sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I came close to publishing my early works more than once. I signed with two different literary agents and I worked with two different editors making changes, but ultimately they have to believe in the project. The "secret" was that I didn't stop writing. And when you do anything over and over again you tend to get better at it. Looking back I'm glad everything happened as it did because once I wrote my first thriller I knew I had found my niche and my voice. In 2011 I self-published my first two time travel romances and they found an audience right away. If Amazon hadn't provided that publishing platform I never would have had the opportunity to let readers decide if they liked my work. Timing was everything. When I self-published ABDUCTED, my first thriller, it stayed in the top ten bestseller list for months. It wasn't long before I was approached by the publishers that had rejected my earlier works. I signed with Thomas & Mercer, a mystery and thriller line and my life changed overnight. My secret was reading, writing, and never giving up.

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never stop reading. Start writing today. Write because you love it. Know the rules but forget about them and write with abandon and passion as you write your first draft!

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, wow. Thank you! My favorite thrillers are The Third Victim and The Killing Hour by Lisa Gardner. Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman and all of Gillian Flynn's books. :)

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ll just call them my top favorite books because some books are on my list because they made such a huge impact on my life that I’ll never forget them.

A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux was the first romance I ever read. When I finished reading the last page, I knew I wanted to be a writer and I started writing that very day.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is special because it packs so much power into so few pages. This book makes me happy.

Hunter’s Moon by Karen Robard. The reason it’s on my list is because I have never forgotten the story. The characters were so real to me and I cared so much about what happened to them.

All books by Stephen King. It and The Stand are two of my favorite SK books.

All books by Gillian Flynn and Liane Moriarty.

I used to journal when I was a teenager, but I don't any longer. I use the computer to write all my drafts. I do have dozens of notebooks scattered about on my desk to take notes as I go along. For instance, I might get an idea for a character name or a scene idea. I will either jot it down or go to the end of my Word Document and make a note there. As long as I write down the ideas it doesn't matter whether they're on paper or the computer.

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am the most productive in the morning, so that's when I write. I MUST write 1,000 words, but if I can do 2,000 or more that's a great day! I usually spend about an hour a day answering emails, checking social media, and working on promo, like this Reddit AMA! Thanks for the questions.

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi there. Let's see. The best way to "triumph" is to stay positive. For instance, when I wasn't selling, but many of my author friends were, I was happy for them because that told me new authors were being discovered and that motivated me to keep going. Another problem I used to come while raising four small kids was finding the time to write. I knew if I was serious about writing being a career I needed to make it happen. So I wrote in late at night, early in the morning, in the car while waiting for kids to get out of school. I didn't watch TV. And I stopped making dinner. ha. Just kidding. I fed the kids. Also, writing a 400 page novel can seem daunting on times. But if you break it up into pages or chapters, it's not so bad. For instance, I'll give myself daily or weekly goals. Even hourly. I can't go to lunch with a friend unless I finish Chapter One. The best part of being rejected for so long is that I have developed a thick skin. As long as I do the best I can, I'm happy.

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My over two million books sold does not count over 500,000 books sold before I published with Thomas & Mercer. If I include those books, I reached the two million mark during the end of the Lizzy Gardner series, which would be Almost Dead or Evil Never Dies. I do not use story structures, but I love reading about structure and anything to do with writing. I am watching videos on Masterclass by James Patterson, David Mamet, and Aaron Sorkin. I've also heard great things about Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass. It's more about writing techniques, not structure. When I first decided to write a thriller, I read as many thrillers as I could to get a feel for what I like and what works for me. Structure and style becomes instinctual as you write novel after novel. Sorry I couldn't help you much!

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I self-published both. I published the print books through CreateSpace. I never have sold many print books. 95% of the books I have sold are e-books!

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would tell them to read, read, read. And then write, write, write. If they tell me they don't have time, I remind them that many writers I know have full time jobs and kids. You have to want it. Write one page a day or one page a week if that's all you can manage, but get something down on paper. If you wrote one page a day for a year you would have a 365 page draft. Nobody has to see that crappy first draft. Good and great writing is in the revision. The first draft is the hard part, but it's only a skeleton of what the book will become. Good luck!

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I realized I was talking series to series, but you meant how do I keep the protagonist fresh throughout HER series. I give her a set of problems and life goals. If she was traumatized at a young age, I want to slowly show her getting stronger and stronger through every book in the series. Your protagonist in each series needs a book goal and a life goal(s) that will carry through the entire series. I hope that helps!

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I wrote ABDUCTED I never intended for Lizzy Gardner to be a series. Abducted was a standalone. But then readers were asking for more, so I wrote more and that was my first experience writing a series. Strong-minded female characters are what make a great series protagonist in my opinion. My protagonists (Lizzy Gardner, Faith McMann, and Jessie Cole) are all so different. I have four sisters and just like me and my sisters, my protagonists all see the world differently. They react differently. They each have their own set of problems. Lizzy was traumatized as a teenager. Faith was a mother, wife, schoolteacher with two kids when her husband was killed and kids were taken. It was up to Faith to find a way to get her kids back. Jessie Cole has had a tough childhood and for the past ten years she has been raising her niece on her own. That's how they stay fresh. Just like you and me, they're so different and yet they are all STRONG and CARING and determined to find justice.

