Every writer who has had a book, story, poem, or article published knows the stress of the last week before publication. What if I missed 1,000 typos? What if everyone hates it? What if no one actually reads it? What if my family members/friends read it and think strange thoughts about me? What then? What will I do? Have I based too much of my identity on writing? What if I was meant to be a rock-climbing travel guide even if I’m terrified of heights? (It might actually be less scary, really.)
As a story writer and poet with works published by paying markets under my belt, one might think that none of these questions would have cropped up when I self-published my first novel. Instead, it felt intensified a thousand fold. When release day came, I hadn’t slept well for a week, I had a nervous, maniacal laugh, and I wanted to become a hermit. My family took me out to eat and told everyone in the restaurant I was a published author. I wanted to duck under the table. Instead, I smiled, blushed, and tried to hold back my crazy-nervous laugh.
As I approached my second novel release date, I slowed down and tried to figure out how to handle that stress.
I decided to write through publication. It seemed too simple, but I thought it might work.
For each day that I worked on pre-release matters, I gifted myself with stress-free writing time. I wrote flash fiction, hint fiction, poetry, and journal entries. I worked on outlines for my next book, character-building writing prompts, and new story starts with no idea of where they might go. I gave myself creativity dates – time in a coffee shop or the garden with a journal and my laptop, and a mandate to not think about my novel for 45 minutes.
I can’t say that I reached release day without stress, but I did get more sleep and I skipped the maniacal, nervous laugh part. My family celebrated by cooking dinner for me at home. When I went through some post-release blues, I realized I hadn’t taken my “writing” sanity saving moment that day.
Just a few weeks later, I’m writing every day instead of stressing out over my sales numbers. I’m determined to move forward with this attitude: I am a writer, therefore, I write. I invite the words to daydream and dance with me. That’s it. It’s not a magical cure-all, but writing for joy has its own kind of every day power.
A year after she won the battle for Septily, Clara feels trapped in Skycliff by the Allied Council. As the last pieces of information about the Healing Caves fall into place, Clara is attacked by an assassin. Covert Drinaii mercenaries and the Council aren’t going to stop Clara from her quest to heal her broken blade. As Champion of Aramatir, she must act.
Meanwhile, in the joint kingdoms of Rrysorria and Wylandria, the youngest and still cursed swan prince despairs of ever being whole again. In a moment of anger and desperation, Liam discovers a blood link between him and a dark sorceress.
Clara won the battle for Septily, but her battle isn’t over.
Champion in Flight is the second book in The Champion Trilogy.
About the Author
Tyrean Martinson lives and writes in the Pacific Northwest, with her encouraging family. She likes to write, read, teach, ski, bicycle, and walk.
Tyrean has been published in Overcoming Adversity, The Best of Every Day Poets and Sunday Snaps: The Stories. Dragonfold and Other Adventures, and Light Reflections showcase Tyrean’s stories and poetry. She is currently hard at work on the third novel in The Champion Trilogy: Champion’s Destiny.
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