The Life of a Wannabe Published Writer

Haven't blogged in a while.  Two months to be exact.  Time at the holidays always gets away from me.  This includes my writing time.  I'm having a hard time finishing anything lately.  I have some decent ideas going.  A handful of manuscripts at the 50,000 word mark.  I just need to focus on one and finish.  Focus.  Not as easy as it should be.

Life is busy these days, not just with the holidays stuff either.  We have basketball and indoor soccer tournaments this weekend.  Two active kids with their own busy lives.  I long for a day when I can find a good writing routine, free of noise, Disney channel, ESPN and distractions in general.  Yet, I fear that means I long for the day when my kids are grown.  I wouldn't wish this time with them away for nothing.  So, maybe that means I won't get published until I'm 50 or 60.  Oh well.  It'll happen if and when it's meant to happen.

I want to wish you all Happy Holidays.  Keep writing when you can and I will too.

-Jess

Damn, I Wish I Could Write Like That

Sometimes, I read something or watch something and I wish:  Damn, I want to write like that.  Like the emotional, sexual charge of Olivia Pope and President Grant on Scandal.  When they simply end up in the same room together, the air between them is electric.  It crackles right off the TV screen.  I wish I could write what I see there.  Take Maleficent.  It was beautiful and magical.  It stirred my emotions and it was completely unexpected.  I took my daughter to see a Disney movie for God's sake!  I never thought I would enjoy it that much.  The twists and turns of a show like Lost.

It happens when I read too.  Gone Girl was not my typical thing.  I like happy endings.  I can deal with pain, anger and sadness as long as there is an acceptable conclusion.  I think we can all agree Gone Girl did not have a happy ending.  I really didn't like one single person in the book, yet I was obsessed.  I had to see it through to the end.  Same with the movie.  Almost as good as the book.  The Twilight series was beautifully written.  The Hunger Games was remarkable.  Again, not my usual things but awesome nonetheless.

Someday, I hope I can write like that.  I hope I can write a story that conveys the sexual tension of Olivia and Fitz, the maternal love of Maleficent, the rage and insanity of Amazing Amy and the reluctant bravery of Katniss.  I hope I can write something that takes somebody out of his or her comfort zone and love it anyway.

I wish.

Book I'm reading:  Breathing Room, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Song I enjoy while writing:  anything by Sam Smith

Keep Writing and Dream Big

I will be celebrating a momentous birthday this week.  Of course, it's making me think a lot about all things past, present and future.  I like where I am right now.  A husband who loves and supports me.  Two really good kids who kind of still want to be around me (#NotYetTeenagers).  Great friends, some of whom I just spent a fun getaway weekend with.  My sweet dog who is curled up beside me as I speak.  I'm healthy.  Things creak and hurt a bit more than they used to but nothing one can't handle.  I also have a really good job.  Pays well, sometimes rewarding but often stressful.

Now, let's talk about the writing.  When I began this blog over a year ago, I put the words out there into the cyber universe.  I am a writer.  It felt good.  It felt right.  I had told a few people in my life at that point and have told more since, but finally putting it out there made it seem real.  I've submitted on a couple of projects in the almost two years since with no real luck but I keep plugging away.  Keep writing everyday because, as I've said before, I have to.  I have to write.  It's part of me now.

As I celebrate this birthday of mine, I want to look to a future goal.  In the next five years, I want to be published.  As you all that have read here before know, I desire the traditional path to publication.  Submission to experienced agents---offer for representation---submission to some of the big 6 houses---contract---book on shelves and available electronically.  A tall offer, I am fully aware.  But hell, if you're gonna dream, dream big, little pig;-).

Happy birthday to me!

Songs I am listening to:  Throwback song, "Secret Garden" by the Boss, Bruce Springsteen
                                        Current song, "I Don't Dance" by Lee Brice
Book I just read:  Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison

Quiet Novels

I never knew there was such a term as quiet novel but I now know it intimately.  I write quiet novels.  I read quiet novels.  You know them too.  They're the stories primarily about the inner conflict of a character or characters.  There are no action scenes.  No murders.  No suspense.  What drives these stories are the personal stakes of the MC.  Friendship, love and family all can be hallmarks of these books.

