Ray’s Journey
My Journey to Becoming a Published Author
Writing and publishing my first two novels has been an incredibly fulfilling personal pursuit. For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of seeing my name on the cover of a book. After retiring from the military, I found myself searching for purpose. I tried different jobs—a program director at a flooring company, a DMV anti-theft and dealership representative for the state of Maine, and even a bus driver. None of them truly felt like the right fit. That’s when I decided to revisit a long-standing passion: writing.
On March 30, 2024, my debut fantasy novel, Wizards of the Mound, was published—a moment that marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my life.
The Foundations of My First Publication
After completing the first draft of Wizards of the Mound, I realized how much I had to learn about storytelling. I immersed myself in research, studying every aspect of writing, from prose and pacing to conflict, inciting incidents, and climaxes. These elements became the foundation of my story.
YouTube turned out to be an invaluable resource during this process. Channels like Alyssa Matesic, Alexa Donne, and Natalia Leigh offered insightful advice on both writing and publishing. I also stumbled upon Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat, a book that transformed my understanding of story structure. It’s a resource I continue to use and highly recommend to any aspiring author.
As I delved deeper into the publishing world, I uncovered just how much goes into bringing a book to life. I learned about the traditional publishing path, word count expectations, genre conventions, and even the business dynamics of the “Big Five” publishing houses.
The Reality of Querying
Like many first-time authors, I initially set my sights on traditional publishing. I sent out 50 carefully crafted query letters, each including the first ten pages of my manuscript. Despite my best efforts, none led to an offer.
That experience was humbling. The reality is that the publishing world is incredibly competitive, and as a new author with no prior track record, I was just another voice in an overwhelming crowd. On top of that, the industry itself is evolving, making it harder than ever for debut authors to break in.
Embracing the Hybrid Path
Determined to see my book in readers’ hands, I explored alternative publishing options. I discovered Reedsy, where I connected with skilled editors who helped me refine my manuscript. Eventually, I partnered with a hybrid publisher, and after a year of learning, editing, and hard work, Wizards of the Mound became a reality.
A New Chapter in My Journey
I’m financing this project on my own, but I’m fortunate to have unwavering support from my wife. She has been my biggest cheerleader and an essential part of this journey. Her encouragement has fueled me as I work toward publishing my second book, armed with the lessons and milestones from my first experience.
This journey isn’t about building a career—it’s about pursuing a passion I’ve carried with me for years. Every step has taught me something new, and I’m excited to see where this road leads.
This is just the beginning. I’d love to hear your thoughts or connect with others who are on a similar journey. Let’s keep inspiring one another!
Dec 22
Written By Ray Martinez
My Writing Journey: From Word to Scrivener and Beyond
When I began writing, I didn’t think much about the tools I was using. Like many writers, I started with Microsoft Word. I set the font to Times New Roman, 12-point, double-spaced—a habit carried over from college. At the time, I didn’t realize this was the industry standard for editors, agents, and publishers. It just felt natural.
As I worked on my first novel, Wizards of the Mound, I discovered Scrivener—a tool many writers praised for its ability to organize complex projects. After finishing my first draft and diving into revisions, I decided to give it a try. Scrivener’s built-in character and chapter templates transformed the way I approached my work. It allowed me to organize my story with ease, and I haven’t looked back since.
From Discovery to Discipline
When I started Wizards of the Mound, I was writing purely for fun, following my instincts and letting the story flow wherever it wanted. But as I researched writing, I realized that if I ever wanted to publish, I needed to understand the rules of storytelling and become proficient in them. Writing is creative, yes, but it’s also a craft that requires structure and discipline.
I started learning about character development, story arcs, and overarching themes. This process closed the gap between my imagination and the expectations of a broader audience. I revised my characters with purpose and made sure their actions and arcs fit into the larger framework of the story. I even began imagining actors in the roles of my characters, which helped me bring them to life with greater depth and consistency.
”There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations. We keep on turning and making new combinations indefinitely, but they are the same old pieces of coloured glass that have been in use through all the ages.” – Mark Twain
The Role of Research and Refinement
While revising Wizards of the Mound, I also explored popular tropes in the fantasy genre. I wanted my story to feel fresh, so I often took familiar ideas and flipped them on their heads. This approach kept the writing process exciting and allowed me to create something that felt uniquely mine.
Scrivener’s character sheets became an invaluable tool. I used them to document everything from personality traits to backstories, ensuring that my characters were consistent across the 68 chapters of my manuscript. It was a daunting project, but the organizational tools helped me stay on track.
For my second book, I took what I learned from this process and approached character development even more intentionally. Before editing, I revisited each character’s profile, refining their arcs and motivations to create a stronger, more cohesive story.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
This journey has taught me that writing is as much about learning as it is about creating. I’ve discovered tools and techniques that work for me, and I’ve gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to shape a raw idea into a polished novel.
