October 6 question – In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?

Alex’s awesome co-hosts for the October 6 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, J Lenni Dorner, Cathrina Constantine, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Mary Aalgaard!

In May’s IWSG post, I announced that my political thriller KISS OF THE ASSASSIN, which I wrote in 1991 (yes, 30 years ago!) was due to be released this year. In July’s IWSG post, I retracted that statement because my Canadian publisher was closing its doors due to unforeseen circumstances. I had to quickly self-publish my previously published ebook Dead Witness because as soon as they closed their doors, all their novels would come down from Amazon.

I also mentioned in July that through the help of friends, I self-published with relative ease.

Was I wrong in prematurely announcing the upcoming publication? Should I’ve been closed-mouth?

No.

It’s all about believing in good despite everything. I’ve probably told you this before but my go-to mantra has always been: Everything always works out for me.

Thanks to the generosity of my old publisher who was my editor on this book — who not only told me whom to query, she told me to mention her name as many times as suitable, and state clearly that she is my editor and has just completed edits on my manuscript. “What’s the good of a name if you can’t throw it around?” she said. (I’m paraphrasing)

I queried the publisher that very night. The next day they wrote to say “Welcome!” And that they were placing me on the FastTrak because they trust my editor’s judgement and knowledge.

I felt like… I feel like… (reflection) … I feel like I did the first time I had a novel published. You remember that excitement? You’re afraid to blink in case someone pinches you. You don’t want to say anything to anyone for fear of jinxing yourself.

Last night I’m sitting here, staring at a blank page, wondering if I should avoid looking a gift horse in the mouth and keep my lips sealed. Because, if I do share, what if next month I’m back reporting it was all a fantasy?

I’m taking a leap of faith.

One day down the road I’ll share a bit more about KISS OF THE ASSASSIN. I really did write the ms 30 years ago. I spent 10 years trying to get it published. Everyone said the same thing: Nobody’s interested in a story centred on the Vietnam War.

I believe things work out for a reason. I love KISS OF THE ASSASSIN. I have always loved it. And I never stopped believing I would find it a home.

I know, I could have self-published. That’s a discussion for another day. Please, just hear me now. If you’re languishing over any aspect of your career, stop. Don’t listen to the negative self-talk. Go for a walk, pet the dog, bake some bannock. Trust.

As for this month’s question: I have a very dark thick line that I won’t cross. The list is so long, I won’t bore you. I bet it’s the same list you have. I refuse to exploit human emotions or describe atrocities to man or animal to sell novels.

–namaste

joylene