Becoming a published author isn’t exactly a walk in the park—more like a mad dash through a maze of love stories, edits, and a few meltdowns along the way. Let me take you on my journey from the moment inspiration struck on a long-haul flight to the glorious day I spotted my name on a bookshelf.
The Spark That Started It All
My adventure kicked off somewhere between New York and Johannesburg, 35,000 feet in the air. After reading one too many eye-roll-worthy rugby romances, I thought, "I can definitely do better than this!" By the time the plane touched down, I'd mentally sketched out not one but five books. Little did I know, that was the easy bit.
Crafting Characters from the Heart (and Maybe a Few Rugby Matches)
I've been devouring books like midnight snacks since I was ten. Growing up in South Africa, those stories were my escape to far-off lands and places where apartheid wasn’t the law of the land. So, when I started writing, I wanted to create characters that felt real—like people you could bump into at the pub or, you know, on a rugby pitch.
At first, I had this grand vision of writing some seriously spicy love scenes. That was until the day I met the player who inspired one of my characters. I was at a restaurant next to their training field when he walked up, all big and burly, and said, "Hello Tannie," which means "Hello Auntie." I mean, how could I write a steamy romance when the guy was so sweet? :) And calling me 'tannie'?
Creating believable, lovable characters is no small feat, especially when you're up against romance legends like Nora Roberts. But with a mix of my own heartbreaks, endless rugby matches, and a sprinkle of imagination, my characters started to come to life. They went from being just ideas in my head to people who practically jumped off the page. They became my family.
The Editing Rollercoaster
After whipping up eight manuscripts in a whirlwind of creativity, I hit a wall—right smack in the middle of a Romance Masterclass in Cape Town. Editing, as it turns out, is where the magic happens—or where your dreams go to die, depending on the day. Professional editors peeled back the layers of my writing, exposing both the gems and the junk. It was tough, exhausting, and somehow even more time-consuming than writing the books in the first place. But, wow, was it worth it!
The Long Road to Publication
Getting from manuscript to published book is no sprint; it’s more like a marathon where you keep wondering if you’re ever going to see the finish line. After 15 months of rewriting, sending submissions, getting rejections, and biting my nails while waiting, the day finally came. My debut novel was published! Seeing my name on that cover? Pure magic.
Weathering the Storms (AKA When the Books Didn’t Sell)
Of course, not every day was filled with rainbows and book signings. During COVID, there were months when it seemed like no one was buying my books. I nearly packed it all in. But with a bit of a nudge (and a lot of love) from my nearest and dearest, I found my footing again. I decided to try writing in Afrikaans, my mother tongue—a choice that totally changed the game.
Lessons Learned and What’s Next
This whole journey has taught me a lot—like the importance of sticking with it, how valuable feedback is, and why it’s so important to stay true to your own voice, even when the going gets tough. Writing isn’t just about filling pages with words; it’s about opening up and telling stories that really connect with people.
After all these years, I can finally shout out that my books are in the bookstores in South Africa. It is as exhilarating as holding that first proof copy in my hand so many years ago. It has been a long road, but oh, so worth it. Again, this is not a race, but a marathon. It's a slow process, but I am so grateful for the people who support me and made it possible.
What next? As I continue this wild ride, my goal is still the same: to bring readers joy and a bit of romance, one story at a time. Each book is a new adventure, a fresh chance to dive into the complicated mess that is the human heart.
A Shoutout to Aspiring Authors
If you’ve got a dream to write, I hope my story gives you a bit of a boost. The path is long, and sometimes you might feel like you’re going in circles, but trust me, the views are worth it. Keep writing, keep dreaming, and never forget the power of a good story. Your voice matters, your stories are needed, and we can’t wait to read them.
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