If Only I'd Known, Writing Lesson by Anna Lores

Every author learns things after a few books. Authors often say that they wish they'd known "that" at the beginning of their career.

I think the best thing we can do as authors is to pass along the lessons we've learned.

With that thought, I've asked author friends to share these lessons with those who are at the threshold of a writing career.

My friend Anna Lores, author of the erotic romance, Ella's Triple Pleasure, has taken on that challenge.

Anna has learned a lot since her first book, and she's here to tell you what she wishes she'd known when she started.

About Anna Lores

Anna started writing romance as a by-product of insomnia. After a year of late night reading, she borrowed her son’s laptop and set about breathing life to her very own characters. A month later, she was surprised with a new laptop of her own to pursue her dreams.

With a B.A. in English Literature and a desire to fill her world with wonderful stories she and her close friends could not just talk about, but gush over, Anna shed the job as mom of three in the late night hours and assumed her alter ego of Dirty Girl.

Visit Anna Online: Website * Twitter * Facebook * The Wild Rose Press.


If Only I’d Known
by Anna Lores

Colleges and high schools around the country are all celebrating graduations, each of them featuring a speaker who imparts their personal wisdom for the newly minted graduates. Each speaker has unique experiences that have shaped their world and can help the young minds of the graduates avoid some of the same mistakes they’ve made along the way.

Many of us, when we get to certain points in our lives, look back at our beginning and, inevitably, think about what we thought something was going to be and compare it with what it really turned out to be. Writing is no different. What is the one thing I wish I’d known when I started?

The One Thing I Wish I'd Known

While I’m by no means a commencement speaker, but as I celebrate the publishing of my fifth romance novel, Ella’s Triple Pleasure, I can tell you what I wish I’d known. I wish I’d known about the importance of self-marketing myself as a traditionally published author.

When I first decided to actually BE an author six years ago, I had this grand vision in my mind… I would write a great story that I was passionate about. I would pitch it to a publisher who would love it. They would make some acceptable edits to my masterpiece and then they would blast it across Amazon, Barnes and Noble and every other place that books are sold.

Be Passionate

The first part of that is very important. You must be passionate about your stories. If you’re not, you will have a hard time convincing a publisher to be passionate about it. When you do convince them, you will get to work with an editor to make your great story even better. Listen to your editor. They know what they’re talking about. But the reality of the publishing industry is that you are your stories best salesperson.

The business landscape doesn’t allow publishers of any size to market your first book at a level that is really going to break through to the billions of readers out there who are ready to read a great story. Much of that foundation of marketing is on you, the author.

So my advice to you is to passionately write the stories you have in your heart and mind. But also recognize you will have to educate yourself on how to best share your story with your future readers. Your publisher will do what they can, and will be as encouraging and helpful as they can, but you are the most responsible for ensuring the world reads your story.

So today, as you commence on your writing-to-publish journey, I encourage you to not just focus on your writing, but those other skills, social marketing and reader platforms, that make you the most well-rounded authors. Whether you choose to publish as an indie, traditional, or hybrid, that investment in yourself and your work is vital for your future success.

About My Latest Book: Ella’s Triple Pleasure

It takes three men to satisfy one woman’s needs…

Single mom and massage therapist Ella Winthrop isn’t looking for a relationship. She has enough problems without risking a business that barely meets her needs.

Then her world is turned upside down by three men, each offering something she isn’t prepared for—love so deep it hurts, sex so hot she’s afraid she’ll melt from the pleasure, and a future beyond her wildest dreams.

Steamy businessman Cade Jackson has it all—money, looks, a giving heart, and a dominant nature—but Ella refuses to date a client even if she’s lusted after him for a year. After his brother’s death, Garrett Winthrop moves back to town opening old wounds and even darker fantasies. Dr. Derek McGregor gives her balance and understanding that speaks to her soul. All three men force Ella to question the limits of a traditional relationship.

Add This Erotic Romance to Your Library: Amazon US * Amazon UK.

Takeaway Truth

Learn from those who have created a writing career, and maybe your journey to success will be faster and smoother.

36 comments:

  1. You're so right about being your own best promoter. But it's hard. I think most of us are passionate about our work. However, putting ourselves out there, open and vulnerable... Not for the faint of heart. :)
    Best of luck with Ella's Triple Pleasure!

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    1. Vulnerability seems to be the word of the day, everyday, for authors and writers. We put our hearts on the pages of our books and then go out and hope people respond favorably to "us" and our words... Thank you, Sandra.

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    2. Thanks, Sandra, for your comment. I don't think I've ever known an author who was excited by the prospect of promoting. *LOL* Most of us would rather hide under the bed--with our trunk full of unpublished manuscripts.

