Sue Still
About Me
Sue Still - The Writer
The Writer
In 2021, I started writing and embarked on the huge and daunting task of learning to write in a more professional way.
I have always been full of story ideas—I think most writers are—and often wrote those ideas down, but never made them into anything. A lack of confidence, life choices, and many other things all stopped me from what I thought was a glorified hobby.
For years, I believed that being an author could never be a full-time job and that it was just something people did for fun. Except for a select few main stream authors. And I certainly never dreamed I would write a book, or get it published.
During the past two years, I've been gob smacked by what's involved in the writing process. And have such admiration for
LGBTQ+ authors who write on a full-time basis.
Writing Craft, Branding and Cake!
There is so much to learn that, as a reader, I never took into consideration. Let alone the troubles any minority group author faces.
It's not just about the writing craft - which is extensive and never ending - but also about becoming a 'brand', marketing and promoting yourself and your titles. Absolutely mind boggling how much is involved (even for published authors). I Just thought authors wrote what they wanted on pages and then miraculously they appeared in a book!
The pandemic forced me—and everyone else—to stay at home. Apart from being the most horrible time, mentally, it gave me the opportunity to work from home, take some time out and decide what I wanted to do with my life.
I had recently qualified as a nutritionist, and although I enjoy that, I kept going back to what I really wanted to do. Which was to write.
All those stories that filled my head and plagued me my whole life pushed to the forefront of my mind and wouldn't leave. The characters wanted their own space, wanted to be heard and written on the page.
I could no more ignore them than I can stop eating chocolate or cakes.
Putting pen to paper.
To become a full-time author, I needed to learn key skills, the writing craft, gain lots of experience, keep writing and see where it led me. Let me tell you... What an unbelievable learning curve it is.
The first thing I did was to see what I needed to do to write in a more professional way, albeit unskilled. I searched on Google for tips, then created social media accounts, bought piles of books and watched copious YouTube videos. So very, very confusing.
I spent far too many hours researching and making notes of ideas I wanted to pursue. Way too long, avidly reading up on writing. Watching and listening to authors on social media and via online webinars/readings. I was no further forward.
There was so much information to digest, but what did it all mean and what was right, wrong, or even necessary? I needed help. I needed a guide and to find others like me.
Other newbie and wannabe authors.
Online Groups & Help.
On social media, I joined some fantastic reader and writer groups and it's through them I got enough confidence to have a go. I heard of and joined the GCLS as a member, then applied for the GCLS Writing Academy, never thinking I might get accepted.
Fortunately, I began a 60:60 day Facebook writing challenge run by KC Luck. This made me realise I wasn't quite so isolated as I thought. That there were many others out there like me. That the preconceptions that writing was a cutthroat business, and a totally isolated one - we were wrong.
In the autumn, I received an email from Anna Burke. Letting me know that I'd been successful with my application and accepted into the GCLS Writing Academy - class of 2021/2022. Not only was I overjoyed and shocked, but i haven't looked back since.
Since starting the Academy, I spent a wonderful year writing and discussing books with others.
I've written flash fiction, short stories, a novelette, produced several pieces of writing for the Academy and had two of my stories published in Lesfic anthologies alongside other well-known or established authors. Go me!
Never in my wildest dreams did I dream there were other women, other gay women, and LGBTQ+ people who also wanted to write. Not only that, but had similar levels of insecurity, were what's called 'Imposter syndrome',
also restarted book one of my high fantasy series.
I've practiced writing styles, tried out varied POVs, learnt many new things and techniques. I've still got a long, long way to go. But the biggest and best thing out of it all is the group of wonderful writing and author friends I've gained.
Receiving some great feedback from peers and tutors. I have made some great friendships that I hope will continue. Though I have a long way to go, it's worth going for.
Preconceived ideas that writing was a 'hermit like' career for 'homebodies' who were isolated, introverted and loners. the worst worry was that it was a cut-throat trade and fear of being a failure or not good enough.
Mentor.
At present, I have the pleasure of working with a writing academy mentor. For three months, K. Aten is helping and guiding me with my fantasy novel. I respect her writing and her integrity on LGBTQ+ issues.
I never dreamed there was so much involved to becoming an author, with a huge amount to learn about the craft, but also other things an author has to do behind the scenes. With more practice, and time (lots of that) I hope to improve my writing style and craft. I hope you will enjoy reading what I write, as that's the main reason I write.
And let me know if you do.
So, please contact me... with any feedback, suggestions, what you like, or don't etc, etc.