This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Debra will be awarding a $5 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter at each stop and a signed print copy of her first book, A Desperate Journey, along with a $5 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY). Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
The first thing I would tell a new author is to hold to the joy of writing. The actual joy of being immersed in your story, the joy of creation, the beautiful energy which comes when you are creating which makes the soul come alive. I have learned it is this joy, which can sustain me when the roller coaster, which is an author’s life, hits bottom. So many things in this business we have no control over but we do control the writing, where the joy lives.
Second, I would remind a new author not to forget to play. Play with words, play with structure, and play with rhyming and rhythm and with your story people and with your stories. Some of the best stories came about as a result of playing and they carry that energy with them. They come to life in a playful way, which the reader may then too enjoy.
Third, remember the page must do the work. The page stands alone whether you are sending it to an editor, an agent, a critique partner or group, or whether your book is in the hands of the reader. You will not be there to explain the page, defend the page or sell the page. The page must be strong enough to stand-alone. Do the things it takes to help that page stand-alone.
Fourth, you must also do the work. The story might be your baby, but perhaps your baby needs braces in order for everyone to be able to see that beautiful smile. If you take critique or editing advice personally and refuse to do anything about those crooked teeth it’s your story child who will shine less brightly.
Fifth, remember to celebrate the small things. Each step on the journey can be a blessing and a moment to be thankful. Remember each moment of the day only comes once.
Sixth, protect and guard your writing time and your process. This may require a bit of forcefulness on your part. But if you do not respect your writing time, how can you expect anyone else to?
Seventh, words once they are out there cannot be taken back. Whether they are words printed in a book, posted online or spoken words, once they are released you cannot retrieve them and redo them. Words carry energy. What are you sending out? Be careful not to rush your words and be aware of what you are sending into the world.
Eighth, at the end of the day, remind yourself of the first bit of advice posted here. Remember the joy before you go to sleep and be thankful. For all the challenges which come with being an author, it is one of the most joyful endeavors a person can experience, if you can remember to keep refocusing on the joy.
About the Author: 
Debra was born in Columbus, Ohio and raised in Springfield, OH but has lived in the Memphis, TN area since 1997. She attended Marywood University in Scranton, PA and was the first student to win first place in two categories of the Delta Epsilon Sigma Beta Epsilon Chapter writing competition, in creative prose and in informal expository. Her poetry was published in literary journals while attending college. She holds a BA in English Literature.
Debra has traveled extensively and worked as an independent travel consultant for several years. She has visited thirteen countries. She has also worked in banking, newspaper advertising, as city recycling co-coordinator, as an office manager, and as a belly dance instructor.
Her first short story, published in the anthology More Monsters From Memphis, was a finalist in the Darrell Awards for best Mid-South short story.
Her first novel, A Desperate Journey, a western historical romance, was a finalist in the Bobbi Smith Creative Writing Challenge. Not long afterward it was a finalist in the American Title II contest. For those not familiar with the contest, she describes it as similar to the American Idol contest, but for authors. Readers voted online and the prize was a publishing contract. A Desperate Journey was published a year later by Samhain Publishing. Debra’s second western historical romance, Dangerous Ties, was published Feb. 15, 2012 by Desert Breeze Publishing in eBook and will be released in print April, 2013.
Aboard The Wishing Star, Debra’s first contemporary romance, was released Oct. 11, 2012 by Desert Breeze Publishing in eBook.
Trapping the Butterfly, a 1920’s romance set in Hot Springs, AR will be released April, 11, 2013 by Desert Breeze Publishing in eBook.
When not writing, Debra enjoys dancing, primitive archery, medieval reenactment, yoga and traveling.
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When Kara’s, husband is shot and killed in front of her in what she’s told is a random act of violence, she becomes convinced the world is unsafe. Her life is quiet and predictable, until she wins a Caribbean cruise for two and takes along her best friend.
On her trip she meets Nate, a scuba dive instructor and ex marine. He’ll teach her to face her fear of deep water and teach her to snorkel. Will Kara learn to trust him with her heart, when she fears this shipboard romance will reach an end and she’ll never see him again, leaving her broken hearted?
When Kara’s boss shows up at their first port of call unexpectedly, Nate’s protective nature comes out.
Her creepy boss becomes more aggressive after she returns to Ohio and when she calls Nate he gets on the first plane. Can Nate rescue her?
