From Reader to Author

Apparently I'm in the 2% of Americans who followed through on writing a book. Based on the average of 1.7 million indie books coming out each year, I'm not convinced of those stats; but nonetheless here we are. So who am I?

Well, I've been known by many names but you may call me Tullie. I am a bit of a collector - mostly of labels, here's a few: performer, artist, scholar, international baccalaureate graduate, college drop-out, teen-mom, wife, homeowner, renter, underprivileged. Okay that last one is a nice way to say I'm no stranger to our government's assistance plans or food banks but I digress. In 2023, I added 'Published Author' to my ever growing collection because I had too much time on my hands. Such an odd problem to have in this day and age as a mom and wife and - well you get the picture. Truth is, the only label I've never been able to keep is 'reliable full-time employee' no matter how much I wish I could get that particular shiny badge. See, I have a genetic mutation that affects my connective tissue called Ehlers-danlos syndrome and after being on short-term disability with a job I absolutely loved for more than 6 months I was forced to face the reality that I would not be returning to work.

Having always been a career minded individual, this is a difficult pill to swallow. Both of my children are in school now (yikes, I'm getting old!) and my husband happily works full-time so I am home alone a lot. Due to my limitations, my world is only a few square miles. Sound depressing? Well it is. I tried all kinds of activities to fill my time - painting, baking, yoga, crocheting, singing, dancing, etcetera. All of these were either too expensive or too laborsome. So I turned to an old hobby, dusted off the keyboard and began to write. 

Few weeks later, I got a book halfway done and two Kindle Vella series. I'm just as surprised and confused as to how I made that jump as you are. Then I came across Vincent Lima's song 'Moonlight Misses You' by accident on apple music (if you have not heard it, go listen to it.) and obsessively played the song on repeat for hours while I wrote Street Lit. That night I just needed to publish it. So with very little editing, a quickie cover design and no idea what I'd do afterwards I became an Author in my eyes for the first time. 

I could order my book. I could hold it in my hands and say without a doubt that I had accomplished something. That is an amazing feeling. So I dove into the world of independent publishing and found a huge community of every personality under the sun. I was unprepared to say the least. Inspired by the success and positivity around me in this virtual community, I began to take this endeavor more seriously. 

Now, book one in my first series launches this summer. I've entered a short-story competition on Story Unlikely. I have two stand alone books hiding in the wings. Possibly my most exciting project is a book that will encompass two different countries formats in one novel! Writing and publishing brings me so much joy and fulfillment even on my worst days.

So, that's me. Who are you and how did you get here?

-- Tullie