Guest Blog with Chastity Bush

Thanks for having me here today, Roxanne!

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Chastity Bush, author of several romance novels, known for their suspense, spicy romance, and humorous edge. I’m also the mother of two girls, one of whom just became a teenager, and the other is fast approaching. Drama, drama everywhere!

Enough about me. I’ve been asked several times about the path to becoming a published author. What’s it like? Do you make a lot of money? What should/shouldn’t I do? So I’ve compiled a little list to help the aspiring authors out there. I hope this helps!

Top Ten Tips To Help The Aspiring Author

10. Never submit your work to a publisher or agent before doing your research. I mean thorough research. Ask other authors, use google, do anything to get a good idea of what and who you’re sending your work to. There’s plenty of con’s out there, don’t get swindled by one.

9. Write what you love. What’s hot today might not be so hot tomorrow.

8. Write from your imagination. Don’t try to improve on someone else’s ideas. You have an imagination, use it.

7. READ! That’s right, read. Spark that imagination, and relax at the same time.

6. Don’t force it. The more you try to force yourself to write a story, the more likely you are the write a bad one. You’re muse will talk to you when it’s ready. Don’t push it.

5. Don’t get discouraged. When you receive a rejection, and it will happen, don’t get upset. Keep trying.

4. Have a thick skin, for the above-mentioned rejections. Some are cruel, others very helpful, but either way, be tough.

3. Don’t doubt yourself. If you like what you’re writing, keep going. Not everyone will like it, but if you’re happy with it, that’s what matters. Someone out there will love it, too!

2. Tell everyone about your story. Your gamily, the pretzel guy at the mall, the cashier at the grocery store, everyone! The best way to get your name out there is word or mouth.

1.     Last but certainly not least, DO NOT WRITE FOR THE MONEY!!! I hate to break it to you, but money doesn’t come out of a writer’s wazoo. Write because you love it. Write because there’s a story in you dying to get out. Write to create a new world others can lose themselves in when the stress of everyday life gets to them. But never write thinking you’re going to strike it rich. You might one day, and I certainly hope you do, but don’t automatically expect it.

I hope this helps some of you out there. I had a great time being here today, and would like to say thanks again for having me.

I love to hear from readers and can be reached at the following links.

Email- chastitybush@yahoo.com

Blog- http://chastitybush.blogspot.com

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/chastitybush

Twitter- Twitter@chastitybush

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/chastitybush

Buy Link- http://www.amazon.com/author/chastitybush

 The last thing Officer Tess McCoy expected was to meet her sexy new neighbor wearing nothing but her birthday suit, but since her partner’s death nearly six months ago, nothing seemed to go the way she planned.

The Stranger Next Door

Blurb:

Despite his incredibly good looks, Tess needs to keep her distance from the sexy stranger next-door. The last thing she needs is another complication in her life, and the man living across the street looks like he could be a very big, very sexy, complication

But her life takes a startling turn when Jack rescues her from would-be kidnappers in the dead of night. Now, she needs Jack’s help in order to stay safe, find out who wants her, and why.

Sparks fly high as things between them heat up, and Tess can only wonder if she’ll escape the one’s attempting to kill her, only to fall victim to Jack’s killer charm.