Wait! You mean without the family constantly interrupting me, wanting their piece of my time? You mean not feeling like I’m wasting precious time writing because no readers are waiting for my stories? Wow! Let’s see… It’s not like I want to be stranded on a deserted island with internet hook-up and a fresh pot of hot tea and scones or anything, but a little uninterrupted thinking time would be great. And maybe if I could just stop comparing myself to other writers who seem to have an infinite amount of time to complete stories that people are waiting to read, and have infinite time to do social media.
But if I were “living the dream” of a prolific, published writer, I’d probably have an assistant who was tech savvy to help me keep up with social media and marketing. I’d have an editor and/or agent whom I trusted with my newborn stories and memoirs, who would understand my concreteness in concepts and who would continuously affirm that I was on the right path and that I could complete my next story. I’d enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that whatever I was working on would, in fact, get published.
And who knows? I might even have someone to field all the questions and calls from family and friends while I’m working on my next story to be sure I only need to answer the desperate ones. I might even find someone to help out around the home and gardens while I wrote. Ahh…in the words of Eliza Doolittle, “wouldn’t it be lovely”?
But as it is, you dear followers and commenters, you are my assistants, my sound writing and tech savvy advisors. While I write and pray that what I have written will sell, I turn to you all for advice. And I trust all of you to share your experiences with me.
So, could anyone advise me about getting a short story ebook published? These are YA stories, about 1,800 words, where I assume I need pictures that either I create [Yikes!] or have created for the story. Could anyone suggest a reputable online ebook provider for me to check out?
Eventually, I’d like to make a hard copy collection of short YA stories. Perhaps I’ll start with traditional publishing for the hard copy. I don’t have that infinite following or social media groups. Any advice on either of these endeavors? Feel free to leave links that might be helpful for me in your comment.
I’ll be interested to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a topic to share our thoughts on each month. And I am extremely thankful for all of you for being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing game.
Thanks so much for visiting! Please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already and connect with me online. Leave your blog link in your comment so I can be sure to do the same for you.
This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. We post on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
I'd take an assistant to go to work for me.
I don't think young adult books have pictures. If you're looking to sell it, we have a lot of open markets listed at the IWSG site. Or if you want to self-publish, we have those as well, plus a ton of authors who can advise you.
I like your dream of an assistant but, like you, would be happy with more uninterrupted time. I agree with Alex that YA books don't have pictures. I haven't seen short stories but have seen short stories in anthologies, which is similar. Good luck with it.
Ohhh, the appropriateness of this dream life. A family who doesn't interrupt constantly? A tech savy assistant? SIGN ME UP.
I bet you had fun answering this month's question (and dreaming away), Victoria! All well said and some of it – except for the entire family interruptions – sounds very familiar! If only all that writers had to do was write, now that would be a dream world… 🙂
No tips or insights from me for you, this month, as I'm not familiar with YA stories or publishing e-books. Have a productive end of the year!!
If I were living in a dream? I'd definitely have a butler to save me from my over-loving cat:) And to explain all the technical details of their mobile devices to my grand-uncles and aunts:)
An assistant is a nice part of the dream.
Great answer to the question. So glad that someone else also needs and invites help for the different aspects of writing.
You guys are the best, Alex! I'll hop on over to the IWSG site to check out my options. Thanks! I was only mentioning pictures because the bunch of stories I sold to Cricket all had artwork with it. I do NOT own that artwork, of course. Only the story. But I have lots of other stories. What do you think, Alex? Do I need art with my stories? My protagonist is 13 or 14 years old.
I can't thank you enough for sharing your insight with me here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your comment. Enjoy your Holiday!
Thank you so much for this, Natalie. As I told Alex above, the short stories published by Cricket Magazine all had pictures. I was thinking of first publishing a few short stories one at a time. I do want to create an anthology of YA short stories for sale as well.
I truly appreciate your insight, Natalie. Thanks so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your Holiday!
Me too, S.E.! Man, do I need help with the "tech" part. Thank you so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your Holiday!
Oh if only, Liesbet. Wouldn't it be perfect if we ONLY had to write and not do everything else? It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your note. Enjoy your holidays.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Laureen! Thank you so much for stopping by.
Technical details, Laureen? They are the problems for me. And yes, I'd LOVE to have a butler to help run my house and keep things organized for me. Thanks so much for your note. Enjoy your holidays.
An assistant is the best part of the dream, Juneta! It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your note. Enjoy your holidays.
Actually Dawn, I think it's a good idea for all writers to seek input and assistance with their writing projects. It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your note. Merry Christmas, my dear.
I echo your wishes, Victoria Marie – and your insecurities. However, I find IWSG is an encouraging and supportive community. It sounds like the nearest group to assistants and advisers. IWSG and WEP are the groups keeping me sane and focused.
Thank you, Roland. I agree, I'd be lost without IWSG and all of you helping me keep my head on straight with my writing and offering your support and insight. I'm not quite sure I know who or what "WEP" is. Could you identify them for me?
It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. All best to you sir. Have a beautiful holiday.
WEP is Write Edit Publish – a group linked to IWSG. We do a bi-monthly flash and comment on each other's entries. My latest posit – https://rolandclarke.com/2019/12/11/wep-iwsg-december-challenge-footsteps/ is for the WEP-IWSG Challenge, and there's a link to the WEP site.
Thank you so much for this, Roland. I truly appreciate all you do to assist in my understanding both with IWSG and with writing. I'll have to check this out when I have time.
Thanks for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your Holiday!
Yes, Victoria, if we dream, we need to get butlers and all sorts of servants to help with out work.
Don't we though? But I always was a dreamer. Still am. Thanks so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing. Merry Christmas, my dear.
I have tech issues as well. I feel your pain. I wish I was more savvy in that aspect. If I had any advice, I would give it to you. Good luck!
Thank you, Michelle. Alas, I keep trying, but technology keeps changing. It seems as if I can't keep up.
I wish you and your family health and happiness in 2020, Michelle. Thanks so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing.