It's difficult to believe so much time has passed since my first book was published, but it has been twenty years. I was so inexperienced that I was excited when I was offered a publishing contract by a questionable publishing house. (I didn't know it was questionable at the time.)
I think the novel sold three copies, for which I thank my friends. Otherwise, it collected dust while I watched it flop. Because I had no idea I was supposed to do anything to help it soar. I relied upon a publishing company who didn't communicate with me after publication. Needless to say, I was sorely disappointed and thought that maybe writing wasn't my thing. But I pushed on. Probably out of sheer tenacity only. I just knew I didn't want that one book to be the sum of my writing career. So I wrote another book then another. They didn't actually start selling well until 2005. There have been ebbs and flows ever since, and I look back now and think that I don't regret the publication of that first book. Even though it didn't go anywhere and no one has really read it, it started my journey, and its resounding splat against the pavement as it crashed and burned ignited a spark in me. So this is why I celebrate the anniversary of the publication of my first book that didn't sell.
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I stepped away from writing fantasy and paranormal for a while because my muse had shifted gears. Now it has pivoted yet again, and I'm back in familiar territory. The book I recently finished was a paranormal romance, and the one I'm currently writing is a fantasy romance. While I'm writing in these genres, I tend to watch a lot of television series and movies that fit as well. Unsurprisingly, I've usually get addicted to one, two, or more. Like I did with A Discovery of Witches. Folks, this series is based upon the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, and can I just say it's fabulous? Seriously, if you love witches and vampires, you should check this series out. It's short, with only three seasons (or series as it's called in the UK) that total 25 episodes. So it's a quick binge, which is good because it's difficult to stop at just one or two episodes. Matthew Goode plays the vampire, Dr. Matthew Clairmont (or de Claremont), and Teresa Palmer plays Dr. Diana Bishop, a witch. Their love is forbidden by a covenant that was established 900 years ago, but that doesn't stop them from falling in love. And their chemistry just leaps off the screen.
This show is rich in history and magic, introduces a different take on vampires, highlights the importance of equality, and is about love, friendship, grief, guilt, restoration, and so much more. I knew the end was coming to the series this year, but I've still been secretly hoping for a fourth season or a movie, mini-series, something to continue Matthew and Diana's journey. If you haven't watched it already, watch it. Seriously. It's that good. You can stream it on AMC and Sundance or buy the individual seasons on Amazon. Believe me when I tell you it's worth every cent. I like to challenge myself in different aspects of my life and not just in blogging. I'm starting two new challenges next week. The first is to read two books from genres I wouldn't ordinarily read. I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to ready as I love fantasy and paranormal in both adult and young adult, and I love reading nonfiction as well, mostly memoirs and biographies. And I have an entire list of genres I don't much care to read. But I'm going to have to choose two from those categories and give them a go.
I'm doing roughly the same thing with a movie challenge. I like a lot more in various movie genres, but there are still a handful I don't care for like subtitled foreign films as I don't like to have to read when I'm trying to watch the movie. I also dislike psychological thrillers and tearjerkers, despise horror, and am not the biggest fan of westerns. I know horror is already off the table. So I'll be clenching my teeth to chose the movies. So why do I do this when I don't have to? Because I think that challenges help me to grow. Expanding my horizon is always a good thing. Maybe I'll find that I really do like that new book genre. Or watching a psychological thriller will confirm that I still dislike them. It's a lot like eating something you've never had before. You don't really know you'll hate it until you try it. That said, I have tried a lot of those movie genres, but I'm still going to just grin and bear it because I still could learn something. If nothing else, I'll watching for the actors and their take on the roles while I'm trying not to watch the clock. I'll share the different books I've read and the movies I've watched as soon as I've finished. I'm hoping that I'll end up being surprised! |
AuthorMy thoughts, experiences, challenges, and goals. Right here. At least once a week or so. Oh, and opinions, too. Those will definitely come in. Join me! Archives
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