Christine Feehan's Blog - Posts Tagged "readers"
Last Words on Writing
Thank you to everyone who has come to read my blog series on writing! This is the final in the series and I wanted to just wrap a few things up.
I’M A BOOK LOVER
I’ve always loved books. I love the written word. I’ve always admired authors. Those were my heroes. I spent, and continue to spend, thousands and thousands of hours reading. I would go to the library and even took a job in the library so I could be surrounded by books.
AMAZING MOMENTS FOR ME
To see one of my books published, to see my name on that book, it’s a magical thing. You often tell yourself, before you’re published that there’s no way that will ever be you. You think your book isn’t good enough or worthy enough.
I remember the first time I saw my book in a library that was a moment of such joy. I kept thinking to myself, “That’s my book in the library. I can’t believe my book is actually in the library!” It was so special because that was where I really started reading and getting books. Libraries were like a miracle to me and then to see my own book there, it was astonishing to me.
I remember going into a bookstore and buying some books and when I went to use my credit card the woman behind the counter says, “Oh my gosh, you’re Christine Feehan!” It was amazing to me because I was recognized and recognized as a writer.
Another amazing moment for me was when I was giving a talk to these high school students about writing. These teenagers had been bused in from various schools and they were all into writing. They wanted to be authors specifically. One of them said to me, “Well, we’re from a tiny town. It’s not like we know people or we can get our books even considered by anybody.” And I was so happy to say to her, “Did they not tell you? I graduated from this school. This is my school. I was born in this town and I was raised in this town and I graduated from this school.” I told them that I knew nobody in the business and that, in fact, I had made so many mistakes along the way it’s a wonder I got published. And that was this wonderful moment for me that I could tell someone something that would matter to them. Where they could look at me and see that, if I could do it, they could too.
BEST ADVICE AND FINAL THOUGHTS
I think the best advice that was ever given to me happened at the first conference I went to after Dark Prince was published. Jayne Ann Krentz sat me down and she said, “I think you’re going to be really successful and there are some things I’d like to talk to you about.” And one of the very first things she said was “You’re a business woman. You’re not just a creative artist, you’re a business woman and you have to take control of your career. So, you have to learn about the publishing industry.” And I realized that she was right and I’ve never been more thankful to anyone. She didn’t have to do that. But, she took the time to talk to a total stranger and that left such an impact on me. And, now, years later, if we’re at a conference at the same time we always make sure we touch base with each other. And I’ve always been able to email her with questions and she always guides me. She is a generous soul and I’ll always be immensely grateful to her.
I want to be the same way. So if an author asks me a question I make sure I give her the best advice I can. I think it’s important to pay it forward. You have to know that readers will read more than just one book. You can’t possibly write enough books to satisfy every reader. Authors don’t have to be in competition with each other. You can help one another.
Keep in mind that if you’re a writer, you’re a reader and you need to remember that writers want books to read too. We need to help each other for a lot of reasons. I will be forever grateful to Jayne for what she did for me.
If you're published please tell me about the first time you held your book in your hands!
If you're aspiring tell me which of these blogs were most helpful for you. I'd love to have some feedback!
Thank you!
I’M A BOOK LOVER
I’ve always loved books. I love the written word. I’ve always admired authors. Those were my heroes. I spent, and continue to spend, thousands and thousands of hours reading. I would go to the library and even took a job in the library so I could be surrounded by books.
AMAZING MOMENTS FOR ME
To see one of my books published, to see my name on that book, it’s a magical thing. You often tell yourself, before you’re published that there’s no way that will ever be you. You think your book isn’t good enough or worthy enough.
I remember the first time I saw my book in a library that was a moment of such joy. I kept thinking to myself, “That’s my book in the library. I can’t believe my book is actually in the library!” It was so special because that was where I really started reading and getting books. Libraries were like a miracle to me and then to see my own book there, it was astonishing to me.
I remember going into a bookstore and buying some books and when I went to use my credit card the woman behind the counter says, “Oh my gosh, you’re Christine Feehan!” It was amazing to me because I was recognized and recognized as a writer.
Another amazing moment for me was when I was giving a talk to these high school students about writing. These teenagers had been bused in from various schools and they were all into writing. They wanted to be authors specifically. One of them said to me, “Well, we’re from a tiny town. It’s not like we know people or we can get our books even considered by anybody.” And I was so happy to say to her, “Did they not tell you? I graduated from this school. This is my school. I was born in this town and I was raised in this town and I graduated from this school.” I told them that I knew nobody in the business and that, in fact, I had made so many mistakes along the way it’s a wonder I got published. And that was this wonderful moment for me that I could tell someone something that would matter to them. Where they could look at me and see that, if I could do it, they could too.
BEST ADVICE AND FINAL THOUGHTS
I think the best advice that was ever given to me happened at the first conference I went to after Dark Prince was published. Jayne Ann Krentz sat me down and she said, “I think you’re going to be really successful and there are some things I’d like to talk to you about.” And one of the very first things she said was “You’re a business woman. You’re not just a creative artist, you’re a business woman and you have to take control of your career. So, you have to learn about the publishing industry.” And I realized that she was right and I’ve never been more thankful to anyone. She didn’t have to do that. But, she took the time to talk to a total stranger and that left such an impact on me. And, now, years later, if we’re at a conference at the same time we always make sure we touch base with each other. And I’ve always been able to email her with questions and she always guides me. She is a generous soul and I’ll always be immensely grateful to her.
I want to be the same way. So if an author asks me a question I make sure I give her the best advice I can. I think it’s important to pay it forward. You have to know that readers will read more than just one book. You can’t possibly write enough books to satisfy every reader. Authors don’t have to be in competition with each other. You can help one another.
Keep in mind that if you’re a writer, you’re a reader and you need to remember that writers want books to read too. We need to help each other for a lot of reasons. I will be forever grateful to Jayne for what she did for me.
If you're published please tell me about the first time you held your book in your hands!
If you're aspiring tell me which of these blogs were most helpful for you. I'd love to have some feedback!
Thank you!
Recap the Madcap Adventures of BookLoversCon
New Orleans is one of my favorite cities as most of you know. Arriving there for the BookLoversCon I could feel the excitement in the air. The event opened with a Jazz Fest and I was one of the authors sponsoring a little booth there giving away fun things. The Jazz Fest was one of my favorite events at the large conference. I loved the music and the line of people parading into the room with smiles, laughter and obvious joy. It was such a great start to the conference!
The speed dating with my Starfish writer’s group was especially fun. We’ve been together for years but, this was the first time we’d done an event as a group. Readers sat at tables and each of us rotated around the room, meeting each person. Everyone got a personalized champagne flute and a custom bracelet with charms from each Starfish group member. We told wacky fun ‘secrets’ on each other so it was hilarious!
The Biker Babes lottery event was fun and I had such a great time learning about other author’s MC books. And of course it’s always a treat catching up with Khloe Wren .
The costumes at the fairy ball were beautiful. Even I dressed up! Those let me tell you, fairy wings can be dangerous! LOL
Of course the highlight is always meeting readers, finding new authors and catching up with old friends. That’s what I loved most. I am excited to have found new authors and can’t wait to start reading those books!
It all ended on Sunday with my big lottery event which was brunch and a swamp tour! Our group was adventurous and fun and we had a great time seeing the Louisiana Bayou together with Captain Neil of Pearl Eco-Tours.
It was a whirlwind of fun and now I’m back home getting back to writing until I leave for the Reader & Author Get Together in Ohio in early June!
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