TRUST. YOUR. GUT.

I love being a writer. Everything about the process brings me joy, something I’ve struggled to find since my son, Derrick, died six years ago. Since then, writing has become my refuge from sorrow, anger, depression.

My first personal essay, fifteen years ago, was about my ex-husband walking away after Derrick was diagnosed with Autism. It’s interesting how life’s challenges, tragedies, joys, provide an outline for our imaginations.

After Derrick died, I found myself with time on my hands and decided to refocus on my writing. What a blessing creating, plotting, editing, re-writing, and reading a WIP countless times has been. And the reward of having readers tell you how much they like your story or novel is priceless.

I now have two completed novels and am working on the third book in my Mexico Mayhem series, VANISHED IN VALLARTA, which is in the super fun editing phase.

One of the hurdles I face is cost so I’ve always had a quid-pro-quo arrangement with another writer. Full disclosure, she doesn’t write or read my genre, nor I hers, but we’ve always managed to offer constructive critiques of each other’s works … until now.

My imagination tends to be a little dark and twisty, which of course bleeds into my writing. My books are full of murder and mayhem with dark villains. And I might have a touch of sex between the pages. And, yes, I know this type of story isn’t for everyone.

At first, I thought her concerns were about the story or plot or character development, so we met face to face to discuss her issues. All good? Not quite. This time my quid-pro-quo editor, who read my second book, balked when she encountered my colorful villain. She didn’t say she hated him or suggest I might expand on his emotional journey; explain she couldn’t see him as a fully developed character. No … she critiqued me as a writer.

What followed were emails telling me I’m a novice writer and that I needed to rewrite the first draft or stick it in a drawer. Next, she informed my writing is amateurish. I have thick skin and have taken my lumps along the way, but these comments were more than I could bear.

After a few sleepless nights and hair pulling days, I sat down with my WIP and re-read the piece. That’s when it hit me. This editor has not read all my work, like my first novel which has received several rave reviews. Or my first personal essays edited and published by Adams Media. And more recently, short stories accepted by NIWA and Windtree Press for publication in their anthologies.

Then this quote popped up on Facebook:

“Believe in your story. Have confidence in your story and your abilities as a writer. Don’t be discouraged by rejection or criticism.” Barbara Cartland

I know I’m not an accomplished writer like some of my favs; Barbara Cartland, John Grisham, Sue Grafton, James Patterson, but from now on I’m going to focus on trusting my gut and believing in my story!

Happy summer writing, ladies!!!

Amazon.com: Peril in Paradise (Mexico Mayhem): 9781794052451 

Amazon.com: MALICE IN MAZATLAN (Mexico Mayhem): 9781957638256