The book has been written. The cover has been designed. Samplings have been given and feedback has been received. Press releases are being devised for marketing and I am in good place mentally. All of the blood, sweat, tears, money spent, friendships compromised and business dealings begun and terminated have all brought me to this moment. It is do or die; the time when your book does what it does.Some people think that it is easy to write a book. Some authors are blinded by the allure of imagined wealth and fame. Some people think that they've learned everything about this industry that they need to learn in order to grow...but the truth is that there is no such thing as knowing everything there is to learn.
Writing and navigating this industry is very much like navigating a ship through the ocean. Sometimes the waters are calm and beautiful, and sometimes there are storms that threaten to sink our vessel. But we keep on keeping on; mostly because we don't have a choice.
Writers write because they love to write. We enjoy the act of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard.) We are blessed when someone loves are work, but we should be just as happy when someone criticizes us...provided, of course, that the criticism is given constructively.
I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a writer. I knew that one day, I would write a book. I didn't know how good it would sell, but I knew that it was in my DNA to put fingers to keyboard and pray for the miracle of success.
My writing skill has gotten me through some very challenging points in my life. Sometimes, the characters that I created were the only friends I had. Still, when I created the characters of Ryan, Jai and Nate, I knew that these men would help me in ways that I couldn't even begin to imagine.
I wanted to tell their story and I wanted their story to have meaning. I wanted my audience to turn the pages and feel their pain and rejoice in their triumphs. I wanted them to shake their head in sadness and laugh at some of the various one-liners that some of the unorthodox characters may say. Mostly, I wanted people to understand that even if your family isn't perfect, family may be the only thing that you have. I come from a family of all males, so I can speak first hand about the idiosyncrasies of different personalities. But it is with those idiosyncrasies that we grow.
Naturally, I knew that no one would pick up my book because I had great characters or a redemptive message nestled within the pages. This was the reason why I wrote the murder mystery around these men. Each one of these brothers has their own story to tell. Each has their personal cross to bear. And one of them will experience a life-shattering event that will change the course of his life forever. The question is, which one will it be?
I hope that you take the time to read my book. You see, I'm preparing for take-off, and I'm prepared to ride high. And believe it or not, I really want you with me!
J.L. Whitehead
