Welcome Back, Amber Daulton

Two Common Traps for Aspiring Writers

 

Hi, everyone! I’m Amber Daulton, and I’ve published 14 novels/novellas/short stories to date (the first in 2012), so I’ve been around the block a few times. Hopefully, that means I’m equipped to offer some advice.

I think the biggest trap authors fall into is self-doubt. It’s exciting and scary to write a book, and that doesn’t change once you finish it and submit it to editors, agents, publishers, and reviewers. You’ll wonder if your story is good enough, if the characters are engaging, if the grammar is spot on, etc etc. I can’t count all the negative thoughts that have popped in my head over the years. When I’m feeling insecure about my writing, I go to my writing/author support groups on Facebook, MeWe, or IO Groups and read about what other authors are doing. (Just type in “author/writing support” in the groups tab, and you should be able to find some.) Remember, you’re not alone in self-doubt. It affects all of us. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with like-minded individuals can be cathartic.

Another trap is that a lot of writers, both newbies and the not-so-new, become attached to their book babies. They can’t take constructive criticism. I’ve been there myself, especially at the start of my career. Granted, it is YOUR story, but editors, critique partners, and readers can give you good advice if you’re open to hearing it. Some aspiring writers are so afraid of rejection, even when nicely put, that they’ll give up their writing dream after some bad feedback. Don’t let this be you.

You have to develop a thick shell as an author. Some people will be cruel with their opinions—unfortunately, not everyone has manners—but others will try to help you do better and succeed. Not everyone will like your story. We all have different tastes and opinions. Learn that now. So develop your shell, brush off the cruel responses, and focus on the good, constructive feedback you get.

I’d love to know what go-to cures you have when you’re feeling discouraged. Please let me know in the comment section. And thank you for reading!

A perfect Christmas wedding, a snowstorm, and a shocking secret. What could go wrong?

Susanna Lorican must marry the man she loves before the truth is discovered, or face the gossip of the ton. With an unexpected snowstorm injuring the minister, her future hangs in the balance.

Viscount Camden Beckinworth vows to keep his bride safe, even if he must betray her confidence. When their love is put to the test, how will he uphold her honor without jeopardizing his own?

 

– Warning: this sweet, complete Regency romance novella features a brief scene where the heroine is assaulted.

– Second edition. Newly revised and edited.

 

Tagline – Will their love withstand the storm to come?

 

Excerpt

 

Oh, my. The air in her lungs froze as he teased and tasted her lips in a decadent, feather-soft kiss. She moaned into his mouth and closed her eyes.

“You are so beautiful.” He trailed his lips down her neck.

“Camden.” She gasped and gripped his broad shoulders for an anchor in the storm of bliss threatening to sweep her under. Spots dotted her vision like twinkling stars peeking through dark clouds. She blinked several times and nodded to the entryway. “We must control ourselves. Anyone could see.” The smirk crawling up his cheeks clenched something deep and primal inside her. She breathed harder and inched closer to his heaving chest.

“Let them. We are betrothed. Two people in love who are about to wed are expected to kiss.”

“Kiss, yes,” she whispered. “You, my lord, make love with your lips.” Heat flamed in her cheeks and surely reddened her face.

Camden laughed and trailed his fingers up her bare arm to the puffed sleeve. “Do I? You have never admitted that before.”

“There are some things you should not be privy to.”

“Really? I’m honored that my bride appreciates the way I kiss. If she didn’t, what kind of man would that make me?”

She stepped away and smacked his biceps. “There are eyes and ears everywhere, Camden. Especially today. I’m positive the servants are already gossiping that we are spending time together on the one day we should keep our distance. It is bad luck.” And since their chaperone had left them unaccompanied, she expected another servant to arrive any minute, courtesy of her mother.

Camden drew her back into his arms and brushed his lips across her hairline. “I make my own luck. We control our destiny, Susanna; no one else. Besides, you have nothing to worry about. The one activity we shared truly worth gossiping about will never reach the light of day.”

 

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About the Author

 

Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through Daulton Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. 

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats. 

 

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