The transition from Word to Scrivener mirrored a larger shift in my writing journey—from casual exploration to purposeful creation. What started as a pantsing project became a carefully crafted narrative, built on research, revision, and a willingness to grow.
Looking Ahead
Writing has become a deeply fulfilling part of my life. It’s not just about the finished product—it’s about the process of discovering new stories, exploring new characters, and continually pushing myself to improve.
I still have so much to learn, but that’s part of what makes this journey exciting. Each draft, revision, and new project is another step forward.
Thank you for reading about my writing journey. If you’re a writer or aspiring to be one, I hope my experiences inspire you to embrace your own process, wherever it may lead.
Dec 29
Written By Ray Martinez
Crafting My Characters and Finding My Voice
In my writing process, I rely on tools like Scrivener and AutoCrit to bring structure and polish to my work. Each chapter goes through a rigorous routine: first a pass through Grammarly to catch errors, followed by editorial revisions to refine the narrative. Despite this organized approach, one thing that often eludes me is identifying my own "writer’s voice."
I can easily recognize the distinct voices of established authors and even fellow writers, but when it comes to my own, I struggle to pinpoint what makes it uniquely mine. This realization has been both humbling and motivating, pushing me to think more intentionally about the voices I craft—not just my own, but also those of my characters.
Casting Characters in My Creative Hollywood
When I develop the voices of my characters, I imagine myself as a casting director in my own creative Hollywood. I draw inspiration from film and TV characters whose personalities and styles match what I envision for each role. By channeling these familiar archetypes, I can "cast" a character and embody their voice, giving them a distinct identity in my story.
It’s almost like hosting a quirky, imaginative gathering in my mind. Each character gets a seat at the table, bringing their own unique energy to the scene. This approach helps me avoid the common pitfall of having character voices blend together into an indistinguishable mess. Instead, each voice stands out as a clear, individual note in the larger symphony of my story.
Adding a Personal Twist
Of course, inspiration from existing characters is only the starting point. As the story unfolds, I make space for my imagination to add layers of depth and individuality. I’ll give a character an unexpected talent, a peculiar quirk, or a mannerism that makes them uniquely suited to the world I’m building. These small, unexpected touches breathe life into my characters and help them feel like they truly belong in my narrative, rather than borrowed from someone else’s.
The Journey Continues
While I may not always feel connected to my own "writer’s voice," my characters give me something to anchor myself to. By crafting their voices with care and creativity, I discover new ways to explore my own identity as a writer.
Writing, for me, is a continual process of discovery—not just of the stories I tell, but of the storyteller I’m becoming.
Jan 9
Written By Ray Martinez
Reflections on My Book Cover Journey
When I set out to publish my first book, Wizards of the Mound, the cover was one of the aspects I approached with a lot of uncertainty. Recently, I’ve been reflecting on the feedback I’ve received, and it’s been both enlightening and humbling.
A good friend of mine, and my editor, wasn’t a big fan of the cover. My editor described it as “fine” but ultimately felt it was weak overall, and my friend echoed that sentiment, saying it didn’t quite capture the essence of the story.
To be honest, I intentionally kept the design simple. As this was my debut novel, I decided to focus more on learning the basics of publishing rather than investing too heavily in a complex, artistic cover design. When I discussed the cover with my editor, I later realized she planned to use AI-generated art and provide a few options. From those choices, I went with what I thought was the least descriptive and most neutral one, figuring it was a safe bet for a first attempt. In hindsight, that decision was entirely on me.
My editor did encourage me to continue exploring other options, but I chose to prioritize the learning experience for future projects. I wanted to get a feel for the publishing process as a whole and decided that my next book or edition would be where I’d truly focus on creating a more compelling and representative cover.
This experience has taught me a lot. If I ever release a second edition of Wizards of the Mound, I’ll definitely take feedback into greater consideration. I’ve come to realize just how important a book cover is—not only as a visual representation of the story but also as a key tool for drawing in potential readers.
Looking ahead, I’ve already narrowed down two potential sources for a cover designer. However, I’m holding off on making any final decisions until I’ve finished my developmental edit. I want to avoid creating a design based on a character or scene that could end up being cut during revisions. For me, it’s about timing—making sure the cover aligns with the finalized version of the story.
In the end, this journey has been a valuable lesson in the importance of patience, collaboration, and being open to feedback. While the cover for Wizards of the Mound might not have been everything I hoped it could be, it’s given me the motivation and insight to make my next attempt even better.
Thanks to everyone who has shared their thoughts with me—it means a lot. Your honest feedback is shaping my growth as an author, and I’m excited to keep learning and improving with each new project.
