If I could go back and talk to myself before I started writing, I think I would have had that chat on a playground…on a teeter-totter. I’d tell baby writer me that writing is fun and your passion, but it’s also hard work. It’s an octopus with more than eight arms and legs (fantasy writer remember!).
The writing piece is the easy, creative part, even with occasional writer’s block, but there is so much more to it. And all the time there has to be a balance between writing and everything else.
Balance and perspective are so important. Without those two things guarding your writing, something in your life will suffer. I’d also add that if you’re an author, you have to learn to play the long game. That’s hard in 2022. Everything is instant soup, but that’s not the way it always goes when you’re writing.
Some authors wait years or a lifetime before what they’ve written “magically” finds its audience. For some, it only happens once, and they search forever to find the spark again. So I think I’d tell myself to be patient (I’m not good at that ) and to be brave.
I’d tell myself to listen carefully to what people tell you to change and jump to make the ones that make sense but pay close attention to those inner voices and gut feelings. Filter out what will make your story less and not yours anymore.
It is your tale to tell; you have the vested interest. Sometimes publishers and agents will be involved so it’s important to pick your battles too. It’s a business, but when it’s your baby sometimes you gotta fight for it.
At the end of the day, I’d drag myself off the teeter-totter and find some hopscotch chalk to graphically remind my new author self how much I love writing, and no matter what it’s worth it. And then we’d hit the swings because they are our favorite.
The Chronicles of Antecede: Book 1
Publication Date: July 12, 2022
Sometimes things are lost for a very long time…and then they are found.
Take Gracie for example, a woman who lost everything, her life, her family, even her name, but now she is a Cathalian warrior of Antecede blessed with powers, which aren’t yet fully realized. Her elder and nemesis, Donavan, finally granted the former professor an opportunity to train a new warrior. Her joy turns to shock when she meets her great, great, great, great grandson, Henry, accompanied by his wisecracking best friend, Milo. Henry recognizes his long dead ancestor right away, and it doesn’t take the Cathalians long to realize that this meeting was no accident.
Gracie and the warriors of Antecede soon discover that they aren’t the only ones laying a claim on their new charges. Menacing enemies from the South and their hired mercenary assassin, Revilan, the Bowman, have also taken an interest. Come along with Gracie, Donavan, and their fellow warriors on a perilous quest to protect all that is good and right from the evil that threatens it, and along the way discover what else was lost.
One randomly chosen winner via Rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card.
Lost and Found is author C.M. Sage’s first book in the Chronicles of Antecede fantasy adventure trilogy. She loves writing, reading, and traveling. Most of all, she loves spending time with her beloved family and friends…and yes, that includes her furry friends. Life would have been much less sunny without them.
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Thanks for hosting!
You’re most welcome! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your advice for new authors, your bio and book details, Lost and Found sounds like an excellent read and I am looking forward to it.
The book sounds very intriguing. Love the cover!
I love the cover and think the book sounds interesting.
Great excerpt, Lost and Found sounds like a really good book for me to read and the cover is awesome! Thanks for sharing it with me and have a marvelous week!