A Novel One Week at a Time
I am working to finish the novel I started in November. I am revising and hope to have it completed this spring. In the meantime, I thought it might be fun to try something in the same vein as the Write a Novel with me posts but in a slightly different format.
I love to read devotionals on a daily basis. This year I am reading Halle Ephron’s Bibliophile devotional. Each day she has the first line from a book, a breif description of what it is about and a short review written by someone else, usually a reviewer with a national newspaper. Though I have read quite of few of the books she suggests, it has also giving me lots of other ideas of books to read in the future.
I plan to write a weekly post instead of a daily post, I thought it might be fun to write something once a week about writing, starting with the first spark of an idea through the actual writing process, revision and then the steps to take to find a publisher and agent.
I will break the year down and share with you suggestions for each stage. At the end of each post, I will have an assignment for you to do that week. I’m hoping that you could be my first readers. I’m thinking that by the end of this year, I could have a novel finished and possibly a non-fiction how-to book also. I hope you like the idea and will follow my posts through to the end of the year. Because I am using this medium it allows this process to be more inter-active than if you were reading it as a how-to book at home. If you have questions or suggestions, I would love to hear from you along the way.
So welcome to a new adventure as we write a novel together in 2010. I’ll be back tomorrow with Story Ideas and How to Start.
Virginia
Resolutions – 2010
I have never been great with resolutions so I don’t plan to make any this year. I know what I want and I am going to go for it. I have a mostly finished novel that I worked on for Nano but I am not foolish enough to think that it is a book. November allowed me to get my thoughts down on paper but it is very rough. I plan to work on it daily rewriting and writing 3-5 pages as I go. To be honest, I don’t enjoy writing as fast as Nano requires. It takes the fun out of the process.
Today I pulled out my manuscript and put it into a binder. I am starting from the beginning and will work my way through to the end. With my work schedule, I do believe 3-5 pages per day are possible. I will try to keep you, my readers, informed about the process. If I run into something that I am struggling with, I may ask for some help.
Feel free to share any of your writing suggestions as I will gladly share with you.
I know I planned to have the first draft done by the end of the year but it didn’t happen. My new job seemed to wipe me out more than I expected it to. I tend to be a night owl but because of my hours, I have to get to bed early. It has taken me a while to adjust. I am up by 5:00 AM and out of the house by 6:00. It takes me that long to get to work by 7:00 and that’s on a good day. I like what I’m doing and truly hope they will make my temp position permanent. I am a Claims Specialist at a large bank. I am doing Fannie Mae claims for foreclosed properties from all over the United States. It is interesting and challenging and sad. As a former Realtor I understand that those names and addresses are real people who have lost their homes.
I do hope 2010 is the best year ever. I plan to read and write and push on to the next step toward publication.
I have been reading a lot the past month. I read all of Louise Penny’s books and now wait breathlessly for the next. Love the series. Want to live in Three Pines – except for maybe the winter. Canada’ s got to be worse than Iowa. I also read a Debbie Macomber holiday book called Mrs. Miracle. Hallmark made a movie starring Doris Roberts as Mrs. Miracle. The movie was okay but the book was great. I would almost say it could be a modern Christmas classic. I don’t save too many books but this one I plan to pull out again and read next year.
I always read nonfiction as well as fiction. I am currently reading James Scott Bell’s ‘The Art of War For Writers”. Will tell you more about it when I finish reading.
Wishing you the best this year and may your writing dreams come true too!
Meet Julie Miller
Christmas just keeps on giving. Julie Miller is a multi-published Romance author out of Grand Island, Nebraska. I think her path to publication is very interesting. If you’re like me and have a few gift cards from family and friends for books, you might think about checking out Julie’s newest release.
![JulieRTWinner[1]](http://www.virginiagruver.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/JulieRTWinner11-150x150.jpg "JulieRTWinner[1]")
Where are you from?
Currently, I live in Grand Island, Nebraska, but I was born and raised in Missouri
How long have you been writing?
Since I was 8. My first stories were action-adventures I wrote for my Barbie and G.I. Joe—sort of Indiana Jones before its time <g>
I started pursuing a writing career about 17 years ago when we first moved to Nebraska, and I had the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom for a year. I discovered I still needed a creative outlet, and I’d always wanted to try my hand at those books I loved to read. My first book came out in 1997.
What do you write?
