Starving Artist Alert

Today I published my first novel. Today I am officially a starving artist.

You can find my novel, Rising, here on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/145701

And here on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Rising-The-Czar-Chronicles-ebook

Now, I'm not starving and this isn't my first novel. It is the longest thing I've ever published, and if it doesn't sell I could some day starve. Maybe. Being a bohemian is a wonderful lifestyle, but starving, not so much.

This is, if I can remember correctly (and I cannot), my fifth novel-length work. It's the first one I've had the guts to publish. But then maybe it's not guts we're talking about, but just old fashioned don't care.

That's what it really took in the end. I had to shelve my perfectionism. There wasn't anything I was dissatisfied with by the time I got to draft #5, but I could have waited. I could have taken three months and let my eyes rest, then go over it again with a fine-toothed comb.

Instead I decided to jump in head first, daring the water to be two feet deep. After the slog of editing I've done, I can't say that I care anymore. If it flops, if it succeeds, if I write another one, if I don't.

I will write the sequel, and both books will succeed, eventually. In fact, this one has already succeeded, because my only goal was to publish it. Selling it isn't on my radar right now, and I'll certainly write better books in years and decades to come, assuming I'm still alive and able to think clearly enough and have the function of my fingers.

I'm glad this is over now. I'm glad I can go back to writing at a snail's pace, taking my time, doing things right. I don't need to pressure myself this hard for a long time, and I won't. I'll get things done, slowly, and in the years to come I'll amass quite a collection of pulp fiction for your enjoyment.

It's certainly a joy to write this stuff.

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14 Responses to Starving Artist Alert

  1. I will be looking forward to this one! Shamefully, I have to admit I never have gotten around to starting the other one. :( Promise, though, it is next on my list to start! Thanks so much for sending it to me when my order didn't go through.
    Good luck with this novel!
    Blessings!

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    1. You're very welcome, Martha! And there's no shame in it. I've got books still in the queue to read for friends, and life is busy.

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  2. I'd like to read some samples

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    1. The first ten percent is viewable on Smashwords, but I should definitely post something here.

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  3. I agree that it's a joy and I hate doing anything like this fast. Congratulations on letting go of your long creation.

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  4. Congrats! It's always a good feeling when you finish a book.

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  5. Congatulations with finishing your novel, looking forward to reading it!

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  6. Congratulations Nova..
    I'd love to read it some day :)

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  7. Congratulations! I know you are happy and relaxed to at least have it done and out there. And this is a big achievement. I look forward to reading it soon, and I hope to see all of your many books out there in the future. Take care!

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  8. Congrats. Hope it does well and makes you proud :)

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