Why I Love Being An Indie Author

Since the first time I wrote a story and let someone read it, I have wanted to be an author.

My father loved my story so much that it was published in the Virginian Pilot - Ledger Star newspaper in my hometown (where he just so happened to be an editor of said paper) when I was seven years old. 

All through my school career, my English teachers loved me, I was in the newspaper club, the yearbook staff, and I focused on writing in any way that I could. I never thought I could make a career at it.

Then, I got swept up into life and got married, had two children, and wrote when and where I could. As I learned and practiced more, I started to enter my stories into competitions on the internet. I won and was paid for writing my story for The Legendary. 

After that, I began to consider writing and being published. I wrote and saved over the days as I took care of my family and researched at night while they slept.

I wrote about Drive In Movie Theaters for FilmSnobbery for about a year and enjoyed every minute of it. Drive In Movie Theaters are the best way to experience all movies, by the way.

Just in case you forgot like a crazy person.

I kept writing on Tumblr, and Facebook, and Twitter, and all of those other places you find yourself immersed in online and stumbled across CreateSpace. That was it. CreateSpace helps you format and edit not only your words but your book cover! It gave me total creative control over my book and I excitedly started putting my first book together. 

Of course you can still purchase it here

It was done! I had done it! And people were buying it! It was almost a surreal experience.

My second book followed shortly after and I was so excited for the whole process again. I put it together using my own creative control, published, and it was well received as well!

Also still available for purchase 

 Now, there are some pros and cons I've found being a self-published author and I'm going to share them with you.

PROS

• You have 100% creative control. You decide what goes in and what stays out. You have all of the creative freedom in the world.
• It's an excellent way to learn the process of your craft, all the way down to how books are bound.
• You get as many copies as you need for promotions, giveaways, and signings for free. 
• YOU DID IT. Yeah, just that feeling. That feeling of accomplishing a lifetime goal is the biggest pro of being a self published indie author.

CONS

• MARKETING. Get ready to HAVE to learn everything you never cared about! You should be able to get a marketing degree from Google for all of the tips, tricks, stats, graphs, blahhblahblah you have to research to get even an inkling of a tip or trick to get your book out there. You are definitely going to have to eat it on marketing and just pay someone to do it if you can swing it. I've tried myself and I've paid others to do it and when I've paid others to do it, it always turns out much, MUCH better.
• You are now grouped in with "What's Up With Needles?!" by Anti-vax Mom and "Hey, Aliens Are Real, Join My Cult!" By Crazy O'Ridiculous or the zillion "Marketing Master Entrepreneur Real Pro Tips" By Basic Business Guy/Gal In A Business Suit on the cover as the type of authors people associate self published authors with. 
• You are going to learn a lot about royalties. You'll have to learn to negotiate and fight for your work to get the money you deserve. Although, once you can negotiate the right terms, you'll be so happy, especially when you get your first check!
• It's A LOT of work. Expect to put a lot of work into it. It's more than just writing once you are publishing.

But, it's so worth it. I love being an indie author! I love having complete control over my words and how I present them to the world. But most of all, I proved to that little seven year old girl that yes. Yes, you can write a book. And you will.

And, you did.

I'm working on my third book at the moment which will be another collection of poems. I hope to have it out by next autumn but maybe I will get it out sooner. Either way, I'm excited to be closer to my next publication! 

What do you love about being an Indie Author?

The Evolution of Print Media

I was worried for the state of printed news. Everything is free on the internet these days so why would you pay for a newspaper?

I get it. Capitalism.

Printed anything dying is a little scary to writers. If you start with newspapers, next is books, and then I'm out of a job.

However, I really don't think it's dying, just like technology, it has progressed. 

The world still needs writers. They need bloggers.

photo via

Brands and businesses still want to get their name out and what better way than to ask bloggers on the internet? Since I've been blogging, all I have talked about is stuff I like and stuff I don't like. It seemed inevitable that I would blog reviews about different household items. I started this blog back in November and I have been having a great time connecting with brands and businesses for promotions! I started this new website with a new look, new social media pages, and new attitude! I love my modern writing job! 

And, as always, it is a job. No one wants to promote fake news false information about any brands or businesses so you research the brand and/or business and learn all about it. That takes time. Better take some photos so it looks nice. Add time. Then you piece your blog together. More time. 

Don't get me started on writes and rewrites. FOR-EVER-TIME.

So, if someone asks me if I want to be compensated for blogging about a product, yes. Yes, thank you for finally recognizing the work we put into our writing. Finally.

Writers LOVE to keep writing.

After spending time focusing on my books, it's nice to try something different for awhile. I returned to blogging to find that the state of print media is alive and well right on the internet.

Shiny new package. Same old thing.

I started out thinking that I would freelance here and there, but once I started getting sponsors, I ended up realizing that this turned out much better. I started pitching on more jobs and got picked for a few and even received payment on time! 

That last one I liked the best.

If you are interested in setting up your own blog and getting sponsors, there are quite a few agencies out there. I googled away one day and found pages and pages full. 

For example, GetBlogged.net has a lot paid blogging jobs. It's a worldwide business so they need bloggers from around the world. I have gotten a few jobs from them, including this one, and have found it to be one of the best and easiest blogger assignment boards to navigate.  If your domain authority is over 5, there are plenty of jobs on the boards. Like a few other agencies, I check the website every day to see if any new jobs are posted. If you know of any other agencies, please post them in the comments. 

Print media is evolving. I think I am going to like it. How about you?

Please drop a link to your blog and/or your favorite blogging agencies! I would love to know about your experiences with them!

A New Dawn On The Mountains

Sometimes, a trip away is all you need.

Transitioning into this new life, new view has been more difficult than I ever imagined. For 21 and 19 years, I was "Mom, where is my folder? Will you tie my shoes? Mom? Mom. Mooooom." 

And I am still and will forever be mom, but having all of my butterflies flying away has been...interesting.

So, for a friend's birthday, I ran away to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

My husband and I had few opportunities to get away while the kids were growing up. We took lots of trips to visit family because I felt that was most important. Ok, and my husband's family trips are amazing! 

However, this is the first trip that just we two went on. Adults adulting with other adults.

I laughed until my belly hurt. I caught up with old and dear friends. I even got to see a gravity conveyor in action.

It's the little things.

Most of all, I got to spend time alone with the man I have been waiting to come home for good from sea for twenty years.

I think I'm going to like this new life. 

While I watch my butterflies soar on their own, maybe I could fly a little as well.

Hello and welcome, readers!

 Here I will be bringing you news on my future novels, past novels, interesting products, and random writings and thoughts. Comments are open, you can always ask me anything! If you would like to purchase my public works, please visit my author page on Amazon.com. Keep reading, friends <3