Diverse Reader is so happy to have Becca Seymour here with us today. She has a lovely guest post and an outstanding giveaway. So, get comfortable and enjoy.
Braving
the Voices by Becca Seymour
When
the voices start getting antsy and nudging you a little harder, it’s clear they
can no longer be ignored. The characters win and totally get their way,
rewriting their stories as they go and absolutely refusing to allow their words
to go unheard.
This was absolutely the way when writing my
upcoming release, Thicker Than Water.
When I initially started this manuscript, I
powered out almost 25,000 words in two weeks. The words poured out. The
characters came to life so beautifully, and beyond this need to write urban
fantasy romance (MM) and the main character being a wolf shifter, I had zero
idea what direction it would take me.
And then I stopped. I froze in panic,
self-doubt coming in waves.
It was then the reality of never previously
writing in this genre hit me. What if readers wouldn’t give it a chance? What
if they simply patted my head from afar saying, “Good effort, but stick to your
contemporary work.”
Alas, I gave in to the sneaky voices and
instead worked on growing my existing True-Blue series—a low-angst, feel-good
LGBTQ series, which is set in the fictional small town of Kirkby. There are
busybodies, dogs who cause chaos, families who have the “best” of timing, and
where good men have the opportunity to find their perfect match. Not that this
was a hardship as I adore the men I’ve created, the world I’m developing.
But still, self-doubt is a fickle old
thing.
It was as I was drawing to the end of
writing Becoming Us, book three in the True-Blue series, that I paused
and forced myself to take a step back. It wasn’t quite an epiphany moment,
rather a mental shake of myself reminding myself to be brave. In my books, I
regularly create characters who daily have to be brave, daily have to step
outside of their comfort zone, and daily have to make their way in a world
filled with hatred and ignorance.
It was the wake-up call I needed to be able
to recognise I could push myself to do what was right for the voices in my head
and what was right for my growth as an author.
To be honest, I was somewhat ashamed that
I’d listened to these imaginary voices and self-created fear. I knew I was
better than that.
So, with this new self-affirmation that I
could, should, and indeed would pull my head out of my backside, I
allowed myself to welcome the joy of writing my urban fantasy romance.
Something I’ve always wanted to do.
And I’m beyond happy with the outcome, and
more than that, recognise that having that “moment” was important to my own
development.
Every day I am thankful for the chance to
write and for the readers who give my words a chance. Just like I’m so proud of
the community of authors I write alongside, in addition to absolute admiration
for the LGBTQ+ community who remind me that bravery is a challenge but
absolutely possible. Without it, the world in which we live would not be so
extraordinary.
About the Author
Becca Seymour lives and breathes all things book related. Usually with
at least three books being read and two WiPs being written at the same time,
life is merrily hectic. She tends to do nothing by halves so happily seeks the
craziness and busyness life offers.
Living on her small property in Queensland with her human family as well
as her animal family of cows, chooks, and dogs, Becca appreciates the beauty of
the world around her and is a believer that love truly is love.
Newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/4d9f2a5109b8/becca-seymour
Giveaway
Enter to win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card from Becca Seymour
Contest ends March 25th
Thanks
a Rafflecopter giveaway
