From an Idea to a Published Author: My Journey to Writing Books
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How I Went from a Dream to Publishing “Life on Mars” and “Chasing Shadows”
I never set out to be a writer or a published Author. In fact, if you had told me a few years ago that I’d be publishing books, I probably would have laughed. But, as with many creative journeys, it all started with a spark of inspiration—an idea that refused to let go.
One evening, staring at the night sky, I found myself wondering, What if life really existed on Mars? That single question led me down a rabbit hole of research, imagination, and storytelling that became my first book, “Life on Mars.” Then, once I had one book under my belt, another idea emerged—“Chasing Shadows”—a gripping exploration of mystery, hidden truths, and the blurred lines between reality and the unknown. Who can you trust?
Step 1: Taking the First Leap into Writing
Starting was the hardest part. I had so many doubts—Can I really write a book? Will anyone even read it? But once I began jotting down ideas, the floodgates opened.
Here’s how I made it happen:
- Brainstorming & Research: “Life on Mars” required deep dives into space exploration books, human colonization theories, and the possibility of alien life. Meanwhile, “Chasing Shadows” had me researching conspiracy theories, paranormal activities, and psychological thrillers.
- Outlining the Plot: I built structured outlines for both books to avoid getting lost in endless rewrites.
- Writing Every Day: Even if it was just 500 words, consistency was key.
✍️ Pro Tip: Use tools like Scrivener or Google Docs to organize your ideas and drafts.
Step 2: Overcoming Challenges & Self-Doubt
Writing isn’t just about putting words on paper—it’s about facing your fears. I had days where I doubted everything. Was my story compelling enough? Would readers connect with my characters?
I pushed through by:
- Joining writing communities for feedback and motivation.
- Setting small, achievable goals (one chapter at a time).
- Revising fearlessly—editing is where the magic happens.
📝 Must-Have Writing Resources:
- Grammarly – Helps with grammar and clarity.
- ProWritingAid – A great tool for editing.
- Save the Cat Writes a Novel – The best guide on storytelling structure.
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Step 3: Publishing & Sharing My Stories
Once I finished my manuscripts, the next challenge was publishing. Should I go traditional or self-publish? After much research, I decided on self-publishing via KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) to have more creative control.
About My Books:
📖 Life on Mars: The Reality of Living on the Red Planet – Welcome to Mars—the dusty, unpredictable, and utterly fascinating new frontier of human adventure. In Life on Mars: The Reality of Living on the Red Planet, I try to delivers a captivating, laugh-out-loud chronicle of what it truly takes to survive—and thrive—on the fourth rock from the Sun.
Packed with humor, heart, and stunning detail, this book brings the raw, unvarnished reality of Martian life to vivid life. From battling epic dust storms to farming in alien soil, from navigating zero-gravity gyms to surviving the perils of Martian dating, Valdr’s exploration reveals the incredible resilience, ingenuity, and quirks of the pioneers who dared to make the Red Planet home.
Perfect for space enthusiasts, sci-fi lovers, and anyone who’s ever wondered if they’d have what it takes to call Mars home, this book will have you laughing, learning, and questioning just how far humanity can go when we reach for the stars. Mars: the ultimate proving ground for survival—and for discovering what makes us human.
📖 Chasing Shadows: The Trader’s Gamble – Dive into the first thrilling chapter of Beyond the Stars: A Trader’s Tale! Chasing Shadows follows Ryn Calder, a resourceful trader caught in a web of danger and betrayal. When a mysterious artifact falls into his hands, Ryn is thrust into a high-stakes adventure that takes him from bustling trade hubs to treacherous pirate territories. As enemies close in and secrets unravel, Ryn must rely on his wits and the resilience of his trusty starship, the Starweaver, to survive. Packed with action, intrigue, and galactic discovery, this is a must-read for sci-fi fans looking for adventure among the stars.
Here’s what worked for publishing:
- Professional Cover Design – A book is judged by its cover, so I invested in a great one.
- Formatting for Kindle & Print – Tools like Vellum and Reedsy made this easy.
- Building an Audience – I promoted my books on social media and through book blogs.
📚 How to become a published Author?
Final Thoughts: If I Can Do It, So Can You
Now, with two books under my belt, published, I’m already planning my next one. If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book, go for it! And if you need guidance, feel free to reach out or check out the resources I used. I published, so could you!!
🚀 What’s Next for You? Get inspired and grab your copy of my books:
✔️ Life on Mars
✔️ Chasing Shadows: The Trader’s Gamble
Happy writing! ✨📖
“No one starts out as a published author — they just start. Jot the messy ideas, drink the coffee, ignore the doubt… and hit ‘publish’ when you’re ready.”