5 Year Anniversary

Published on by Jan Sikes

5_Anniversary

Five years ago, I published my first book, Flowers and Stone.

I had no idea where the journey would lead me. All I knew was that I had a story to tell.

I can’t even begin to list the things that have happened, doors that have opened and people that I’ve met. I was not following one blog five years ago and never imagined I would not only follow lots of amazing blogs but would have one myself. I certainly didn’t belong to an international author’s organization. I literally had no idea what I was doing.

Looking back now, I can see that my Angels were hard at work lining up opportunities, putting me with the right people and organizations, and keeping me moving forward when I lacked the energy to do it for myself.

And here I sit, five years and five books later with an active blog following, a solid fan-base, so many reviews from all over the globe and a wonderful website. And that’s just touching the tip of the iceberg. I have been a very busy woman.

So, now with all of that done, I ask myself, where do I go from here?

delirium-inside-post-image

Sure, I’ve published six short stories and that was truly fun! And, I write for two magazines and thoroughly enjoy that, but after writing such big novels, I feel as if I am sloughing off. Does anyone ever feel like that after completing a big project that drives you?

I had a dream the other night where I was driving a car and my sister was with me. There were two red wasps flying around in the car and she started to open the door. I yelled at her to open the windows and that I’d stop. I pulled into a small convenience store/gas station and she went inside. I opened all the doors to shoo out the wasps but never saw them again. When she returned to the car, I looked at her and said, “I have no idea where we are or where we are going. All I know to do is go back the way we came.”

That may hold no significance to anyone but myself, but I awoke knowing the profoundness of the dream.

I have written a fiction novel – in fact, I finished it last year and started pitching it to publishers. I’ve had no takers yet. I ‘ve also written the first chapter of the second book in the series, but I feel as if I am constantly spinning my wheels and going nowhere.

The anniversary of my first published book has brought all of this to a culmination in my mind. The dream – go back the way I came – holds a message. Is the message to go ahead and self-publish the fiction series? I’m groaning as I type it. I want the support and backing of a publisher. That’s the bottom line. Will I get it? Heck, if I know. All I do know is that I work long hours every day and while I know where I’ve been and where I am, I haven’t a clue about where I’m going but still enjoying the journey and still trusting the Angels to get me there. 🙂

Thanks for letting me share. Happy Anniversary to Flowers and Stone!

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31 thoughts on “5 Year Anniversary”

  7. Congrats on your 5 year publishing anniversary, Jan. 🙂 The choice to go indie versus traditional is a personal one and there are pros and cons to each. I started as traditional and switched to indie, for example. So, the good news is that decisions can be changed. I wish you great success in whatever you decide. 🙂

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  8. What a profound dream Jan and message! You are definitely being led…I wonder what the meaning of wasps are? Glad you remembered your dream and shared it. I am so happy you started writing…happy anniversary!!! I feel the same as you, I knew nothing and jumped in and look where we end up and the amazing people look we meet. I hope you get what you desire and are being guided to that place!

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    1. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, Denise. I am very happy I started writing and got the story told. I think often, in life, when we are led, we find ourselves jumping in – taking that leap of faith – and it always works out. I wish you an awesome day! Hugs!

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  11. Hi Jan, I just watched Harry Bingham (The Fiona Griffiths Mysteries) talk about leaving his NY publisher, who also publishes Lee Child and some other famous writers, and taking back his books in order to do his indie thing with them. He basically echoes Ron in saying he did better on his own with his books than the publisher did. After publishing my last novel, I too, wished there were someone to take up some of the burden. One thing I learned after self publishing my first mystery, is that if you do want a traditional publisher to be interested in your series, do not put one of the books out there. Publishers do not want to pick up a series in midstream unless, of course, you have been wildly successful with it on your own. Congratulations on your anniversary. As an aside, I recently read your short story in the first Rave anthology about the goat and the rose and I loved it. You are so talented and so heart-connected.

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    1. Mary, thank you so much for your lovely comment. I totally understand that many well-known authors are taking their books back and going the Indie route. But, they have already established their names as authors and the public will recognize and buy their books regardless of whether they are Indie or Traditionally published. I spent a good portion of my retirement publishing the five books I have out and am afraid to drain it dry when I haven’t begun to make back the investment. It’s a catch twenty-two for sure. I appreciate your kind comment about the goat and the rose. Thank you for stopping by! Hugs!

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  16. I’m happy you can interpret your dreams I wake up with no clue what mine were supposed to mean. I do have a few exceptions to that though. When I was young I would have a dream that someone died and sure enough the call would come the next day or the next. It stopped after I got older and had to start taking meds to sleep. Granted, few people extremely close to me have died in recent years so I guess we shall see if I still have the same occurrences. I hope not. My most vivid one was a boyfriend from back home. I lived in El Paso and he was one of the guys I dated when I visited back home. I dreamt that he rolled his truck. I drove up on his accident and his body was under the truck midchest down and he was saying, “get it off I can’t breath!” I had just gotten to work when they said I had an emergency phone call and it was my best friend from back home. She was so hysterical that I couldn’t understand her so I just asked her was Freddie killed in a car accident and she said yes. Surreal moment. Of course, later when she had calmed down, and I had, I was able to find out it happened exactly like I thought.
    Your dream caught my attention at the point Linda was going to open the door instead of the window. I laughed at that!

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  17. Congratulations on the five year anniversary, Jan! I’m like you in regarding dreams. While I don’t believe every dream is significant, I do think those that stick with us have some type of meaning.
    Best of luck with the novel!

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  18. I love the line, “I haven’t a clue about where I’m going but still enjoying the journey and still trusting the Angels to get me there.” Beautiful, Jan! Life will unfold powerfully, miraculously as it has all along. Thank you for the morning inspiration. ♥

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    1. You know, Gwen, when we are in the middle of something, it is so hard to see the big picture. It is only in looking back that we can see the beautiful dance of life unfolding in such a perfect way. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Light, love and healing energy is being directed to you on the celestial streams. Hugs!

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  19. Jan- When Linda told me about your series I knew I had to read it, but I never imagined it would change my life and leave me stunned, as it did. It’s not only a fabulous love story but it also is an amazing story of love, courage, and never giving up on th one you love.
    I’m so glad you shared Rick and your story with us all . You are an amazing Lady, talented author, and a wonderful friend. I’m so glad I finally got to meet you. May you have an amazing career in telling your stories. They need to be heard.
    Love you sweet Lady!

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    1. Thank you SO much, Tonya! You are such a treasure. I have never met anyone who supports authors in the way that you do with reading and reviewing their books, then leaving them encouraging messages along the way. You and my sister both were guided by the Angels when you stumbled upon each other. And, I get the pleasure of knowing you through her. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you! I love you and wish you the most blessed Sunday! xoxo

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