Two years ago today, I sat in the cubicle of my office, practically bursting through my skin. I don’t know what I was thinking trying to be at work that day. (I’d just started the job though, so I hadn’t amassed vacation time yet). On that day, April 21st, my book was headed to auction.
A lot of writers talk about The Call. In my case, I knew I’d sell my book that day, but I didn’t know to where, or when it would happen. My boyfriend and I had planned a celebratory meal that evening, and I almost missed the reservations because the auction went on longer than expected. I had my first conversation with my editor; I agreed to their offer; and just like that, I went from aspiring novelist to debut novelist.
One year ago today, I became a full-time writer. It was a hard decision to leave my job and venture into the the freelance world, but it was the right time to make the leap. I was gearing up for the release of my first novel, had looming deadlines on my second, and knew that if I wanted to write more, I would need to take the risk and go for it. So I did.
Today, I sit in my apartment, whose home office never did manage to materialize, signing my second book contract. A box of author copies of the paperback of my debut lies in front of the bookshelf, waiting to be unpacked, and I just received my first trade review of the sequel. My books are being published in five countries, in three languages, and when people ask me what I do, I tell them I’m a novelist.
I feel so fortunate to have a job I adore, and to work with such dedicated and talented associates like my agent, Deidre, and my editor, Kerri. There are times when I have to step back and say, how did all of this happen? And, on the anniversary of the start of my career, I feel the need to reflect on what brought me to this place, and how grateful I am for the job.
April 21st, 2007 at 9:19 am
Congratulations!! (And it couldn’t have happened to a nicer person!!)
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April 21st, 2007 at 9:29 am
Happy Anniversary!! I couldn’t be more thrilled by your success. You had a dream, a goal, and made it reality. You are an inspiration. May the future hold many more successes!!
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April 21st, 2007 at 10:06 am
I remember sitting on my balcony two years ago with the cordless close at hand for the updates…
Ahhh…memories…
CONGRATS! = )
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April 21st, 2007 at 10:42 am
Mucho congrats to you, Diana. And thank you for paying it forward. The information and wisdom you share on Diversions is invaluable. So glad to know you, even if only online.
Happy day.
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April 21st, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Congratulations, Diana. It’s been fun being a participant along for the ride.
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April 21st, 2007 at 5:21 pm
What a great anniversary to celebrate! It’s great to see someone living the dream, ya know? It’s an inspiration to someone like me, who’s trying to follow the same dreams,
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April 21st, 2007 at 5:53 pm
That is wonderful, I get goosebumps just reading!
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April 21st, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Happy Anniversary!
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April 21st, 2007 at 8:29 pm
What a lovely post, Diana. Congratulations! And isn’t it wonderful to have experienced every single step along the way?
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April 22nd, 2007 at 1:02 pm
A Year? A whole year? Wow…look at all you’ve accomplished! I’m so proud of you and honored to be your buddy!
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April 22nd, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Congratulations, Diana! Aren’t you glad you took that leap? You make me a lot less nervous about the future as a writer.
I’d say your hard work definitely paid off.
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April 22nd, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I Hope I’ll be able to say/feel the same as you one day
Good luck and keep writing!
Happy Anniversary.
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April 22nd, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Major congrats!
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April 22nd, 2007 at 9:09 pm
But when is the anniversary of when you decided to get serious about being published? When did you start considering novelist as a career and embark on the path?
When did you start that first novel?
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April 22nd, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Awesome story! =)
*raises a glass*
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April 22nd, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Thank you very much, everyone. Your congratulations are so sweet and unexpected!
Patrick, I don’t really have an anniversary for those dates. It was after I graduated from college that I decided the whole “someday I’m going to write a novel” would be NOW and started writing.
I know I finished my first manuscript in July of 2002, because that’s when I joined RWA. It cost $100, and I was dead broke, so I promised myself that I would not be allowed to spend any money until I proved that I could do it.
Also, I never really thought of it as a separate thing than the other writing I was doing, so I also remember the first time I had an article published, the first time I had a feature article published, the first time I got a full time job as a journalist. It was all different branches of the same quest.
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April 23rd, 2007 at 8:49 am
What a great post – gives me chill-bumps. Congrats on all of your success!! And thanks for all of your hard work helping out the rest of us
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April 23rd, 2007 at 9:14 am
I was cleaning my turtle’s aquarium when The Call came and I thought it was a telemarketer
Diana, I’ll never forget those days surrounding your deal. Sooo exciting and sooo deserved!
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April 23rd, 2007 at 9:50 am
Wishing you a Happy Anniversary (I was out of town so I’m sorry this is belated)!! It’s been such a pleasure being a witness to your joy of being a writer!
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April 23rd, 2007 at 10:52 am
Congrats, Diana!!
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