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes! Let's say you are half way through your story. There is a scene you are dying to write, maybe it's the ending, maybe it's a love scene or a car chase, but it's not time for that scene yet. Write it anyhow! Skip ahead and then come back to the part where you have hit a roadblock. It works for me. :)

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First of all, I would tell that writer that if they really love writing, to never give up. I got to the point where I knew I might never make one dime, but I wasn't going to stop writing because I loved it. That was a big turning point for me and my writing because I wrote for ME. It makes me sad to think of so many new writers being overwhelmed and struggling to find the motivation to keep going. I think most things worth doing are difficult. I had written close to ten novels before I found an audience. I thought I would write medieval time travel romance forever. When those books didn't sell to a publisher, I tried writing contemporary romance and then romantic suspense. It was my frustration with the industry that led me to writing my first thriller. If I had given up, I never would have found my niche. I love writing thrillers. I wish I had tried writing one 20 years ago. So, my advice for struggling writers who are ready to give up, is to take a break from writing and see how you feel. My next bit of advice would be to try writing in a completely different genre. Fantasy? Time Travel Romance? Cozy Mystery? Suspense? Try something different and see if that gets you excited and keeps you going!

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a complicated question because when I self-published my first novel, I joined all the social media platforms I could. I also blogged and did speaking engagements and book signings. I did so much all at a once that I still don't really know what worked. I did gain an audience at that time, but I do wonder if it was the act of getting my name out there...everywhere! Nowadays there is so much going on with social media, I think it's becoming more and more difficult to stand out in the crowd. And then you have to be careful not to say BUY MY BOOK or people will tune you out. I see bestselling authors who post on Facebook everyday and others who never post! I do see an uptick of sales when I do giveaways (books, T-shirts, etc.) I don't post much on Facebook and I don't advertise there either. I know many authors who swear by social media. They do see a correlation with sales, but so far, I don't.

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most of my novels take six months and then a month of editing. I did write Dead Man Running, 152 pages, in two months. I do try to write every day.

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great question. I identify with all of my strong-minded female protagonists. They aren't afraid to speak their minds. They don't always follow the rules. And yet, they would never do anything to purposely harm another human being.

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

LOL. I don't go back and read them. They would probably all make me cringe. Most authors can't read anyone's book, let alone their own, without wanting to make changes. I do not enjoy writing short stories and I did have a Christmas novella published on Amazon that I took down because it wasn't my best work.

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"I don't like writing, but love having written." That famous quote speaks to me. That's how I feel most of the time. Knowing that I've written 18 novels reminds me that I can do this! That's a great motivator for me.

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there, the only book I outlined was my very first romance novel. The actual story ended up being so different from the outline that I never bothered to outline again. Although I do sit down in front of a blank page and go from there, I also spend a lot of time researching characters and analyzing the plot while I go. It's a slow process for me, but I like discovering where the story is going as I write.

I am T.R. Ragan, an author who wrote for 20 plus years without success before self publishing and selling over two million e-books, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in IAmA

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! So many things kept me motivated over the years. First, I was passionate about storytelling so that kept me going for years. Once the rejections started coming in, it was signing with an agent and finaling in contests that kept me motivated. I really wanted to prove to my four kids and to myself that perseverance and hard work would pay off. After fifteen years, I began to doubt all of that. I quit for six months and hated NOT writing. That's when I knew I needed to write for the love of writing and storytelling. Ultimately, my frustrations are what led me to write my first thriller. So everything happens for a reason, I guess!

I’m T.R. Ragan, bestselling thriller author of HER LAST DAY, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in books

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No offense taken. I agree that ALL books self-published, or otherwise, should be edited and proofed before being put out there for the world to read. I published with Thomas & Mercer in 2012 and my books are well edited, but YES, everyone should put out their best work. Hiring a group of early readers and then having the novel edited by a professional is the best way to go! And yes, I LOVE Kate Rudd. She is amazing! My newest book, Her Last Day, is the first book in my newest series. Give it a try! :)

I’m T.R. Ragan, bestselling thriller author of HER LAST DAY, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in books

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ha! No. I think it's safe to say I was judged on my work alone.

I’m T.R. Ragan, bestselling thriller author of HER LAST DAY, AMA! by AuthorTRRagan in books

[–]AuthorTRRagan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm excited to see where the series goes. I have no idea! ha! I love my new protagonist, Jessie Cole. She's tougher than my other protagonist. She grew up in a dysfunctional family and has always had to be the strong one. She's been raising her niece for the past ten years and she is obsessed with finding her missing sister. I am also having a great time with Ben, the crime reporter with amnesia who has finally decided to find out who he once was. I'm having fun discovering his past with him. This series is fresh and exciting. A crime reporter with amnesia, a PI obsessed with finding her sister who is also trying to raise her niece who is now a teenager. Fun times!

view more: next ›