In the summer of 2016, my favorite fantasy authors were all between book releases, so on a whim, I started to think about writing my own fantasy series. And here we are, almost four years later, and I am getting ready to publish book number SIX!
Someday I’ll look back and think it was all smooth sailing, writing six novels while having three babies. But right now, I’m in the thick of it, so I’m going to tell you what it was REALLY like.
(Using Avengers GIFs.)
So here is a peek behind the curtain of a six-book fantasy series, according to the Avengers:
When you tell someone you’re writing a fantasy series and they say, “Oh, like [big name author].”
“Oh yeah, totally! I’m actually one of her 80,000 Instagram followers, so I guess you could say we’re pretty similar.”
When you finally heed the advice to “kill your darlings”, but you take it too far:
I’m a hardcore writer now, right?
When a historical fiction writer mentions how much work it is to do research for each book, and you would literally rather make up a world than research the real one:
Sooo useful, for learning the … things.
When you ask your husband a series of mysterious questions about war, survival, and the male brain:
When some of the changes your editor makes in your manuscripts start to look familiar, and you maybe even understand why your original was wrong:
And maybe even get it enough to clean up the next manuscript! Sixth time’s the charm.
When you put your phone on Do Not Disturb during a writing session:
Group texts are a menace to society. (kidding! but I’m glad the Do Not Disturb feature was invented…)
Writing your acknowledgements section and feeling like a total goof:
And then getting all emotional because wow, you just have the most amazing friends and … *sniff*
When your beta readers and early reviewers love the latest book:
I’m not memorizing every compliment or anything, that would be weird.
When a well-intentioned loved one suggests you “just look into” a traditional career:
Coffee shop > Corner office
When you slog through the final scene of the final book at great personal cost (dishes, hygiene, social life, diet):
Do I not look ok?
All in fun! I have LOVED writing and publishing this series, and I am so grateful for the opportunity. Especially for the other indie fairy tale authors who paved the way and shared their knowledge, and the readers who took a chance on a new series.
But if you ever catch me pretending this wasn’t one of the craziest, hardest things I’ve ever done, just point me back to this blog post…;)
xoxo