TODAY I’VE been thinking about the night I decided on a whim to start my Twitter account. I didn’t know why I was doing it at first, but I quickly became connected to this community of authors, and suddenly I had access to one big ongoing conversation about books and writing.
This was brand new to me, the chance to wander through a community of people who share this undying passion. Within days I met WB Welch, and she and I realized we not only share a love of writing but we’d both developed the exact same vision for our potential careers. Same dream, same determination. In my personal life, I don’t know any other dedicated writers. I’ve been starved for this kind of friendship for years–not just with WB but all the writers I’ve met since I rolled over in bed and downloaded the Twitter app back in December.
Today marks four months since the release of WB’s short story collection Blood Drops, which I initially won in a giveaway and with which I instantly fell in love. To celebrate, she’s made her book available for free on Amazon.
If you haven’t read it, you should. I haven’t been shouting from the rooftops about this collection for no reason. She is a brilliant writer, and one day soon when her novel is on bookshelves across the world, everyone’s going to know that.
I’m lucky that I have the opportunity to co-write and publish this upcoming–and currently untitled–zombie novella with WB. I get to cling to her reader base and gain instant exposure for my own writing. It’s kind of funny. Four months ago she and I were complete strangers. Now we’re co-authors who run an editing service together. Isn’t the internet weird?
I’m also lucky that I get to sit here at my laptop and do nothing but read and critique manuscripts, synopses, query letters, book blurbs, and tweet pitches all day, every day. For years I’ve wanted to work in the realm of books, and now, somehow, it’s happened. I don’t really know how. A lot of dumb luck, I guess. It’s scary to think about how easily all this might not have happened.
Thank you to everyone who brings me work, engages with my tweets, enters my giveaways, hangs out with me on Twitter, puts up with my frantic tweeting, or simply offers an encouraging thought. I’m living a dream over here, and I’ll never feel like I deserve it.
With love,
Tory
Tory Hunter Books 
💕 Tory, what a beautiful, heartfelt post. I’m glad you downloaded that Twitter app because if you had not, I may not be on Twitter right now. You were one of the first people to reach and welcome me. AND I won one of your contests! Right out the gate!😁 Love! I wish for you continued success and that all your writing dreams come true! Thank you for sharing this post.💕🌸💕
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Thank you Marilyn!!! I’m glad you’re here and I’m glad I joined this community too! It’s a lot of fun and it’s always right here for us to dive into!
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Thanks for sharing your story, Tory. I like to keep track of you and WB on twitter because you have such a unique relationship and one I hope to model my own career out of. I really like the collaboration and joining forces mentality. I enjoy the way WB interacts with her fans, markets her product, and writes with such obvious passion. And for you – it’s so cool that you’re living your dream, even though you’re not really sure how you got there! For me, I just decided to become a writer after working in cubicle world for twenty years. I wanted to turn my passion for writing into something I took very seriously as a potential career. Life is too short. I’m not afraid of chances and encourage any others to take those chances too. One of my favorite quotes is by Wayne Gretzky: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take in life”. 🙂
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Thank you Blake! I feel like I stumbled into all this blind, and now there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I absolutely agree that everyone should be willing to take a chance. I appreciate your in-depth response and I’ll definitely direct WB’s attention to it as well!
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Y’all, now I have this cheezy old “take a chance on me” song in my head! Graaaargh!
But, seriously, I just posted a review at Amazon. Blood Drops really is, as I say, “intellectual dazzle combined with the emotional veritas.” Also, it’ll creep you the f— out.
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Awesome!!! Going to read the review immediately! Thanks Guy!!!!!!
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I just downloaded Blood Drops..
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