Romantic suspense. I’ve written over 25 books for Harlequin Intrigue, and have just been offered a contract to write 4 more. I also write steamier stories for Harlequin Blaze, where my military heroes have been especially popular. But even the Blazes, special Harlequin projects and single title paranormals I wrote for Dorchester have all contained some degree of romantic suspense. I think I’ve written one romance where there was no murder to solve, no stalker pursuing the heroine and no hero out for justice. <g>
Tell us a little about your publisher and agent.
I’ve been writing for Harlequin Books in New York and Toronto since I sold my first Intrigue to them in 1999. Since that time, I’ve written for Intrigue, Blaze, Signature Select, eHarlequin.com and Special Releases with Harlequin. I started my career at Dorchester Books, where I wrote single title paranormals for their Love Spell imprint.
My agent is Pattie Steele-Perkins of the Steele-Perkins Literary Agency in Canandaigua, NY. I think she’s terrific. She represents all types of romance and women’s fiction, and represents some NYT Bestselling authors as well as some new to the business. I fall somewhere in between.
How many books have you published so far?
I’ve written 38 books for publication, and as I mentioned earlier, have just contracted to write 4 more. I wrote 3 complete mss before my first sale.
What is your writing day like?
I used to be a full-time teacher who wrote part-time. Now I’m a full-time writer who teaches part-time.
A typical day for me is to get up, turn on my computer, eat breakfast—then, armed with a cup of tea or bottle of water, I sit down at my computer and read through/edit what I wrote the day before. Then I write new pages. Even if my day is busy with commitments that will take me away from my computer, once I have the story in my head, I can continue ‘writing’ in my head all day, so that when I do get back to my computer, I can sit down and be ready to write. Usually, though, once I’ve edited those pages, I go on to write new pages. My goal is a scene each day, though sometimes I’ll write more or less. I like to just sit and work until lunch, though I get up once an hour to get the kinks out of my back, stretch my muscles and rest my wrists and fingers—that usually means putting in a load of laundry, walking the dog, etc. My dog Maxie is my writing companion all day long. <g> When I get closer to a deadline, I will go back after dinner and write in the evenings and on weekends, though I try to keep those times free for family activities until the deadline pressure kicks in. I try to limit my email/Internet time, as well as writing-related business demands to breakfast or lunchtime, or the evenings after I’ve completed my scene for the day.
Can you tell us how you found a publisher and/or agent?
I’ve read and loved Harlequin Intrigue from the time I read the very first one back in college in 1984. I had romantic suspense ideas percolating in my head ever since. Though I wrote many papers, grant proposals, brochures, lesson plans, short stories, newspaper articles, scripts and journal entries, I didn’t really pursue writing complete novels until I moved to Nebraska, and got to be a stay-at-home mom for a year. During that year before going back to teaching full-time, I joined Romance Writers of America, became a founding member of my local RWA chapter, the Prairieland Romance Writers, and used conferences, workshops, articles and networking to really learn the business of writing, as well as educate myself on the publishing market. I wrote 2 manuscripts that were truly learning processes, entering them in contests and getting feedback, enjoying some success, submitting them to publishers, but ultimately having them rejected.
I sent my third manuscript to the now defunct Silhouette Shadows. The editor said she really liked my story and my writing, but that the line was closing and she couldn’t acquire it. But… if I had any other stories to submit, she’d love to see something else. That was when I decided to go back to my first love and specifically target Harlequin Intrigue. The first book I wrote for the line and submitted—ONE GOOD MAN—sold! That rejected Shadows manuscript went on to sell at Dorchester—and I wrote 2 more stories for them. But, my home is now with Harlequin.
I first met my agent, Pattie Steele-Perkins, at a conference where I attended a workshop with a panel of agents. (I had already had one agent—the adage is true, a bad agent is worse than no agent. My first agent didn’t steal money or anything illegal, but she just wasn’t assertive on my behalf. I quickly learned that she wanted me to do the footwork, make the connections, etc., while she reviewed the contracts and negotiated after the fact. I wanted someone who would be my cheerleader out there—who would seek out publishing opportunities that were right for me, and who would work for me as a valued team member, not just as a consultant after the fact. I needed someone with more clout and connections in the industry, as well.) I liked what Pattie had to say, and liked her manner. She seemed like a good fit personality-wise for me, and she is. We complement each other, I think. After selling 2 books on my own, I had determined that I needed an agent to a) be seeking out opportunities for me as I was still teaching full-time and raising a family in addition to my writing, and hadn’t the time/energy to continue doing it myself, and b) work on career planning with me. After submitting to her, Pattie called me and we chatted at length about our mutual expectations. Shortly thereafter, we met one-on-one at another conference, and she eagerly agreed to represent me. It’s been a good partnership.
