If you’re like me, you’ve been making up stories long before you could write. Big, fantastical stories with all sorts of romance and conflict and overcoming overwhelming odds in the name of love. Yes, I was one of those kids that spent a lot of time in costume, talking to toys and animals, and living in my own world and, you know what, it was awesome. As an adult, people might frown at you for doing those things publicly but, on the page, you can do whatever you want.
My first book was written when I was eighteen years old and it was a mess. A four-hundred pages, single-spaced, western historical with a literal ‘someone poisoned the waterhole’ scene. This was years before the film ‘Toy Story’ came out but when Woody said this line, I laughed so hard my sides hurt. Also, this book will remain under my bed forever.
After a few years of ‘hobby writing’ I attended a writing conference that changed everything. I wound up talking to an agent that no one had signed up to pitch to. She was very candid and said being a professional writer meant you have to write what’s sellable OR have such a gripping high-concept story that publishers will invest in it.
Over the last almost fifteen years of writing, those two things have remained true. Below are some helpful tidbits I’d like to share with you.
- “Comparison is the Thief of Joy” – My top rule (I wish I could take credit for it but it’s from Theodore Roosevelt). From the beginning, I’ve been surrounded by supportive authors. Through the years, I’ve heard other authors say things that reveal a discontent with their career vs. ‘insert successful author’s name’. To me, that’s a waste of time and energy. *Every author’s journey is unique.* My advice? Focus on what you can do. Like writing an amazing book!
- If someone says you must ALWAYS do this – proceed with caution. Unless you’re following the rules provided by a publisher on their formatting expectations for their submissions, there is rarely an ALWAYS in publishing.
- Find your team. I’m not talking about your agent, editor, or publisher here. This is the group of fellow authors that will support you, give you honest yet kind feedback (if you ask for it), truly celebrate your sales and milestones, and comfort you when book sales or creativity don’t work the way you’d hoped.
- Give yourself time. This isn’t a sprint. Make sure your deadlines are reasonable so that you can create and send your best work to your editor (your partner). Remember, your editor will likely have a lot of authors so by sending a relatively clean copy to them you’re making their job easier—and we definitely want to make our editors happy. You’re a team. They love your book, and want your success, too.
- Protect your time OR Learn to Say NO. This is hard (and sort of refers back to the previous tip). I’m giving you permission to put yourself first now and then. Actually, I insist on it. You need to take care of the whole You—mind, body, spirit, family, relationships—in order to write what you write with your unique voice. Because you are amazing and your words and stories will change people. So remember that and take good care of yourself so you can make that happen!
Good Luck!
-Sasha Summers
The Maverick’s Forever Home, the latest book from Sasha Summers, is available now!
From Bachelor to Father to … Husband?
Rancher Braden Parker has just returned to Tenacity with a five-year-old daughter he didn’t know existed, and he’s terrified. After all, he’d spent years away from the End of the Road Ranch, avoiding his own curmudgeonly father! Instant fatherhood was not on his bingo card. Neither was meeting single mom Maggie Cooper. Maggie is trying to adjust to civilian life back in quiet little Tenacity after working overseas. She feels for Braden and Delilah, but she has to make her son, Cody, her first priority. It will take a huge leap of faith for the two wary parents to find their way to each other—and to the perfect blended family that could make them all complete…
