S.M. Thomas's Blog

Whether you’re traditional, indie or self published once you put your work out into the world you open yourself up to the opinion of strangers. That’s an indisputable fact. It could be in the form of a star rating, comments on social media or a written review. Some people might even reach out to you directly to share their opinion on your work.

Hopefully people will be kind and supportive. You may even find a few who genuinely love living in the world you brought to life. But somewhere out there at least one person is going to hate what you’ve written. And that’s okay. Not every book is for every reader. Remember that phrase because it will help you grow a shiny spine. Not every book is for every reader.

Look up reviews for books or authors you absolutely love, somewhere in there you will find criticisms. It doesn’t mean the reviewer hates you, it just means they didn’t connect with your words and that is honestly okay.

If you put your work out there expecting nothing but sunshine and rainbows you will be disappointed. It’s better to learn to roll with the punches than waste your anger at somebody not enjoying your book. Because that’s what it would be. Wasted anger. And for the love of God please don’t engage with negative reviews, it is their opinion and they are entitled to it whether you think it is fair or not. Be professional.

Personally I’ve learnt from some of the negative reviews I’ve received. I changed the entire cover of The Diseased based on some less than stellar feedback on the original. I’ve learnt that perhaps I was a little to abrupt with the cliffhangers and so I’ve tried to improve upon that for the sequel. That’s what negative reviews are, in part, to me. A chance to grow as a writer.

Sure some of them I just ignore because there is nothing constructive within them to build upon but I have listened to the ones where I could see some truth in them.

If you want to be a writer you need three things:

1) Thick skin

2) The ability to take on constructive criticism

3) A drive to always want to improve your craft

And if you don’t have those three things then publishing is not going to be an enjoyable journey for you. So please dear writer, learn to respond to criticism logically rather than emotionally. It will be better for you mentally and professionally.

Any writer should be an avid reader. I know sometimes that feels like a dangerous line to tow but it’s an important one. What if you end up accidentally being inspired by someone else’s work? What if you stumble upon something that’s too close to your WIP? What if? What if? What if?

But the thing is - if you aren’t reading then you’ll never truly unlock your potential. You must immerse yourself in tales of other worlds in order to better create your own. But read as a reader not as a writer. Don’t go into a story with a critical eye, reading should be an enjoyable pursuit. Dive into a book with an open heart and learn what, as a reader, you like and don’t like. And then learn to write for that reader.

Reading is writing just the same as writing is reading. Both should be instinctively linked.

I used to avoid reading books in the genre I was writing in, but since I’ve changed this stance my own person style of writing has come on in leaps and bounds. Now I read infinitely more than I write, it helps trigger my imagination when I do finally put pen to paper (or rather cursor to screen) and so far I’ve yet to rip any other author off ha!

So, dear writers, if you find yourself with a spare twenty minutes, are suffering from writers block or just can’t face the WIP today why not pick up a book and escape for a while? You might find it makes all the difference.

Well I suppose I can nearly call it a launch month!

What a month it’s been, from selling out on launch night within half an hour through to some fabulous reviews from readers and bloggers it’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks.

Body Count, the sequel to The Diseased, is nearly a third of the way through its first draft. I really need to get a wriggle on ready for release next September. I do like a challenge.

Anyway, here’s some photo highlights from the last month - thank you so much to everybody who has supported this journey.

My mother was a whirlwind.

Usually, when I hear people use descriptions like that I can't help but feel its a little too poetic to be realistic. A tad dramatic perhaps.

But when it came to my mother there could be no description more fitting.

She came and she went as she pleased with little to no warning, leaving a trail of devastation and eventually death behind her.

Pre-Orders Live

https://books2read.com/b/4AjoG0

“Doctor Handsome eh?" Had been my opening line. He'd turned to look at me, one eyebrow raised, sweat light on his forehead from the unusually hot day in the ward and his face had broken into the warmest smile I'd come across in a while.

"Well, if the name fits." And like that our story began.

Textbook.

Over the next few weeks I’m going to be giving out a tease for each of my characters - I hope you enjoy your first introductions to them and their world.

I can’t wait to officially launch the full preorders on the 1st of August.

Release day is the 2nd of September for the ebook and paperback formats - with the audiobook following not far behind!

Exciting and stressful times ahead!

I am so excited to announce that my new book “The Diseased” will be available to purchase from the 2nd of September 2022.

Details of pre orders will be available as soon as I have my final edits back from my lovely editor!

Sucks.

That’s it.

That’s the blog.

I wish I could say I was using my restless hours productively but I’m mostly just lying around grumpy and occasionally dreaming up new twists and turns for Body Count. Maybe this will be the first completely nocturnal manuscript I write?

I’ve finally done it.

I decided to scrap everything I’d written a year ago for the next book and I’ve finally written an opener I’m happy with.

The grey skies are clearing, things get easier again - they always do.

Sometimes you just need to be brave and let go of what you think you need to hold onto. What you thought the right answer was going to be.

It’s going to be a (hopefully) busy year of writing again.

❤️

Remember when the motorway went quiet?

When the planes didn’t boom,

When we were forced to spend life,

Inside one of three rooms.

Where some days the only noise was their footprints on the path,

And their cautious greetings to each other as they ran past.

Now the footpath is quiet,

The birds we can not hear.

But where have all the joggers gone?

Have they disappeared?

No they’re back in their cars.

Back in their meetings.

Back in the bars.

Back racing and rushing from this place to that.

Where are the joggers?

Will they come back?