Do you have anything that just came out?
My most recent book, PULLING THE TRIGGER, came out in June 09. But my next release, BEAUTY AND THE BADGE, is out in December 2009. (November 09 on www.eHarlequin.com for those of you who like to get books early!) I just learned that BEAUTY AND THE BADGE earned a 4 ½ stars, Top Pick! Rating from Romantic Times BookReviews. Cool!
![Beauty & the Badge[1]](http://www.virginiagruver.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Beauty-the-Badge1-150x150.jpg "Beauty & the Badge[1]")
Here’s the back cover blurb for BEAUTY AND THE BADGE:
Beneath his gruff exterior beat the heart of a prince…
When girl next door Beth Rogers pounded on Detective Kevin Grove’s door in the middle of the night, she awakened not only the cop, but the diehard protector. His spunky neighbor had uncovered scandalous secrets about a murder and someone was threatening to silence her…permanently.
After one heartbreak too many, Kevin was ready to call it quits. With his brawn and tough guy looks, no woman had been able to see the caring soul that lurked beneath. But with one look into Beth’s frightened eyes, the true-blue hero couldn’t turn her away. Now, with every step leading them closer to danger, the safest place was in each other’s arms.
The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge—Bonded by brotherhood, forged into men by the badge they wore.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m finishing up a proposal for the Harlequin TEEN line. It’s not a sale yet, but I love YA books—I’ve taught them and read them for many years. Natashya Wilson, Editor for the TEEN line, invited me to submit a YA romantic suspense proposal to her, and I’ve been eager to give it a try.
Next up, I start in on a new 4-book miniseries for Harlequin Intrigue called THE PRECINCT: S.W.A.T. TEAM 1. The first book, tentatively titled PROTECTING THE SOCIETY PRINCESS, is started, but I’d like to get about halfway done before the holidays hit. I’m truly excited to be writing these books. They feature the S.W.A.T. team members introduced in my October 08 Intrigue, PRIVATE S.W.A.T. TAKEOVER. The team appears again in my April 2009 Intrigue, TAKEDOWN, which features the team’s leader, Captain Michael Cutler as the hero. The S.W.A.T. TEAM 1 miniseries will feature the men and women who work for Captain Cutler. These will be full of plenty of danger and action, some very naughty bad guys, a deadly mystery, and some of the biggest, baddest heroes you can imagine.
What would you do if a publisher asked you to change a major part of your story, like the ending? (Is it more important to get published or to be true to your story?)
This is a question where my answer would be, it depends on the situation. The one thing I would guard voraciously is your unique writing voice—that is the one thing that makes you, well, you. No one else can tell a story just the way you can. So if the publisher asks for something that will change that voice, then I would think long and hard before doing so.
However, when you’re first trying to get published, you don’t have a lot of leeway to take the creative high road. You can, of course, but it may make it harder to get published. Publishers know what they want. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other writers who may be equally talented, who are trying to sell to the same publisher. They’re going to look first for great writing, for someone who really knows how to tell a story. But if it doesn’t fit a particular line, or isn’t quite right for the type of story they want to publish, then you’ll be rejected no matter how great a writer you are. If a publisher is interested in your writing, but thinks your story needs some tweaking, I’d give it some consideration. Often, they point out something that you or a CP might have missed, and you’ll agree that it improves your story. Sometimes, they really love the book to a certain point, but there’s a section or subplot that isn’t equal par with the rest of the story, and their suggestion is to make it all a great ms. Publishers are also looking for someone they can work with, someone who can take direction, act on it, and return a product that is even better—so making those big changes can prove that to them.
