One week!

13 Sep One week!

I still can’t believe The Forgotten Life of Connie Harris has been out in the world for just over a week! If you’ve read it, reviewed it or invested in a copy, a huge resounding thank you. And if you’d like to do any of the above, links are at the bottom of the page.

Here are five things I’ve learned in my first week as a published author:

Kindness is everything. People have been incredible, from the support given by family, friends and even strangers to the lovely words I’ve received about the novel both by email, in reviews and in person. You can’t please everyone, and I know the book won’t be some people’s thing, but those who have read it and told me how much they loved it has been a highlight. Which brings me onto my next point:

Connection. Where would we be without readers? It’s still an incredible feeling to know that strangers are reading my words and connecting with characters that have lived only in my head. Readers have told me they’ve been moved to tears and moments of joy. They’ve experienced the feelings I experienced when I wrote those words. It’s quite simply amazing. Several reviews this week have brought me close to tears of gratitude. Some people really get it and that’s the best feeling. This was brought home to me at my book launch. It was a very rainy Tuesday evening, and I really didn’t know if anyone beyond family and friends would come. When they did, I was absolutely delighted. The room radiated warmth and it’s a moment I’ll keep with me for a long time.

But with the knowledge that people are reading something so personal comes overwhelm. There have been times this week when I haven’t been sure if I’m getting it ‘right’ or whatever my preconceived idea of what ‘right’ is. Did I reply to everyone on social media? Am I sharing too much, too little? Are people getting fed up with my posts about the book? Do I sound like a complete idiot with my enthusiasm? Overwhelm and self-doubt can shout pretty loud if you let them.

It’s about the writing – There’s still no better feeling than when the writing is flowing and you’re excited about a new idea. I wrote my next book over last winter and since then I’ve been switching between editing that and then fulfilling publisher edits for Connie. I’m excited to start a new project but also a little daunted too.

The writing community is the best. I have been so lucky to have support and cheerleading from fellow writers both published and unpublished. My amazing former tutor and author, Jenny Kane hosted the Q&A at my book launch which enabled me to overcome my nerves and actually talk coherently to a room of people about the novel. My talented writing pals with whom I exchange ideas and critiques. These are my early readers, the people who I trust to tell me when I’m getting it wrong and who have supported me on every step of this journey. I can’t wait to shout about them from the rooftops when they publish their books too.

But most of all, life is much the same. Sometimes stressful, occasionally joyful and all the muddle in-between.

You can buy The Forgotten Life of Connie Harris from Amazon or Waterstones.