The Writing Life

Chelle Summer has taken over my life in ways I don’t think I ever could have imagined. It started out with bucket bags and I had no idea that nearly ten years later people would identify me as a “handbag maker” or a “fashion designer.” I love what I do; I find great joy in creating.

But what many people don’t know is that writing is my true my love.

I had wanted to be a writer since I was six years old, dreaming of not just published books, but the bestseller list, too. I achieved my dream of becoming a published author in 2001 when my first book, for sibling survivors of suicide, was published. I have since published twelve more books and Ida Lee, just out a month ago, is the thirteenth.

The hardest part about publishing a book is the marketing, getting people to read it. People are caught up in reading what Amazon tells them they should or what the bestseller list highlights. Strong marketing (meaning lots of dinero paid to people to put the word out) is really what makes a bestselling book. And when you’re just one person like me, it can feel nearly impossible to make happen.

Chelle Summer comprises the bulk of my income and the demand for what I make has increased, especially in the past year. I’m happy and, again, I love to create and see people enjoy what I made, too.

But I realized somewhere along the way that I couldn’t forget the writer in me.

In the early morning hours, I try to write a page, Monday through Friday. It might not be much and there might be days where I write more. Or I’ll read through a manuscript I’ve started and not finished. I just try to do something daily because I understand that the writing aspect of storytelling is still important to me.

And I while I wish everyone would read what I’ve written, I also see that it’s most important that I finish these novels and publish them. I don’t want to wake up in twenty years and see so many half-written projects here. I want to see them through, to release my stories and characters to the world.

Sometimes the goals and dreams change. The key is changing along with them.

Meet Ida Lee.