I'm excited to share another guest post casting a look back at 2014 for one of my amazing author friends. This is the 3rd post of this feature series. You can read Guest Post 2 by Saurabh Garg here.
My 2014 - Summerita Rhayne
Many thanks Devika for inviting me to share my thoughts about 2014.
As I sit writing this post it’s 31st December on the calendar. And what pops into my mind is: Poor 2014! Or for that matter, any old year. We're so busy ushering in the New one, we forget to say goodbye to the Old one properly. From mid December, ‘Happy New Year’ starts coming easily from everyone’s mouth. But the year gone by, the mistakes we made… we prefer to forget it all. Maybe there are some lessons hidden in there, something to be learnt from how we have been, which can make 2015 more golden?
This is why a reflection post like this one is so opportune, a way of paying homage to The Gone Year, excuse the pun :)
For me, the year 2014 brought several changes. My kids went on to higher classes which meant they became busier in studies. With the pressure of competitive exams, finding outdoor time has become problematic for them these days. Enrolling them in some activities seemed to be a good solution. It started with tennis but didn’t work out so now child no. 2 is trying out dance and finding it better fun. We missed on summer vacation. A family wedding and all the 'big fat wedding' factor involved did make up a bit. You could say, staying up all night and feeling like a zombie the next day is definitely a change from routine! We had a healthy discussion at my workplace whether Hindu weddings ought to be shifted to daytime. I'm afraid I'm rather old fashioned in this and despite the discomfort, prefer the romantic aura of midnight weddings! :)
Before this turns into a rambling post, I must share an exciting change that 2014 brought. This was my shift into self publishing. I've been published traditionally and loved it except for a few factors. By the way, the stint in self publishing has made me appreciate a lot what publishers do for authors. All one has to do in that case is writing the book and let them take over except where marketing is concerned. However, I have found I love self publishing even more. It gives you total control on the whole process – from writing to the moment the book is ready. I've learnt a LOT about that process. I share some of the rudiments here on how to publish on Amazon. Currently I'm putting out my book on Smashwords and looking into other sites. For someone who didn't even know Word properly, though I did a three month course on it – didn't practice much then – to have come to design my book cover and format the book for electronic and print, it is big step forward. I learnt more about readers’ engagement, about selling on Amazon... about not obsessively checking sale reports! ;) With my second book out, I'm making steady progress though and am hopeful. Every time a sale shows up on the graph, it makes my heart swell with pride because I have had such a big part in the creation of that work. Not all my doing of course, because it’s all thanks to the resources I had. But still, creativity in whatever form – that's what art is about.
This is definitely turning into a word sprawl of a post. I'm sure this isn't what Devika had in mind when she invited me to guest post. But I can't leave without sharing something of even more importance. So do stick around if you don't mind the buzz of words.
2014 also brought a change in my ‘life’ perspective. For the last few years, I have been very busy focusing on writing and 'making it'. I was postponing every less important thing and spending quality rather than quantity time with family. Some time this year, with the pressure of traditional publishing lessening from my shoulders, I found I became my own master. No deadlines. No rush. I was doing what I was for my own satisfaction, so anxiety was reduced. No tension of headlocks with editors - I haven't had any but sometimes it can factor in your dreams. What if your editor refused to go with the scene you simply must have in the book? Or if she didn't agree to keep the character in the book that you have hinged the story on? As I said, my editors were too sweet for words – it says much about them that I can say this behind their back –‘but you know how anxiety can distort things? Well, all that was gone. Last year, I had two books out. This year I maintained that. So even with slackening off and spending more time playing cards and scrabble with kids and gossiping with mom-in-law – well, not gossiping precisely, just sharing news of all and sundry....I was still able to work on my books. So, as I look back, I think – not bad! The family is happier having me back, metaphorically speaking. I have got rid of that 'I must do more' feeling I had about writing and begun to enjoy it more. The off side is I do tend to slacken more, so have to work on disciplining myself a bit. Anyone up for #writing sprints or one hour one thousand words? :)
So, this was the year for me, the important bits anyway. Before Devika decides to throw me out of her blog, I had better make a graceful, if hurried, exit!
*picks up her bag and walks. Turns back at the door*
Oh, and do share what important change 2014 made in your life. Or what change you mean to make in 2015?
Happy New Year!
*fireworks* *exploding chrysanthemums*
As I sit writing this post it’s 31st December on the calendar. And what pops into my mind is: Poor 2014! Or for that matter, any old year. We're so busy ushering in the New one, we forget to say goodbye to the Old one properly. From mid December, ‘Happy New Year’ starts coming easily from everyone’s mouth. But the year gone by, the mistakes we made… we prefer to forget it all. Maybe there are some lessons hidden in there, something to be learnt from how we have been, which can make 2015 more golden?
