As an indie author, I have to take over the marketing of my work and push it everywhere I possibly can, which means coming out of my comfort zone. So, I started a TikTok (@Sarcastic_Viking) and it’s slowly growing.
One of my posts garnered a lot of attention and it has to do with how I advertise my books. I threw my books out there as a series with very little romance and all paranormal. I was shocked at the amount of people who seemed to have been searching for a book like mine.
I’ve been told my books wouldn’t sell because there is no sex or no strong romance to root for. And honestly, my response has always been to shrug and say, “Oh well.” Because I didn’t write the DEAD DREAMER series to make millions or become famous. I wrote the DEAD DREAMER series to fill a void that I was feeling when trying to find something to read.
As a woman who is self-reliant and extremely independent, I struggled to find a book with a strong main character I could relate to (Of course there are many books like this out there, I’m sure, I was just having a hard time finding them). Feeling ambitious, I decided to fill a void I saw. So I began writing my first book.
The series has grown over the last 10 years and has changed any times. I will admit, I almost fell into the trope pit and almost turned into a tragic romance. But at the end of last year, I started editing TO REAP THE SPIRIT (Dead Dreamer Book 3) and I HATED IT. I wrote it 5 years ago, and I thought it was my favorite. But it wasn’t. It showed where I was faltering in my beliefs when it came to the series.
To make sure I wouldn’t falter, I made a hard decision. I deleted the entire book with only two months before it was due to my publisher for edits to make the October 2020 publication date. I knew it was going to stress me out and would cause me to have many panic attacks because of the impending deadline with the holidays and deadlines at my day job. But I have no regrets.
The end of 2019 was so stressful, I wasn’t sure I’d make it. Not only was I rewriting an entire book that was over 100k words, I was beginning the process of creating my audio-books, starting my TikTok, and creating buzz on social media for the holidays. Then 2020 happened, and we all know how well January went…needless to say, it was a cluster-f***.
But I was able to meet my pushed deadline. And now I’m even more proud of my DEAD DREAMER series. Brenna has grown as a person, learning how to control her venomous tongue, and treat others with kindness even if she doesn’t like them. And despite those around her pushing her to find someone, she stands firm on her own.
As a woman, she would welcome a partner. However, she doesn’t fight for one. Brenna is focused on her mission as a Dead Dreamer and her life as a student. There is so much at risk, and finding someone to love her isn’t part of her agenda. She’d rather stand strong alone then settle for someone who cannot support her strength and beliefs.
That is the main character I was searching for as I grew up. A woman who didn’t have to feel needed by another person. A woman who stands strong in her own beliefs. A woman who isn’t afraid to tell the truth and the rejection it can bring.
Excellent insight!
Honestly the unique protagonist is precisely what I loved so much about To Dream Is To Die! I also give kudos to you for realizing that To Reap The Spirit didn’t meet your expectations and rewriting it. That took major guts. Congrats!
And kicked my booty man!!!