I love such stories.  It's what I read and what I naturally gravitated toward when I started writing.  I love romantic, sometimes tragic yet sometimes funny, stories with a satisfying (preferably happy) ending.  I like the intricate relationships among people.  Lovers, sisters, brothers, mother-daughter, father-son.  Quiet, yet emotional tales.  I branch out on occasion but I always return to them.

What I'm reading now:  The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
What I'm writing:  A quiet book about friends reuniting for a reunion.
Favorite song to write to:  "Open Hands" by Ingrid Michaelson

Is Publishing All About Luck?

I'm thinking, "Yes."

Disclaimer time.  The above only applies if you are actually a pretty good writer.  I don't want to sound like I think anybody of any writing ability level can get published with luck (although I bet it's happened before).

What I mean is this:  There are a lot of really, really good aspiring writers out there not getting noticed.  I've been doing a lot of research lately about agents, publishing and writing.  I feel like this is all I do with my free time (and no I don't counting writing as free time).  I've read some good queries that led to getting an agent.  I've read many articles titled, "How I Got Published."  Of course, talent is required.  This should be a given.  Just as big as this seemed to be timing and luck.  The queries were good but I wouldn't necessarily think them any better than others from unpubbed authors I've read.  The story ideas were great but, again, so are a lot of others from those not yet noticed.  As I said, the timing was right for that idea.  With a bit of luck (have I said along with talent?), that particular query hit just the right note at the right time with the right agent.  Agents even say it often times in interviews.  They turn down good ideas from good writers everyday because it's not what they were looking for at that moment.

Now, you may say to yourself, "This is even more depressing than I thought," but I see it differently.  I think my writing has gotten better.  When I compare, it seems close if not spot on.  Most of all, I think it's just not my time yet.  I'm getting there but not there yet.  The people I read about in "How I Got Published" or "How I Got My Agent" are everyday people just like you and me.  That's freaking awesome!  Kudos to them.  The one thing they all seemed to have in common (again, besides talent;D) is persistence.  We have to keep going.  Have to keep practicing, if you will.  Only good things will come from it.

Recent favorite book:  Always Something There to Remind Me, Beth Harbison
Favorite song to write to:  Peace, by O.A.R.

Picking Your Next Writing Project

It's been busy in the world of the Romantic Writing Diva.  School year winding down, for me and the kids, baseball playoffs, elite soccer tryouts and life in general.  Thus, my blogging and writing have taken a backseat.  Not really intentional.  Sometimes, something has to give.  I don't like to take a hiatus but no choice really.  So, I'm back and I'll try to keep on schedule.

During this time, I've been trying to decide what I want to focus on next.  What project that is.  The ideas still come hard and furious but that makes it harder somehow.  Harder to decide.  Sequel?  Probably not even though my fingers itch to write it.  What would be the point if I don't sell the first?  New ideas too.  I don't know yet which choice will win.  I try to pick for me.  What do I want to write? What would I want to read?  But, sometimes, I get caught up in the wondering about what other people would want.  What are publisher's looking for?  Agents?  Deep down, I know I can't write authentically if I'm not writing for me.  Hopefully, somebody will like it somewhere.

As far as blogging goes, I'll try to post some more about other great blogs I've discovered.  Stay tuned!  I'll also fill you in on my summer reading list.  This is the time of the year when I do the most reading because I finally have time.

Recent favorite book:  Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand
Current favorite song to write to:  Last Love Song by ZZ Ward

Awesome Blogs for Writers, Part 2

If you visit no other writing resource, visit this one.  Preditors and Editors.  The absolute best resource for both new and experienced writers.  Why, you ask?  It lists almost every possible agent/agency and publisher you can think of and evaluates them.  I've talked about this before, but I must mention the site again.  Must!  It is that important.

When you start this journey, like me I assume, you have trepidation and unbelievable uncertainty.  What am I doing?  Can I really do this?  Will I be taken advantage of?

This last question is what led me to Preditors and Editors.  I could not believe someone had taken the time to develop the site.  To do the research required and to put himself out there for the protection of me and you.  It was created by David Kuzminski, who recently passed away, and then taken over by Dr. Andrew Burt.  Both have seemingly been where we've been.  Possibly experienced the same trepidation and uncertainty.  What an ingenious idea.

Check it out.  Right now.  This very minute.  You will not be sorry.

Awesome Blogs for Writers, Part 1

I love Janet Reid so much.  Who is Janet Reid, some of you might ask.  She is an agent with a fabulous reputation at the equally fabulous Fine Print Literary Management.  She is funny, brutally honest and crazy informative.  She has not one, but two great blogs.

