My writing journey...
Writing a novel has been part of my life plan since I learned to read and write. As a child, I was an avid reader, making weekly trips to our local library on foot, each time coming home with more than the limit of books allowed to be checked out. Then, I added writing stories, “publishing” them with hand-dawn covers with crepe or tissue paper spines, secured by staples. I also began keeping a journal in grade school, and this daily habit has followed me for forty plus years.
It’s no surprise that I received a bachelor’s degree in English/Creative and Technical Writing. My professional life focused more on the technical aspects of writing rather than the creative. Working in the investment banking industry, business plans were my focus. Then, making a switch to higher education, grants consumed my writing talents.
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While it was always my dream to write a novel, honestly…a sheer lack of confidence stalled my dream. Until my character Ruby emerged. Ruby's character arose as a composite of the many foster children that spent time in my home over the years. Ruby had a story that needed to be told, that itched to find its way into words and onto paper. The overwhelming love for my character, finally convinced me to put my fears aside, and my first novel Painted Windows emerged—a story about a homeless girl and second chances.
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Before I knew it, my second book in the Gunpowder Series--Dashboard Lights--was completed, while I was actively
researching agents and sending out queries. It was disheartening to see how many agents were not accepting queries, which made the digging and researching even more time consuming. Finally, after months of scanning agencies, I arrived with a listing of agents that I planned to query. Let's just say, there were so many, I created a spreadsheet to keep track of who was with what agency, what I sent them, and what their reply was. If there was a reply. I still await replies.
Some of the agents were wonderful in getting back to me at warp speed, letting me know that my novel was "not a fit" for them, and they encouraged me to keep trying. And, I did. And, I did. Again, more replies of "it's not currently what I am looking for," but mostly I heard crickets. Nothing. No replies. Some agents were upfront and said, "if you don't hear from me, consider it a pass." But then, some of the authors I spoke with said it could be six months or more before a query might get a response...ugh!
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The more I looked into my options, which were running out, I began to research indie publishing and self-publishing. Sometimes, these look pretty similar. I spent nights and nights scanning the web for potential independent publishers and reading up on self-publishing, when what I really wanted to be doing was working on completing my third book in the Gunpowder Series--Ruby Ring. (No, I didn't stop writing. The story of the continuing quest by Ruby for her identity had to come out!)
Also, at this time I had newbie publishers around me--one who signed with an agency and another who went directly with a publisher. What floored...no FLOORED...me was the amount of effort they were being required to go through to do their own marketing of their books! It was like, what are the agents and publishers doing? And, I hope to heaven's both of them have bestsellers and blow the tops off all the charts!
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So, at this moment, I have more or less decided to take matters in my own hands. (Eeek!) I am going the self-publishing route. There. I said it. Not sure how this is going to work out, but that's going to be the fun in this blog! I have a lot to learn about self publishing, while still being able to work a full-time job, and carve out writing time! Those of you who follow me will get to experience all the ups and downs, misfires, or whatever it is I will encounter with this endeavor! Are you ready? I am!
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Gera Jones lives on a farm in Muses Mills, Kentucky with her husband, their three dogs and two cats. In her spare time, Gera farms, gardens, keeps bees, cans vegetables and makes homemade jellies from berries on the farm. She works full-time in higher education at a local university, and is the owner of a sideline business making customized jewelry and apparel items from repurposed items. Additionally, Gera has a passion for making hand-sewn, hand-crafted journal books, also from reclaimed materials, which she also sells and donates the profits to charity.
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Photograph by Savannah Joe Photography -- https://savannahjoephotography.passgallery.com