Sinful Sunday with Michelle Graham

My second book, The Art of Love, was released last week, which I'm very excited about. It's very rewarding to see your work actually published! And I also ordered a print copy of my first book, Landing the Big Ones, from Amazon. Of course I ordered it from Amazon.ca which means it's going to take longer to get here, but I'm anxious to see a physical book with my words inside of it. I feel as though I've really accomplished something worthwhile.

So what does this have to do with sin?

I am finding myself falling victim to several of those dreaded 7 deadly sins. I think it's understandable when people become successful at something. While I haven't succumbed to gluttony or sloth (unless you count the fact that I'm so busy writing I haven't done the dishes in days), I'm experiencing the others.

Lust. This is what led to my becoming an author in the first place! I was seeking out erotic romance because it revived my sex life, especially when I began to write it. Let's just say that I'm thinking lustful thoughts a lot of the time!

Pride. I'm very proud of my writing, and feel kind of bitter that I can't share it with everyone I know. But my pride also leads me to being a bit delusional about my own writing. That makes it hard when I get a low rating, or if an editor or my beta reader make suggestions. I have to bite back my initial reactions and really take a look at what they're saying.

Greed. I've been obsessively checking my sales stats. It's hard not to! I want to make some money off this venture of mine! And then it's hard not to go crazy tweeting about my book til my followers are ready to barf.

Envy. I find myself very envious of other writers. Their books sell more. They're more established. They have more time to write. They write better than I do. Again, I try not to let the self-doubt get to me, but there's a fine line between being to down on yourself or too up on yourself. And I try to remember that there are others out there who may be envious of me, too.

Wrath. Woe to the person who disturbs me in the middle of writing/reading a steamy scene, or who has to deal with me after I've stayed up too late writing again! I have quite the temper.

I love what I'm doing and wouldn't change it. I just have to try not to get too carried away with unproductive thoughts. I need to focus that energy on my writing, so I can keep bringing my readers stories they'll love.