I don’t know where you live, but here in
Kentucky we’re hunkering down, preparing for some seriously cold temperatures,
ice and possibly snow. We’ve known about this storm, Ion, for several days,
with both The Weather Channel and local news channels updating forecasts every
hour. In response to these dire predictions, there has been a mass assault on
grocery stores. (Personally, I’ve closed down all unnecessary rooms in my
house, moved my living into a much smaller space, and bought a second pair of
Smartwool socks.) Why? Because we’ve known it’s coming so we’re planning ahead
and preparing for survival.
As I’ve watch all the warnings posted on TV
and driven past the full-to-capacity grocery parking lots, I’ve thought about
my writing career. Yes, career. At this moment, I’m still pre-pubbed but that
will change soon. And I’m realizing that I need to be prepared for that moment
when I flip over to the Golden World of Published. I need to lay out a detailed
plan for Book Two and Book Three. And Book Four and Five. I have no intentions
of being a one and done writer, I want a career. So I’ve got to ruthlessly hack
out time in my schedule for writing.
Since I’m choosing to go the Indie route,
these plans and preparations are even more necessary. There will be no editor
or agent pushing me to make deadlines. It’s up to me to want it enough to sit
down and do the work.
There won’t be a staff of editors ready and
waiting for the arrival of my manuscript. It’s up to me to schedule this weeks
or months in advance. There won’t be cover artists on stand-by, either. I have
to plan ahead and reserve a time slot.
Success in the Indie world is seldom an
accident, it’s a planned effort. It’s a disciplined preparedness that keeps you
at the computer working on the next book and the next book and the next book.
There are moments when having all the
decisions in my hands is overwhelming, but there are also moments when it’s
sheer joy, when I know this is right.
So if you’re considering this route, I
encourage you to move past dreams and start planning. Prepare to face the
mountains of decisions. Prepare to read marketing books till you’re cross-eyed.
Prepare for the feeling of elation when you finally do it.
And buy some Smartwool socks. Seriously.
They’re great.
Lisa
