November 9, 2009

I Have Arrived....or....Have I?

Hello There!

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Pamela S Thibodeaux and Anna has graciously extended me an ivitation to visit with you today.

When I began writing more than twenty-five years ago, I had no clue what I was getting myself into. All I knew was I’d been disappointed one-too-many times. Based on what I read I figured it couldn’t be hard. I can do better than this!

With the niavette of the uninformed, I figured all I had to do was write a good story and BAM! I’d be published. So I did. I poured my heart out in page after page of five-subject notebooks. By the time I’d filled several and started researching how to get published, I found out the manuscript had to be typed!

I didn’t own a typewriter nor could I afford to rent one. Then came the blessed day I purchased a used word processor. Just when I thought I’d be able to really embark on the glamorous journey, submissions became electronic!

I’d put off buying a computer for lots of reasons, the main one ~ all I do is write. After getting connected, I figured the voyage to being in print was just an email away. Wrong again.

My first novel was accepted as an Ebook, my first short story in an Ezine. What’s with this E-industry? I wanted to hold a book in my hands – after all, being Epublished isn’t really published. That’s what ‘they’ say (anyone ever figure out who ‘they’ are?).

In my article on Success, I make a statement…as beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so is success. It is, in and of itself, success.

In addition to numerous articles and essays, poems and devotions, I now have 5 published novels (4 part Tempered series & The Inheritance) available in ebook and print as well as 5 short stories available for readers. This year I signed my un-contracted work with a Literary Agent. Guess this means I’ve finally arrived……or Have I?

We all have our own definition of success, our own idea of what it means to ‘arrive.’ I’ll arrive when I can make a living doing what I love most – bring glory to God through my writing.

When will you know you have ‘arrived’? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this but please remember, I work full-time so I won’t be around much to chat – I will however, drop by this evening to answer your comments.

Until later…. Be Blessed!

Bio: Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder of Bayou Writers Group and a member of White Roses in Bloom Authors. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” (TM) and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

Website address: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com
Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com
WRIB Blog: http://whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com

6 comments:

Anna Kathryn Lanier said...

Pamela, welcome! Sorry I'm late in visiting, I had a subbing job today. I loved your post! It's a question I think we've all asked, when have I arrived, really, in this scene called writing.

BTW, I'm one of those people who can pronounce your name, cause I lived in Louisiana for a while..lol.

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

I arrived when I accomplished my dream - to write a story. I've had so many characters in my head forever and figured everyone else did, too. I was shocked when I found out my friends didn't know what I was talking about. I have accomplished my dream. I've written my story and now am into my fourth. I haven't been published yet, but that will come in time, when it is the right time. I've found the writing journey to be the most satisfying parts of my life. Writers are the best kind of friends to have and I am so blessed with those who've gathered around me.

Mary Ricksen said...

I know it's crazy but I didn't feel I had arrived until I got a great review, I have no idea why.
It gave me something I needed. When I get my second book published, I will feel I am staying.

Pamela S Thibodeaux said...

Thanks Anna for having me here. I'm so glad you can pronounce my name correctly LOL!

Paisley - what a beautiful name and wonderful story - thanks for sharing.

Congrats Mary on your review! They always make us feel better, don't they?

Thank you ALL for commenting.

PamT

Katie Hines said...

I have a book soon to be released, but I don't know that I feel as though I've arrived, either. Maybe when I have several published books will I feel that way; maybe not. Good article.

Pamela S Thibodeaux said...

Thanks for dropping by Katie and CONGRATS on your new book contract!

PamT