Journey of an Author

It's a no brainer that this journey of becoming an author is often a long and arduous process. Everything in life is bound to get in the way at one time or another to slow the progress down. For some, it can be a financial struggle, publishing / printing companies taking three to six months to respond to the author. I've recently read that some publishers are taking over a year to respond.  Personally, I would probably have to consider another agency. Yet, this may well be something authors must get used to. 

Let's not forget the ever-condemning internal editor. It's an art in and of itself to just learn how to shut that voice down. Yet, it often works to our advantage picking up on what may seem like a small thing but can actually be big enough to receive the infamous letter of denial in the mailbox. 

Many authors put in a word count minimum on their daily writing tasks, and this can be a great thing to know for those of us less disciplined. Putting oneself on a schedule to pump out a minimum word limit can be as daunting as receiving that denial. 

Writers like me often have lots of irons in the fire and for me, my writing is more of a hobby. I do often think about being able to write full time one day soon. I have one book finished, just working on the cover, and several other wips (works in progress for those of you who don't know).

Other wips include Mystery at Bear Creek Island where duo detective team Duke and Kohana of the Don't Know Detective Agency work tirelessly to solve big and sometime international crimes and mysteries. I can hardly wait to tell you about Boots & Brian. Boots, as she is affectionately called, is a bit cocky from a rough past but must learn to let some things go. I'll provide more details on those two soon. Then there's Southern Grace. Grace Caroline makes a bold move back to Texas but can she open her heart to love again. Again, more details later. 

Writing may be a personal hobby, but it will definitely be a lifelong hobby and my personal journey in becoming a published author is definitely a slow one, but when my books come out, I'm certain you'll be well entertained. 

Until then, stay safe, and read on.

Alexia

Your Personal Invitation

I just love winter-time, don't you? I'm from south central Texas where snow eluded us for the most part. We jokingly never thought it fair that north Texas and up into the panhandle would almost always get some snow. That's probably why we thought that was another country up there, tsk, tsk.  When it did get cold, it didn't last very long.  

Because of the wonderful childhood memories I have, especially around the holidays, my books are always full of winter scenes and all the drama that would entail. You see, as a child, to see snow we had to wait and hope Christmas cards would come in the mail with beautiful, snowy scenes on them. We'd drink mom's home-made hot chocolate and snuggle up on the couch in front of our old stone fireplace and read through the cards. That was about the only way we'd ever get to see snow. Our eyes grew wide with each card especially to see Rudolph dancing across the snowy front and wishing us the merriest Christmas ever. 

Today, I live in the Missouri Ozark mountains where we get plenty of snow and I actually get to live those "snowy scenes" from the old Christmas cards. Of course, some winters we don't get any snow - hum bug! Wintertime was always so special to me. My Mamma knew how to do Christmas. Her fascination of the snow and mountains still inspires me today. Not only will you read through my snowy winters you'll also find my characters live in mountainous regions - my favs are the American west and the Canadian Rockies.  

I hope my blog here will evoke a wonderful sense of warmth and coziness as you check back for updates. Consider this your very own personal heartwarming invitation to sit down a spell on a hot day, or cold, and cozy up with a favorite drink and dream of cooler days or warmer and step inside the world of Melanie and Cord, or duo detectives, Duke and Kohana of the Don't Know Detective Agency, whose banter will delight your soul. If that doesn't do it, five-year-old twins Cooper and Jaxson will stir your heart strings. 

I've written a few fun seasonal poems that you can read here, and in recent years, I invited author friends Theresa Snyder, Iona Morrison, and Kaye Kelly to write a little short story, we dubbed, The Gift, and offered it free as our way of saying thanks to all our readers and supporters. This little story is about real, friendship written in holiday style and is still available. Just email me and I'll send you the PDF. It's charming and delightful and it will definitely warm your heart. 

I appreciate you stopping by and remember you have an open invitation to return anytime. I'll soon be posting some updates on Touchdown in Waverly and also on Mystery at Bear Creek Island. 
Until then,

Alexia