by Michelle Sass Aleckson, @Jesses_girl4evr

As a prepublished author, for the last few years my main focus has been that ever-elusive publishing contract. Years of work, blood, sweat and tears have gone into this.  We—my husband and I, because let’s be honest, writing is not a solo endeavor—have invested a lot of time and money into classes, meetings, conferences, tools, and programs.  It’s a huge commitment. Kind of like marriage.

If you’ve been at it for any length of time, you understand. 

But, finally, FINALLY, my dream came true in November when I received a letter informing me that I was chosen as one of the draft authors for the new Sunrise Publishing group. I signed a two-book contract. That means I will see my story in print in 2021!

We had a Signing-The-Contract ceremony. Kind of like a wedding.  Then came the reception, a dinner out on the town. My family and friends rejoiced with me. Every where I went in our small-town people congratulated me and asked when they could read my story. It was amazing. 

Okay, it still is amazing. 

But now, oh boy, now the real work begins. The honeymoon is over. The real work begins.  I’m committed to producing two 60K word books this year. Books of publishable quality.

This is what I wanted, right? 

So why am I sitting at my computer freaking out so often these days?

I used to be fairly confident. I found a groove in our home life. I’m by no means an expert parent or amazing housekeeper, but when it came to all these other aspects of my life, I felt like I knew what I was capable of and I was comfortable with my abilities. They were/are far from perfect, but I felt they were adequate. 

Now I’m in so deep over my head I don’t even know which way is up. This whole publishing process has brought my dormant insecurities screaming into the night like hungry newborn babes.  Yikes.

So why am I telling you all this?

If you are reading this blog, you are probably an aspiring author. (Or my mom. Hey, Mom!) And there are some important truths you should know.

1. Getting a publishing contract does not change who you are. It is not a magic formula, a cure-all, or an extreme-makeover. You are still you. So if you think “If I just get that contract I’ll be fulfilled,” you will be deeply disappointed. Do not pin your worth on any accomplishment, especially this. Goals and dreams are important, but stay rooted in truth when it comes to your identity. 
2. Writing is work. Yes, it’s a dream of ours, but it is also a job. And like every job, there are parts we love and parts we despise. Be prepared to continue to do the work even after you sign on that line! Everything you do now is training for this job. It is not wasted effort! Keep doing the hard things.
3. Feeling a little insecure might not be such a bad thing. It reminds me to keep a teachable spirit. I can’t know everything. There’s always room to grow. I don’t want my insecurities to dictate my life by any means, but a little vulnerability has its benefits. If you’re not changed by this writing journey, you’re missing out on something. And, often, the first step to growth is awareness. In writing we can learn a lot about ourselves. Don’t be afraid to go deep, experience those doubts and frustrations and fears and use them to make your own characters more realistic. And maybe your characters will teach you something too along the way.
4. Don’t forget to write for the sheer joy of writing. Like a good marriage, you invest time and energy into the relationship. Commitment and hard work hold you together when times are tough, but don’t forget to celebrate the good times, the accomplishments. Don’t forget what brought you together in the first place: the love of story.

Now, dear writer, go work on that novel! I wish you all the best. Cheers!

After growing up on both the east and west coasts and traveling the world, Michelle Sass Aleckson now enjoys living the country life in central Minnesota with her husband and four children. She loves rocking out to 80’s tunes on a Saturday night and playing board games with family and friends. She’s a graduate of Novel Academy’s Storycrafter course, and she won the 2018 Genesis Award for Romantic Suspense and the 2018 Cascade Award for Contemporary Fiction. Look for her debut novel with Sunrise Publishing in 2021. And in the meantime, you can connect with her at michellealeckson.com!