My top advice is this:
LEARN FROM THE BEST.
That doesn't necessarily mean you must follow only the people who create in your genre. I have encountered this advice a lot - if you want to be successful, follow the people who are already successfully doing what you want to do - and to a certain degree, I agree with it. However, knowing myself, I like discovering new creators and trying new things because you never know where a great idea or project might pop up. It's good to expand your horizon and keep an open mind. For example, my debut novel Velvet Touch has quite a bit of explicit content. It's actually filled with sex and violence. However, at the same time, it contains thriller, mystery, suspense, and romance elements. If you asked me a few years back, I would have probably said that I wouldn't write something this explicit. Back then, I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to write the perfect debut novel - a dark, psychological thriller (currently titled Tender is the rain and still a work in progress). And yet, here I am now, with my actual debut novel being categorized as an erotic thriller. And to think that this novel started as a short and sweet, erotic story. It's kinda mind-blowing what can change in a few months.
Give yourself permission to learn, to fail, to stand up and fight for your goals. Because let me tell you: they are not dreams, not if you truly want them; no, they are goals, goals which you will eventually achieve if you put the work into building them. Little by little, brick by brick, just like a house, you'll achieve your goals. Of course, it doesn't hurt (but actually helps a lot) to have a design in mind, and following people who have already achieved theirs, or are, too, constantly working on building them, is one of the best things you can do to further your career. I know this for a fact because this is what I am doing and I have noticed that these things keep me motivated when I feel stressed and depressed that I might not be good enough, sexy enough, smart enough. I see that I am not alone in having those feelings and that gives me the strength to carry on.
Follow the people who are already established in the industry. But be careful: don't follow everyone for the sake of it; just the ones you truly feel like you can have a connection with, the ones you feel you can truly learn from and maybe even became friends with. What author doesn't (secretly or not so secretly) dream of having a group of writer buddies he/she can drink and socialize with and talk all things storytelling with just like Fitzgerald and Hemingway did? Not me. I totally want to be friends with other writers, even if I am quite shy and introverted and I would prefer spending time in bed reading or writing a book.
There is no point in following everyone. Sure, you must forge connections and by attempting to do that you must test the waters first and see which avenues are best for you. However, my advice is to follow your heart. Follow the people that leave a mark on your heart. And you'll know who those are because they will make, or have already made, a pleasant impression on you and will always be in your mind.
For example, these are the people I follow time and time again, and I suggest you do too because you have plenty to learn from them:
For blunt, sarcastic and fun advice about a writer's life, follow author and blogger Jenna Moreci. She doesn't shy away from telling the good from the bad. Her advice videos might hit you in the head sometimes as she will not sit there and pat your shoulder and say what an awesome being you are when you're slacking and being lazy about writing. No, sir, she won't. She works hard to achieve her dreams and she makes it very clear that you must do that too if you want to succeed. She is fun and, although she writes in a genre I don't normally read, I am currently very much enjoying her debut novel Eve: The Awakening. Jenna's skills of writing fight scenes and believable characters are impressive. She simply kicks ass.
Joanna Penn is one of my top favorite indie authors. She writes dark fiction under the name J.F. Penn ( which I love 💙 more than her other fiction) and non-fiction as Joanna Penn from The Creative Penn. Her website and youtube channel are filled with writing advice. She has done interviews with so many authors, both indie and traditionally published, so she is one of the best people in the field to follow and find out the newest things about writing and publishing. She is one of the biggest indies and a force to be reckoned. She was, I believe, the writer I found out from about the possibility of self-publishing and ever since then I knew my stories won't die with me but will have a chance of being released into this world.
Heather Grace Stewart is another author I love and I have only recently discovered her. She was suggested to me by award-winning haiku poet Tony Lewis-Jones, and I am so happy I have looked her up. She is a fiction writer, a poet, and a blogger/vlogger. Her writing is funny and romantic. Her videos are full of positive energy and great advice on how to be a wealthy writer. Sounds great, doesn't it? Her poem Everybody loves bobbies made me laugh so much. I'm sure you can imagine why but I'd say listen to her do the reading of that poem (she has a video posted on her youtube channel) and let me know how you feel afterward. The fact that she is into gardening is a plus since I love gardening as well and I can confess now that I'll probably be liking her Instagram photos a lot in the following weeks. I just can't help it. I mean, a poet, fiction writer, blogger, and lover of nature? What's not to like?
Another awesome fiction author, who's also into gardening, is Lisa Scottoline. When I think about her books, I instantly think bolognese pasta (although I don't actually eat that anymore), blood ties, lawyer adventure and twisted situations await me to delve into. She also writes these short, little funny stories with her daughter, Francesca Serritella.
Peter Monn is another author and youtuber I love to follow. Peter is one of the people who determined me to make a Youtube channel and share my thoughts on storytelling; being that my own storytelling, or of others in various formats: movies, books, music. Watching his channel puts me in a good mood instantly because he is so genuine in sharing his real-life stories. He often makes me teary-eyed as well but that's all good. Crying is good in some cases. Is better than holding all those feelings inside. I'm looking forward to his new book (which might be titled 'I'm still that kid' - isn't this a great title?). I've read his debut novel, The Before Now and After Then, which is a sweet gay romance and coming out story. I wouldn't normally read books about teenagers but I did in this case (because I love Peter's personality) and I enjoyed it. He also has a great deal of experience with addiction and he talks about it a lot because he has what to say. His videos are entertaining, emotional, and informative. Also, his dogs are adorable. I must admit, I have briefly thought about stealing one of them because it reminds me of my own puppy which passed away a few years back in an unfortunate accident. No worries, Peter, your dogs are safe with you. I live across the ocean from you, after all. Please allow me, however, to give them a virtual hug instead.😉
Also, Tony Robbins. He hardly needs an introduction. The man is simply amazing.
My other pieces of advice on how to be a successful and fulfilled creator are these:
Read a lot - because that will enrich your (writing) life.
For example, I recently read Call me by your name by André Aciman, and this book filled my heart with love; Love for self and the world. The story Aciman wrote is so universal. Once read and absorbed, this story is impossible to forget. It's a gift to love and being in love and experiencing what life brings your way. It explores sexuality but it goes so much further than that. It goes all the way to the core of a human being, to what it feels like to find yourself in someone else. It's about taking chances, about being bold even at the risk of being hurt. It's about loving life. This book made me feel part of something truly special. I didn't feel alone.
Once more, a book showed me why I want to write stories (not that I needed any convincing).
As you can tell, I pretty much fell in love with this book. Here is a link where you can watch me talk about it in more detail because I think this is the best book I have ever read so far.
Be genuine, respectful and supportive of others, do the work, and don't take bullshit from anyone. Be a better person than you were yesterday (because that is your true nemesis - yourself). Simple as that.
If you follow these 'rules'/pieces of advice, I believe you'll get far in life.
I hope you've learned something useful from this blog post.
Have a lovely morning!
Yours truly,
Lily Bloom
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