When the pictures tell the story...

I am normally one for words first and foremost– obviously - but just now it feels as if pictures are the way to go.  

 Nearly cried when these turned up. Oh – who am I kidding? I did cry. Proper tears. Overwhelmed.  Big kid.

The truth is it remains so surreal. A beautiful box of shiny, delicious-smelling books with my very own words inside. My debut! After all these years… Those who have been following this blog with all the ups and the downs and the updates as I was writing this novel (wondering and fearing how it would all turn out) will understand how much this means.

Of course I am learning too that the paranoia that is in the writer’s job description does not, alas, cease once you sell your book to publishers around the world. The next cue  is to start laying awake at night worrying if anyone will buy it! (Whatever are we like?) People are starting to mutter quietly about  “rankings” and how I will very soon start a new obsession. Chant after me…..do not check your Amazon ranking every hour. Do not check your….

To be honest? I am realising that this way insanity lies. My book is published three weeks this Friday and, having done my very, very best, I can only now cross everything, hope and pray that readers like it and try to enjoy the moment. At least the early signs are good -  some very kind bloggers and reviewers are saying nice things on Goodreads (thank you; thank you – I could hug you all) so I am going to try very hard to stop worrying at least for a little while and instead share another special snap.

Below is a picture of me visiting one of the settings featured in the novel (the very gorgeous Porthleven in Cornwall). When I was in the final stages of line editing, I thought often of this mesmeric place and could picture my characters there so very clearly. Worrying isn’t it that our characters become so real to us that we can do that? Watch them. Right there on the beach.

So – to all those who are still pitching away, what can I say? I can say this feels magical, if just a little bit scary too… so do please keep the faith. Keep going. Keep loving it. Keep remembering that it wasn’t many months back I had no idea that all this was finally going to happen.

And will you forgive a nervous first-time author for mentioning that my debut is currently on special offer - pre-order discount price of just 99p. Click on cover or side bar or HERE

 

  

---