build and characters to dive into, but for now, as a thank you for taking the time to read this article I would like to share with you the yet to be revealed cover for my debut novel, Look Up.

I cannot wait to share this with you in the near future.