Posted by LaTreka Cross on January 5, 2010 at 1:53pm
What a way to start 2010! I received the 1st illustration from the artist working with me on my first book, Shades and Shadows. Chase Conley (http://saintchase.deviantart.com/gallery/) is on fire people!! He knows how to work with colors and use them effectively in art. Not to mention he is has a real eye for detail. I’m so excited to see my work coming to artistic life. This journey to publishing my first book has been a long, tedious one. I’ve written several versions, scrapped soooo many scenes that at one time I had to back away from my masterpiece and ask myself: what story do I want told?As a writer I have grown. I look at the first manuscript I wrote three years ago and it is a totally different piece. And that is a good thing considering I have been studying the craft for the last three years, learning my voice in writing and using tricks to have a more effective, thought provoking piece.These last couple of years, I’ve learned to trust my instincts and my judgments. I had to understand that not everyone will like my style of writing and not everyone will give a damn. Lol. I just hope I’m able to reach a small portion of people who will actually like my work. [Side note: I know I will shock a few people with my style of writing. Know that it isn’t for everyone and Shades and Shadows is an adult fantasy novel with strong sexual content. Not all my books will be written this way. I’m very versatile in my style. I’ll probably have something for you too in the near future if Shades and Shadows is not for you.]I’ve been told that my book is actually good from peers and family members. I guess the real test will be what people who don’t know me think about it. I’m looking forward to the moment when I see my book on the shelves in stores or online for purchase. Not that it’ll goad my ego, but because I actually accomplished something years from now my children can see the legacy I’ve left behind. I want my time here to mean something, have a true purpose. Hopefully my accomplishments will inspire my children to strive higher than anything that I’ve done or will do.
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