The Debutante Ball welcomes Lisa Schroeder (Giveaway!)

Lisa Schroeder is a native Oregonian and has fond memories of visiting the Salem Public Library and borrowing many, many books when she was a child. She’s the author of four young adult novels including Chasing Brooklyn, a 2011 Texas Tayshas selection and 2011 RWA Rita finalist, and her most recent release, The Day Before (both with Simon Pulse). She’s also published two middle grade novels, It’s Raining Cupcakes and Sprinkles and Secrets (both with Aladdin).   Sprinkles and Secrets, released September 20th, is the companion novel to It’s Raining Cupcakes and picks up where the first one left off, though this time the story is told from Sophie’s point of view, Isabel’s best friend. Sophie has a tough choice to make: follow her dreams or crush her best friend. Like the first book, recipes are included!

Thanks for joining us today to talk to us about anticipation, Lisa – we’ve been waiting for this post all week!

 

I wonder if there is any career that has as much anticipation as an author. Let’s see, an obstetrician, perhaps?

I recently heard of a study that was done on vacations and anticipation, which you can read about here – http://healthland.time.com/2010/02/19/is-it-really-always-better-on-holiday/

The study found that “people were happiest in the lead-up to the vacation.”

And so it is for authors, I think. The time leading up to the release of a book is an exciting time. We have the cover to look forward to. We can’t wait to get the Advanced Review Copies, when we’ll see our words in actual book form! We wonder and dream about what others are going to think after they read the story we’ve put our hearts and souls into. Most of us hope for good things. I think it’s safe to say, generally, we anticipate good things.

For an obstetrician, I’m guessing 98% of the time, the good things he/she imagines and hopes for with each expectant mother actually come true. A healthy baby is born. The parents are ecstatic.

I wonder what percentage it would be for writers? I don’t think it would be nearly so high.

Disappointment is around every turn for authors. The cover sucks. Or Kirkus hates the book. Or the big chain skips it. I could go on and on, but I won’t, since this blog is hosted by a whole bunch of debut authors filled with wonderful anticipation right now.

So, here is what I want to say (paraphrasing Sara Zarr). A book is a miraculous, wonderful thing. But it’s also just a book.

Try to remember that, in the days and months ahead, as the anticipation fades and reality sets in.

Whatever happens, be happy with what you’ve accomplished. Be thankful for what has happened thus far. You’ve published a book! When the hard days come, and most likely, they will come, remember somewhere, someone is holding your book and he/she is happy that YOU wrote it. And there are more important things in life – it is, after all, just a book.

Most of all, remember that so many things in this business are out of your control. So focus on what IS in your control. The writing. Find joy in the writing. You may not look forward to those hours of writing every day the way you look forward to announcing the deal, but I hope you realize what an amazing thing it is that we do. We create a story where once it was only a blank page. That is so cool, isn’t it?

And with that, I better get back to work, so someday I might have another book’s release to look forward to!

 

Thanks again for being with us today, Lisa!  For all of you who haven’t yet left to go get a cupcake from your local bakery, you can find Lisa on the web:

Web site and blog: www.lisaschroederbooks.com, 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/lisa_schroeder

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lisaschroederbooks

Lisa has sprinkled some awesomeness on us here at the Deb Ball and will be giving away a copy of her book to a lucky commenter (US only, please).