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To be honest, I’m not sure what I meant by the ‘Big Moment’ when I first wrote it a few weeks ago. So, I’m taking a guess. The ‘Big Moment’ is a milestone for an author that makes all of the trials worth it. It varies for every author, but we feel invigorated when these events happen. I’m sure I could list them and people will point out something that I miss. So use that comment section!
- Hitting Publish– The Grandaddy of targets when you’re an author. No matter how many times I get to this point, I feel a wave of fear and exhilaration because it is a step that several people chicken out of. This is where you take a step onto the winding path and it isn’t an accident. It is a choice that you consciously make and you can’t take it back with ease. To unpublish, you have to make a tough decision and risk looking ‘weak’ to anyone watching. After all, to publish means you have faith in what you finished and you are ready for the fray.
- First Draft– We tend to overlook this milestone when we reach it a few times with various projects. Now, the final draft that you publish makes you beam with pride, but the first draft has a different feel. The story is no longer an outline and the characters have been given basic life. I think this is the hardest part of writing because you’re creating something from nothing. Editing is nothing more than refinement of this first draft and is a test of patience. This is a test of imagination, focus, dedication, and confidence. Next time you finish the first draft of anything, think about that feeling in your chest and see how different it is from other milestones.
- First Review– Authors love reviews because it’s proof that people have read your book and thought enough to talk about it. First sale is something, but it doesn’t always mean your book has been read. It’s when you get feedback that you know you did something right or wrong. We always hope that our first review is positive, but we can only control so much. That makes this a dangerous milestone that can make or break a new author.
- Sequel!– Not for every author, but putting out a second book has an interesting feel. It isn’t as exciting as the first book. Yet, there is an energy in the air and a sensation that your path has changed. You’re no longer a ‘One Book Author’ with a single baby to nurture and promote. You have a new kid to push and balance with the first book. If it’s a series then you get them to play along, but you have that challenge of making sure the new book gets a bit more attention. In the end, you get to see what happens when you build up a library of books with your name on it. This will also help you see if you have longevity and a stable fan base.
- First Fan Art/Fan Letter– Not sure I really need to go into this milestone. Just knowing that someone loved your book enough to draw a character or take time to contact you in private is a great feeling. It makes you feel like a big time author and adds some justification to your decision to publish. Unfortunately, the dark side of this is if you get a hate letter where the person tears your book apart. Whatever you do, do not interact with this type of contact.
That’s all I can think of off the top of my head. What are some important milestones in your journey?
Legends of Windemere 
You could put it in with no 5, but for me it was the first time something I had written made a real difference to someone’s life.
Or the first time your kids say, ‘My Mum wrote that.”
Those, for me made it all worthwhile.
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Good ones. Betting you were beaming after that first one.
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In tears… gets me every time… 🙂
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The closer I get to publishing the second book in the Shadow People series the more nervous I get, thinking that it won’t connect properly or that people who liked the first book will hate this one. I introduced some totally new characters and new species as well, so I really hope I haven’t overloaded it with too many bodies. It must be so cool to have someone draw one of your characters. I wish someone would draw one of mine.
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All I can say about a series is that you have to be strong. Everyone who buys the first book won’t carry on to the second and so on. I know a lot of people who bought my first book did it out of curiosity. This makes the sales look ‘weaker’ for the sequel, but that’s to be expected. It’s also an illusion if you think that people are still jumping into the first book. A series really does create an odd type of synergy between the books.
I always hope to see more fan art, but I don’t seem to attract those types.
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LOL. Okay, so I asked my mom what she felt was an important milestone in an author’s life, and she said “birth”. Ahhhh, mom. So sassy.
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That is an important step toward a lot of things.
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I think another milestone is when a relative who has not really cared that you write or/or draw and wishes that you’d get a “real” job actually acknowledges the fact that you’ve gone through with publishing and asks things like “What’s the book about?” without sounding horribly sarcastic. Another is if you go for printed copies. The moment you open the box and see it in print for the first time. And then, there’s the first sale. Sure, the person had told me in advance that they’d be buying a copy. Doesn’t make that moment any less awesome, though.
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Good ones. The acceptance of family and friends is a big step. Brings a load of credibility to what you’re doing and eases some of the tension because now you’re free to talk at leisure about what you’re doing.
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Stepping out of my comfort zone to try to create something entirely different from that first book is like starting the process all over again. Excellent post. Last night I shared my first chapter (revised) with my critique group. When they really liked it, and talked about it, I felt as if I had finally done it! It was a joy.
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Congrats. I haven’t done anything with critique groups since just after college. I tend to be the lone fantasy author, so people are never sure what to do with me.
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That’s funny, we have several fantasy and sci-fi authors, so I feel the odd one out. The crime novel fits because so many write funny stuff. I wish I could get one guy to co-author with me. He could really add some much needed flair to my work.
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Might just be my area then.
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for me I think it is to say “I’m an Author, or a Writer” and it be legit and I’m not just a wannabe… I’ve got the proof right there in black and white.
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Always a highlight when you can prove it.
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So many BIG moments, like first review, first bad review, first good review, first sale, first time you see a typo after publishing, first autograph request.
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Life is a bunch of firsts. 🙂
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This is a great list. I’d say getting your revision done is one I would add. That’s always huge for me. The story comes alive in revision more than it did during the draft.
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I tend to have the ‘thank god that’s over’ feeling at the end of a revision. At least recently. Guess it’s a big moment of survival.
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That’s a cracker of a list. I think there maybe two more. For me, anyway, there’s the moment I know it’s right.The point when I read the book and it feels as if somebody else wrote it because the writing’s better than I thought I could do – although that might be the revision one mentioned above. And there’s the moment for series writers – if it’s that kind of series – when the last book comes out and the overall story arc is finally complete. That’s a hell of a buzz.
I think I’ll believe I’ve arrived when I’m asked to appear on the Radio 4 show, Desert Island Disks.
Cheers
MTM
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I’m dreading that second one because I know it’ll be hard to write that epilogue. After 15 books and decades with these characters, I’ll feel a little lost even though I’m moving on to the other ideas that have been patiently waiting.
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