And keep in mind—if an editor takes the time for her busy schedule to give you notes, then that means she sees real promise and a potential sale. They won’t ask to see a revised manuscript if they don’t think it can be turned into something they want to publish. If they offer suggestions, but don’t ask to see a revised version, then it’s up to you to make the changes or not to your story. But if they DO ask to see a revised version, and you really want to be published with the company, then I’d consider making those changes and sending it back as quickly as you can. (Another big mistake than can get a story rejected is when they ask for revisions, but the writer doesn’t turn them around in a timely fashion—you want to get the story back on the editor’s desk while she’s excited about discovering the writer/project in the first place. After too long, she’ll move on and you’ll be stuck in the slush pile again.)
Another option, if you don’t want to change your story, is to get back to the editor immediately and state that you feel it would hurt the integrity of the story, but you have something else that may be appropriate that you’d like to send instead, would she consider it? Of course, that option only works if you have another completed manuscript you can send out right away.
Do you have some words of wisdom for us unpubs?
Read lots of books by the publisher and in the line you want to write for. Not capturing the right tone of a line, or submitting something that is wrong for the line is the #1 reason mss get rejected. You’d be surprised at how much of the wrong stuff is sent to editors.
Write. Complete stories. The only way you can sell that first time is on a completed manuscript. And the best way to learn about writing skills, story structure, sustaining conflict, building tension, crafting complex characters readers will care about, etc., is by actually writing them. I believe there is no wasted writing. You can learn something from every manuscript you complete, whether it sells or not.
Write what you love. If you sell that first book, the publisher is going to want more of the same type of story from you to help establish your name and build your sales. So make sure you love what you’re doing because you’ll be doing it for a while. They can’t sell you as an unknown, but they can sell your story as a steamy romantic suspense or a character-driven inspirational or a funny erotica, etc. After you get a few releases under your belt, then it’s easier to branch out and write different things. Also, by loving what you write, it makes it a little easier to withstand the bumps and bruises that go along with trying to get published.
My personal website: www.juliemiller.org
You can read my monthly newsletter there, get a printable Book List of my books, find shopping deals at eHarlequin, read cover blurbs and a free novella, find my appearance schedule and upcoming books, get info on entering my seasonal Book GiveAway contests and more.
I blog regularly on the Intrigue Authors Group Blog at: http://community.eharlequin.com/content/harlequin-intrigue-group-author-blog
My writers’ group/RWA Chapter is the Prairieland Romance Writers at: www.prwne.com
A bit of interesting info: My husband, Scott E. Miller, is also a published author. He writes Young Adult historical fiction, set in Nebraska. You can find info on Scott on my website, as well.
Thanks again.
Virginia
Shopping for Tween Readers Meet Eileen Boggess
Eileen Boggess is another local author I met at the Author Fair here in Des Moines this fall. I think you will agree that she has a very interesting story:
Where are you from?
I was born in Davenport, IA and currently live in Urbandale, IA
How long have you been writing?
I started writing stories in elementary school, but didn’t start writing for publication until I was in my 30’s. I always say I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up until I was already grown.
What do you write?
So far, I’ve written three books for the middle school or “tween” audience. I used to teach middle school and I love this age!
Tell us a little about your publisher and agent.
My editor is Bruce Bortz at Bancroft Press. Bancroft Press is a small publishing house in Baltimore, MD. I do not have an agent.
How many books have you published so far?
3 books. Mia the Meek (Bancroft Press, 2006), Mia the Melodramatic (Bancroft Press, 2008), and Mia the Magnificent (Bancroft press, 2009)
What is your writing day like?
I am currently running the Urbandale Food Pantry, so my writing days have become few and far between. But when I am lucky enough to dedicate an entire day to writing, I usually stay in my pajamas and write from 9:00 to 2:30 P.M. Then I rush to take a shower and go get my kids from school—I am usually late J
Can you tell us how you found a publisher and/or agent?
I found Bancroft Press through the Writer’s Market Guide. I submitted my first chapter of Mia the Meek to them and didn’t hear back for a year and a half! An intern eventually found it buried in the slush pile, really liked it, and asked for the rest of the book. Luckily, I had been revising my manuscript during that year and a half, so when I sent it to her, it was in pretty good shape.
Do you have anything that just came out?
Mia the Magnificent was released on December 1.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a young adult book that includes a scandal, a dead body, and of course, tweeting.
What would you do if a publisher asked you to change a major part of your story, like the ending? (Is it more important to get published or to be true to your story?)
