Last week a coordinator called to say my latest WIP finaled in her chapter's contest.
I couldn't have been more surprised. So far this year, in four other RWA sponsored contests, this story received scores ranging from 60% to 95%. Not once did it make it into the final round.
I'd pretty much lost hope of it ever seeing the light of day, and considered abandoning the story altogether.
All that changed with one little phone call. Will the editor deem my story 1st, 2nd or 3rd place? Will she request to read more?
Time will tell. But for now, I'm back in the running. And in the life of an unpublished writer, that's all that counts.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
"I Just Didn't Fall in Love...."
Today I received a response from an agent I really hoped would represent me.
She started by thanking me for letting her take a look at my current project. She pointed out the publishing business "is based on personal taste and I'm afraid I did not fall in love" with your story. She ended by wishing me the best of luck with my future endeavors.
"I just didn't fall in love...."
No matter how polite or professional a reply, being rejected hurts.
It could, however, have been worse. Much worse. She did not leave me hanging, wondering, guessing, hoping. She took time from her busy day to send a personal reply. Along with an explanation as to why she choose not to represent me. And she did it within three nail-biting weeks of when I sent her my query, synopsis and three chapters.
She did not suggest I hang onto my day job for dear life because I will never make it as a published author. She did not say my story was the worst drivel she's ever been forced to read. She did not say I have zero grasp of the English language.
She simply stated the truth. Her truth. She did not fall in love with my story.
As painful as her admission is to the ever-fragile writer's ego -- and I'll admit it's taken me all day to come to terms with her rejection -- I'm grateful for her honesty. You see, as much as I want an agent, I don't just want any agent.
I want an agent who loves my voice. I want an agent who is excited to get her hands on my latest story, and I want an agent who is eager to pass it along to an editor. I want an agent to be with me every step of the way of my career as a published author. To do that, my agent HAS to love my work.
I'm confident that special person is out there. Somewhere. Just waiting for me and my stories. We haven't met yet. But we will. Wait and see.
She started by thanking me for letting her take a look at my current project. She pointed out the publishing business "is based on personal taste and I'm afraid I did not fall in love" with your story. She ended by wishing me the best of luck with my future endeavors.
"I just didn't fall in love...."
No matter how polite or professional a reply, being rejected hurts.
It could, however, have been worse. Much worse. She did not leave me hanging, wondering, guessing, hoping. She took time from her busy day to send a personal reply. Along with an explanation as to why she choose not to represent me. And she did it within three nail-biting weeks of when I sent her my query, synopsis and three chapters.
She did not suggest I hang onto my day job for dear life because I will never make it as a published author. She did not say my story was the worst drivel she's ever been forced to read. She did not say I have zero grasp of the English language.
She simply stated the truth. Her truth. She did not fall in love with my story.
As painful as her admission is to the ever-fragile writer's ego -- and I'll admit it's taken me all day to come to terms with her rejection -- I'm grateful for her honesty. You see, as much as I want an agent, I don't just want any agent.
I want an agent who loves my voice. I want an agent who is excited to get her hands on my latest story, and I want an agent who is eager to pass it along to an editor. I want an agent to be with me every step of the way of my career as a published author. To do that, my agent HAS to love my work.
I'm confident that special person is out there. Somewhere. Just waiting for me and my stories. We haven't met yet. But we will. Wait and see.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Staying Focused Through Thick and Thin
I began the new year by making some writing goals: (1) to complete three manuscripts, (2) to enter more contests, and (3) to submit to agents and editors.
So far, I'm on track. I've written 40,000 words (give or take). I've entered three manuscripts in eight different contests, and I've submitted my work to two agents.
One would think that would do wonders for my confidence. I mean, I'm doing what I set out to do. Right? I should feel good about my accomplishments.
Well, yes and no.
Entering contests and submitting to agents and editors means opening oneself up to rejection. Of not making it to the finals in a contest. Or being told your latest work in progress just did not grab the reader. Or thanks for your submission, but our agency does not wish to represent you.
That can be a hard pill to swallow. And sometimes, all the inner critic needs to grab you by the throat and send you into a tizzy.
But rejection, like the dreaded inner critic, is part and parcel of being a writer. With the good comes the bad, and visa versa. The publishing world is a tough business. It requires writers to have thick skin and an overwhelming belief that despite the odds, they have what it takes to succeed.
