Ask the Author: Emmy wu
Answered Questions (3)
Emmy wu
I'm afraid I'm not really qualified to answer this question yet. I've only just taken my writing into the public sphere and am making a lot of mistakes (and learning lots of lessons) along the way! However, one big thing that I took away from my own self-publishing journey is that you must know why you are writing and then plan accordingly (e.g., do the appropriate research).
When I first decided to self-publish my novel, A BROKEN PEACE, my goal was very simple: to take these characters and this story that I'd drafted in various forms (including hand writing one iteration into a blank notebook) and see it in actual book form. Along the way, I engaged various editors, designers, and even created a website for the book because I wanted it to be the best that it could be. It then spiraled from there. What started out as a hobby (and personal passion project) became more commercial (as I wanted to see if a wider audience than my close family and friends might enjoy the book too). Having not come up with a viable marketing plan prior to publication (and having virtually no social media presence), this was a disaster and led to some expensive decisions that I wouldn't redo (e.g., buying my own ISBN numbers, creating an imprint so that I wouldn't have to have the CreateSpace logo on my paperback book, and even creating a dedicated website (versus a Facebook page)). I've gone back to my core driver for self-publishing (as I'm not ready to quit my day job!), but if I were to become a full-time author, I would be doing much more pre-work prior to launch than I did for A BROKEN PEACE.
Having said all that, my more general advice for aspiring writers is to not get discouraged. From a commercial standpoint, I would say that my debut as a writer was the equivalent of prancing out on stage and falling flat on your face. But, it was still fun, and I'm so happy to have my story out there. I will continue to share the stories and adventures that come to me, just in case it provides someone else with as much enjoyment as books have done for me throughout every phase of my life, and I hope that you will too!
When I first decided to self-publish my novel, A BROKEN PEACE, my goal was very simple: to take these characters and this story that I'd drafted in various forms (including hand writing one iteration into a blank notebook) and see it in actual book form. Along the way, I engaged various editors, designers, and even created a website for the book because I wanted it to be the best that it could be. It then spiraled from there. What started out as a hobby (and personal passion project) became more commercial (as I wanted to see if a wider audience than my close family and friends might enjoy the book too). Having not come up with a viable marketing plan prior to publication (and having virtually no social media presence), this was a disaster and led to some expensive decisions that I wouldn't redo (e.g., buying my own ISBN numbers, creating an imprint so that I wouldn't have to have the CreateSpace logo on my paperback book, and even creating a dedicated website (versus a Facebook page)). I've gone back to my core driver for self-publishing (as I'm not ready to quit my day job!), but if I were to become a full-time author, I would be doing much more pre-work prior to launch than I did for A BROKEN PEACE.
Having said all that, my more general advice for aspiring writers is to not get discouraged. From a commercial standpoint, I would say that my debut as a writer was the equivalent of prancing out on stage and falling flat on your face. But, it was still fun, and I'm so happy to have my story out there. I will continue to share the stories and adventures that come to me, just in case it provides someone else with as much enjoyment as books have done for me throughout every phase of my life, and I hope that you will too!
Emmy wu
To me, one of the best things about being a writer is the opportunity to create and explore entirely new worlds. I've always loved to read (and still do!), but one of the great things about writing is that it's another outlet for the imagination.
Emmy wu
I'm currently working on a sequel to my debut novel, A BROKEN PEACE, but am still in the early draft stage. The second installment, like the first, will be standalone, but will feature characters and locations that you hopefully got to explore in A BROKEN PEACE.
I've also been intermittently fleshing out ideas I have for stories in other genres (crime and action adventure).
I've also been intermittently fleshing out ideas I have for stories in other genres (crime and action adventure).
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