This post originally appeared a number of years ago when I hosted my blog on Blogger, and I’m delighted to re-present it to you here today.
Bestselling author and blogger DG Torrens. Her blog, My Books and I, covers the writer’s experience as well as book reviews and previews of her own book (kind of like this one).
I asked Dawn what was the best thing that has ever come out of her writing, and the worst thing. In return, I wrote my own answer, which appears on Dawn’s blog. Without further ado …
The best thing that has come from my writing…
The best thing that has come from my writing is the ability to inspire others. Amelia’s Story is my true story, a very hard read for anybody but especially for parents. Since publishing my story, I have received messages from all over the world, telling me how my story has inspired them personally. I cannot tell you how this has made me feel. I cried, I smiled, and I replied to each one of those messages I received. I had messages from people who had suffered like me, who had given up on themselves for a long time, and who found hope from my story. To have inspired people in this way is the single most amazing thing that has come out of my writing.
I am a great supporter of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (http://nspcc.org.uk) and Barnardo’s (http://www.barnardos.org.uk), and through my writing I am able to give back by donating a percentage of all my sales to these charities.
Another great thing that has come from my writing is the amount of wonderful people, mainly other indie authors, that I have met and who have become great friends. The overwhelming support and advice I have received has been incredibly humbling. The indie world is an amazing network of authors, all helping each other and promoting each other. When I first published my book, I was a complete novice! However, the advice I have received along the way from other indie authors has armed me well for my second book, Amelia’s Destiny (published May 2012). I have learned so much about myself through my writing journey that has had a positive effect on my life.
Finally, I have realized my dream, a dream I have had since I was a child. One that seemed so far away at the time I never thought it would happen!
The worst thing that has come from my writing…
The very worst thing that has come from my writing was my over-eagerness to publish my first book. I once read somewhere that authors who edit their own books have not had their books edited at all. As far as I am concerned, truer words have never been spoken! I made the fatal mistake of editing my first book. When it went “live,” there were a few typos. These of course have been corrected now.
I learned a very valuable lesson: employ an editor—that is the best thing indie authors can do for themselves if they can afford it. For me, there is no option anymore. All my other books have been edited by professionals. I realize now that we don’t always spot our own mistakes. You need fresh eyes to glance over your work; beta readers are another great resource. I learned a very important lesson, one that I will never forget!
Another thing that I have discovered is that not everyone will have great things to say about your work. No matter what genre you write in, or how well you have written a book and told a story, there will always be someone that it won’t appeal too. Everyone has different tastes—it’s as simple as that. One person may give you a five-star rating, and another will give you one star. I have learned to separate myself from this and just appreciate that people have taken the time to download and read my work, whatever their opinion is at the end. This is the nature of the business we are in; we have to take the bad with the good. It’s not always easy, though!
About me…
I write into the early hours of the morning, when my house is quiet. Writing is my passion, and I want to write books that people just love to read. I also love to write poetry.
Writing gives me wings, it gives me freedom, and I could not imagine my life without writing. I have written my autobiography over three books for my daughter, which has taken me on the most amazing journey. Amelia’s Story, Amelia’s Destiny and Amelia The Mother constitute my life story. Originally, it was never intended for publication. But today. My Amelia Trilogy has made its way into the hearts of people all over the world and has been downloaded over 400k times worldwide. My Amelia Series has made many bestseller lists, which led my USA agent, HRM Literary Agents to me in 2016. Since then, they secured an audio deal with Audible.com for my Amelia Trilogy. Following the release of my autobiography, I went on to write 12 more books over six years: Broken Wings, Tears of Endurance, Whispers from Heaven, The Poppy Fields book #1, The Poppy Fields Book #2 , The poppy Fields book #3, Heart and Mind, Military Boots , A Soldier’s Fear, Forbidden, Dissolution and Abyss.
I have recently completed my 16th novel, Finding You, a romantic suspense novel now available on Amazon.
In 2017, I became an active member of, NEW STREET AUTHORS SOCIETY (Birmingham UK) This is a large group of dedicated authors in the West Midlands. We come together and share marketing, writing and event tips with each other.
Writing is a great passion of mine and one I never tire from! I am always thinking ahead and often have my next story lined up in my head before finishing another. I am doing my dream job and I feel truly blessed. Although, I had a very long road to journey before reaching this wonderful time in my life.
I am a proud and devoted mother, blogger,and of course writer. I am a lover of the great outdoors, running, power walking and swimming. I am a member of various book groups and I also have my own book group, called “Writers and their books,” which currently has around 1,505 members. My loves are good food and good books, which I devour at an alarming rate! I love travelling and plan to take my daughter all around the world one day.
My daughter is my whole world–the love of my life. The child first and foremost. My belief is, always treat people how you wish to be treated yourself. I love life and all that it has to offer. There is so much more for me to discover, new adventures to journey and show the world to my daughter. I want to take her to the far corners of the earth and delight in seeing her lovely face light up at the wonder of it all.
The success of my Amelia Trilogy was picked up by BBC WM and this led me to a weekly slot lending my time as a Paper Reviewer for BBC Radio WM 95.6 FM, with Radio Presenter and Film Maker, Adrian Goldberg, who I am pictured with above, for 12 months during 2014–15. I loved reviewing the morning papers and discussing current events here in the UK and around the world. Although, at times is was daunting knowing that thousands of listeners tuned in every morning! It was a live show—so, I could mess up at any time. (I did occasionally) but I managed to wing it…
My own life story reads like a tragic novel and that is why I have chosen to write about it for my daughter. So that she better understands her mother and her life.
I would like to share this quote with you from an unknown author: Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away…
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