Thursday, February 7, 2013

How the Hell Did I Become A Writer?

I've talked a million times about the way being on social networks has assisted me in my writing career.  Mostly, the way it has helped is introducing me to amazing writers, wonderful authors, and like-minded creative forces in the independent publishing world.  My insightful new friend Mike Squatrito, Jr., the Owner, Founder and Author of the Overlord Enterprises, Inc. is just such a person.  But don't take my word for it.  Take his.



How the Hell Did I Become a Writer? by Mike Squatrito

So you have a great story, maybe even have written it, but don’t know what to do next, right?  And you think you’re alone?  I was in the same position, oh about twenty years ago, but since that day I started typing my first Overlords novel in 1992, I have finished and self-published three novels in my series, visited local schools and libraries, started a self-publishing consultancy, and mentor high school seniors with their literary capstone projects!  OK, maybe I’m a little ambitious, but this didn’t all happen overnight.

Being an engineer by day, it took me about five years to finish the draft of my first novel.  Like many of you, I got married, bought a house, had a child, switched jobs twice, got divorced, remarried … I think you get the picture!  But in between all of the real life episodes I never stopped writing.  I continued to learn, honed my skills, gathered a cult following, and followed the Internet’s maturation progress, being sure to try my best to stay ahead of the curve.  Today, I’m on all the social networking sites, have a presence in as many circles as I can possibly be,  and most of all, do my best to help others that are stuck in the same pitfalls I used to get stuck in.  And, I finished and self-published the next two installments in my Overlords storyline.  I’m currently working on the fourth and final (?) installment with a possible children’s Overlords book swirling around in my head.

I’m not saying it’s easy and a lot of hard work must go into making a great novel, but you can do it.  Heck, if I can do it, so can you!  Just remember, nothing truly happens overnight.  All of those “overnight sensations” have really gone through years of pain and suffering before getting discovered.  I’m still waiting to get discovered myself, but in the meantime I’m enjoying the journey, and you should too!

You can check out my books at www.The-Overlords.com.  They read like a Lord of the Rings story, written at a Harry Potter level, with the characters influenced by the original Star Wars cast.  A can’t miss audience – I know!  If you visit my site, feel free to drop me a line and subscribe to my newsletter so you can see all of the cool things I’m up to, and better yet, how we can help each other.  If you need help self-publishing your work, check out my self-publishing consultancy, www.SelfPublishingInsight.com.

Never stop dreaming, never stop writing, and never, ever doubt yourself!!!

1 comment: