March 7, 2012

Made It Moment: P.L. Blair

Filed under: Made It Moments — jenny @ 9:43 pm

Shadow Path

P.L. Blair’s Moment touches on a theme around here–that of there being no one Made It Moment in a writer’s career, but a secession of them, or many moments that build. A related topic is how we writers keep raising the bar. It’s enough to get an agent…then an offer…then a book published…then a bestseller…then 10 of them. Or, it’s enough to complete a novel…then revise it…publish it…sell 1000 copies. Or 10,000. Today’s author reminds us to celebrate everything even as we never let go of the dream. Keep writing, keep dreaming–that may be the best Moment of all.

P.L. Blair

My “made it moment” has come not as a single point in time but … many.

The day my friend (who’d been reading my first book (Shadow Path) chapter by chapter as I wrote it) said she wanted to launch a publishing company – and would like to publish Shadow Path as her first book. That was a dream come true.

First book signings … first book reviews …

Attending science fiction/fantasy conventions as a guest panelist. People actually wanting to hear what I have to say about writing books! But more than that, having people come up to me and say, “I’ve read your book, and I like it!” People asking, “When is the next one coming out?”

Suddenly I’m not “just” a published author. I’m a published author with fans!

Most recently … Shadow Path winning a Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewers Choice Award. Third place in PRG’s Young Adult category! What a feeling of ecstasy!

I’m still learning so much about this process of writing and publishing – of being published – and I still wonder every day if I’m doing it right. These are validations. These are the signposts that tell me Yes! I can actually do this!

My publisher recently received Amazon’s Kindle sales figures for November: 215 copies of Shadow Path sold in that month! Another “made it” moment for me.

Some days, I still wonder … Where is all of this going? Will my books earn enough, eventually, to repay my publisher for her faith in me? Can I succeed as an author?

But … I can’t not write! It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’m on this course for better or worse, treasuring all these wonderful, positive moments.

And still keeping my fingers crossed …

P.L. Blair is a native of Tyler, Texas, holds degrees in journalism, and has more than 30 years’ experience as a newspaper reporter. Author of (to date) four fantasy/detective novels (her Portals series), she currently divides her year between Sheridan, Wyo., and Rockport, Texas, where she has family. She is companion to two basset hounds, a long-haired dachshund and a cat – all rescues. She writes a regular column and is a book reviewer for myshelf.com.






26 Comments »

  1. What a great story. All the little moments (and moments to come) make for a wonderful tale of success. Congratulations P.L.!

    Comment by Johanna — March 7, 2012 @ 11:16 pm

  2. Great made it moment, P.L. Keep appreciating them. Best,

    Comment by Pamela DuMond — March 7, 2012 @ 11:36 pm

  3. Lovely book cover! And I love your dog!
    My husband and I adopted a bassett hound when we were first married, a little darker brown and white.

    Morgan Mandel
    http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

    Comment by Morgan Mandel — March 7, 2012 @ 11:47 pm

  4. I’ve talked to PL many times on many Amazon discussion threads and love her down-to-earth wit and wisdom. She has worked hard to be the best, and it’s so nice to see her getting closer to the prize. She’s a true animal advocate and a voice of reason in a world gone mad – one of those people we all root for to succeed.

    Great interview Pat and Jenny!!

    Comment by mountainmama — March 8, 2012 @ 6:23 am

  5. What a great Made It Moment! Great job, P.L. and Jenny!!! I agree, P.L. There are many Made It Moments and I think they never end. Just keep writing and keep that smile on your face. :)

    Comment by Markee Anderson — March 8, 2012 @ 7:26 am

  6. Coming in a bit late here … Thanks to all of you who’ve visited and commented so far.
    Johanna, Pamela, and Markee – Thank you so much for your kind thoughts! Friends and their good wishes are what keep me going.
    Morgan, thanks for you comments about my girl and basset hounds. I love the breed – they’re such sweet, funny, lovable dogs! I’ve had four in my life – starting with my first one in 1994 – and every one has been a delight.
    Mountainmama … Thanks for your wonderful comments. I can say the same for you. I have learned much from you through our chats on Amazon, and I would love to meet you “up close and personal” one of these days.

    Comment by P.L. Blair — March 8, 2012 @ 7:53 am

  7. You’ve earn every step toward the top. It’s good to savor each moment. Rescue animals make the best pets. Have three sacked out in my chair.
    Nash

    Comment by Nash Black — March 8, 2012 @ 8:54 am

  8. P.L., I was struck by the words: “I can’t not write.” That says it all. Best of luck to you.

    Comment by Anita Page — March 8, 2012 @ 9:32 am

  9. Thanks, Nash! I’ve shared my life with rescued animals for years – and you’re so right. They are the best!
    I’ve been told by a couple of friends, “It’s so good of you to rescue these animals. They’re so lucky.”
    But in truth, I’m the lucky one! Every dog and cat that has come into my life has brought something special to the relationship. They give back so much more than I can ever give them … I feel privileged for the opportunity.