This is why a reflection post like this one is so opportune, a way of paying homage to The Gone Year, excuse the pun :)
For me, the year 2014 brought several changes. My kids went on to higher classes which meant they became busier in studies. With the pressure of competitive exams, finding outdoor time has become problematic for them these days. Enrolling them in some activities seemed to be a good solution. It started with tennis but didn’t work out so now child no. 2 is trying out dance and finding it better fun. We missed on summer vacation. A family wedding and all the 'big fat wedding' factor involved did make up a bit. You could say, staying up all night and feeling like a zombie the next day is definitely a change from routine! We had a healthy discussion at my workplace whether Hindu weddings ought to be shifted to daytime. I'm afraid I'm rather old fashioned in this and despite the discomfort, prefer the romantic aura of midnight weddings! :)
Before this turns into a rambling post, I must share an exciting change that 2014 brought. This was my shift into self publishing. I've been published traditionally and loved it except for a few factors. By the way, the stint in self publishing has made me appreciate a lot what publishers do for authors. All one has to do in that case is writing the book and let them take over except where marketing is concerned. However, I have found I love self publishing even more. It gives you total control on the whole process – from writing to the moment the book is ready. I've learnt a LOT about that process. I share some of the rudiments here on how to publish on Amazon. Currently I'm putting out my book on Smashwords and looking into other sites. For someone who didn't even know Word properly, though I did a three month course on it – didn't practice much then – to have come to design my book cover and format the book for electronic and print, it is big step forward. I learnt more about readers’ engagement, about selling on Amazon... about not obsessively checking sale reports! ;) With my second book out, I'm making steady progress though and am hopeful. Every time a sale shows up on the graph, it makes my heart swell with pride because I have had such a big part in the creation of that work. Not all my doing of course, because it’s all thanks to the resources I had. But still, creativity in whatever form – that's what art is about.
This is definitely turning into a word sprawl of a post. I'm sure this isn't what Devika had in mind when she invited me to guest post. But I can't leave without sharing something of even more importance. So do stick around if you don't mind the buzz of words.
2014 also brought a change in my ‘life’ perspective. For the last few years, I have been very busy focusing on writing and 'making it'. I was postponing every less important thing and spending quality rather than quantity time with family. Some time this year, with the pressure of traditional publishing lessening from my shoulders, I found I became my own master. No deadlines. No rush. I was doing what I was for my own satisfaction, so anxiety was reduced. No tension of headlocks with editors - I haven't had any but sometimes it can factor in your dreams. What if your editor refused to go with the scene you simply must have in the book? Or if she didn't agree to keep the character in the book that you have hinged the story on? As I said, my editors were too sweet for words – it says much about them that I can say this behind their back –‘but you know how anxiety can distort things? Well, all that was gone. Last year, I had two books out. This year I maintained that. So even with slackening off and spending more time playing cards and scrabble with kids and gossiping with mom-in-law – well, not gossiping precisely, just sharing news of all and sundry....I was still able to work on my books. So, as I look back, I think – not bad! The family is happier having me back, metaphorically speaking. I have got rid of that 'I must do more' feeling I had about writing and begun to enjoy it more. The off side is I do tend to slacken more, so have to work on disciplining myself a bit. Anyone up for #writing sprints or one hour one thousand words? :)
So, this was the year for me, the important bits anyway. Before Devika decides to throw me out of her blog, I had better make a graceful, if hurried, exit!
*picks up her bag and walks. Turns back at the door*
Oh, and do share what important change 2014 made in your life. Or what change you mean to make in 2015?
Happy New Year!
*fireworks* *exploding chrysanthemums*
Connect with the Author
Summerita Rhayne is a proud member of The Book Club, which helps authors from around the world with promotions.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/summerita.rhayne
Website: http://www.summeritarhayne.com
Twitter: @SummeritaRhayne
Buy Link for 'Against All Rules': http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MY2QVRS
Buy Link for 'Hidden Passion': http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Passion-Kamboj-Princess-Rukmani-ebook/dp/B00RBUM0EG
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/summerita.rhayne
Website: http://www.summeritarhayne.com
Twitter: @SummeritaRhayne
Buy Link for 'Against All Rules': http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MY2QVRS
Buy Link for 'Hidden Passion': http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Passion-Kamboj-Princess-Rukmani-ebook/dp/B00RBUM0EG
#2014 #Flashback #Authors
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