The work of a writer is simple and complicated at the same time.
On the one hand, you need to know what you want to write about, and then create a story that is coherent, engaging, and well written. That’s when things get a bit trickier.
Sometimes I want my words to resonate, other times I want the text to flow. Sometimes I feel like describing scenes in minute detail, and other times I only want to convey a feeling.
Once the story is finished, it’s time to revise. Again and again. Review, review, review, and eliminate every possible mistake.
After no fewer than ten drafts, the method that worked best for me was the one Arturo Pérez-Reverte used: printing out the manuscript and marking errors and changes with a pen.
Later, once it was fully revised—and forcing myself to finally stop editing—we moved on to the translation.
That was when my partner Isa—half Spanish, one quarter English, and one quarter Irish—took on the arduous and painstaking task of translating it. Why? Because my novel is set in Dublin, and the mix of fantastic and supernatural genres makes it perfect for the Amazon Storyteller UK competition.
Then came the formatting. In Word? Not a chance. Try putting in page numbers and making everything look neat in Word—it becomes a titanic job. So, I formatted it in Scribus. Why didn’t I pay someone to do it? Mostly for financial reasons, but also because I consider myself able to handle almost any software. After all, I was one of those who started out with a Spectrum.
Once the print formatting was done, it was time for the digital edition. That’s much easier with Amazon’s own app, Kindle Create.
But what about the cover?
That’s another story. I asked several people close to me to design one, but in the end I had to roll up my sleeves and do it myself. So I turned to GIMP, a graphics program.
In the end, besides writing—which already requires knowing how to use a word processor—I had to learn two layout programmes and a design tool.
But that’s it, right?
Not at all, dear soul. Now comes the promotion. Because, while I have quite a few acquaintances on my island, outside of it nobody knows me from Adam. So it’s time to work on promotion, using a few platforms: Instagram, Facebook, X, Bluesky, YouTube, TikTok, Reddit, Discord, WhatsApp, and my favourite, Threads.
Do they recommend making promo videos? Well then, videos it is—recorded on my phone, edited in Shotcut, and audio tweaked with Audacity.
Finally, this morning I uploaded the manuscripts to Amazon, along with their covers. And of course, they’re now under review. Up to 72 hours, they say.
After that, the promotion begins. There’s no other choice, and this time I’ll have to spend a bit of money. No way around it.
But at last, AT LAST, a short break. I’d been dreaming for days about changing words in my sleep.
In a few days, when Amazon finishes reviewing the manuscripts, I’ll share the direct link to the book right here. Stay tuned—that’ll be the next step in this adventure.
Phew… “Become a writer,” they say. But nobody tells you about all the other things you’ll have to do.