Tracy St. John

I find plenty of this work challenging, but I think my very biggest obstacle comes down to time management. I am not a fast writer by any means. I find I can get more books out by having at least three books in different phases of production: one in plot/outline, one I am writing the first draft of, and one I am editing. This lets me release at least 3-4 books a year. Then there is the marketing, blogging, etc. I never have enough hours in the day.

I wish I could. Early on when I was newly published, I did. However, things have reached a point where I don’t have time to do that anymore.

Keep writing, no matter what. First book is in edits? Start the next one. First book didn’t do so well in sales? Keep writing the next one. First book is doing spectacular? Congratulations—you’re working on the next one, right?

Perseverance is the key in all cases for your long-term success. I wrote seriously for 24 years before Alien Embrace did well for me. I’ve been writing like a maniac ever since. You never, never stop writing. No matter what.

Everywhere! Everything that shows up in my life is potential fodder for showing up in my books, whether as a main plot, or a subplot. Politics, religion, raising children, new scientific discoveries, a video game, a piece of art—ideas are everywhere, and I grab them like a kid in a candy store.

My readers. I adore hearing I’ve touched their lives in some way. I’ve had a few tell me I’ve encouraged them to write too—how cool is that?! Not only do I get to create universes I want to visit, but those who have been generous enough to come with me branch out into their own unique worlds too. I love that.

Unfortunately, I have severe social anxiety and have not taken the brave step of facing the crowds at conferences. I hope to overcome that eventually, but there are no plans to attend any conferences at this time.

Yes! You can sign up for that at the bottom of any page of my website. At this point, I only send it out to announce a book is up for sale, so you’ve got a no-spam guarantee.