Can’t believe the releases of my short story, Escape, and my novel With Deadly Intent are finally looming! Makes me very proud to know my work is going to be out there – though I must admit to suffering from the normal writer jitters!
It’s been a hard slog getting here – I’m not going to lie. There were points along the way when I wondered why I was writing, whether it would be worth it, heck even whether I’d even get published. I’ve laughed with my characters, cried with them and cut some completely. I feel like I know them like real people – they’ve been a part of my life now for nearly 5 years. Still can’t believe With Deadly Intent was started 5 years ago! Seems like eons have passed. And to think I’m almost finished book 4 is just bizarre.
I’ve got lots planned over the next couple of months – the launch obviously! I’m planning a few giveaways and what not and am so excited. And proud. Proud that I actually wrote a novel and managed to land a publishing contract with the fantastic Caffeine Nights. After the launch there will be signings though these are to be confirmed.
I’ve also got Newcastle noir to go to at end of March – am not on a panel but will be there supporting the lovely authors that are! Then in May I’m heading down to crimefest in Bristol – and I’m on a panel at this one on the Sunday! David Mark is chairing, and I’ll be appearing with Luca Veste, Paul Finch and Sarah Hilary – nerve wracking much! Those fantastic authors then little old me. They’re all experts in the field – I’m very nervous already but know it’ll be an awesome panel.
Then in July I’ll be at Harrogate Crime Festival – no panel but 3 whole days of socialising and chatting and hopefully selling and signing a few books!
My goals have changed through my life – years ago I was determined to learn to ride horses and I did – I did lessons until I was comfortable doing everything from hacking to jumping and dressage. Later I wanted to be a decent DJ and did this for several years. I kept getting gigs so must have been ok. Then I wanted to pass my degree and work as a CSI – those dreams were hard – uni was hard! But I loved learning and landed a job relatively quickly. When I was a CSI my dream became to work towards my masters – but I wanted it to be for me. Not work. So after a little kick up the bum by a psychic, I enrolled and did my masters while working full time. I chose creative writing because I’d always written. Incidentally, the psychic I mentioned told me in the reading id be signing books in waterstones in 5 years. When the book comes out it’ll be 5 years and around 6 months since that reading so he was pretty spot on!
My Ma was hard – I had moments of tears – many moments in fact. Mostly due to one guy who I won’t name but he basically told me I was crap and wouldn’t be able to do anything in writing. But do you know – that sounds bad doesn’t it – he was a lecturer too – but despite that negativity I used the first 15000 words of this novel for my dissertation and I passed! And passing gave me the nudge I needed to get it finished. Even when I signed the contract with Caffeine Nights that person’s voice was in the back of my head telling me I was crap. But I pushed on and ignored it. I like to think in some ways it made me more determined. It worked obviously though cos my book is finally due out!
It just goes to show if you believe enough then you can achieve anything. Dreams are made to come true with hard work and dedication. And everyone is capable of achieving those dreams. So go out there and do it. Ignore the haters and let that hate make you more focussed. And while you’re doing it – keep smiling. ☺️