Being Your Own Team (What You Need to Know)
Updated: Jan 27, 2022
I absolutely love writing. I have a website about my writing, I’ve published books, I post about my writing——heck, I’m writing right now!
Not many know this about me, but I actually wrote a book back in 2019 (let’s just say there’s a reason no one knows about it. I was still learning, to say the least.)
From then, I wrote a few more things, which inflamed my passion to become an author. And, in the summer of 2020, I decided to take my writing a step further. And by doing so, I wrote the first book I had ever published, Eternal Lifeline: The Withered World.
Starting with that, my only goal was to write and finish this book, and with enough diligence, I wrote and wrote and finally put my metaphorical pen down as I typed out the words “To Be Continued…”, and after that, I had planned soon to write its sequel, Crimson Night: The New World.
Good times.
A year and a half later, and I’ve just recently finished my 6th book, Tears for a Fragmented Light: The Phantom Bloodline. And, for those of you who’ve been there from the start, you’ll know my book covers haven’t looked the same. In fact, I’ve gone through seven designs for Eternal Lifeline: The Withered World alone to get to this point. Can you believe that?
Seven.
Fun fact about the concept drawing. I actually sent that to a cover designer and was then rejected! And, I don't regret being rejected at all because I would have never learned all this!
And let’s just say a special anniversary edition will come out sometime this year, bringing the number of designs to eight.
Anyway, getting to the point I’m trying to make, for the most part, I’ve been my own writer (duh), editor (I wish I had the money for one! Buy my books & merch to support this if you want!), web designer, publisher, translator, social media manager, and graphic designer.
And you know what? I love every part of it.
I love doing all that because it’s my passion, and I get to bring my vision to life like never before. I remember all those years ago when I was just a little kid roaming around the front yard, imagining distant worlds and crazy adventures. Now, I finally have the chance to bring all that to life.
It’s surreal.
But it’s also hard work——really hard work that I’d love to share with everyone! And, for those who might want some advice on how to be their own team, I’d love to help. Of course, being your own team doesn’t exempt you from asking for others’ help when it’s appropriate, because let’s face it, you won’t find me drawing a something like a person or a character. (I can thank @leticia_kifo (Instagram & Fiverr) for helping me with that!)
But, hear me out here. It is possible, especially for indie authors, to do all this. So, without further ado, let’s jump into the advice.
How I write:
This one’s probably the most straightforward of the advice I'll give. As long as you have something to write with, whether it be a pencil and paper, some writing software (I personally use Apple Pages), or even your own imagination (impressive memory btw), you can start writing! I won’t jump too much into this, but I do have a few writing tips for those who want to know how to write.