Fun Secrets with Jody Hedlund

Secret #15: The thing I like least about being an author.

By Jody Hedlund, @JodyHedlund

I love being an author. I absolutely adore spinning stories together. The process of creating characters, plots, and satisfying romances is something that I don't think I could live without.

But there is a LOT more to being an author than just writing books. There are many other responsibilities that take time. I'm my own secretary, administrative assistant, travel agent, researcher, editor, publicist, and marketer.

Out of all the writerly duties, there are several that fall near the bottom of my list of favorites. One of my least favorite things to do is market my books. I'd much rather let the marketing happen naturally in the course of connections rather than having to try to cold call or sales-pitch my book to someone. Fortunately, with the ease of the internet, authors can spread the word about their books in less invasive ways.

Another duty that comes close to being my least favorite is book signings. They are really hit or miss occasions. I've been to some where I've had lines and others where I've twiddled my thumbs most of the time. In the internet age, where readers can easily connect with authors from the comfort of their homes, I think book signings have largely lost their appeal—to both reader and author alike.

Even though marketing and book signings are fairly low on my list, I'd have to say that getting rewrites from my publisher is the thing I like least about being an author.  Rewrites (also known as macro edits) are the first major set of edits my editors give me. And these rewrites involve big picture kinds of changes. They aren't simple fix-a-word-here or a-comma-there kinds of edits.

Those kinds of major changes require a great deal of thought and concentration. It's not easy to thread new thoughts, character development, and plot ideas through a finished manuscript.  I find that I have to really focus during the rewrite phase, that I need more concentrated and quiet time to work–which isn't always easy to come by.

But as hard as the rewrites are, I know they only help improve my stories. When I'm done with them, I'm always glad I persevered to make my story even better. 

What about you? What's the thing you like least about your work?

Publisher's Weekly calls Unending Devotion "A meaty tale of life amid the debauchery of the lumber camps of 1880s Michigan . . . exciting and unpredictable to the very end."

To celebrate the release of Unending Devotion, Jody is giving away a signed copy. Leave a comment (along with your email address) to enter the drawing. Valid only with US or Canadian addresses. Giveaway ends: October 1st.

For more secrets about Jody and additional chances to win her newest release, visit her Events Page to see where she'll be next in her "Fun Secrets About Author Jody Hedlund" blog tour.

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