A Year In Review

Wow, so what can I say? It’s been a crazy year full of ups and downs, tears and celebration.

I started writing Leap of Faith in January of 2010. We only had one computer at the time, which I seldom was able to wrangle away from my husband or kids, so I wrote the entire story in a notebook by hand.

The writing process alone was grueling, filled with weeks or even months where I wouldn’t write a single word. What was the point? I’d never be published. No one would want to read what I’d written. Yeah, so many, many hours of self-doubt and lack of confidence.

Luckily, cheeky little Braxton Carmichael wasn’t about to let me get away with tossing it all in and giving up. He kept me up at night, intruded into my thoughts during the days, and all around made life a nightmare until I finally had to throw my hands up and say, “Fine! You win! I’ll write the damn thing!”

I finished the first draft in May, at which point my husband decided I was actually serious about this “writing thing” and bought me a laptop. Another month of typing up my manuscript, formatting, editing, and loads more self-doubt ensued, but I won’t bore you with that.

Then it came time for submission. Who do I submit to? I didn’t have a clue. I knew which authors I liked to read and where they were published, so I just went with that. In retrospect, I probably should have invested a bit more research into the process.

Then came my first rejection letter. Since I’d been expecting it, I can’t say that I really fell apart or anything like that. I just brushed it off, made a few revisions and submitted to Siren. Three weeks later, I received an acceptance letter, and let’s just say that I’m pretty sure the neighbors around the block heard me screaming.

January 19, 2011, my work, my baby, was finally published, and I think I spent the entire day forcing myself not to vomit. What if people hated it? What if I didn’t sell any copies at all? What if it was the biggest catastrophe of my life?

Since then, I’ve published 32 manuscripts, have 4 more contracted and scheduled for release, and while the writing and submission process has become easier and less nerve wrecking, release days still leave me twisted up in knots because there is always that risk of failure. It took me a long time (and I’m still learning) to get it through my head that I’m not going to please everyone, and I can’t worry about that. I just have to write what I feel, take the story where my characters lead me, and know that I gave it everything I have.

I have a lot of series started now, but The Moonlight Breed will always be special to me. No matter where I go, my special pack and their trouble-making mates will always be my first, and I thank them for letting me tell their stories. When I finished writing Boston’s story, I thought, “Okay, this is it. Time to say goodbye and move on to other pursuits.”

Well, as usual, my characters roped me in, gave me a good talking to, and in no uncertain terms informed me that they weren’t done just yet. And really? They are the heroes, so who am I to argue? So, I have 5 new books planned with some new and wonderful characters who I’m already beginning to love as much as my original pack. First up, in Book 6: Make it Shine (though I've been known to change the title before actual release lol), is Oscar and his big, badass, and slightly scary mate, Demetrius. I can’t wait to introduce them to everyone, and I hope you love them as much as I do.

-- Gabrielle Evans

www.gabrielleevans.com

www.bookstrand.com/gabrielle-evans

I suppose I’ve rambled enough, so let’s get to the prize! To celebrate the one year anniversary of the release of Leap of Faith, I’m giving away signed paperback copies of the first 5 books in the Moonlight Breed series to one lucky winner!

Comment below for your chance to win, and please remember your contact info!

Contest ends January 21^st at midnight EST.