The Hidden World of a Writer

2020 dawns with a promise!

Hi there! Thanks for dropping by my blog.

Happy New Year! I hope you are looking forward to a new year full of good things for you and your work. For me, 2020 dawns with the promise of publishing my children’s’ storybook, Hildie’s Hat Party. (Finally!) After nearly five years of writing, designing, painting illustrations, one by one (32 in all) I stand at this threshold with excitement in my heart. And yet I tremble. Yep! The usual writer’s insecurities creep into my thoughts–even while I sleep, robbing my joy, causing me to fret.  “Who do you think you are, Linda? You are a no-name in the world of children’s publishing.” Worse yet, a bigger thought taunts me:  “What If I publish and no one buys the book—what will that say about me?”

Like many of you, on the eve of this new year, I spent some valuable time thinking about this coming year. I scratched out a rough draft plan to help me build my author’s platform (which I am told we authors must do), and I typed it up all nice and pretty–with high hopes that it will help keep me on track–at least for the next few months. In the mean time, I shoved the negative self-talk into the back room of my brain and locked the door! No time for that!

My word for 2019 was “Finish!”

In January last year, I committed to my self (and my family) to finish Hildie’s Hat Party. That meant to have the story perfected, edited, formatted and ready for the printer by December 31!

Did I reach my goal?

Well, yes. . .and no. . .

Yes! I did finish the story—which underwent many editions, each one slightly shorter than the previous one. From 1,200 words to 690, Hildie Hedgehog’s story is now complete. I did finish all the illustrations! (Well—maybe not the final cover design. . .) I’ve contacted the printer, and it looks like they will print in February 2020! Yeah! But am I finished? I laugh out loud. My answer is no!

My word for 2020 is “Beginning!”

Here’s why. The process of writing a book is never really finished. Once the book feels finished, there is now the new beginning of the printing, the shipping, the marketing (a HUGE beginning!). Then, of course, there’s the ongoing work of connecting with fans and friends, social media networking and pre-sales! That doesn’t even mention the big launch day—the actual birth of this baby into the bookstores and on the Amazon Books highway!

I know this now. (sigh) After five years at the drawing board, and attendance in various writer’s circles, I have learned some valuable lessons in tenacity, patience, hope and faith—not to mention hard work.

Linda’s art workspace

So. . . beginning this month, I will be posting more about  ‘The Hidden World of a Writer,’ candidly sharing with you some lessons I’ve learned, some of my struggles and the victories I’ve muddled through along my journey of writing an illustrated story book. I hope these topics will be interesting to you and that you will return again and again to learn with me.

Linda–For the Love of Writing!