Not really. I never thought I would be good enough to be a 'real' writer. But it was all I really wanted to do, so I practised for forty years! I think technology gave a lot of good writers the opportunity to reach readers and to improve their skills as Indie authors, and in 2013 I was encouraged to give it a try and I've never looked back.
In a way, yes. I have become discouraged about my writing by things that have happened, and overcoming those have not always been easy. if you are stuck in terms of not being able to think of something to write, I'd recommend looking at the images on a site such as Pixabay orOShutterstock, these can stimulate creativity. or listen to music. Get out of your comfort zone to shake things up a bit - listen to music you don't usually go for, or try writing somewhere different. Try to think of it like a job - you have to go to work whether you want to or not, so make yourself sit down and write, even if you are only writing 'I don't knw what to write.' Habit and routine are a big help for writing. And don't compare yourself to other authors, that's fatal!
I find writing the first draft tricky - trying to find the main point of my story and building the world around it. I love rewriting and editing - rewriting and editing is so easy - you've already got your 'block', it's like being a sculptor - you chip away and reveal the story inside the block.
it can be difficult. As a female, I always tend to create female characters - I don't know very many men, and so I don't always understand how they work!! That's probably why my protagonists are women. Getting inside a man's head, to understand his thought processes, feelings and attitudes can be hard, and of course, there's no such thing as a 'typical' person, so in a way I guess that makes it a bit easier, maybe my characters are all female really. I just try to find a logical, creative and compassionate approach to life and that's reflected in my books. I think.
I think it made me have to do it. Once the first book was 'out there' people wanted the second book, and then the third, so it made me have to release books on a regular basis, there was no more hiding, no more putting off the dreaded moment, Criss Cross was out there and it was too late to turn back. I think I'd have lost my nerve if I'd thought about it a bit more. It was like a leap of faith.
Since I was 8, so 53 years. I've always loved books, always loved reading. I was an only child, and very lonely. My mum worked full time, my dad wasn't part of my life, and so I turned to books from a very young age. From there it seemed natural to create my own worlds and my own stories, focusing mainly on the classic murder mysteries I loved from my favourite authors, Agatha Christie and Patricia Wentworth.
Self care is really important - eat well, sleep well, turn off your social media and relax and recharge. Spend time with family, friends and loved ones - writing is hugely important but not all-consuming. Take time off. Enjoy life. Otherwise you won't be around to write a single word!
Massively embarrassed and apologetic. I am the very definition of imposter syndrome. of course, I also hate it when people criticize or are mean about my 'babies' too!