First, we have the one simply bearing her name.  On this site, she sometimes muses, and rants, about timely topics within the publishing industry.  Readers get to ask questions and have them answered by Ms. Reid.  I learn so much through reading her answers and often laugh at the same time.  She really pulls no punches.

Second is Query Shark.  This blog allows you to actually practice queries and get remarkably honest feedback.  Some submissions have been revised 7 or 8 times.  It's amazing to see the progression and the excitement when the author actually gets a passing grade.

If you haven't, please check these two sites out.  You won't be sorry.  I only wish she represented my genre.

Pressures of Writing

Why am I writing about this?  For many reasons.  We put way, way, way too much pressure on ourselves as wannabe authors.  We're already writers, right?  If you've settled down with your computer and written several thousand words for the pure heck of it, you're a writer.  To me, being an author is a completely different thing.  When my friends ask me about my craft, I say I write.  I don't say I'm an author.  I feel that has to be earned.  I have to be published to be an author.  So, I'm not yet an author.

Back to the whole pressure thing though.  We put pressure on ourselves to write something someone else will like.  Important but not why you should write.  You should write because you have a story you have to tell.  You should write because you simply must to be complete.  When Stephenie Meyer wrote Twilight, nobody was doing the vampire thing.  Buffy was winding down and vampires were thought to be so over.  She wrote the book because she dreamed it and "for fun."

We pressure ourselves to have a business plan.  This is something that admittedly freaks me out.  I am not a business person.  I am not good at selling anything, especially not my written pride and joy.  I need someone else for that.  Someone objective to help me, leading to my next point.

We pressure ourselves to get an agent, like now.  This is something I think about everyday.  How to get myself an agent.  Write a good book.  Yeah, yeah, I know.  Hopefully, I've done that.  Hopefully.

We pressure ourselves to have a Twitter account, or Facebook page, or Tumblr, or website, or a blog.  This kinda goes back to the business plan thing.  I will freely admit, I dreaded this part but I have thoroughly enjoyed this blog.

We put pressure on ourselves to write the perfect manuscript, then the perfect query and perfect synopsis (if that's even possible).  I spend an inordinate amount of time writing query letters.  Writing them, scrapping them and rewriting them again.  They never seem just right.

I could go on but the point is this.  We put all this pressure on ourselves to write when really we should listen to the wise Mrs. Meyer.  We should write for fun.  Writing is the most rewarding (besides having beautiful children and marrying a wonderful man) thing I've ever done.  I need to focus on that and stop letting it put pressure on me.  After all, I do it to escape.  To avoid the stressors of the real world.  Moral:  Chill out, Ms. Author!

Writing: What I've Learned So Far

It's hard for me to imagine but I've been doing this for five years now.  When I say five years, I mean daily.  I write something everyday.  A little less than five years since I told my husband, "Hey, I think I want to be a writer."  Four years since I let a friend read my very first manuscript.  Thank you, Amy.  It doesn't seem like it's been that long yet it also seems like it's been forever.  I used to write as a child.  Make up characters and stories in my head.  So, in a sense I've always written, just not necessarily on paper or from beginning to end.

As I've shared here before, I've also done a lot of research during this last five years.  Research on agents and publishing.  Research on technique and trends.  Research refreshing myself on grammar and structure.  Through all this, I've learned a lot but I'm not sure I really needed to.  (What?)

Let me clarify.  If you want to become published, whether traditionally or electronically, you need to do  a lot of research to protect yourself.  Unfortunately, there are a multitude of ways to take advantage of would be authors.  Educate yourself on all the inner workings of the industry.  I've blogged a lot about this topic and sites to help you.  Use them, please.  On this, I believe wholeheartedly in research.

Grammar and structure.  You need to remind yourself of the basics.  Its or it's.  Lie or lay (this one still gives me fits!).  Even, compliment or complement.  I could go on about this forever.  Formatting dialogue was another topic I really had to brush up on.  Nothing is more of a turn off to agents or publishers than poor grammar.

