Progress!

Last week I talked about a fork in the road. That defining moment where it's time to put up or shut up for where it comes to my writing career. Or at least that is how I see it. For me it was the choice to keep on with the decision I'd said I was going to self publish or keep pursuing traditional. Either way I needed help with my writing. I need an editor. Then again don't we always need an editor? In the long run I want to be a hybrid, write both traditional and indie (self publish). This way no matter what I have control in my career, even if I only end up traditionally publishing one book, I still have a hand in what I release and how it's released. 

Which road will you choose?

I digress, so I've decided to take the road that's unpaved but the trial is becoming more and more clear the more people have decided to go that way. With that I've set my goal and have officially started to invest in myself.

If taking that first step is the hardest, then I'm glad that I've finally did it. I still can't announce when my debut novel will be released as of yet, as I'm waiting to make any announcement until I get my work back from my editor (you heard that right, I officially have an editor that I will be working with on this project) next month. Don't worry though I can confirm that my first release will be a paranormal romance that will come out in 2014.

I know I'm mean and tease you all like none other with those two not so little announcements. But with contracting with an editor I can firmly say that I'm no longer stuck at the fork on the road staring at both ways wondering and debating on the pros and cons of each route.

In the end I've made an executive decision that was not rash or rushed, but a thought out business wise. A persons career goals are very personal, especially when they are apart of your dream job, thus I needed to step back and look at how to get there as if I were someone else who was hired on. How long will it take to get the product out there? How do I need to bring in to make this product the best it can be and at what cost? Is the mental timeline that you have set up actually achievable or do you need to push it back? Branding wise, is this one project the right one you want to make a debut for? Do you have something to follow up with this project to keep that brand going?

Taking in every singe one of those questions into consideration helped me chose the path I chose. And so far I think it's the right path. Then again I'm just on the beginning of a very long road that I'm excited to see where it will take me in the end.

Progress people! It's amazing to feel like I'm actually taking steps into reaching my goal. Not just talking about it and writing whenever I can, but tangible steps. I'm just that much closer to getting to where I want to be.

Don't let fear hold you back from making the choice that feels right for you. Go for it. Make those scary decisions and investments into your dream. The rush you get from doing that is something that not everyone can experience and it's fantastic. I know when I scheduled when to send my work to my official editor my heart was pounding a mile a minute with excitement. I wanted to both cry and cheer with joy before the 'holy shit' moment hit.

Holy Shit moment? Yup, the moment that the hard work is just about to start. Underneath all that excitement and I'll admit there was a moment of I want to quit. I don't want to know if people hate my work. That I'm not a good enough writer. Then I realized it doesn't matter. We all have to start somewhere and I think I have the right editor that will help me grow and learn to be better. Then I found this great quote, It's always too early to quit. In the end I'll never quit. I'll always keep write cause with being self published I'm doing this for me and my future readers. Yes it is a business, but it's my business. I write for me. I publish for me. Don't let anyone tell you do otherwise. They aren't the ones putting in the hard work to make your dreams happen. It's all on you.

But don't worry, you're not alone. You have me to cheer you on. Invest in yourself. Invest in your dreams and keep making progress. Keep walking towards your dream goals. And don't forget that sledge hammer to help knock down those doors that were once closed or those pesky roadblocks. In the end there will always be roadblocks. Never let them forever stop you.
 

I can't wait until I can make the official title name release, the date it will release, and cover reveals. Till then I will leave you all wanting more. :) I know I'm evil like that. Just know that I'm closer than I have ever been. And for that I wanted to share that progress with you all. Cause it's always possible to make that progress, even if it's a baby step.