349: Embracing Change | Aime Austin

Aime Austin’s Transition from Law to Writing Thrillers

Aspiring authors often find themselves at a crossroads, deciding whether to follow their passion for writing or stay in a secure career. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, Azul sits down with Aime Austin, a successful author of legal thrillers, to discuss her unique journey from the courtroom to the writing desk. This insightful conversation uncovers Aime’s path, creative processes, and advice for emerging writers.

From Law School to Full-Time Author

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Aime Austin’s journey to becoming a writer wasn’t straightforward. After attending Smith College and Cornell Law School, Aime practiced family and criminal law in Cleveland, Ohio. Despite her career in law, the itch to write persisted. Aime transformed from practicing law to writing full-time, a transition motivated by her passion for storytelling, not the law. She candidly shares, “I didn’t enjoy law school […] the whole time I was there, I was writing.”

Her transition highlights a common thread among many authors: the leap from diverse professional backgrounds into writing. Whether lawyers, doctors, or microbiologists, many find solace and expression in words, and Aime’s story is a testament to following one’s passion.

Discovering a Writing Process: Pantser or Plotter?

Once Aime embraced writing full-time, she embarked on establishing her writing methodology. Discovering she was a “pantser” rather than a “plotter” allowed her creativity to flow without confinement to stringent outlines. Aime elaborates, “I just write dialogue because I hear people talking […] and then later, I have to go back and put them somewhere.”

Her process illustrates the myriad approaches to writing. It’s a reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all method; success can come from understanding what works best for you. Azul, also a pantser, resonates with this sentiment, emphasizing the adventure and freedom pantsing offers to authors.

The Balance of Writing and Marketing

Beyond writing, Aime recognizes that becoming an author entails more than crafting stories. Marketing and engaging with one’s audience are pivotal. Aime reveals diligence to maintain a balance between writing and managing the business side of authorship. She admits to spending more time than she’d like on marketing efforts, echoing a common sentiment among writers: “More than I want […] it’s about fifty-fifty” between writing and marketing.

The episode underscores the importance for authors to embrace marketing as a crucial component of their work. Aime candidly shares her journey in building a reader community over a decade through newsletters and consistent engagement—a reminder that patience and persistence are key to fostering a loyal readership.

Crafting Characters: A Life In Work

A highlight of Aime’s work is her ability to create vibrant characters that leap off the page. Her method involves drawing from a tapestry of real-life relationships and experiences. Characters are so vivid, that Aime humorously recounts referring to them as her friends, even outside the fiction realm. This passion and dedication are evident in her writing, bringing authenticity and depth to her characters.

Advice for Aspiring Writers

For those on the cusp of beginning their writing journey, Aime’s advice is invaluable. She emphasizes the importance of community among writers, urging aspiring authors to find a support network to mitigate the inherent loneliness of the profession. Additionally, whether writing to market trends or pursuing personal passions, Aime champions the notion of producing more than one piece of work. As an agent once advised her, “You can’t be a supermarket of one.”

In closing, Aime’s journey epitomizes the melding of professional duty with personal passion. Her story is one of resilience and authenticity, paving the way for future authors to take courage and leap into their creative endeavors. Writing, as both art and profession, is a dynamic journey of discovery, perseverance, and fulfilling one’s innermost dreams.

Join us again next week for more captivating insights from influential authors and publishing experts. Remember to subscribe to Authors Who Lead and visit our website for more show notes and past interviews.

That’s all for this week. If you have a message inside of you that needs to be written, today is the day to start. Don’t delay—take action.