Diary of an Debut Author

Whew!

2009-04-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

Hey,
Just wanted to drop you a quick note to keep you updated on what's going on with me since the last time i wrote. Okay, so here it goes...my book release party/birthday celebration was on March 14th and it was a success! There was almost 500 people there to show their support and party with yours truly and it was definitely a night to remember! The event was decorated so nice and it almost looked like i was gettin married but i'm not even close to that...lol (the right man has to come along first before that happens) and i wore two dresses, a royal blue one and a black one. I'll post pics later...the event in a nutshell was fabulous and i even had a chanel purse cake that was red velvet!

Okay so with that over and behind me, I'm still keeping it moving...i've been working real hard at marketing and promoting myself and it's a full time job if i say so myself...I'm trying to do everything I can to make sure I'm seen and people know to go out and by my book. I've been doing pretty good so far but the book has only been out a month so i still have work to do...I think the biggest thing so far is getting these bookstores to call me back and Im persistent so after a while they're gonna get tired of me so they'll have no choice but to book me for a signing. lol...i know im crazy, but would you still love me if i was boring...

Well today im on my way to Nashville and i'm so excited. Im going for music but you know i always find a way to sell books so, every opportunity is a chance to hustle a book or two or ten...lol

I will write back once we arrive in Cashville....

Love ya lots,
Jessica

It's finally here!

2009-03-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Diary,
I wanted to write and let you know about everything thats been going on since the last time I wrote. So many things have been happening so fast it feels as if I'm caught up in a whirlwind but its definitely a good thing. My book is finally here...I'm holding my actual book in my hands and it feels so good to actually see the finished product in my hands. I'm extremely blessed to have accomplished such a great thing and it feels so good that its surreal. Well i gotta go but i'll write soon, getting some thing together for my all black party this weekend.

Ciao,
Jessica A. Robinson

I've changed my name :)

2009-01-23T13:17:00.000-08:00

Dear Diary,
Today i decided to change the name of this blog. When I originally created this blog it was started to allow people to get a sneek peek of what it's like to be an unpublished author and I wanted people to share in my journey. I initially thought that it was going to take quite some time for me to be published but God has such a way of doing things and I was picked up so fast that I didnt really have a chance to slow down until now. So today as I turned in my novel so that it can finished being put together :), I realized something. I realized that my blog name doesn't fit me anymore. I've decided to change the name from, "Diary of an Aspiring Author" to "Diary of a Debut Author" because I'm actually living an author's life. Even though my book hasnt been released just yet I'm on my way to acheiving more of my dreams. I'm just in the beginning of this journey but I'm hopeful and excited because I know it will be an interesting ride. I just would like to encourage you to continue going after your dreams because after a while your very dream will show up right on your door step for you. Continue to press through to reach your dreams no matter what. Push through the adversity in your life and reach your goals because they will come true if you just believe and never give up.

Until next time,
Jessica A. Robinson, Author :)

Life can change in an instant...

2008-12-18T13:47:00.000-08:00

Dear Diary,
I know it's been a while since I last wrote you and updated you on my progress but I figured since I had a few moments to steal away from everything for a second that I would write you today. Since the last time I wrote you, my life has changed drastically. I have lost my mother since the last time I wrote you and that was two months ago. My mother passed away on Oct. 21, 2008 and it was a complete and total shock to us. It took my brothers and I by suprise because she wasnt even sick and even though she had diabetes she wasnt sick at all. In the aftermath of her passing, life is very different for me. Life has taken a completely different turn and I have such a different outlook on life because she was the only parent that I had left. We lost our father fifteen years ago to cancer and our family unti consisted of me, my twin brothers, and our mother. It's just crazy because I never expected in a million years that I would lose my mom and this sudden. What's even more crazy is that I lost my mother right before my book is to be released and although that may sound selfish on my part it's not. It's just sad that she won't be here to see my actual book come out and hold my finished product in her hands. I remember how she was so proud that my book was coming out and I was helping her move toward her goal to becoming published just like me and It's unbelievable that she wont be here to share this with me. One thing I have learned is that life is a precious thing and it is very important the things we choose to do with it. My mother was a woman of God and I know she went to Heaven and while she was here she touched many lives as an elementary art teacher. Just seeing how she lived her life inspires me and I would like to share some things with you. Are you living your life to fullest? Are you doing what you can to live your dreams so you'll have no regrets later on in life?

Speaking from experience in losing loved ones there's one thing I do know for myself to be true. once your life is gone you cannot get it back and my personal motto that I've recently adopted is to "Give life all you got" because you never know when your time is up. Another thing I want to share is that life can change in an instant, are you prepared for the sudden change? I know no one wants to think about dying but it is an important thing that needs to be addressed. Do you have life insurance? Do you have a will? Do you have money set to the side to pay for your funeral? Do you have things set in place so your family knows who gets any money you may have? These things are important to think about because I'm only twenty-five and I've had to think about every single question and believe it or not, I had to pay for my mother's funeral so please take time out and discuss these things. You'll thank yourself later. My mom was only 56 and she was young so you're never too young to start planning everything so your wishes can be carried out.

