Mindset Shift: From Dreamer to Published Author
I'm an aspiring author working on self-publishing my first novel, Working Title: Lucky Storm. It's a romantic suspense thriller to be released in 2025. My manuscript is in the hands of an editor–who is combing through every word–to help me share with you the very best version of my work. Ultimately, this will be the first novel in a planned trilogy where we follow the life and love of our main character, Stormé LaChance, and our lead detective, Maurice Constantine.
Wow, that was a lot of shameless promotion! So let me get back to the reason we're here. I'm starting this blog to share with you the ups and downs of my journey to getting my first book published, and to talk about my progression from writer, to aspiring author, to published author.
I’ve spent my entire life talking about becoming a famous writer. I spent hours in my youth dreaming of writing a book that would captivate my audience and make me feel seen and understood. But marriage, children, career, space and time pulled me away from the one thing that remains my genuine passion - writing and inspiring others to read, write and share their stories.
In my early years, I wrote poetry, short stories, and read A LOT. I competed in "Spoken Word" competitions where I often won awards for dramatic readings of my own words or the works of other famous authors like "The Creation" by James Weldon Johnson or excerpts from "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry. The problem is none of my work was published. Or recorded. So those early years of inspiration and hope as a young writer faded. Forever lost in the nostalgia of days gone by.
A light bulb came on for me one day. I was sitting with a friend in a Zoom call in 2021, lamenting about how hard it is to be an "aspiring writer." Then it hit me. There's no such thing as an "aspiring writer." You simple write or you don't. Writers put thoughts on paper and usually hide it away - like in a journal or diary. Writing is the action that puts words on the page. It doesn't include a plan to get the words published. And that was the case of my earlier work. I wrote for the joy of writing, getting my words on paper, and occasionally being able to share my thoughts through dramatic readings. I hadn't committed to being an aspiring author - someone who writes and has a plan to get their work published!
So here I am today, back to enjoying my passion for writing as an aspiring author. Getting to this point took a shift in mindset. Instead of writing when "I find the time" or "I feel inspired," writing has become a part of my daily routine. I get up each morning and host a live stream called Daily Inspiration for Writers where we gather on Twitch and YouTube to write or perform tasks to support our shared goals to become published authors. We are a tight-knit community where we support each other with inspiration while we draft stories, edit, complete admin tasks (i.e. keeping up with schedules, timelines, planning events, writing and answering emails from editors, publishers, inquiries). We've been doing this with consistency since October and it has been a game changer!
"Consistency" was my word for 2024. Now, six days a week, I'm doing at least one thing to support the writing habit and my dreams of becoming a published author. My writing now has a purpose beyond self-expression. As published works, my words will have a greater impact on the world around me as I share thought provoking stories that challenge the status quo and inspire others to use their gift of words to do the same.
As I move into 2025, my new word for the year is "Determination." I'm determined to continue managing my schedule, my time, and remaining consistent as both a writer and aspiring author. Plans are underway to get through the editing process and then the self-publishing journey begins. It's a short–long road ahead. If you know, you know. And I appreciate you for being here with me on this journey.
Sending Peace, Love and Positivity Your Way
- EK Rose
