I’m not a risk taker by any means. If anything, I’m a self proclaimed coward and proud of it. That’s probably why I spend so much time creating my own little worlds, because they’re risk free.
Until they decide they need to come out and you somehow end up with a novel draft that is rough and awkward. It’s like a gangly cat (or teenager if you prefer), all long limbs and too much energy without nearly enough spatial awareness. You can see all the wonky angles and sharp corners; you can see all the ways it can go wrong. But you also see the potential; the soft curves and gentle warmth. So you go back and fix it, revise and rework and redraft. You create something that’s less snarling beast and more purring companion.
And then you have something that’s almost good enough to share. It’s so close to being done, though it’ll never be perfect. A few more sleepless nights, a couple more mad dashes from the shower to the closest notebook because that’s always where you get your best ideas. You hire an editor, look at cover designs, take all these extra little steps that you didn’t even know existed (and pay the price for each one). All for a gangly cat that you know most people will find ugly, but that you can’t help but love dearly. And if my gangly cats can make at least one other person smile, then maybe the risk was worth it.
Now, I’ll admit my metaphor got away with me, and really only came about because attempting any kind of writing with a cat around is hard. What I’m trying to say is, I’m officially launching my author brand in preparation of releasing my first gangly cat out into the world. It’s scary and probably the bravest thing I’ll ever do, because I’m giving the world, giving you, pieces of myself and hoping they bring a bit of light and a bit of joy into a world that isn’t always cookies and rainbows.
Bronwen Write 