My Writing Journey

Last Updated on 20/08/2018 by Vivien Ayinotu

I have been waiting to fill you all in on my journey to the publication of HAPPINESS AT LAST. If you are an already established author, my great moves might not be surprise to you.

I want to use this opportunity to tell you my story. My fellow beginners will find it very beneficial too. Right from high school, I have known I love literature despite being in Science class. I love to read novels, enjoyed history classes. At a point, I recalled having a great score in History for that school term and my teacher approached me to make sure I still wanted to carry on with my science courses.

I love to write and love essays and good grammar. However, I must admit, my love for grammar has not enriched my vocabulary yet. I’m a work in progress still😄

It happened that when I grab books to read, it’s either I think the writer needed to add a twist to the story or cut off some irrelevant lines. At times, I would want the story to end differently as has been written by the author. Gradually, I harbored the idea of writing in my head. In the year 2014, I came across an aunt who is is same profession as me – nursing– and have written two poem collections, I simply said to my self I can do it.

Within the next two years I began writing. I realised that I kind of know the story but didn’t know how to start, then I decided I need to go back to my favorite novels but this time I approached them differently to understand their writing style. I have fondly enjoyed the works of Danielle Steel, own and have read lots of them. I currently follow her on Amazon to know her new releases. Kudos to this woman that’s writes endlessly.

It happened that in 2015 I browsed about publishing and fortunately, Authorhouse publishers picked me up and wouldn’t stop ringing me. I said to myself maybe that was the push I needed.

I paid for a publishing package even before  I had a good draft of my first chapters. For me, knowing I have paid means a book somehow is on its way.

I wrote, then stopped as life, work and everything got busier. I would write once in a month or three months. I kept receiving call and emails from the Publishers. I had poems collections which they wanted me to publish first but I kind of thought I should go with my novel first as I can easily opt for buying a novel when compared to purchasing a poetry book. A sneak view of my poem which I previously posted can  be seen here.

I began blogging to experiment my writing. Then came 2017 when I had said to myself this book has to be completed. The truth is, at that time each time when I want to write I struggled to connect with the story. I had a fresh idea for new storylines.

Then, I began seeking opinion for my manuscript and at last was able to conclude the story.

I sent off my manuscript to the Publishers by May 2017 and it took me months to correct and amend covers to my satisfaction. I eventually got published on 8th of February 2018.

That was huge for me. I still can’t believe I managed to publish a book. Huge thanks to my darling husband for his continued support and for sparing time to go through my tons of drafts. I am very grateful to God.

It’s fulfilling to know there are readers out there that have copies of my book in their palms or on their shelves.

I will talk more about book promotion in a different post. I’ve only come to know that’s the main work in the book 📚 writing industry.

Do you have a copy of HAPPINESS AT LAST? It’s available here.

Thanks to you all. Thank you for reading. Thanks for your time here. You are the reason I want to write more and God-willingly, will write more.

If I can do it, anybody can.