Now I'm more determined than ever to make something out of myself and this sudden tragedy has been propelling me forward toward my destiny. I know success is coming to me. I just have to be patient and wait on it. I'm trying to live my life in a way that there will be no regrets and value my life even more than I did.

Just some things to think about. If you have time, please go and check out http://www.peaceinthestormpublishing.com/ and check out all of the hot releases that are coming out in 2009, including "Holy Seduction" which will be available in March 2009!

Until next time,
jessica aka Lyric

It's been a while...

2008-10-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Diary,

I know I promised to write you a whole lot more but it seemed like the minute I wrote that I had even more things on my to do list to complete. There is so much that goes in to getting your book ready for release. Right now I'm in the middle of making some changes on the novel to make it better and make some of the scenes stronger and I must tell you it's going well. I have been working on it for a little under a month now and I should be done with my changes in about a week or so. Not only am I making changes I am also promoting it on the Internet like crazy and although it's alot of work, it's also fun at the same time. Whoever said that writing a book and putting it out there was easy was really stupid and need to be hurt because it is definitely a job and it is not for the weak hearted or the procrastinators. Well, today is not a long entry but i just wanted to update you on what's going on with me and the book. I also wanted to share my book cover with you as well.

Until next time,

Author Jessica A. Robinson

So I have an announcement...

2008-09-09T14:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Diary,
You know i really apologize for not keeping up with you like I should but I promise I'll do better. Well i have good news that i would definitely like to share with you. Since the last time I wrote you, my book has been picked up by a publisher! My debut novel, Holy Seduction, has found its home with Peace in the Storm Publishing. I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to have acheived this goal. This has been one of my dreams and it feels good to see it actually come true. I really believe this is an important part of the destiny that God has designed especially for me and I can't wait to see what else he has in store for me. So my debut novel will release in March 2009 just in time for my birthday and believe me I'm going to party like it's 1999! Lol...(just my little attempt at humor...:)

As time goes on i will definitely try to write every day or every couple of days so you can really take this journey with me. So buckle your seat belt, and get ready cuz this will be a interesting ride!

Until next time,
Author Jessica A. Robinson

Watch my book trailer for my new short story "Never No More"

2008-07-28T21:38:00.000-07:00

Jessica Robinson

This wonderful video was created by my friend Linda Herman. Thank you so much for doing this. :) If you havent already please make sure you pick up your copy of her latest novella, Consequences: When love is blind...it will have you talking long after the book is read!!! You can purchase it from www.amazon.com and check out her website, www.lindarherman.com

2008-07-27T14:01:00.001-07:00

Dear Diary,
Today I must say I'm feeling good. I went to church and the pastor's sermon really spoke to me and I left service feeling energized and inspired all at the same time. Alot of times when I'm at church I get things from God (my pastor says they are downloads into our spirit) and I feel like writing and sharing it with you today. As I was sitting in church I began to think about the direction that my life has taken and had a couple of questions that entered into my mind. Sometimes I laugh because it's like my mind never shuts off because I'm always thinking about something :) . I started to think about the whole process of me trying to become published and get my name out there and all of the trials and tribulations I've faced already even though I'm only in the beginning of my journey and I've realized that it is all necessary part of the whole equation. There are so many people who try to surround themselves around you because they see that you are heading somewhere in a direction that they think they want to go but when you need them the most they are no where to be found. Those same people who professed their love and admiration for what you're trying to do are gone...no where to be found. I've come to realize this: When you have a vision and a dream to do something don't expect for people to jump behind you and push you along because they wont. And don't use that very fact to just give up your dream and quit because giving up is not an option. If you still have a dream and a vision to do something then continue on no matter who is supporting you. You don't need anyone to validate who you are or the gift you had because God has given it to you. Just don't allow your vision to stop and your dream to die because of the people around you. No matter who tries to hate on you they won't even be able to because if it's your time...it's your time. God appoints all of us a time when he will bring our dream and our vision to pass but we have to make sure we recognize the season we're in. After much prayer and direction, I know this is my season. Even though I don't have a clear direction of how everything will happen for me I know that it's just a matter of time before God shows up and brings clarity. Right now my role is to be in position so that I will be able to gain insight. I know it's my time to shine!!!

