On December 22nd of 2008, my guest post, Santa Baby for Writers, appeared here at The Muffin. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, y’all! And gosh, it’s been quite a journey since.
Fifteen years ago, my byline was Cathy Hall. Within a year, I’d add the middle initial to differentiate me from all the freelance writers (and general population) of Cathy Halls out there. And now, as an author of cozy mysteries, I use Catherine C. Hall. (Honestly, it still throws me to see an email with a Dear Catherine.)
Fifteen years ago, I had one blog, all about me and my freelance writing, at Cathy C.’s Hall of Fame—and it’s there now, on Blogger, though it only exists as a landing page, sending people to my current spot on the web. But that wasn't until 2013. Somewhere in between, I started a Wordpress blog where I promoted my children’s writing. After five years, I streamlined, exporting ALL my posts from both blogs to a Wordpress website. Yep, Cathy C. Hall Writes, where you’ll find an awful lot of fun writing stuff. Like Tooting My Own Horn Tuesdays, What Not To Do Wednesdays, Finding Something Fridays…Ah, good times.
Fifteen years ago, I had a separate website at Cathy C. Hall, with my bio and a list of writing credits. And it still really annoys me that someone bought my domain within a few days of letting it drop while I sorted out the move to the new website. And then, this year, when exploring domains for the brand-spanking new website (where Cathy C. Hall was once again available!), I didn’t jump on it immediately and some BOT bought it.
But if you’ve been reading The Muffin all these years, you know these stories. You’ve read about my techno difficulties, my umpteen rejections, and so many “What Not To Do’s” (where I learned lessons the hard way) that I could fill a book. But you also know the value of persevering, of picking oneself up and try, try, trying again. I’ve shared plenty of my Tooting My Own Horn stories, as well as other writers’ success stories.
Which brings us back to Santa Baby.
Fifteen years ago, I asked for all that a writer could possibly want…contracts, a book of my very own, an agent, and an angel editor, plus a stocking full of web promotion. Oh! And a ring—on the phone—from Oprah.
I did get contracts through the years; I even snagged an agent. But when I wrote an adult cozy mystery, I said so long to Santa Baby. I found my own editor, and I didn’t ask Santa (or an agent) to believe in me; I believed in myself enough to publish a book of my very own. Thanks to WOW!, I found my sparkly web promotion. Well, you’ve heard all those stories, too.
And now it’s time for me to finish the next story, the one where I write, write, write and get another book done in The Ladies of SPI series. So I’ll be stepping back from The Muffin—though if Oprah gives me a ring, you’ll be the first to know!—but truly, there’s nothing more I can tell you that you don’t already know, friends.
Just keep writing—and thanks for reading my writing for the last fifteen years. ♥
~Cathy Hall
