Writing Books is Hard to Do

I've always loved to write.  I think anyone that truly knows me knows this. Even in college, I could write academic papers with ease.  Writing is my art, but I was always to afraid to share my art with the world.  I was afraid of the scrutiny I would subject my work to, but I decided that not writing would never be an option.  Then after sharing what I had written with some friends and family, they convinced me that what I had written was pretty good. So I decided to self-publish my first novel No Place Like Home without any warning.   I just put it out one day, and hoped like hell people would like it.

Now that I've decided to actually try and earn a living off of my writing, I've been feeling conflicted.  Before when I wrote, it was for my eyes only (and occasionally I would share it with others), so I only had myself to please.  However as I continue to write, I often struggle with writing what makes me happy and writing what I think the readers will like. I think to be successful, it is important to find balance in both, and just accept the fact that some people will like what you write and others won't.  This is a tricky business, but I am trying to figure it out.  I'm just starting out, and I've got plenty of time to figure it out.

Just thought I'd share that...oh yeah, and this teaser pic from In Search of After.

Enjoy!