So, I wanted to begin by saying ...

Hi.

I greet everyone with a 'hi' whether it's first thing in the morning and I'm going to work or it's afternoon, I've just arrived home, checked my letter box and noticed my neighbour is out watering. I've never been a 'good morning' or 'good afternoon' person. I thought I'd put that out there; a way of saying I'm fairly informal.

At this moment, I'm a wannabe writer. It's been a dream. It's been a hope. It's been my exit plan out of the classroom. Having watched yet another graduation ceremony, accompanied by the same wistful tug somewhere in the pit of my stomach I sincerely think it is time for me to leave school finally. Up until this point in time it has been the hope that I could become a great writer that has kept me going from one day to the next.

I realised recently it is also this 'hope' that has been preventing me from taking the next step. What if I act and nothing comes of it? What if it's just a another dream that didn't pan out? What if I'm no good? Isn't it better just to hang onto the hope and never put it out there?

I don't know how it happened but in recent weeks I came up with a plan, found my resolve and now I'm putting it out there. Even just this afternoon I've signed up for do-it-yourself book PR and marketing.

Anyway, the point of this was to say 'hi'.

I like reading books with a little romance, a little mystery/suspense, sometimes with a technology flavour so that's where I am now heading with my writing.

I agree. All good reasons to continue playing with words. If I had to identify a weakness it's definitely running at the first sign of adversity. This will strengthen my ability to accept rejection and plan new ways to meet my goals.

Thanks

I do sometimes wonder when and how my dreaming became something more. As I said in the first post 'hope' was driving me but also keeping me in a holding pattern of writing, revising and more writing without ever taking it further.

In recent times somehow, somewhere, while I was reading about the efforts of others, I formulated a plan. Part of this plan is to self-publish and out-source where needed. I've just hired someone to do the cover. I have given earlier versions to friends to critique. I've since learned this is not the best idea so I've updated the plan and given copies to non-friends to critique as well.

I've just finished another revision of my work and sent it to an editor. All because I happened across the term 'ARC' which seems to be something I really need to know about as an indie author.

At some stage I'll remember I have a day job.

Every day.