You always hear author’s talking about how their first book wasn’t the first book they published. This is true for so many authors. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write that first book. Actually you should! Then write the next book and so on. Past and present writing is all there to help you grow as a writer.
Does that mean your first book won’t be the first one you publish? Of course not! Everyone has their own journey to publication. But don’t stress if another project becomes the first to be published.
Today, I’d like to discuss my timeline of publication. It’s a bit messy but it’s mine and I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. So let’s get into my timeline and see my past and present writing!
2000-2010
The Girl and The Boy – 2003
Children’s Book
This was my first “book” that I printed out and illustrated myself. This was the first story I ever put to paper. I never actually published this book.
The Stranger I Knew – 2010
YA Mystery
I started and finished writing this book during NaNoWriMo in 2010.
2011-2015
The Stranger I Knew – 2011
YA Mystery
I published my first novella!
Incognito – 2012-2013
YA Mystery
I wrote my second book during NaNoWriMo. I published this book the following year.
In Plain Sight – 2013-2015
YA Mystery
I wrote this one again during NaNoWriMo. This was my longest word book at this point. I published it in 2015.
2016-2020
Not Like Everyone Else – 2017-2018
YA Mystery
During NaNoWriMo I wrote this book. It later became my first published book in June 2018 (see next).
You can learn more about Not Like Everyone Else here.
The Stranger I Knew, Incognito, In Plain Sight – 2018
YA Mystery
I pulled these from publication with the intention of doing some additional edits.
Split Views – 2018
YA Sci-Fi / Contemporary
This science fiction contemporary story stole my heart when I was writing. I completed the first draft but haven’t gotten back to it since.
Only One Love – Short Story 2018
NA Romance
I was supposed to be part of an anthology that was to be released in 2019. However, the coordinator of the anthology abandoned the project shortly before release. I’d still like to release this story.
Speaking the Truth of Family the Poetry Collection – 2019
Poetry
I wrote this complete poetry collection and was almost done with edits when I decided to take this project on a new path.
Split Views 2 – 2019
YA Sci-Fi / Contemporary
I started writing a sequel to Split Views. However, I only made it about 15,000 words in before I realized I needed to do much more work on the first book before writing this one.
The Stranger I Knew – 2019
YA Mystery / Contemporary
I finished the new round of edits and got a new cover made for this novella. It was published in August 2019!
You can learn more about The Stranger I Knew here.
Speaking the Truth of Family – 2019-Today
YA Contemporary / Verse / LGBTQ+
This is my biggest passion project to date. I took a break working on it, but I’ve been back writing and editing this project. I look forward to sharing more about this one with you!
Get to know the main character, Lindsey, in this post.
*Not all covers shown are official covers*
You see, writing is a journey. Never did I think I would be writing contemporary young adult fiction. Yet, this is the path my writing journey has taken me. I’m proud of the projects that made me the writer I am today. That may mean some of these projects will never be complete. That doesn’t mean that they were for nothing.
I’ve learned so much about myself and my writing because of each one of these projects. And there are so many more that I am definitely forgetting about. Because of these projects, I’ve gained experience. With that experience I am ready to tackle some bigger and projects that I am proud to share with you all.
So don’t let your creativity falter if your first book doesn’t work out. It may just not be meant to be. Your past and present writing is what creates who you are today. Keep on writing and creating the worlds you are proud of. Your time will come!
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Is your first project the one you plan to publish first? Have you switched genres?