And so rather than listen to my inner critic and bemoan my recent 4th place result in a contest, I'll celebrate it and acknowledge it for what it is - one more small step up the ladder of success. Why? Because a published writer is not someone who never fails, but a writer who never quits.
That's me.
So far, I'm on track. I've written 40,000 words (give or take). I've entered three manuscripts in eight different contests, and I've submitted my work to two agents.
One would think that would do wonders for my confidence. I mean, I'm doing what I set out to do. Right? I should feel good about my accomplishments.
Well, yes and no.
Entering contests and submitting to agents and editors means opening oneself up to rejection. Of not making it to the finals in a contest. Or being told your latest work in progress just did not grab the reader. Or thanks for your submission, but our agency does not wish to represent you.
That can be a hard pill to swallow. And sometimes, all the inner critic needs to grab you by the throat and send you into a tizzy.
But rejection, like the dreaded inner critic, is part and parcel of being a writer. With the good comes the bad, and visa versa. The publishing world is a tough business. It requires writers to have thick skin and an overwhelming belief that despite the odds, they have what it takes to succeed.
And so rather than listen to my inner critic and bemoan my recent 4th place result in a contest, I'll celebrate it and acknowledge it for what it is - one more small step up the ladder of success. Why? Because a published writer is not someone who never fails, but a writer who never quits.
That's me.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
NTRWA Great Expectations Contest
When I first began writing (it feels like a hundred years ago) I entered the North Texas Great Expectations Contest. Being completely new to romance writing, I honestly thought I'd not only dazzle the judges with my story and words, but win.
Talk about being a total and utter newbie.
My low scores put me second from the bottom. I was devastated. Not only by my own naivity, but by the sobering realization I knew nothing about the craft of writing.
One judge, however, liked my voice. And while I was pleased to read something positive about my work, I did not understand what she meant by "voice". Another judge recommended I study POV. She found my constant head-hopping a distraction. POV? What was that?
I decided to find out.
During the next few years (yes, YEARS) I read every how-to book on writing I could get my hands on. I read Dwight Swain's TECHNIQUES OF THE SELLING WRITER. Some of what he said made sense. Some did not. I've re-read his book countless times since then, and each read through provides an "a-ha" moment. That wonderful sensation of when understanding and comprehension gel.
This past January I submitted manscript number four to the Great Expectations contest. And while this particular story was not written for the inspirational market, I "tweaked" it to fit.
The result? The first round judges liked it and the story made it to the finals.
That's the good news.
The bad news? The editor did not share their enthusiasm. Of the four entries she read, she placed my story last.
Not exactly what I was hoping for.
What did I learn from the experience?
I learned that I've improved as a writer. I learned I can grab (and hold) a reader's attention. But I also learned that if I want to be a published author I need to write for the market. "Tweaking" a manuscript to fit a specific category line may work for some writers, but not me. It's time consuming. And perhaps counter productive.
As a result, I've shelved manuscript number four. My focus now is to complete manuscript number six. Written specifically for the inspirational market, I've entered it in a contest. If this story makes it to the final round, and the editor asks to read more, I'll be ready.
Besides, there's always the 2010 Great Expectations contest. It's one of the best. (Thank you to everyone involved.)
Talk about being a total and utter newbie.
My low scores put me second from the bottom. I was devastated. Not only by my own naivity, but by the sobering realization I knew nothing about the craft of writing.
One judge, however, liked my voice. And while I was pleased to read something positive about my work, I did not understand what she meant by "voice". Another judge recommended I study POV. She found my constant head-hopping a distraction. POV? What was that?
I decided to find out.
During the next few years (yes, YEARS) I read every how-to book on writing I could get my hands on. I read Dwight Swain's TECHNIQUES OF THE SELLING WRITER. Some of what he said made sense. Some did not. I've re-read his book countless times since then, and each read through provides an "a-ha" moment. That wonderful sensation of when understanding and comprehension gel.
This past January I submitted manscript number four to the Great Expectations contest. And while this particular story was not written for the inspirational market, I "tweaked" it to fit.
The result? The first round judges liked it and the story made it to the finals.
That's the good news.
The bad news? The editor did not share their enthusiasm. Of the four entries she read, she placed my story last.
Not exactly what I was hoping for.
What did I learn from the experience?
