Melissa Charles author

That’s what publishing can feel like, regardless of if you’re going trad, indie, or hybrid.

And it’s true: the only way to get it done is to do it.

Not exactly helpful, is it?

The way my mind works, I’m happiest if I have a step-by-step guide. Do A, B, C, then D, E, F will follow.

The Universe, knowing this, laughed, and said, “Make that one an author.”

The universe, having a giggle at my expense

Because publishing is a law unto itself, always shall be, forever and ever ahhhh-meeeeeeeen.

So why do we do it?

Why do we pour our hearts, souls, minds and energy into this ever changing chaos that is writing and publishing?

I suspect that for some of us, writing is something we NEED to do. Writing is our way of finding a balance, letting our imaginary friends out to play so they don’t haunt our dreams. Plus, there’s the ‘what if’ aspect. What if we get to see our work on the shelves? What if our passion becomes a career? What if readers find our work and enjoy it? It’s the same hope that keeps people buying lottery tickets. After all, someone HAS to win eventually, right?

Or maybe that’s just me.

Along the way, if we’re lucky, we find other authors who become friends, who cheer us on, console us, and even whisper, “Wanna read what I just wrote?”

We find cohorts, companions, battle buddies, so we’re all a little less lost, a little less lonely, because what makes us authors is when we sit alone, in front of a computer, a tablet, a blank notebook to create worlds and people who only exist in our imagination until we put them into words. To take our dreams and try and inscribe them onto the page so that others can travel with us, to see what we see, to experience the joys and horrors of other lives for themselves. It can be a lonely experience, creation.

So, to my fellow writers, whatever stage you may be in, it’s nice to meet a new author sibling or nibling.

To the readers, welcome to the mayhem and long may you enjoy the chaos.

Cause while the only way to get where you’re going is take those first steps and keep moving, things are always better when you have good company along the way.

Just don’t forget to pack snacks and water. And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.