Here's Part 3, the final part of this series where I talk about the most astonishing piece of luck, a woman called Penny and hitting the New York Times bestseller list.
My boy's are 27 and 25, unfortunately Easter isn't as special to them. One was in Bali with Fiance and the other one wasn't really interested. But my husband and myself celebrated together ❤️. I had to work on Easter Monday. I love that they are independent and enjoying their lives, as it's how I bought them up.
Natasha, I am embarrassed to admit I just finally got around to reading all three articles about how you became a best-selling author. I held onto the original email for over a year and I'm so glad I did. We'll just say 2023 was a very challenging year for me, so I'm glad I still had those emails.
Ironically I was just at Costco earlier today, and had no idea who Pennie was either. But now every time I got past the book section I'll think of you. I've followed you on FB and we've had some comments back and forth. I'm BabsTZ there.
Thank you for saving them and reading them! The thing I like about Substack is that the articles are always there, ready to be read whenever you have time. So please don't be embarrassed! I love that you read them now.
Thank you for sharing your story. I sincerely appreciate the fact that you don't sugar coat the writing process and that you acknowledge that it is a mix of talent, hard work, and luck. You're an inspiration for those of us who are aspiring authors.
Also, I would have added 'be on the New York Times bestseller list' to my bucket list just to cross it off too.
Thanks Alicia! I always share the stuff I would have liked to know back when I was starting out. Back then - and probably still to some extent - it was so hard to get real information so I’m glad you find it all useful!
I really love how open you are to sharing your story, Natasha. It's incredibly comforting and encouraging for aspiring authors to know how successful people, like yourself, get to where they are - makes me feel like I can do it too! With a bit of luck, haha.
Thank you for this series. Best wishes for the rest of your writing journey x
Of course you can do it! I have faith in you. And yes, we all start somewhere and very few writers are an astonishing success immediately. I always say - if I can do it, anyone can!
Thanks for sharing, Natasha. From your books to these beautiful posts and your Instagram joy, you inspire me to persist. Rejection aside, writing is the my absolute favorite creative challenge. xoxo
Thank you for sharing your writing journey. It goes to show that success can come in the most unexpected of places, like Pennie’s Picks of Costco.
Like you, I’m a lover of stories and will always write my own. I’m getting my first novel published this year and having that book in my hand is a dream come true and whatever happens after that is a bonus.
I loved The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre and I’m enjoying listening to the Riviera House on audible. I prefer listening to your stories rather than reading them because otherwise I would miss the beautiful French pronunciation from the narrator. Also, it’s nice at the end of the working day to close my eyes and get swept away into the exciting and sumptuous worlds you create.
Yes, success is unpredictable and wonderful and there is no formula to any of it! I'm so glad you've been enjoying the audiobooks too. Barrie Krienik is a wonderful narrator and I love how well she voices the stories. Thanks for listening!
Wow, what a journey! I had no idea I found you during the upwards phase of your career, I assumed you were already an established and top selling author. I was on my way to the Maldives (very special) in April 2019 and always buy a book at the airport- The French Photographer was the start of my journey with you, and have since read every one of your books, I need to thank Pennie too I guess :)
I love that you just picked up one of the books in an airport! And the Maldives would have been wonderful. I've never been but it's on my very long list of must-travel to destinations!
And congratulations Helen! You're the winner of Homecoming! If you send me an email via Substack with your postal address, I'll get your book mailed out to you.
Sometimes it does seem insurmountable but I always find that the more I write, the more I want to write. So if I can write even for just half an hour three days in a row, then by the fourth day I find myself really wanting to write. Whereas it always seems so much harder to get back into it after I haven't written for a while. Hope that helps!
The first book of yours that I read was Her Mother's Secret. I've read 6 more since and planning on reading the rest. I really enjoy your style and find it hard to put your books down once I've got into the story. Thank you for the word pictures that you create and the enjoyment they give.
Natasha, it’s just so heartening to read your journey blogs, thank you. I woke this morning determined to start rewriting the first draft of my story , which I lost in the 2019 -2020 bushfires. Sadly the pages lay empty as I contemplate the feat . You are such an inspiration, thank you again. I’ll get there. For now I shall have to be satisfied reading others. Please keep writing. We need more captivating stories!
You will get there! Your gut will tell you when you're ready. And I think reading is the best preparation work you can do to prime yourself for writing so you're spending your time wisely and well. All the best with it.
My boy's are 27 and 25, unfortunately Easter isn't as special to them. One was in Bali with Fiance and the other one wasn't really interested. But my husband and myself celebrated together ❤️. I had to work on Easter Monday. I love that they are independent and enjoying their lives, as it's how I bought them up.
Natasha, I am embarrassed to admit I just finally got around to reading all three articles about how you became a best-selling author. I held onto the original email for over a year and I'm so glad I did. We'll just say 2023 was a very challenging year for me, so I'm glad I still had those emails.
Ironically I was just at Costco earlier today, and had no idea who Pennie was either. But now every time I got past the book section I'll think of you. I've followed you on FB and we've had some comments back and forth. I'm BabsTZ there.
