I Didn't Know What I Didn't Know

Sooo, here's the thing with becomming an author, you don't even know what you don't know. I went into this as a person who loves reading, loves stories, and has had some success with writing. I thought I would write a book, and then I would endeavor to get it published. I knew successfully landing a book deal would be difficult, but what I didn't expect was that my writing needed to improve. Seriously!

How did I realize that I needed to improve in every aspect of my writing you ask? That's a great question! My family and friends certainly didn't tell me. And not because love is blind, but because they didn't know either. I learned this wonderful truth about my inadequacy by going to a writing conference. No one read my work and criticised it. That wasn't even necessary. I sat in wonderful classes taught by accomplished authors and I listened to everything they said and I quickly realized I wasn't doing half of it.

Deep Point of View - Nope! Show don't Tell - NOPE!!! Worldbuilding - NOPE!!!

Do I feel embarassed to admit that - NOPE!!!! I didn't know what I didn't know. The conference I attended was the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer's Conference and that inverstment was the greatest thing I could do for my writing career. I came home with things to work on and improve. I had direction. I had a new purpose. It wasn't to churcn out another mediocre book all on my own. I was committed to getting whatever help I needed to make my writing excellent and worthy of a book contract.

And so began my journey. In theses posts I will walk you step by step through everything I did and shouldn't have done that led to my book deal. Actually it is a "series deal." I wrote a trilogy and my contract is for all three books. I am so excited and I hope this helps you attain your writing goals as well. You are NOT alone!!!