Mia the Melodramatic, my second book, originally took place from the summer after Mia’s freshman year to the middle of her sophomore year. My editor thought the story should only take place during the Mia’s summer vacation. So, I cut the book in half and stretched the first half of the book. When I sent my revised manuscript to my editor, he said that there wasn’t a story arc, which was true because it was only half a book. So, I rewrote the entire book and it turned out to be a lot stronger than my original version. Oftentimes, an author can’t see the weaknesses of their own writing. It is usually a good idea to take your editor’s advice—especially since they are the ones who pay us.
Do you have some words of wisdom for us unpubs?
Write for the joy of it, but learn the business side as well. When I wrote Mia the Meek, I was a 7th grade teacher. I assigned my students the task of writing a realistic fiction book and when they complained about how hard the assignment was, I told them I would write one with them. I started writing about a shy girl named Mia and had so much fun telling her story, I kept on writing until I finished a book. Thinking I had created a masterpiece, which would eventually make me rich and famous and become life-long friends with J.K. Rowling, I submitted it to a bunch of editors and agents. After I received 38 rejection letters, I decided maybe my manuscript wasn’t as great as I originally thought it was. So, I joined SCBWI (Society of Book Writers and Illustrators), joined a writer’s group, studied the craft of writing, and through a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck, I eventually got published.
My website is www.eileenboggess.com.
I’m not a tween but the book Eileen is working on that includes a scandal, a dead body and tweeting is intriguing. I was unable to include Eileen’s newest release, Mia the Magnificent on this blog but you should be able to recognize Mia on the cover. Thanks for the interview. If anyone is looking for young adult Christmas presents, you might check out Ms. Boggess’ work.
Until next time, keep writing,
Virginia
Meet Sharelle Byars Moranville
This week I’d like to introduce Sharelle Byars Moranville. We met at an Author Fair at the Central Library in Des Moines recently. We spoke briefly and because she is a local author, I wanted to give her the opportunity to introduce herself to my readers. She writes for a variety of ages and I think she has an interesting story.
Where are you from?
I grew up deep in the rural America where the stars still blaze in the night sky and some people still say “y’all.”
How long have you been writing?
Fifteen years (disregarding two very bad novels in my college days).
What do you write?
I write fiction for all ages: adults to young children.
Tell us a little about your publisher and agent.
I did four novels with Henry Holt between 2002 and 2007. I have a novel for young readers coming out in 2011 from Disney Hyperion. I’m agented by Writers House.
How many books have you published so far?
I’ve had four books published, several short stories, and some articles on the craft of writing.
What is your writing day like?
I get up early—about five-thirty—and try to write at least three hours before the world starts knocking and ringing. I find I can’t do truly creative writing after breakfast—however I can revise. Right now, I’m working on a revision of THE HOP (forthcoming 2011). And since it’s revising—rather than original writing—I can put in eight and nine hour writing days if I need to.
Can you tell us how you found a publisher and/or agent?
My first book went (unagented) over the transom at Henry Holt. That said, I knew the editor’s tastes because she had edited some of my favorite writers. She was gracious enough to want to do three more books with me, and during that time I found an agent.
Do you have anything that just came out?
The Snows came out in 2007. It’s a four-generation family saga set between 1931 and the present.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m into deep in revision of The Hop (coming in 2011). It’s a novel for young readers about a gutsy little toad who is called to save the world. To do it, he has to kiss a nasty human (on the mouth) and turn her into a nice toad. But of course, the kissing part doesn’t work exactly like it’s supposed to. Still, he does make his way to Reno, does discover rock and roll music, does kiss the Queen of the Hop, and does save the world.
What would you do if a publisher asked you to change a major part of your story, like the ending? (Is it more important to get published or to be true to your story?)
I’ve been blessed with incredibly talented editors who have asked me to change beginnings, endings, and middles. Whole sections (once 75 pages) have been cut and replaced with very different stuff. Sub-plots have been ditched. Characters have been re-envisioned. I’m fearless about revision in the hands of a talented editor.
Do you have some words of wisdom for us unpubs?
Never give up. If your writing skills are truly good, it’s largely a matter of timing. Your project has to hit the right editor at the right time—and the stars have to stay lined up right through the whole process.
Be professional. Join organizations that help you network with other writing professionals. Continue your writing education. Stay informed about the industry.
