Bonnie…were we totally naughty or what? LOLOL. I wonder how many other fanatical readers out there have done that, too? Fess up ladies, it will make us feel better.
So why write my own book? Reading and writing have always gone together for me. I have wanted to write a book since I first learned how to read one. But I wanted to write Star Trek novels first. Yes, I am a sci-fi geek. I grew up watching Star Trek before moving on to reading the books that came out after the show was cancelled. Spock and James T. Kirk rocked my world. I still have a thing for Shatner (love his commercials!)
I started writing fairly seriously in college. I was one of only three in my graduating class that completed an independent study which was my first big writing project. After graduation, I got married, had lots of jobs, had two boys (my favorite people in the world), and while I was a stay at home mom, decided it was time to write a book. It took me over three years to finish the first. Then it took me over ten years to finish a second. Oh, I started plenty, but couldn’t do the follow through.
Guess what, all you ladies who would love to get published someday…you cannot sell a book until you finish one. This is the advice I give all new authors. FINISH THE BOOK! Then the next, then the next. Its the only path to publication.
My choice to write erotic was pure and simply, a choice to write to the market. I like sex…love sex…and have no problems talking about it. In fact, my sons tell my I’m like Barbara Streisand’s character in Meet the Parents. I always told myself that if I ever finished another book it would sell. I finished Lord Demon’s Delight over a summer–with the help of Julia Cameron and The Artist’s Way–and sold in the fall. While most of you will think that was really fast, remember, I spent over thirteen years in the writing process, and while I never finished a book, I started plenty, writing hundreds of thousands of words in the process. It’s all practice. It’s all good.
How has my life changed? Do you know the old saying “Before enlightnment, chop wood and carry water…After enlightenment chop wood and carry water”? So it is with being published. A lot of hard work leading up to a great huge woohooo when the book comes out.
I’m nearing one of my woohooo times. Princess of Thieves comes out on the 29th of this month.
OK, I think I’ve talked long enough for today…lolol. Thanks so much for having me over for coffee. It was fabulous. Gia Dawn
11 COMMENTS
Terri
17 years agoGia, the story of your writing career is very inspiring. And just shows that hard work and stick-to-it-ness pays off in the end.
AE Rought
17 years agoMe me me! I’ve brought books in, Tolkein in my youth, but now, I bring in my notbook and pen. The pastors and congregation are fully aware that I am a compulsive author, so they generously act like they are unaware of the tales being written in the fifth pew.
Lindsay
17 years agoI’d hate to admit it but I never smuggled a book into church. That is when, in my much younger years, I went to church.
Gia Dawn
17 years agoTerri, again, if you are trying to get published, my advice is just to write. Finish the book, and another, whatever it takes! And somewhere along the line, you will find your true joy and heart.
AE!! I know you can be naughty. LOLOL. And now you write in church? Actually, its probably a very good place to write…sacred spaces of all religions and time periods usually are.
Lindsay, maybe you smuggled that weredog in instead? LOLOL
Thank you all for taking the time to stop by and comment!
Gia
Nicole North
17 years agoGreat post, Gia! Are you kidding? I could’ve never gotten away with reading a romance novel or any other sort of novel in church. Would’ve been caught in the first five minutes. 🙂
cathy M
17 years agoUnder the eagle eye of my mom, there was never any good sneaking going on for me, lol. Congrats on your upcoming release.
Mari Carr
17 years agoI’m showing this blog to my mother who constantly chastises me for smuggling books into church. She had me convinced I was the ONLY person in the world doing this! So glad to know I won’t burn alone! Tee Hee!
Gia Dawn
17 years agoNicole,I got caught, alright, LOLOLOL. But only after I’d done it a few times. 😉
Thanks so much for stopping by, Gia
Gia Dawn
17 years agoHey, Cathy, that’s ok, some mom’s even have that eyes in the back of the head thing going on…lolol!
Mari, sigh, go ahead and show your mom you are not the only one. Use me as the bad examble…he he he he.
Thanks ladies, for stopping by! Gia
Georgie Lee
17 years agoI never tried to sneak a book into church but it isn’t too late to try 🙂
Gia Dawn
17 years agoGeorge, you go for it…but don’t tell them it was my idea. Shhhhhhhhhhh