March 22nd will be the fourth anniversary of the release of Dark Elves I: Taken. Four years ago last summer, I finally bit the bullet, finished a story and sent it in to a publisher. Four years ago it was accepted by Loose Id. Man, it’s been a wild ride since.
It’s not all that I thought it would be. My fear back then were the usual: would anyone like it, would anyone hate it, would I be able to write another one. It turned out that a lot of people like it and still like it and I was able to come up with new stories. Not just new stories, I came up with two other new series while still developing the elves’ world. I introduced myself to a kind of romance that I hadn’t considered writing before (m/m) but I find that I’m rather enjoying. I finally cashed in on some of the many fantasies that I had back when I was a teenager dreaming about my favorite rock star. I got to finally write about elves, my favorite fantasy race. I got to write my take on witches and shifters. Fun stuff.
Now I have different fears. As is the case with so many things in life, it’s a ‘careful what you wish for’ scenario. I wanted to write for a living and now I have that chance. I’m not supporting myself and my family fully, but I’m halfway there. Now, of course, I actually have to write. I’ve got to keep it up. I not only feel the need to think up brand new characters, I’m still playing with the old ones. Heaven Sent ended up being nine books in the original arc, and I’m adding another now plus planning a sequel series. The elves’ sixth book is my next project. It’s the end of the arc that I have planned, but I don’t rule out the possibility of revisiting the world. The Leashed series has just reached a plateau but I’ve got more planned for Meg, Michael and Rudy. But I can’t just lose myself in these alternate worlds. I’ve still got to live in this world. I still get distracted. I get tired. The family wants me to check in with them now and again. Besides, if I don’t check into the real world once and awhile, I’ll lose touch with it completely and my stories do draw on the real stuff from time to time.
So, I’m finding my balance. Wish me luck.
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February 14th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I hear ya, Jet.
We’re all here rooting for you, though!
Ash
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:17 am
When my first novel (MAIDENSONG w/a Diana Groe) came out, NYTimes Bestseller Bobbi Smith gave me this sage advice.
“Stay published.”
Sounds like you are fulfilling the prime directive, my friend.
I’ll add to Bobbi’s wisdom with a poor offering of my own.
“If you have no life, you’ll have nothing to write about.”
Fantasy or other types of fiction, our stories are primarily about relationships. We need to take care of our real ones. The fact that you realize you need balance bodes very well for you and your fam.
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:37 am
Good, sound advice in both cases. thanks
February 25th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
I love the Dark Elves books! Just had to add that LOL.
Minx
February 25th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Thank you!