Don’t take rejection personally. Think of your editor as yourselfshopping for shoes at Von Maur. You have an eighty-dollar budget. You need an 8 narrow. The shoes need to be the perfect heel height for your jeans and have open toes. You already have nice shoes in black, gray, and dark brown and you can’t afford to duplicate. You’re really looking for something in pumpkin. Obviously, you won’t buy the brown oxford even though you love it and it’s on sale because you already have something like it. You won’t buy the Donald Pliners you also love because you can’t afford them. The pumpkin Naturalizer is great, but it doesn’t come in your size. You love dozens of wonderful shoes in the store! But most just don’t fit your needs. So you leave them on the shelf with regret. For a long time, you remember the really special pair of strappy black sandals, and you wonder what lucky person is wearing them. I think editors feel that way. They hate to say no to good projects. But like you, they can’t buy every shoe they want.
If an editor takes the time to write a personal note with a rejection, take what she says seriously. She has given you the gift of her time and she must think your project is worth it. Probably she’s giving you wonderful free advice.
I can be found at www.sharellebyarsmoranville.com
Thanks again. I love the idea of editors comparison shopping for books like we do for shoes. I’m sure your advice will be as valuable to other writers as it was for me.
Until next time, keep writing.
Virginia
Half-Way for Nano
“I thought I saw you at the write-in last night but then I looked again and you were gone. Are you a Ninja?”
A fellow Nano writer sent me that post on facebook today. No I wasn’t at the write-in last night. I spent the evening going out to dinner with my husband. It’s the middle of the month so I should be at the middle of my 50,000 words. I’m not, quite. I am at the middle of my story, almost so I guess I’ve outlined it pretty close. I need to spend some time today working on the last half of my outline. I know how I want the story to end I only need to figure out how to get there now. I’m debating on whether to go to the write-in today or not. I can count on getting 2000-3000 more words in the short amount of time that we meet and that, in itself, tempts me to go. I also am still looking for work so am spending most of my days during the week alone and I am craving human companionship.
I thought I had the job thing taken care of last week. I had a phone interview and I thought it went well but I also am aware that there were probably several hundred applicants who didn’t even get the phone interview. They were interviewing for two spots that would be kind of a test for that position and that they would be adding to that department within the next 90 days. So, no I didn’t get one of the two openings but I am hoping they will remember me when they start hiring more. In the meantime, my person at the temp agency sent my resume out Friday for a position that has seven openings. It won’t start until end of next week or the beginning of the following, so I’m thinking the odds are that I will have plenty of time to catch up with my Nano writing this week. My plan is to send resumes to everything that I might have an interest in, and aptitude for, early in the week and then instead of worrying around waiting to hear from people, I will write. Writing is one thing I can control in my life right now and like Martha Stewart would say, “It’s a good thing.”
Hope your writing is going well and either way, keep at it. I hope to have a book review for you early this week. I have several more author interviews in the works. Sharelle Byars Moranville, an author I met at the Author Fair – here in Des Moines a few weeks ago. She writes fiction for all ages and has published four books so far. I’ll post her interview on the 23rd of this month. Can’t wait to share what she has to say.
Until next time, keep writing.
Virginia
Guest Blog – Meg Waite Clayton
Growing up (isn’t that when most dreams start?), I was a huge reader. I dreamed of writing books like A Wrinkle in Time, but the adults I knew were businessmen—not even business women; the “ladies” were moms and teachers and nuns. Even a girl going to law school was a stretch. My husband, Mac, was the first adult to whom I admitted my childhood aspirations to write, and he gave me a great big push. He said, basically, “Your dream, Meg. How will you ever know unless you try?”I used to think that to be a published author you had to be able to leap tall literary buildings in single bounds, something I’m quite sure I’ll never do. I don’t think I bring any unusual talent to the blank page, but what I do bring is an unusual amount of determination. Every writer I know who has gotten published does.
I can’t tell you how many times I submitted my first novel to agents, and how many times I revised it after getting rejected, before I found an agent to represent it. I actually found three agents in the last round, so those last revisions must have done some good – but not enough, apparently, because the first agent I went with didn’t ever sell it. That happened a few years later, after I’d gone back to the drawing board, starting writing stories and essays, and found a new agent.
The first thing I published, an essay in Runner’s World, sold quickly. But I collected hundreds of rejection slips for short stories after that. My approach: sumit, revise, submit again. And again. And again.