Here's where I think I should stop with the research.  I'll tell you why.  I've been doing a great deal on POV lately.  First person or third person?  Single POV or multi POV?  There are a lot of articles and blog entries out there telling you which one is right or best but when it all comes down to the truth it's really a matter of preference.  There is no right or wrong way.  Go to a book store one day and read through various works on the shelf.  You will see everything, and I mean everything.  Third person limited is probably the most common but not necessarily.  There are a lot of variations now and sometimes even in the same book.  I just read a Beth Harbison book recently where the character's current self is written in first person while chapters devoted to her much younger self are written in third person.  It worked and took me several pages to even realize what she was doing.

If you let it, all the research will drive you crazy.  One thing you read will make you doubt your WIP.  Do I have too many POVs?  Would it be better in first person?  Should I add an omniscient narrator?  Not bad questions but ones you need to work out yourself by deciding what best fits the story, not to please other people.  Another thing you'll read will make you think you're on the right track.  Still, it's all about writing the best manuscript you can and, if you want to be published, finding someone else who likes it.

Probably the most important thing I've learned?  Drum roll, please.  Keep writing.  Gasp.  What's that you say?  Too simple.  Well, you'd be correct.  There is no better way to make yourself excellent at your craft than to practice.  You were right, Dad.  Practice makes perfect.  I am a much better writer five years later.  That I know for sure. 

I know there are others our there who've been doing this a lot longer than me and still probably unpublished.  I would love to hear from you.  What have you learned too?

Rewrites, Ugh!

A quick update on my submissions.  5 queries and 4 rejections thus far.  There was no helpful advice or any hints in any of these, just form rejections.  I didn't really expect any personal comments as this first round primarily involved query letters only.  I did send some sample pages to an agent who would be closing to queries soon, but no word yet.

In the meantime, I've been thinking long and hard about my manuscript and have been experimenting with some rewrites.  A few months ago, I submitted as part of a contest.  The well-respected agent gave me some advice that I've had a hard time getting past.  Something along the lines of having too many characters and stories going on at the same time.  I've debated and researched and debated this some more.

I really like multi-POV novels.  Ones where we get in the head of Joan and Joan's boyfriend, John, as well as Joan's best friend, Jane, and Jane's on-again, off-again lover, James.  This is what I enjoy reading most and, thus, what I've been drawn to writing.  The problem with this is that there are agents who may like my genre but specifically do NOT like multiple POV's.  Another problem with it is how to write the query explaining the multiple POV's.  Query Shark gives some advice about this here.

I'm not doing rewrites to eliminate my style of multi POV but rather to trim the fat, so to speak.  Narrowing down the chapters of sideline characters and beefing up those of the main characters.  I'll try again with those submissions soon and pick agents who request sample chapters.

I'll keep you posted.

Advice for the First Time Writer

As I'm submitting, I'm going through my typical steps of researching agents and thought I'd share them with you.  I've touched on them before but here's a more detailed look.

Agent Query:  I love the format of this site.  You can opt for the full search.  There, you can pick certain things like searching for your genre only, whether the agent takes email submissions, is a member of AAR and is accepting queries.  Use this full search tool or you'll be wading through multiple pages of agents not taking your genre.  Also, it is important to me to know they're members of AAR.  This organization, the Association of Authors' Representatives, has certain standards in place designed to protect writers from reading fees and unscrupulous practices.  If I had any complaints about Agent Query, it would be that they can't possibly stay completely up-to-date on whether the agents are currently accepting submissions which leads me to my next point.

Agent websites:  There's no better way to know what an agent is looking for than to check their own site.  After you find a name on sites such as Agent Query, you can then check out their page.  Does he or she just want a query or sample pages too?  Check the website.  Are they temporarily closed to submissions?  Check the agency website.

Publishers Marketplace:  I like this site for checking additional information regarding the agent.  The best is being able to see what they've sold recently.  One caveat here is you have to pay a fee to get complete access to this site's information but I've been able to find a lot by just searching the agent name and "publishers marketplace."

Absolute Write:  I didn't provide a link here because I find the best way to search is agent name "absolute write."  Why do I love this one?  You get to here from people like us.  Aspiring writers who've had experience with each agency.  Response times, professionalism, reputation, anything goes on this site.  It's a forum for talking about personal experiences and if you see a negative trend around one agency, you can proceed with caution.

Preditors and Editors:  If you visit no other site on this entry, visit this one.  This site is awesome, amazing, fantastic!  I can't say enough about it.  You can search agents and publishers in the industry and find out if there are any cautions associated with them.  Better yet, you can see how they're regarded:  highly recommended, recommended, not recommended.  Most have none of these beside them but you can do additional research if not sold.

