It's time for Part 2, where I talk about a manuscript I threw in the bin and how it turned out to be the best failure I've ever had. And the one word I believe in as a writer - endurability.
I love reading your story -- so interesting!! I can't believe that you nearly gave up. Isn't it crazy as writers how often we doubt ourselves? Thank goodness your strong inner voice kicked in and kept you going. I feel like it's probably one of the things that separates writers who get published and writers who don't get published: the ability to temper the voice inside of us that says we cannot do it. But really, we can! xoxo Enjoyed this very much!
I still doubt myself All. The. Time. In fact I'm having a major bout right now as I embark on a new book, but that's when it often hits so I'm just remembering it will all be okay so long as I just keep writing! Well, I hope it will be!
If only there was a silencer for that inner voice! But it can also be helpful at times when it has good ideas so I guess we have to take the bad with the good.
I enjoyed reading about your journey. So grateful you persevered and turned your hand to historical fiction. I have been a fan from the very beginning. I still have up the postcards designed by an artist way back with Her Mothers Secret. 👍🏻❤️
I’m loving this series! It’s great to read your success story now, after I’ve just signed with an agent and am contemplating my brand, and even though I’ve been following you since 2017 and have read almost all your books, including your first 2.
This story completely resonates - I’m so grateful to you for sharing! I’m nearly 30 and currently at the “what am I doing, what is my true purpose in life” stage. It’s refreshing and reassuring to read about your success, and realize that getting there was not a linear path from undergrad at university and onwards. I have loved you as an author for so long (have read nearly all your books), and now I am loving getting a glimpse into your journey and story. Thank you!
Your comment resonates too - I was 30 when I back to uni to start my Creative Writing degree!
It's definitely not a linear path, but I think sometimes the stories of author success that we hear are those rare debuts for whom it is a simple and straightforward path. But there are so few of those. The truth is that most of us fail and get rejected and have various stops and starts, and will probably continue to do so for as long as we write. I always remember how many books someone like Liane Moriarty published before she became an international success. She just kept writing and hoping. So that's what I'm going to do too.
Hope in a post. Merci, Natasha. This couldn't come at a better time. I'll never get tired of hearing this story, or reading your novels.
Thank you! We all need hope – I still do too some days! – so I'm glad this helped a bit.
Loved this story. Thanks for that!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I enjoy reading about your journey!
Thank you!
I just love your advice Natasha - endurance with a smile is what we need! ❤️
Yes! Keep going until you can't write any more!
I love reading your story -- so interesting!! I can't believe that you nearly gave up. Isn't it crazy as writers how often we doubt ourselves? Thank goodness your strong inner voice kicked in and kept you going. I feel like it's probably one of the things that separates writers who get published and writers who don't get published: the ability to temper the voice inside of us that says we cannot do it. But really, we can! xoxo Enjoyed this very much!
I still doubt myself All. The. Time. In fact I'm having a major bout right now as I embark on a new book, but that's when it often hits so I'm just remembering it will all be okay so long as I just keep writing! Well, I hope it will be!
If only there was a silencer for that inner voice! But it can also be helpful at times when it has good ideas so I guess we have to take the bad with the good.
I enjoyed reading about your journey. So grateful you persevered and turned your hand to historical fiction. I have been a fan from the very beginning. I still have up the postcards designed by an artist way back with Her Mothers Secret. 👍🏻❤️
I love those postcards! I still have mine too! Thank you for treasuring them.
Looking forward to Part 3!!!
The French Photographer is one of my favs.
You rock, Natasha!
Thanks Peter! I'll try and finish the series off in Part 3, although there's no guarantee it won't stretch to a part 4 as well!
I’m loving this series! It’s great to read your success story now, after I’ve just signed with an agent and am contemplating my brand, and even though I’ve been following you since 2017 and have read almost all your books, including your first 2.
All the best with it, Kelly! And congrats on signing with an agent – that's a huge first step to be proud of!
Enjoying reading your publishing journey. Thanks for sharing!
And thank you for reading! Glad you're enjoying the posts.
This story completely resonates - I’m so grateful to you for sharing! I’m nearly 30 and currently at the “what am I doing, what is my true purpose in life” stage. It’s refreshing and reassuring to read about your success, and realize that getting there was not a linear path from undergrad at university and onwards. I have loved you as an author for so long (have read nearly all your books), and now I am loving getting a glimpse into your journey and story. Thank you!
Your comment resonates too - I was 30 when I back to uni to start my Creative Writing degree!
It's definitely not a linear path, but I think sometimes the stories of author success that we hear are those rare debuts for whom it is a simple and straightforward path. But there are so few of those. The truth is that most of us fail and get rejected and have various stops and starts, and will probably continue to do so for as long as we write. I always remember how many books someone like Liane Moriarty published before she became an international success. She just kept writing and hoping. So that's what I'm going to do too.
Thank you for sharing this with us! I really enjoy reading your books 😊
My pleasure! I'm so glad it's interesting for people to read!
I read The French Photographer first as I enjoy hearing about early female photographers especially the photojournalists ones 😊