How did I find an agent? I am a big fan of the cold query. The over-the-transom, you-have-no-reason-to-pick-me-except-that-I-can-tell-a-story approach. I honestly believe every agent worth having dreams of finding a great book, and brings nearly as much passion to his or her dreams as we writers do. If you were an agent, wouldn’t you?
An introduction might garner you a slightly more polite rejection – maybe a letter rather than a form. An engaging query letter, though, no matter where it has come from, will find most agents flipping to your first page, and if your first line is engaging, they’ll read on. If your work looses their interest at any point, they’ll likely set it down – again, no matter how your work came to them. If you’re not sure how to write a query or find agents, visit the Writers’ Page on my website, and don’t miss the goodies in the desk drawers there.
The path to publication for my second novel, The Wednesday Sisters, was not a straight line by any means, either. I left the agent who sold my first novel and found another to represent it, only to unraveled the literary knitting I’d done with him six months later and put my needles to work again, alone. I signed with a new agent – my true-love agent – and even then I went through half a dozen drafts, to get it right.
When it was pretty close to right, it sold quickly to a publisher.
Did I revise more then? Yes, indeed. But when The Wednesday Sisters was published, it hit the San Francisco Chronicle bestseller list in its second week out, went into a second printing in its third week, and a third printing in its fourth, becoming a national bestseller, too. Moral of story: revise, revise, revise.
But don’t just take my word for it. Visit my blog, 1st Books: Stories of How Writers get Started, to see lots of stories, mostly written by the authors themselves, about how much persistence it takes to break into print. Even Jane Austen faced rejection: it was fourteen years – yes, fourteen! – from the day Pride and Prejudice was first submitted to a publisher until it was published. And it sure wasn’t because it wasn’t good.
And continue to believe in your work. As Linda in The Wednesday Sisters says, if you don’t believe in your own work, how can you expect anyone else to?
Best of luck with your writing!
-Meg
Thanks to Meg for a great post. I will be posting later this week with an update on my Nano adventures. Each year when I do Nano I tell myself this is a great opportunity to get into the habit of writing daily and if I get nothing else out of this, it’s still worth the effort. This year I want more. I came into the month with a decent outline of the first half of my story. I have been enjoying it so far but this year I want more. I want to have a story that I can revise and actually send out. I know that 50,000 words are not going to be enough but I plan to work through the end of the year completing this novel with hopes to start revising in January. I’m feeling good so far. Has your Nano experience been worthwhile, so far? Want to share some tips?
In the meantime – keep writing!
Virginia
Nano Update Two
Nanowrimo has been enjoyable so far. I have been able to keep up word wise even though I skipped yesterday with no really good reason. I have attended two of the local write-ins and I’m planning to attend tonight’s. So far we met Sunday afternoon at a coffee shop called Smokey Row. Great location, coffee was good and I plan to actually get something to eat there next Sunday. I ate before I left last Sunday because the previous year we met at a coffee shop that had no food and I hadn’t eaten, thinking I would there, and about starved to death. Learned my lesson.
Tuesday night we met at a coffee shop, I know I already called it by the wrong name on facebook earlier this week, Kryptonite Coffee. Part of the reason for my confusion was because the name on the store itself was Coffee and Comics. They sold comic books. On a small sign as you pulled into the parking lot, it said Kryptonite Coffee. Well whatever it’s called, it was a convenient location, on Des Moine’s southside for fifteen of our local writers. Together, I believe, we wrote over 40,000 words. I met my goal so I was happy.
I’ve set a goal of 2000/words per day and so far it hasn’t been difficult meeting that goal. I think, in large part, it is because I have a nice outline of the first half of the story. I am continuing to outline as I go so feel confident that this will be a much better experience than in the past.
I have adopted a reward system for that daily word count. I have yet to decide how I will award myself for the larger steps along the way, say every 10,000, 25,000 and 50,000 words completed. I will figure out something when I get there. Hopefully I will cross the 10,000 word mark by this evening. For the smaller goal, I confiscated my son’s M&M dispenser. The one that shows the two pieces of candy sitting at the movie theater with their 3D glasses on and an empty popcorn container between them. When I reach my daily word count goal, I pull the one character’s leg and a few pieces of candy fall into the bucket and they are all mine. It also was a chance to multi-task. I’m getting rid of left-over Halloween candy without gorging.
