Write First, Blog Later

Greetings and welcome to my blog!

I am a new author.  I’m tempted to be self-deprecating here and put the word “author” in snarl quotes, but there will be plenty of time for all that kind of stuff later.

My first foray in publishing was a travel story I wrote about black water rafting in a glow worm cave in Waitomo, New Zealand.  Originally, I wrote the story just so I wouldn’t have to keep repeating the tale to my friends.  Instead, I could just say, “Oh, you want to know about that rafting trip, huh?  Well, here — read this.”   The story got a good reaction from all who read it and they encouraged me to publish it.

But where?  This wasn’t your typical travel story.  For one thing, there was a fair amount of cussing in it.  And while I believe the article painted an accurate and vivid picture of what to expect on such a trip, it’s basically a relationship story.  

My husband (no, I didn’t divorce him after the trip) loves technology.  He owns a Kindle, Amazon's electronic book.  He suggested I publish on that device.  I didn’t write the story for the money, and it costs nothing to publish on the Kindle, so I decided to follow his advice.  I know only three people who own Kindles, so I was surprised to see that more than three people had bought my story.  This fact, and the fact I have a ridiculously supportive husband, has encouraged me to do more writing.

If you'd to take a look at my story on Amazon.com, you can see it at Waitomo Caves - Wonderland or WeirdoLand.

I’ve just finished my first draft of a novel and have started investigating the hideous labyrinth of how to find an agent and get published.  Spend ten minutes googling for advice on such matters and you’ll see what I mean.  I am undaunted though.  Not because I have high hopes that my novel will get published by some big publishing house like Houghton Mifflin or Random.  No, no, not at all.  It’s just this:  I have a story to tell, and damn it, I’m going to tell it.

Comments

[dissertation writing]

I'm pretty sure you will be a successful writer because I see in you that you're dedicated in writing and you love it with all your hearts. Travel writing is good. I'm no writer but I have a journal where all my life experiences are written. My favorite time to write is when I'm traveling because I can see a lot of inspiration like the perfect sceneries.

Happy writing and more power!