DEATH IN VELVET
In my former life as a professor, I had to write and publish all the time. While I loved the analytical engagement, it didn’t feed my (over)active imagination. I began writing fiction on the side, just for fun in my not-so-plentiful spare time.
I published my first mystery, The Mystery of Ruby’s Sugar, in late 2017. I continued to write, even in the midst of leaving academia in 2019. Since late 2019, my partner and I have been travelling the world (permanently) as house/pet sitters. We spent the last lockdown in Cornwall, a perfect place to write. That’s also where I met Pasty the cat, a new character in Death in Velvet.
Death in Velvet was quite tricky because of how the murder occurs (I don’t want to give any spoilers!). That’s what usually gets me—the method. And I have a taste for a large cast of characters, which can also create some challenges. Dialogue and characters are usually the easiest to write across all of the books.
Besides the steep learning curve of indie publishing, the biggest challenge has been revision. Strangely enough, writing a first draft is a breeze for me. Then, since I know how the story ends, I tend to rush through revision. I’ve had to learn how to slow down and take my time to craft a better book rather than rush to get it out—a definite pressure in the indie publishing space.
I’ll offer contradictory advice: dive in, but pace yourself. I say “dive in” because there’s so much to learn: writing, publishing, marketing, and building relationships with readers. Immersing yourself in it for at least a while is a great way to learn. At the same time, you have to pace yourself because it’s so easy to burn out in any one (or all!) of these areas. Build a solid foundation for your indie writing house and then take your time building it up.
Finally, love your readers! Start a newsletter and engage with them. It’s satisfying and one of the best ways to keep yourself motivated when you hit roadblocks. Enjoy the ride.