I learned that I've improved as a writer. I learned I can grab (and hold) a reader's attention. But I also learned that if I want to be a published author I need to write for the market. "Tweaking" a manuscript to fit a specific category line may work for some writers, but not me. It's time consuming. And perhaps counter productive.
As a result, I've shelved manuscript number four. My focus now is to complete manuscript number six. Written specifically for the inspirational market, I've entered it in a contest. If this story makes it to the final round, and the editor asks to read more, I'll be ready.
Besides, there's always the 2010 Great Expectations contest. It's one of the best. (Thank you to everyone involved.)
Friday, February 27, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
One Step Forward...
It's been a busy three weeks since my last post. It began with me spinning my wheels, writing a dozen first scenes with a dozen different plots. And then, for some unexplained reason, I decided to write a young adult paranormal story.
I didn't get far. Not because it's difficult to write for that age group, but because I realized spending so much time and effort on a project that I'm not completely passionate about is counter productive to my goal of becoming a published inspirational suspense writer.
Shortly after I'd come to my senses and realized that staying focused is vital to my career, I received news my completed inspirational suspense manuscript (#4) that sat in a drawer for more than a year is a finalist in a RWA sponsored contest. The final judge is a NYC editor of a major publishing house, and I'm just thrilled I decided to dust off that story and sent it out into the world.
With renewed faith I began writing another inspirational suspense story (manuscript #6). In less than a week I cranked out 5,000 words and entered the first chapter in a contest.
It's good to be focused. It's good to have specific goals. It's good to have deadlines. But most importantly, it's good to write!
I didn't get far. Not because it's difficult to write for that age group, but because I realized spending so much time and effort on a project that I'm not completely passionate about is counter productive to my goal of becoming a published inspirational suspense writer.
Shortly after I'd come to my senses and realized that staying focused is vital to my career, I received news my completed inspirational suspense manuscript (#4) that sat in a drawer for more than a year is a finalist in a RWA sponsored contest. The final judge is a NYC editor of a major publishing house, and I'm just thrilled I decided to dust off that story and sent it out into the world.
With renewed faith I began writing another inspirational suspense story (manuscript #6). In less than a week I cranked out 5,000 words and entered the first chapter in a contest.
It's good to be focused. It's good to have specific goals. It's good to have deadlines. But most importantly, it's good to write!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Beginnings, Middles and Ends
Every writer knows a story, regardless of length, requires a beginning, middle and end. My personal story is no different. I've been writing for longer than I care to admit. Honing my craft is both an obsession and a need.
Writing, like breathing, goes hand in hand. I can no more stop doing one than I can the other. I write.
And if one writes, the beginning of a new year usually arrives with resolutions. A desire to accomplish, to attain, to DO more than one did during the previous twelve months.
My goal in 2008 was to complete my fifth manuscript and by mid September I reached 'the end'. DEFENDING GLORY, an inspirational romantic suspense, won two RWA sponsored contests. The competed manuscript is now sitting on an editor's desk in New York City.
But like most stories, that is only the middle. I have yet to learn what the ending will be. Will the story will be accepted or rejected? There are so many variables. All out of my control.
And so, just a few weeks into 2009, I press forward. I set new writing goals. I begin the process yet again.
It is an endless cycle of creation that is both a writer's curse and a constant source of hope and inspiration. It is what keeps a writer writing. How does this story end? For now, it remains a mystery. But maybe, just maybe, this sixth manuscript, this new beginning, middle and end, will make my personal dreams to be a published author come true.
Writing, like breathing, goes hand in hand. I can no more stop doing one than I can the other. I write.
And if one writes, the beginning of a new year usually arrives with resolutions. A desire to accomplish, to attain, to DO more than one did during the previous twelve months.
My goal in 2008 was to complete my fifth manuscript and by mid September I reached 'the end'. DEFENDING GLORY, an inspirational romantic suspense, won two RWA sponsored contests. The competed manuscript is now sitting on an editor's desk in New York City.
But like most stories, that is only the middle. I have yet to learn what the ending will be. Will the story will be accepted or rejected? There are so many variables. All out of my control.
And so, just a few weeks into 2009, I press forward. I set new writing goals. I begin the process yet again.
It is an endless cycle of creation that is both a writer's curse and a constant source of hope and inspiration. It is what keeps a writer writing. How does this story end? For now, it remains a mystery. But maybe, just maybe, this sixth manuscript, this new beginning, middle and end, will make my personal dreams to be a published author come true.
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