I hope all of you who are participating are having a little fun along the way. Sure it feels great to reach that 50,000 word threshold but it’s even better when you can enjoy developing a daily habit of writing. You can’t do that if you burn yourself out trying to make your goal in two weeks instead of allowing yourself the full month. Did I really say that? Last year I struggled to meet my goal. This year it feels much easier. I think it’s because of the time I’ve spent writing since Nano 2008. I have enjoyed that journey.
In the meantime between your daily writing binges, take a few minutes to check out my blog links. I’ve added some really interesting ones. I now have a true set of links for when I have time to do the blog crawl. Don’t overdo the writing, take time to smell the roses along the way. I guess that could be difficult, at least where I live, in the midwest. Take a walk in between and savor the smell of fall with the aroma of your neighbor’s fireplace and crunch a few leaves.
First Day of Nano Update
I stayed up Saturday night until 1:30 in the morning because I was so in the zone with outlining my story for Nano. So far I have outlined the first 10 chapters. I have decided what the murder is all about and I have two sub plots going.
My main murder involves a someone who didn’t take a bad rejection lightly. The story also has a sub-plot that is based off of a true crime that happened here in Iowa several years ago. Of course I don’t know all the details but what I do know I’ve embellished to make the story even more interesting. My close friends and past buyers (from when I was a Realtor) may remember the story. It was one I used to explain why the seller was required to sign a document called the Ground Water Hazard form and involves disclosing what may be buried on your property.
I attended the first write-in this afternoon at Smokey Row, a coffee shop in the Sherman Hills District of Des Moines. I surpassed my word count goal of 1667 words a day by writing about 2300. It has helped having an outline to follow. Since I’ve only outlined about half the story so far, I will continue outlining as I go. I really have a good feeling about this story and hope my enthusiasm will carry me through to the end. The 50,000 words necessary for Nano will not be enough to finish the story but my new goal is to have the first draft complete by the end of the year and start revising the first week in January. At that time I will be looking for either a critique group or at least a couple of readers.
Hope your writing is flowing smoothly and if you are taking the Nano journey with me, I wish you good luck.
Until next time, keep writing, plotting, and reading.
Virginia
November and Nanowrimo
At first I was going to forget about doing the Nano thing this year but as the days got closer to November, I changed my mind. I did attend the kick-off event last Sunday and since I am in between work assignments, I have been spending my time this week really working on the plot and outline of my story.
Part of me feels like I’ve been floundering. I’ve been reading more than one book for advice. I’ve read Lights, Camera, Fiction by Alfie Thompson a writer friend I met several years ago. It had lots of great advice. I followed up with the Book In A Month(BIAM) by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Ph.D. and have been filling out all the worksheets in hopes of developing my story better. I will continue to fill out the forms and develop my story right up until November 1st and this year I will hopefully have enough of a story to complete for a novel by the end of November.
By attending the kick-off event, it stirred up the good memories from past events. If you have never participated, maybe this is the year you should give it a try. There is an energy at the write-ins that feels productive. I don’t always get that much out of the push yourself to the limit exercises the group I attend promote but I do feel the energy of so many fellow writers. I will participate but it will be with the focus of creating something worthwhile that I can revise later. My plan is to write the minimum per day word count , which is about 1667 words per day, and add to it at the two events per week, I plan to attend. That way, I can more than make the word count needed to succeed and hopefully finish with a feeling of true accomplishment this year.
As far as my blogging this month, I plan to interview a couple of the participants in my local group for this site. One in particular is a guy named Demon. He threatens to take your soul if you fail to get the word count. I will continue with author interviews but they will be twice a month instead of weekly. I hope to add a little more writer interest content to this site in between those interviews.
In the meantime, keep writing or plotting, and as always keep reading!
Virginia
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Subscribe to my blog- Introducing Sarah Oltrogge March 4, 2010 Virginia
- Meet Ryan Sloth February 14, 2010 Virginia
- Shutter Island January 31, 2010 Virginia
- Week 4 – What to Do – Plot or Characters? January 27, 2010 Virginia
- Quiet Saturday January 24, 2010 Virginia
- Jobs and Writing January 22, 2010 Virginia
- Week 3 – Who’s Your Audience? January 18, 2010 Virginia
- Introducing Tricia Currans-Sheehan January 14, 2010 Virginia
- Week 2 – Brainstorming January 12, 2010 Virginia
- Week 1 – The Spark of an Idea January 8, 2010 Virginia
Read in 2010
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