Thank you for saving them and reading them! The thing I like about Substack is that the articles are always there, ready to be read whenever you have time. So please don't be embarrassed! I love that you read them now.
Thank you for sharing your story. I sincerely appreciate the fact that you don't sugar coat the writing process and that you acknowledge that it is a mix of talent, hard work, and luck. You're an inspiration for those of us who are aspiring authors.
Also, I would have added 'be on the New York Times bestseller list' to my bucket list just to cross it off too.
Thanks Alicia! I always share the stuff I would have liked to know back when I was starting out. Back then - and probably still to some extent - it was so hard to get real information so I’m glad you find it all useful!
I love reading your comments and thoughts on reading and writing (among other things!) almost as much as I enjoy reading your books. Thanks :)
And thank you!
I really love how open you are to sharing your story, Natasha. It's incredibly comforting and encouraging for aspiring authors to know how successful people, like yourself, get to where they are - makes me feel like I can do it too! With a bit of luck, haha.
Thank you for this series. Best wishes for the rest of your writing journey x
Of course you can do it! I have faith in you. And yes, we all start somewhere and very few writers are an astonishing success immediately. I always say - if I can do it, anyone can!
The Paris Seamstress remains my favorite of your books.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for sharing, Natasha. From your books to these beautiful posts and your Instagram joy, you inspire me to persist. Rejection aside, writing is the my absolute favorite creative challenge. xoxo
And I think that's the thing that keeps the true writer going - that writing brings us joy and keeps us engaged in the work and in life as well.
Yes! I was one of the buyers from Costco and now I am one of your biggest fans! Thank-you for sharing your journey! (From Indianapolis, IN)
Oh wow! Thank you for supporting my books - it's meant the world to me!
I would like to be in the running to receive The Homecoming.
My first book by Natasha was The Paris Orphan. I loved it! One of my most favorite books!
Thank you! I love Jess and Dan!
Proof that dreams can come true! I love reading your books Natasha and obviously so do many others!
Thanks Dani! My readers make it possible for me to keep writing!
Thank you for sharing your writing journey. It goes to show that success can come in the most unexpected of places, like Pennie’s Picks of Costco.
Like you, I’m a lover of stories and will always write my own. I’m getting my first novel published this year and having that book in my hand is a dream come true and whatever happens after that is a bonus.
I loved The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre and I’m enjoying listening to the Riviera House on audible. I prefer listening to your stories rather than reading them because otherwise I would miss the beautiful French pronunciation from the narrator. Also, it’s nice at the end of the working day to close my eyes and get swept away into the exciting and sumptuous worlds you create.
Yes, success is unpredictable and wonderful and there is no formula to any of it! I'm so glad you've been enjoying the audiobooks too. Barrie Krienik is a wonderful narrator and I love how well she voices the stories. Thanks for listening!
Listening every night before bedtime. 😀
Wow, what a journey! I had no idea I found you during the upwards phase of your career, I assumed you were already an established and top selling author. I was on my way to the Maldives (very special) in April 2019 and always buy a book at the airport- The French Photographer was the start of my journey with you, and have since read every one of your books, I need to thank Pennie too I guess :)
I love that you just picked up one of the books in an airport! And the Maldives would have been wonderful. I've never been but it's on my very long list of must-travel to destinations!
Yes it was a very special birthday present! Truly magical and everything you imagine it to be...it is. A perfect backdrop to indulge in your novel.
And congratulations Helen! You're the winner of Homecoming! If you send me an email via Substack with your postal address, I'll get your book mailed out to you.
Oh wow, how awesome! I never win anything, thankyou :)
Thanks for sharing your journey. It’s inspiring and I’ve carved out some more writing space in my diary this week. Sometimes it seems like an
Insurmountable task to write a novel but your story is motivating. Ive read 3 of your books and am
Keen to read more! Also interested in Kate Morton’s latest book.
Sometimes it does seem insurmountable but I always find that the more I write, the more I want to write. So if I can write even for just half an hour three days in a row, then by the fourth day I find myself really wanting to write. Whereas it always seems so much harder to get back into it after I haven't written for a while. Hope that helps!
Just finished Kate Morton's last novel. Love to be in the draw for Homecoming.
How did you spend your Easter?
Love getting lost in your novels.
I spent Easter with family and it was lovely. Hope you had a good one too. And good luck with the prize!
The first book of yours that I read was Her Mother's Secret. I've read 6 more since and planning on reading the rest. I really enjoy your style and find it hard to put your books down once I've got into the story. Thank you for the word pictures that you create and the enjoyment they give.
Thank you! I'm so happy to hear you've been reading my books for so long! Hopefully I still have a few more books left in me!
Natasha, it’s just so heartening to read your journey blogs, thank you. I woke this morning determined to start rewriting the first draft of my story , which I lost in the 2019 -2020 bushfires. Sadly the pages lay empty as I contemplate the feat . You are such an inspiration, thank you again. I’ll get there. For now I shall have to be satisfied reading others. Please keep writing. We need more captivating stories!
Good wishes, Fiona. Kiah NSW, Australia.
You will get there! Your gut will tell you when you're ready. And I think reading is the best preparation work you can do to prime yourself for writing so you're spending your time wisely and well. All the best with it.