Author
K.L. Brady has stopped by today for the Soul Of The Band Blog Tour with a guest
post!
How I Got Started Writing & My Best
Advice to New Writers
I've been writing since I was about 7 years old. I used to keep
diaries, you know the ones with the locks on them. I still keep journals to
this day. I always knew I wanted to write but didn't know I wanted to be an
author/novelist until very late in life. Once the bug hit, I couldn't stop.
Literally. I have all these characters in my head who want out and I have to
give them to my notebooks to find peace. I wrote my first book, The Bum Magnet
(for adults), in just four months and I was ready for the big time (ha!!). Of
course, I wanted what every author wants, you know. I wanted a six-figure
multi-book deal. I wanted to be on Oprah and to make my rounds on the morning
show circuit. I wanted to blow kisses to my beloved fans. All that stuff. But
let me tell you, the publishing industry is nothing if not a sharp dose of
stark reality for most authors.
After querying my book to literary agents all over the country and
getting rejection after rejection after rejection, doubting myself and my
writing ability, listening to people tell me, “You need to put this book in a
drawer and start the next one,” I had a come-to-Jesus moment and I had to
decide who was I writing for. Was I writing for the publishing industry? Was I
writing for other authors? Or was I writing because I loved writing and had a
story to share?
I realized I was writing because I love writing and telling
stories and making people laugh. I do feel that was God’s plan for me. So, darn
the book deal. I decided to publish my book myself. And if ONE reader’s day was
brightened or if they were moved by this story, that would mean I was
fulfilling my purpose and God’s purpose for my writing, and that has been my
focus ever since. My first novel, first self published by yours truly, was
acquired by Simon & Schuster in a two-book deal--my first published in 2011
and the second in 2012.
I didn't have as much luck with my young adult novels. An editor
first suggested that I try YA and I thought why not? I have tons of stories
teens could relate to. My first one, Worst Impressions, was a hilarious
retelling of Pride & Prejudice with urban (or really suburban) teens. My
only real reason for writing the book is that I love Jane Austen, particularly
Pride & Prejudice (one of my favorite books EVER), and I wanted to
introduce teens to her in a way that they wouldn't think she was a fuddy duddy
old English lady who wrote stories they couldn't relate to. P&P is a very
human story filled with situations and emotions people still experience today
to some degree--even urban teens. My agent sent that out to some publishing
houses and it didn't get picked up so I knew what to do--I published them on my
own. So far, it's been getting a lot of great reviews. Jane Austen
"snobs" (of which I consider myself one) are usually the harshest
critics but it wasn't meant for them. It's meant for teens who've never read
P&P in hopes that they will find interest. It's available in paperback and
is currently free on all ebook formats. It will be a 3-book series.
Since I was so "successful" with Worst Impressions
another story came to me and I decided to write it as a tribute to my mom and
aunt, both of whom have passed away. Based on true events but fictionalized to
protect the innocent and the guilty :), Soul of the Band deals with a
topic that is often ignored in the African-American community--mental illness.
We're kind of like Vegas in that what happens in the family, stays in the
family. I wanted to address not only the issue of mental illness, but how teens
can and do cope with and overcome the ill effects in their lives. The story is
meant to entertain, help teens laugh through their pain, and also to tell a
compelling, real, story especially for those who have adversities to overcome
in their lives. What now looks like a mountain to climb will become a molehill
as you grow and slowly put your past behind you. It doesn't have to define your
present or dictate your future--you can make the choice, at any point, to
change course.
If I could give writers just ONE single piece of advice it would
be this: Write your truth! Don't write for trends or to get "sold,"
because readers can be finicky beings. They may love a genre one minute and
despise it the next (can we say chick lit)? But if you write stories that
matter to you and that express some version of yourself, you will connect with
an audience because honesty in literature never goes out of style. If you can
add some humor, even better.
Since I can give more than one piece of advice here is my last:
Just write! Stop worrying about outlines and editing and finding a publishing
company who will put you on Oprah. No, write your book! The hardest thing about
writing your first book will be finishing. No question. After that, editing
will suck too. But whatever you do, make sure you have a finished product
FIRST! :)
If you'd like to get in touch with me to find out more about my
novels, please visit my website at www.authorklbrady.com. My YA novels can be
found on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. My adult novels The Bum Magnet &
Got a Right to Be Wrong (both hilarious chick lit titles for 18+) can be found
wherever books are sold. Also please visit me on Facebook at KL-Brady and on
Twitter @KarlaB27. I always respond to readers inquiries and stalk my book
titles on Twitter, so if you mention me, I'll find you.
Thanks so much for having me!
Authors
Links:
www.authorklbrady.com
www.cheapindieauthor.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/karlab27
www.facebook.com/KL-Brady
www.facebook.com/KarlaB27
1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - this has to be on my list, I've mentioned it so many times and given it to so many people to read that I couldn't not put it down.
2. A Touch Of Power by Maria V Snyder - I love Snyder's books and this new one is just as fabulous as the others if not more so. It's the start of a new series and I can't wait to find out more. This book brought my excitement for reading to a whole new level. She is just awesome. 
3. The Gathering Dark (aka. Shadow & Bone) by Leigh Bardugo. I recieved an ARC of this and didn't really get that excited about it from the blurb but once I started I couldn't stop! One of the best fantasy books I had read in a long time, kind of a bit of a Dystopian feel to it too. Such an awesome story. I can't wait to see more from Bardugo!
