Endings, Celebrations, and Beginnings

Though we are firmly in the new year and many of us are holding fast to our New Year’s resolutions, the cycle of endings, celebrations, and new starts stands out in my mind.

Some lifetime endings include graduations, leaving a job, moving, end of a competition, loss of a loved one including pets, divorce, finishing a project, ending a term of service to an organization, remission or cure of disease, sunsets, end of a journey, end of a school year, selling a car, death, and more.

In contrast, some lifetime beginnings may include fresh starts such as a new project, school year, job, term of service in organization, wedding, home, family, birthday, vehicle, sunrises, and of course, a fresh and shiny year.

For an author, beginnings and endings apply to each stage of writing a book. We start with a blank page or computer screen. Some start with a character or a scene that gives birth to a story. Others outline lightly or in depth. Still others turn on their imagination and start pouring out words. While some edit while they compose, some wait until the draft is completed to edit. Often, outside help in the form of critiques or a professional editor are sought. Next comes the step of formatting for publication, which may include seeking an agent and publisher.

Once the route to publication is clear, marketing begins by lining up appearances in person and online. As each stage of writing, publication, and marketing is completed, the next stage begins. Where it gets tricky is when multiple books are in the pipeline. For multi-published authors it is not uncommon to write book three, publish book two, and market book one. It takes a savvy author to not get the stories mixed up!

Right now, I’m marketing books one through three of my A Magic Candle Shop Mystery series, publishing book four (CANDLE WITH CARE, writing as Valona Jones), and composing a rough draft of book five. I compartmentalize by doing the most urgent task first thing in the morning when I’m freshest, then tackling one of the other projects in the afternoon. The next day follows the same pattern except whichever of the three projects got skipped the day before will now be in the line-up (and something else sits out).

BONUS: THE COVER REVEAL FOR THIS BOOK IS TODAY! Dru’s Book Musing

When we keep a busy pace in life, celebrations of our “endings” may fall by the wayside. This topic came up recently when family members discussed college graduations, who went to theirs or why someone skipped it. My oldest said celebrations were essential to focus on the sense of achievement. Her insightful comment took root in my head.

As a natural introvert, celebrating anything besides birthdays and a few holidays isn’t prioritized. Sure, I attended the kids’ achievement ceremonies and recognitions. But for myself? I rarely had time for that. After all, the book pipeline always is hungry for the next book.

Before I became an author, I routinely devoured 10-20 books a month, and I dearly wished authors would write faster. Now that I’m on the other side of the page, I see the effort required to make a book publication ready. I’ve been published since 2006, and with my upcoming February release, will have 28 works of fiction out in the world. That’s certainly WORTH celebrating!

For a chance to win a digital Advance Reading Copy (ARC) of CANDLE WITH CARE, chime in with your thoughts about celebrations. Do you celebrate between endings and beginnings?

Want to know more about author Maggie Toussaint (aka Valona Jones) or peruse her book list? Visit her WEBSITE.

While you’re here, remember to enter our January contest, which runs Jan 1-22. One winner takes home two books! CLICK HERE for contest.