There you have it.  I make lists of the agencies of interest and cross reference them on all of the above.  It takes some time but in my mind is totally worth the trouble.

Happy researching!

Submission Time Again

My most recent finished work is titled, The Healing House.  It's a 105,000 word contemporary romance.  I've started the submission rounds (one reason why I haven't done a blog entry in 11 days).  I submitted first to three top agencies who only want query letters at this phase.  All three typically provide a fast response.  I queried them on 1/27.  By the next day, I'd received rejections from two:-(.  Still waiting to hear from the third.

I both love and loathe this process.  I love it because of the thrill.  There are so many possibilities.  Someone among my list of agents might actually like it.  This book might just be the one.  The one that allows me to write for a career.  The one that gets my name out there.  And dare I say, the one that changes my life.  I like my life, mind you, but I have no doubts I'm ready for a career change.

Now, on to why I loathe it.  Rejection, plain and simple.  Nobody likes rejection.  Nobody.  If taken personally, it can be emotionally damaging and life altering in a different sense.  Some people give up because of the rejection.  I vow never to be one of those people.  At the very least, it makes you doubt yourself and the current product.  I admire authors who persist, like Kathryn Stockett, through years of rejection on the same novel.  In the past, I've simply moved on to the next feeling it could only be better.

I will take you along on this journey with me by giving you weekly updates of my progress.  We'll see how it goes;-).  If you're in the query process too, please share.  I want to hear about your experiences.

Happy Blogging Anniversary to Me

I'm coming up on the one year anniversary of my blog.  A momentous year for me.  I remember this time last year, thinking about it but having no idea where to start.  One year later, I feel a little more confident.  A little more comfortable in my pink stilettos.  But there's still a long way to go.  A lo-o-ng way.

Let's talk about audience for starters.  Probably my biggest challenge.  I still haven't found one.  I was thrilled when I started getting 50-60 page views but soon realized it was just through advertising spammers.  Something I still don't really understand.  I would like an audience of other aspiring authors.  I would love for this blog to be a place where we share experiences and help each other through this daunting process of entering the publishing world.  That's my ultimate goal.  As I've said before, I spent years researching things.  Years finding sites I trusted and felt weren't trying to steer me wrong.  I've spent those years learning what agents are reputable and have stellar reputations versus the ones who possibly aren't so professional.  This is not the place to call out names for the latter but I think it's nice to laud the ones who've been proven great.

I also want to share the feelings of being a new writer.  The sometimes bone-crushing disappointment that comes with rejection and the elation of a positive word from an agent.

I have a lot of wants and desires for this blog and still a long way to go.  Inevitably, I hope to be able to say to a group of loyal readers.  Guess what!  I just got a publishing contract!  I want you guys to share similar experiences with me.  In the meantime, I'll continue to blog about the roller coaster that is the writing life.  Hopefully, you'll be there to read it and share in my sorrow and happiness.

Happy Anniversary to me!

The Narrow-Minded Reader

Shame on me!  I learned a very good lesson this holiday season.  For so long, my focus has been very narrow-minded when it comes to the types of books I read.  Love?  Check.  Humor?  Check.  Happy ending?  Check.  These have traditionally been my must haves when choosing a book to read.  The happy ending part is not easy to tell, unless you stick to traditional romance.  Venture outside that genre and you're at-risk.  Because of this, I've avoided a lot of really good books in recent years.  I guess you could say it was the Message in a Bottle effect.  I read that one years ago and was devastated at Garret's death.  Why Nicholas Sparks?  Why-y-y?

I've ventured out of my rut a bit lately.  I read some interesting books over the summer not focused solely on a love story but rather friendship.  I enjoyed these too.  I read Gone Girl.  Definitely not a humorous love story but loved the writing.

So, over the break, I read the Hunger Games trilogy.  All three books in a matter of six days.  We'll ignore the fact I got absolutely no house work done and nearly starved my children.  Just kidding about the starving part.  They're old enough to feed themselves;-)  I LOVED these books.  Really loved them.  Suzanne Collins is truly gifted.  I lost myself in her writing and lived the characters for those six days.

So, again, shame on me for waiting so long to read a truly great series from a fabulous author.  Learn from my mistakes people!