Yesterday, July 17, marked my eight-year anniversary of my very first published novel, November Snow. Coincidentally, it was also my one-year anniversary of Take Me Tomorrow (my last published novel with my old publisher). Both novels are currently unavailable, and neither novels had a lot of time on the market…although I hope one day they can make a comeback. November Snow is actually my current goal, but I am saving an in-depth post about that journey for the near future. (Insert wink here.)
I’ve been thinking a lot (as does every person on this planet, I hope), and reflecting over these past eight years of publishing is both surreal and nerve-wracking. It’s easy to beat myself up over the few years I left the market (between 2007 and 2013), but I try not to count that time as “lost” time. I was still writing, after all. In fact, I wrote Take Me Tomorrow in that time period. I do have my moments though, and if I had to compare it to anything, I would compare it to a reading problem I’ve had. (I hope I’m not the only one in this, but I shall confess my little heart’s sad beats anyway.) Sometimes, not as rare as I’d like those time to be, I will be reading a fantastic novel and suddenly think, “Oh. Wow. I could never be this good.” It’s ridiculous and silly and even petty, but the insecure and (hopefully) fleeting seconds pass. I generally shake my head back and forth really fast, like I can whip the thoughts out of my ears. (I credit Willow Smith for inspiring this move.) This has also caused quite a few stares in public. Nevertheless, I found myself doing that dance recently—the don’t-think-that head shake—and I know it’s because I was concentrating more on the “lost” time than on what I’ve accomplished with the current time and what I am continuing to accomplish with the time I have left.
All we can do is concentrate on being our best selves every day. If we do that, no time is lost.
I don’t know if November Snow or Take Me Tomorrow or any of my other novels will ever sit next to The Timely Death Trilogy. I don’t know if they’ll be on shelves one day or if I’ll make to a book signing or if I’ll try a new genre or deepen a series. I don’t know those things at all.
But I do know one thing.
I love what I do, and I love it more every day, and I look forward to my ninth anniversary and all of the anniversaries to come.
Oh, and just for fun, here’s a time lapse photo of the release day eight years ago and today…just cuddling with November Snow on the couch. I even found the same sweater. (And, yes, that’s a pegasus. I love pegasus.)
And because I think it’s fun to explain this to everyone I meet…the reason my eyebrows are missing when I was 16 is because I shaved them completely off when I was nine. Why? Well, that’s another story. (I promise it’s not what you think.) But they took ten years to (mainly) grow back. Don’t touch the brows. Don’t do it. However, I definitely recommend the pegasus sweater.
~SAT
Goodies and announcements:
Minutes Before Sunset releases in TEN days! It is up for pre-order at $2.99, but the price goes up on July 28. You can also WIN a paperback via this Goodreads Giveaway! (It ends tomorrow.)
Seconds Before Sunrise and Death Before Daylight are also up for pre-order.
I’ll be at Penned Con July 25 in St. Louis, Missouri, and more news is to come shortly!
July 30, Clean Teen Publishing, is hosting an online party where we play games and give out FANTASTIC prizes. (Jewelry might be coming your way from yours truly.) So, join CTP’S Midsummer Magic Party, by clicking the link, and I’ll see you on July 31, from 7-9 p.m, via Facebook.
Shannon A. Thompson 
Hi! I have been following your blog for a while now and it was always a joy to read. I have been wondering if your books were still available because I couldn’t find them anywhere! I sure hope to read them both and I am definitely going to join that Goodreads giveaway! I hope I win! That cover looks amazing…
I just found out the giveaway is not international (sobs), anyways.. I hope it comes to my country so I can buy it for myself! toodles!
I’m glad you enjoy my blog! You’re very kind for commenting. I am hosting an international giveaway on a signed book and bookmark myself. Here’s the information!
http://tinyurl.com/MBSsignup
The trilogy is available online, but everything else is on a hiatus right now. I promise I’m working on it though. :]
~SAT
you mean the first books you mentioned? i hope I can get them! anyway I hope I win the giveaway!
No. Sorry. The Timely Death Trilogy – Minutes Before Sunset, Seconds Before Sunrise, and Death Before Daylight – are all up for pre-order on Amazon. November Snow is my next planned release (hopefully, next year), and Take Me Tomorrow is on hold. You can find any of my available works and subscribe to news on my Amazon page: http://tinyurl.com/AmazonSAT
Good luck on the giveaways!
~SAT
oh… yes.. thank you! Good luck with your books!
Hi Shannon. Great post. It’s interesting what you say about your insecurities as a writer, because from my point of view you seem so confident and successful. But I guess in this life it’s a bit like the grass is always greener on the other side and none of us are ever truly satisfied with what we’ve got. Or at least it can take a long time to get to the point where you feel fully content.
But if I can be half as successful with my writing as you are one day, I’ll be happy! So keep it up. You’re doing great. 😀
Elaine,
You’re very sweet! Thank you for reading and commenting. Most of the time, I am very happy and confident and all that jazz, but I am definitely still human, and that jazzy music CD can get a scratch in it every now and then. It’s nice to remind myself it’s just a scratch though. 😀 Your comments always bring a smile to my face.
~SAT
I remember thinking that when reading a book. Now I consider that somebody might be out there reading my books and thinking the same thing. All about perspective and finding mental loopholes. 😉 As far as the period of being out of the market, a lot of authors do that. Some intentionally to gather up more ideas and others, like me, who didn’t know how to get into the business. I did a Pay On Demand book in college, had no idea how to market it, and spent a decade writing, outlining, and preparing a lengthy list of future stories. The downside is that you feel like you lose time publishing, but the upside is that you return with enough stories to keep you going without prolonged gaps for a while.
Didn’t know that about eyebrows. Kind of glad the one time I considered mucking with mine didn’t happen. Got too scared of putting a scissor near my eye. Probably a lot of people who have attempted or considered doing something with their eyebrows.
Oh! That first line, Charles. Gave me chills. :]
And I’m so glad you brought up scissors with eyebrows. That’s how mine started…and then I finished the job with a razor. Got rid of them both (and my eyelashes…which you definitely need. Lots of dust and dirt and all.) It took FOREVER for them to grow back. YEARS. And they never grew back the same. It was painful. Now, it’s funny. That’s life, I guess. lol
~SAT
Your eyelashes too? Not even sure how you would do that. I’d be terrified of slipping. It does make for a funny story to tell.
Yeah. I was a strange nine-year-old. That’s for sure!
~SAT
That’s probably why you became an author. Strange kids tend to become creative and interesting adults.
Good luck! Keep writing what you have inside. Don’t let anyone steal your words.
Instead of “I could never be this good,” what about “I want to be this good!” Inspiration, rather than humiliation.
Although, personally, I most often find myself thinking, “My work is better than this.” Guess I’m just brash.
Oh, I definitely think “I want to be this good” instead of “I’ll never be this good” most of the time! I’m generally a very positive person. I just have my silly little moments every now and then. ;]
~SAT
Reblogged this on Crazy Beautiful and commented:
Happy Belated Anniversary and To Many More Books To Be Published ! ♥
Happy 8 years! I’m privileged to have read TMT and hope it will be out there again for others to read. 🙂