2023 Word of the Year: Trust
Here we are in the single-digit countdown of 2023, and I’m left wondering where the heck the year went. Not only did it fly by, but it also marked several big moments in my writing career. As I sit and think of a way to describe this past year, lots of words come to mind—exciting, evolving, fulfilling—but the one that takes the top spot is TRUST.
Trust [truhst]. noun. Confident expectation of something; hope.
As a writer navigating the intricate landscape of words and imagination, one of the most profound lessons I've learned is the importance of trust. The journey of a writer is often a solitary one, filled with self-doubt and the nagging question: "Is my work good enough?" Trusting myself means acknowledging my unique voice and being confident in the stories I want to tell. It means listening to my gut when it’s trying to tell me something. It also involves accepting the inevitable imperfections that come with the creative process. Writing is a craft that evolves over time, and being patient with myself allows for growth and improvement. I’ve had to learn how to silence my inner critic on many occasions, like when queries got rejected or a reader left a poor review.
When I finished The Baby Left Behind in January and was deciding which publishing path I wanted to take—Indie again? Small press?—I found myself struggling to choose. Each approach comes with pros and cons. I had to stop and think: What are my main priorities with this project? What am I hoping to get out of it? That led me to pitching Bookouture, who ended up offering me a 2-book deal in February.
So where does trust come into play here?
Well, signing with a publisher meant that I would be giving up a lot of creative control I’d become familiar with as an indie author. I wouldn’t be designing my own cover, and I wouldn’t have a say in the title or back cover copy of my book. These were hard things to give up! But, I TRUSTED the team at Bookouture and understood that their expertise would elevate my work.
Trusting my publisher meant effective communication and a shared vision for the book. It meant understanding that their insights, though sometimes challenging, were aimed at enhancing the overall quality and marketability of the project. The collaborative dance between writer and publisher is a delicate one, built not just on trust, but respect and a mutual commitment to success.
As I reflect on my writing journey this past year, I see how trust has become the driving force behind my creative endeavors. Trusting myself has allowed me to make the right choices for my books. Trusting my publisher has allowed my work to reach a broader audience than I could have imagined.
In the ever-changing landscape of the writing world, I’m learning that trust is not just a personal journey but a powerful tool for growth. It's the force that propels us forward, turning doubts into opportunities and challenges into triumphs. There is so much uncertainty in publishing, so much that is out of writers’ hands. But one thing you can hold onto is trust. From what I’ve seen, it rarely lets you down.