    Comment by P.L. Blair — March 8, 2012 @ 10:07 am

  10. Thanks, Anita, for stopping by.
    Probably most writers I know live by those words – I can’t not write. It does get to be a glorious obsession, doesn’t it?

    Comment by P.L. Blair — March 8, 2012 @ 10:08 am

  11. And … Jenny … before I forget … I want to thank you so very much for this opportunity! You provide a real, and special, service to all writers.

    Comment by P.L. Blair — March 8, 2012 @ 10:09 am

  12. My wish for success goes out to P. L. A truly great lady, and friend.

    Rhonda

    Comment by R. C. Drake — March 8, 2012 @ 11:24 am

  13. Hi P.L., you’re terrific. Keep up the good work.

    Regards,
    Arthur

    Comment by Arthur Levine — March 8, 2012 @ 11:34 am

  14. Thanks, Arthur! And thanks for stopping by.

    Comment by P.L. Blair — March 8, 2012 @ 12:25 pm

  15. Hi, P.L. I loved the interview! So proud of you. Your cover is beautiful. I love the pic of the bassett, too, but I suspect the cat is green that the dog was the ‘featured pet’. lol

    Comment by Fran Veal — March 8, 2012 @ 12:54 pm

  16. Great moment, P.L. I especially like the fact that 215 copies is something to get excited about. That would excite me too! It isn’t about selling 100K copies (tho that would be nice). It’s about people enjoying the work. I think sometimes Indie writers forget that, thinking about folks like Amanda Hocking or James Locke. Way to go!

    Comment by Alex Lukeman — March 8, 2012 @ 12:59 pm

  17. Well, P.L…Hopefully, you already know what I think about you, your work, and – especially – your feelings about animals. That said, this interview was great and I hope you go on to sell 215,000 books! And many thanks, Jenny, for your never-ending support…

    Comment by Rebecca Stroud — March 8, 2012 @ 1:59 pm

  18. Thanks, Alex! I’m glad you stopped by and left a comment.

    Comment by P.L. Blair — March 8, 2012 @ 3:22 pm

  19. Love talking to P.L. on Amazon — continued good luck to her!

    Comment by Marc Iverson — March 8, 2012 @ 3:36 pm

  20. It’s good to see another Texan “make it”! Congrat, PL, and good luck selling the heck out of the book.

    Comment by Kaye George — March 8, 2012 @ 5:22 pm

  21. You guys are the supportive ones–what a wonderful community there is around Pat and on the Amazon boards. If anyone who has stopped by doesn’t know them, I would urge you to check them out. A friendlier, more supportive group of authors would be tough to find.

    Here’s to rescue dogs, Texas, good friends, and…not being able not to write!!

    Comment by jenny — March 8, 2012 @ 5:26 pm

  22. And thanks to everyone who’s visited … the ones I haven’t yet acknowledged … Rhonda … Fran … Rebecca … Marc … Kaye … You guys are just the best!
    And Jenny … I cannot thank you enough – not only on my behalf but for all the authors you support.
    Yes, the Amazon boards are a wonderful community … and it’s thanks to all of you – and all the other friendly, caring folks like you. I am sincerely touched by your friendship and well-wishes.

    Comment by P.L. Blair — March 8, 2012 @ 5:46 pm

  23. Jenny, as always, it is a very nice piece of Made moment. I’m impressed by her jouney and in the end, she won awards and gained fans. We just have to be patient. So far, I have sold more ebooks than I originally estimated and there are 5500 free copies of my book out there. So I’m happy. I’m working on to sell some more and to get the seccond book out soon. It is a very competitive business.
    I had a dicussion with a colleague and fellow FIBP writer Jim, who has originally come from NIgeria and written an anti-government book like I have. I think I could write a Made-Moment for you soon.

    Comment by Lisa Zhang Wharton — March 8, 2012 @ 8:13 pm

  24. What a wonderful article, P.L. I’m certain that you’ll receive nothing but amazing success. As for succeeding as an author, you already have because you made it. :)

    Comment by Sheenah Freitas — March 9, 2012 @ 12:18 am

  25. Great Made It Moments! It’s always the little ones that mean more. Congrats to P.L.!! You are an author and you have made it. Thanks Jenny for sharing P.L.’s story with us.

    Comment by Kellie — March 9, 2012 @ 12:51 pm

  26. Late getting to some of these comments again …
    Lisa … Thanks for leaving a comment, and I wish you the best in your journey. You’re already off to an impressive start!
    Sheenah … Thanks for stopping by – and thanks for your good wishes!
    Kellie … Thank you for stopping by too, and leaving a comment. It’s always nice to visit with you and Sheenah.
    Words cannot express my appreciation for all of you – and for you, Jenny, for making this possible!

    Comment by P.L. Blair — March 9, 2012 @ 12:57 pm

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