Is this REALLY what writers look like?

I was searching for a Netflix Christmas movie to watch this weekend but a different title and preview caught my attention. The Beast In Me is a new thriller series where the main character, played by Claire Danes, is a published memoir writer. I was curious.

As I watched the first episode, I found myself annoyed by the classic portrayal of a "successful" author.

Building your author platform needs to be on your “to do” list. You want to treat it like a business. If you want to make money writing books then you’re the CEO of your writing life and that starts with thinking about your author platform.

Writing doesn’t always come naturally for memoir writers.

In fiction writing, many of those authors start the writing process because they've been long time avid readers and they have an actual interest in writing a book. It's only after they decide to write a book that they brainstorm the best story arc for their debut fantasy series.

In June, I placed a heavy focus on getting my memoir polished up before submitting it to an editor. For most of the month of July, it will be in her hands and out of mine! That's a scary place to be when you finally allow someone else to read your story and step into your shoes. She will be the first person to read the latest version of the manuscript in full and only the third person ever to read a full version of any draft.