cover me up, cuddle me in

I got my book cover(s) back, and I'm supposed to pick one and go forward with it. (With one round of changes) I'm excited and terrified. Which is nothing new! This whole process is exciting and terrifying.

After a few days to think it over, I know which one I'll be going forward with. It's a really cool look/idea but there are some key points that need to be changes. I even had a dream about going through the changes, and them coming out wonderfully.

That being said, this morning, as I was reading a few articles on the best books to read and reading books that weren't worth reading, I came across this:

A book cover I (along with everyone in America) have seen a thousand times. And the simplicity of it kind of knocked me off my feet. Sure, I've seen the book a thousand times. I read the book cover to cover and went to the movie. I've posted about the book on twitter and reblogged things about the book on tumblr.

However, I haven't looked at it as someone who is publishing their own novel. I remember Looking For Alaska as well. For those of you who haven't see the cover, depending on what version you go, it's a line of smoke coming up and blackness behind it. On many book covers their is a candle under the line of smoke, but I prefer the one without the candle. It's simple, it's to the point.

And I love it.

Simplicity is (can be) elegant. Extravagant is (can be) tacky.

I'm blissfully excited to get the updated cover back so I can share it with everyone.

What type of book covers draw you in?

Ernest Hemingway was a drunk

I've always been under the impression that severe unhappiness created writers. 

This has not been my experience. The angst and fight and overall argumentative attitude that my characters have does not reflect inside of my life. In fact, when I feel the tension of an argument coming on, I go to the keyboard. I type it out. Bailey and Daniel fight until their lungs are tired. And my husband and I, we're happy. 

My characters suffer because I am happy. 

Ernest Hemingway was miserable, and a drunk, but he was an incredible writer. Should I develop addiction to create amazing works, and then be found dead in a hotel room before I'm 40? No? Okay. Fine. I'll stick to my glass of wine a night, I guess. 

I believe that unhappiness and angst draws people in, but what gets them to stay is the kind moments. The uncharacteristic moments. When people surprise you. When the hero turns dark, and when the bad guy says he's sorry. If he feels remorse even for a moment, I'm hooked. 

My name is Erin, and after four years of consistently writing, I've decided to consider myself a writer. Or an aspiring writer. I write everyday, but still feel like I'm striving to become something. Which I love. I love a challenge. I love having something to strive to. It's what makes it fun. 

All you self-publishing authors out there: what do you think? Are you happy? I'm about to go down the journey myself and I'm a little terrified. I've worked for so long on my novel, so it's kind of... heart-wrenching to see it actually play out.