Read related: The rules of online dating
After years of heart flutters, heartaches and humor, Sujeiry Gonzalez has compiled her lessons learned in love and dating in her recently published book Love Trips: A Collection of Relationship Stumbles.
What started as a blog in 2005, is now a book that chronicles her experiences as young, professional woman in New York from 2004 to 2011. Writing about relationships is nothing new for Gonzalez, who has contributed to a long list of print and digital titles, including Examiner.com, MiGente, Latina Magazine and Mamiverse.
We asked the Dominican-American writer about dating, self-publishing and her future goals.
What conclusions about love or dating did you reach after writing about your experiences?
I realized that we must have self-worth and self-love before loving anyone else. That is the key to being in a healthy relationship and finding our King and/or Queen. When we don?t love ourselves, we look for that love in others. That never works. It only leads to dysfunctional and dependent relationships. Love should not be needy. Also, dating is important! This way we know what works, what doesn?t, what makes us happy and learn our deal breakers. I see every relationship as an experience that is bringing me closer to my King. I see it as a process of elimination.
I?ve noticed a lot of writers have been opting to self-publish. What prompted you to self-publish? Would you do it again?
A few years ago, I met with an editor from Simon & Schuster who was interested in my work. She wanted to know if I had plans to write a book. I was thrilled that an editor would find my work interesting and entertaining enough to question my future plans. Then she dropped some knowledge.
First-time authors are encouraged, almost expected, to write fiction. In order to be picked up as a first-time author who writes nonfiction, the author must have ?platform.? That means a huge following in the tens of thousands. I had a following but not ?platform.? So, I decided to try fiction writing. I buckled down and wrote every day for two months but came up empty. Fiction is not my forte. If that was the only way to be picked up by a publisher, well, I would just self-publish. And now here I am.
Would I do it again? Yes and no. If I do, I will be smarter and hire a marketing team and publicist from the very beginning. That way I can focus on the writing and leave the rest to the professionals. I would create a budget and buzz before the book beyond my Facebook friends, Twitter followers and networks. Because retweets and ?likes? don?t always convert to sales.
What are you working on now?
My focus is to sell Love Trips. The ebook will be available in a few weeks and the paperback is already on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com. My goal is to sell 5,000 copies so the book is picked up by a publishing house. Love Trips will be a best seller. There is no doubt in my mind. I am also working on pursuing a career in radio and/or television. I want to be a relationship (non)expert who encourages women to do the opposite of what I did in relationships. Call me the Latina Carrie Bradshaw.
Read related: Dumped by your man? Don?t go digital!
You may follow Crystal Honores on Twitter
mt rainier caucus stanford vs oklahoma state occupy rose parade vesta williams stanford stanford
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.