Until next time,
Jessica aka "Lyric" Robinson

A valuable lesson

2008-07-25T15:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Diary,
It's been a little while since I've written anything and today I figured I might as well write and keep you updated. So I finally got in contact with one of the people that I sent my manuscript to and I must say I received pretty good feedback. I wanted to know this person's honest opinion of my work and I had braced myself for what they were going to say. I was actually suprised when I opened up the email yesterday. She had wrote me and informed me that she read what I sent to her and that she found it to be absolutely interesting. That made me smile. She really enjoyed what I sent to her and that made me happy to hear such positive feedback. I can say I learned a valuable lesson from her email. Alot of times as an aspiring author we can tend to be a little overprotective of our work and what people say about it because to us our first novel is like our baby and we sometimes feel it's perfect. We are even nervous to hear what people have to say because we find ourselves afraid of that one word...REJECTION. We're afraid to submit to companies and we're afraid to ask our literary friends what they think about our work because we're afraid it will be negative but the lesson I learned is this: Not to let fear stop you from moving forward. If we're afraid to move forward then we will never grow and we will never see progress. Actually, we have to take the good with the bad and allow it to develop us as people and as authors...nobody is perfect and the things we write are definitely not perfect. Everyone and everything we come across on our literary journey is what makes us become who we are and ultimately is what shapes the greatness that we become. I'm learning day by day not to be afraid of what anyone has to say whether it be good or bad because it is what will ultimately take me to the next level.

Until next time,
Jessica aka Lyric Robinson

Just my thoughts...

2008-07-01T20:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Diary,
So it's the first day of July and I thought it would be a good day to write another entry in my diary. Well actually by the time this posts it will be July 2nd but who cares right? Lol....
I've just been thinking about alot of things in my life since last week and I thought I would share them with you...I've been thinking alot about life and how precious it is. I am more determined now than ever to make my mark in this world and make a difference. I'm not even concerned about fame and fortune I just want to make a difference in someone's life...I have been through so much and I have a story to tell and I cannot wait for the world to hear what's been inside my heart for so long.
For so long I've been waiting to find out what it is i want to do in life and I know one of those things is writing. Writing is definitely a passion for me and it's what truly makes me happy. I am not even concerned about writing a certain way just to gain readership and make money...I just desire to tell stories that are from the heart and let it flow....
I know my time is coming and I have to encourage myself sometimes because there is no one who is pushing behind you telling you to go on. It's just something that you have to do regardless who's around. I lnow when I hit the Essence Best Seller's list, and eventually The New York Times that there will be droves of people standing aound saying that they were with me from the beginning but I know who was really there supporting me and telling me to keep going...I know who is true and who is real in my life and those are the people that I will always keep close to me because they weren't concerned about anything else but being my support system. I know I have alot of dreams and it seems like I want alot of things but I've always been the one to aim high...I feel it makes me hustle even harder and that's my philosopy of life...hustle hard...sleep later...:)

Until next time,
Jessica aka Lyric

So I have news.....

2008-06-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Diary,
Well this is a couple of days over due but I still wanted to share it with you...So I was at work minding my own business and trying to get finished when my cel phone started buzzing to let me know I had a text message. I stopped what I was doing and opened it and it was an email to one of the anthology projects that I submitted a short story to...and she wrote me to tell me that my short story had been accepted for their project!
I was so excited that I wanted to practically run around at my job but I kept my cool...all those people wouldn't have understood anyway....
It feels so good to be involved with a anthology with someone who I consider a trailblazer in the Literary world and I feel honored to have my work recognized. The anthology won't be out until next year but that's still right around the corner...

I will make sure I keep you updated because I know you're nosy just like me! lol

Until next time,
Jessica A. Robinson
"Lyric"
I'm on my way!!!

The leap of faith!!!

2008-06-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

So I've done it...I've stepped out and done something that I've been afraid to do for so long and I know you're probably wondering what I'm talking about. I've started to submit my manuscript to some publishing companies and get some feedback on what I am to do next. For those who are reading this and think that I just finished writing my manuscript a couple of days ago well that can't be anymore from the truth. The truth is I finished writing my novel Holy Seduction in the fall of 2007 and haven't really proceeded to do anything or move forward until now. I guess you can say that I was a little nervous about sending it out and hearing what people have to say about my baby but now I am to the point where I want to know what they're going to say. I've been preparing myself for rejections because I know they will come and I have been excited about the number of people who will love my work (because I believe that it's a great story). I am ready to move forward with this whole process and I'm tired of hearing everyone else's negative comments because I'm trying to move along with this. I'm very excited to be entering this phase of the literary process and with this process comes alot of patience because now i have to wait and see what they will say. Either their answers will be yes or no but I'm glad that at least I took this brave step and submitted my story. So stayed tuned to my diary as I travel through the wonderful process of the waiting game...the wonderful world of submissions.

Until next time,
Jessica aka Lyric

I'm new to this...

2008-06-05T18:27:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
This is my first time posting on my new blog so I figure that I would introduce myself. My name is Jessica "Lyric" Robinson and I am an aspiring author. I have recently completed my first novel which is called Holy Seduction and I am very excited! Writing this novel has been a true process and has definitely been something has allowed me to learn alot about myself. I decided to start this blog fairly early in my literary journey because I feel it's important to share with everyone the entire process and hopefully someone will be able to gain some insight. I can't wait to share with you as I embark on my literary journey and I hope you stay tuned because this will definitely be interesting!