Trodding the Indie Highway

Wednesday, April 10, 2013



Once again, it's time for the Indie Life post. The focus of the group is to share thoughts and give encouragement to those who've decided to take the independent route to publishing. See the list of other participants here.


As at the end of March, I waded into the sea of independent publishing again. This time, with a novel—Christine’s Odyssey—that features a young protagonist. This book has passed through many readers, including judges in the premier local creative writing competition. As with every other book published, whether traditionally or as an independent writer, the doubts come calling.

Will people get the story? Will they think I’m out of my mind to think readers will enjoy what I’ve written? Ultimately though, it would have been out of the question for me not to follow the path I’ve taken to this point.

We spend hours, days, weeks, months and years labouring over our books, sometimes for little financial reward, but the writer inside pushes us onward, helping us to become better with each completed manuscript.

With each success, we grow and change, recognizing that we can’t be anybody but who we are, or do anything outside of what we’re meant to do.

Despite the hiccups, I decided a long time ago that I’d keep writing, and if it’s something that you love, so should you.

Skip down for my I post in the Blogging from A-Z Challenge.

14 comments:

  1. If it's what you want to do, you can't quit. And those of you who self-publish are an inspiration to every writer.

    ReplyDelete
  2. im seriously considering self publishign so i love learning all i can about it. Thanks for your posts!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good idea, Nutschell. I try to learn as much as I can about any activity I plan to dive into.

      Delete
  3. Self-publishing was my first choice. I never sent in a manuscript or looked for an agent, and I'm so glad I took this path. I hope your indie future is bright, J.L!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier, my Indie Life post was late but it's up now.

    Tips for Raffelcopters...

    Julie~ My Indie Life Article

    ReplyDelete
  4. I don't know if I could say I understood what you were trying to get across from the story but I know what the story meant to me. I was really affected by the story for probably different reasons than you. All I do know is, I really liked the story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Clarissa. CO is a story that has affected a lot of people who've read it.

      Delete
  5. Hey Joy,
    The Indie route is certainly not one weak of heart. It's a road that requires persistence. Christine's Odyssey is another great penned work by you :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For sure, it takes a lot of stick-to-it-iveness not to throw in the towel. Thanks for your kind words.

      Delete
  6. I love this post. It's true that in the pursuit of getting pubbed, we sometimes try to shape ourselves to fit the market. It's hard to "own" your work when no one seems to want it. Sometimes it takes courage just to be yourself.
    Great post! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lexa, too true. When I look each craze, I'm tempted to think 'what if', but I know the current craze is not what I write and so I keep my eyes on what I do well.

      Delete

Don't be shy, I'd love to hear what you think.