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  2. No truer words have been spoken. After four books, this is something I'm still struggling with. Good luck and great sales on all your beautiful books.

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    1. I think most of us struggle with marketing.
      Thanks you, Sandra!!!

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    2. Hello, Sandra Dailey. Glad you stopped by. No matter how long an author is in the business, she/he still struggles with this.

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  3. Great post, Anna. I agree totally with you. I wish I had known more about the importance of social media before my first book was published. I'm still trying to catch up. Good luck with your release.

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    1. Thanks for visiting, C.B. I think you'll find that, as an author, you're always playing that old American game of catch-up.

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  4. I hate marketing, especially book signings, but it's a necessary evil if you want to make sure your book gets the promotion it deserves. Good luck with your new book, Anna!

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    1. Marketing is challenging, but you're right, getting your story in the hands of readers who are looking for a great read is worth all the promotion :) Thanks for stopping by, Veronica!

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    2. Thanks for commenting, Veronica. Oddly enough, I always enjoyed book signings. They were really fun.

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  5. Great post and great reminder - thanks for sharing! I'm headed to a book signing this weekend at my college reunion, and know I'll be the only romance author at the table. You remind me that I do feel passionate about my books and need to stand up for them if I want others to take them - and me - seriously.

    Best of luck with your latest release!

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    1. Katie, good luck at your book signing!!! You'll represent our fabulous romance genre well :)
      Thank you for stopping by and chatting!

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    2. Good luck with your signing, Katie. Write hard. Live free!

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  6. We're in a new world where social media drives everything from buying socks to finding a long lost relative. Your post is spot on about marketing and learning the ropes of social media. But what I've learned is that most writers are in the same boat and dislike marketing themselves since they'd rather be writing.

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    1. True words, Judy Ann Davis. We're all in the same boat, and sometimes I'm convinced the boat is leaking like a sieve.

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  7. I'm in the slow slog of trying to get the world to notice my first romance. Thanks for the nudge to keep at it even though it's hard to see the results at thes stage.

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    1. Judy, when I lived in Memphis, TN, where my latest novel takes place, you couldn't go anywhere without hearing someone say, "Keep on keeping on." Keep on, girl! You got this.
      Thanks for swinging by and chatting.

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    2. Hang in there, Judy Meadows. Building a writing career is a SLOW process which is why it's so important that we all remember to enjoy the journey.

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  8. Thanks Anna! I really admire how you were able to take something that was a struggle for you and turn it into something achievable and maybe even a challenging fun rather then a dreary task. CONGRATS on your new release

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    1. Dee Dee, I do look at marketing and promotions as fun now :) I will never forget meeting my first fan and how excited they were...I was far more excited to meet her!!! I take that feeling with me everywhere I go and it makes promoting so much easier. I've gone to being a nervous wreck to loving it.
      I'm so glad you came by for a visit!

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    2. Thanks for leaving a comment, DeeDee Lane!

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  9. Hi, Anna and Joan :) Great interview! And you definitely chose the topic I would have selected, Anna. I think most authors, in the past, thought marketing would be one of the hats they *wouldn't* have to wear. Of course, the writing world has come of age with the topic now, so most of us know that cute little fedora or beret belongs to us, too. lol Frankly, I'm coloring mine hot pink to make it less stressful. :) I enjoyed the post, and the two gals sharing it with us :)

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    1. A hot pink hat suits you;) Thanks so much for visiting with us, Lo :)

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  10. Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Joan. I appreciate the opportunity and the invitation :)

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    1. Any time, Anna. Welcome mat is always out for you.

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  11. Anna,
    Fabulous advice! I'm explaining how to build an 'author platform' to a friend whose agent requested it, and I don't think it's an element taught to writers as they are beginning their journey. The stronger the author network and experience is out the gate, the easier it is to market the debut author and book.
    Love the blurb- hot premise! Off to buy-

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    1. Thanks, Sarah! Understanding what an 'author platform' is and how to build one - and continue building it - isn't talked about nearly enough. There is so much trial and error in the process, it's wonderful to have friends that help each other along :)
      I hope you enjoy Ella's story:)

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    2. Thanks, Sarah. Any time you want to share your thoughts on Author Platform, just let me know. It would make a great IF ONLY I'D KNOWN.

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  12. Thanks, for the great advice, Anna. Having just read about your Ella Winthrop character, as a guy, I must say that if Ella were a man women would call him a pig! But I am totally cool with her making her own bold choices. Life's not fair...

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    1. You're welcome, and thanks for visiting :) I laughed aloud at your comment...Life is so not fair, but it can have a Happily Ever After ;)

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