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Popping in to tell you that “writing romance as a get rich quick” idea during a pandemic (or any time) isn’t a good one. Definitely not recommended, try lottery tickets instead. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.
And I feel like I’ve done kinda well as an indie author. Had some excellent national media mentions, an award final. Made some money. IT WAS NOT EASY OR LUCRATIVE.
What it has been, and continues to be, is satisfying and joy-inducing.
Romance writing is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I hope everyone hears that. Harder. Than. Journalism. If you know me at all, you know the kids of stories I’ve covered.
Romance writing, while joyful, is difficult. Making money as an indie author is difficult.
I thought long and hard last year about leaving journalism to write indie romance full time. In the end, I didn’t. In part because I love my employer and co workers.
But also because covering politics and executions and hurricanes and alligators is easier - for me - than writing a lot of books and marketing and selling enough of them to live as well as I do now.
And while we’re at it, let’s just say there are many paths to success in romance. Traditional publishing, indie publishing, @wattpad. They are all equally valid. Some of the best writing I’m reading now is on Wattpad, from young writers around the globe.
