Several days ago, I came across this blog post by the lovely Sarah LaPolla of Bradford Literary. For obvious reasons, I found it deeply encouraging (because, yanno, WAITING).
Seriously. Take a few minutes to read it. Those of you who have been around here for awhile know that I am the poster child of The Long Journey That Still Hasn't Brought Me Somewhere Quantifiable (or something like that). I'm not giving up, and neither should you, regardless of what stage you're at.
(Unless, of course, you've determined that it actually IS time to give up. But that's a different story.)
The "overnight success" stories are the ones that burn our ears and whisper to us that the cards are stacked against us. And yes, sometimes a first query round DOES produce an agent. And sometimes a first round of submissions DOES produce a book sale in five weeks.
But that's not the norm.
Go read Sarah's blog post, and then come back here and tell me what you think. Honestly, this is a must-read for ANY author currently on submission, and any serious writer in general.
And thank you, Sarah, for being a voice of encouragement to those who are determinedly seeking the traditional route to publication. Today you are our champion!
Miss Snark's First Victim
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
"Are You Hooked?" -- Adult Fiction
Since this month's Secret Agent contest included only children's literature, I'm opening submissions today for adult fiction.
Want some solid critique on your first 250 words? Enter them between noon and 6 pm EDT tomorrow! The bot will pick 25 entries, which will post on Thursday morning for critique.
This critique round is open to all manuscripts, complete or incomplete. (Note: please proofread before submitting.) All adult genres except erotica and erotic romance are included.
Submit your entry HERE.
Questions below!
Want some solid critique on your first 250 words? Enter them between noon and 6 pm EDT tomorrow! The bot will pick 25 entries, which will post on Thursday morning for critique.
This critique round is open to all manuscripts, complete or incomplete. (Note: please proofread before submitting.) All adult genres except erotica and erotic romance are included.
Submit your entry HERE.
Questions below!
Monday, August 4, 2014
A Monday Success Story
(Because what better way is there to start the week?)
Here it is, in the author's own words:
Hi Authoress,
First, thank you for the clarifying blog post about your e-mail accounts! Otherwise I wouldn't have known how to send this.
I've visited your blog regularly for the past five years for inspiration, encouragement, to learn about the industry, and to take advantage of contests and critique opportunities.
I was lucky to get a spot in the Feb. 2013 secret agent contest with a YA Fantasy I was querying. I didn't get a request, but I think it was something that needed to happen. Even though, as Beth Revis would say it was a "book of my heart," I knew it was time to move on.
After that I finished up a YA contemporary. I was fortunate to participate in the October 2013 Logline critiques, but sadly did not make the Baker's Dozen cut. You kindly offered 3 page critiques, so I sent you my pages. Your feedback was very helpful.
I took your suggestions and rewrote the first 15-20% of my novel and then entered the query pool. I was getting full requests! From multiple agents.
And then I waited. And waited.
I tried my luck at the May 2014 Secret Agent Contest, but the bot didn't choose my number.
In July I received an offer! And more requests!! And another offer!!!
I'm thrilled to say that I've signed with Adriann Ranta of Wolf Literary Services.
You've played an ongoing role in my development as a writer. Not just because of the critiques and contests. You inspired me to keep dreaming and persevering. I want to thank you and send a hug across cyber space.
Happy dancing and writing!
Best wishes,
Anita Saxena
----
It gets better! Anita also created this video to celebrate her success (and it had me in tears):
GO HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO
(I am beyond annoyed that Blogger wouldn't let me upload this so that you could watch it right here. Trust me, I tried.)
All best to you, Anita!
Here it is, in the author's own words:
Hi Authoress,
First, thank you for the clarifying blog post about your e-mail accounts! Otherwise I wouldn't have known how to send this.
I've visited your blog regularly for the past five years for inspiration, encouragement, to learn about the industry, and to take advantage of contests and critique opportunities.
I was lucky to get a spot in the Feb. 2013 secret agent contest with a YA Fantasy I was querying. I didn't get a request, but I think it was something that needed to happen. Even though, as Beth Revis would say it was a "book of my heart," I knew it was time to move on.
After that I finished up a YA contemporary. I was fortunate to participate in the October 2013 Logline critiques, but sadly did not make the Baker's Dozen cut. You kindly offered 3 page critiques, so I sent you my pages. Your feedback was very helpful.
I took your suggestions and rewrote the first 15-20% of my novel and then entered the query pool. I was getting full requests! From multiple agents.
And then I waited. And waited.
I tried my luck at the May 2014 Secret Agent Contest, but the bot didn't choose my number.
In July I received an offer! And more requests!! And another offer!!!
I'm thrilled to say that I've signed with Adriann Ranta of Wolf Literary Services.
You've played an ongoing role in my development as a writer. Not just because of the critiques and contests. You inspired me to keep dreaming and persevering. I want to thank you and send a hug across cyber space.
Happy dancing and writing!
Best wishes,
Anita Saxena
It gets better! Anita also created this video to celebrate her success (and it had me in tears):
GO HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO
(I am beyond annoyed that Blogger wouldn't let me upload this so that you could watch it right here. Trust me, I tried.)
All best to you, Anita!
Friday, August 1, 2014
Friday Fricassee
You know that "inner editor" thing--the one you can't seem to turn off when you're supposedly reading for pleasure?
Yeah, that. It encroaches upon my life on a regular basis. This never happened before I decided to write seriously--I was actually able to read a book and not be bothered by (or notice, for that matter), the odd typographical error or misspelling. Reading was, well, pleasurable.
Oh, how things have changed. I find myself silently editing everything from directions on a web page to the latest YA novel on my lap to --gasp-- the Bible. I'm sure this has increased exponentially because I'm now freelance editing, so a lot of my reading is supposed to be nitpicky and problem-findy.
It's just--how do you turn it off?
And, of course, the editing monster really rears its anal retentive head whenever I'm drafting or revising. I know there are many writers out there who adore the unfettered freedom of spilling out their souls during a draft, without worrying about much of anything. Because, that's what revisions are for, right? But me? I've got to craft every sentence. Hear every line of dialogue naturally and believably in my head before I'll move on from it.
And yes, I draft this way. I still get my 1000 words a day (which is one first draft in about 3 months). And I revise this way (under normal circumstances, a hefty revision takes me about a month). So it's not like I don't get my work done. It's just...ponderous. Not at all spew-guts-and-clean-up-later.
I'm fine with that--it's the way I am. It's just that sometimes I wonder how it would feel to not be this way. To be able to sit down and let it flow.
(Funny. I don't have any problem with nonfiction. It flows. Blogging is effortless. But fiction is another story.)
Recently, I posted on Facebook about how hard it is to write stories (because, yanno, the Muggles need to know this, right?) I mentioned that, for me, words come easily, but writing the actual story (plotting, logic, etc.) is much harder.
And a friend of mine who is a life-long piano teacher (and who knows that I am also a pianist), said this in response:
That comes from years of piano practice -- you know it can always be better.
Her words struck me, because I believe she's absolutely right. I've studied the piano since the age of 6. I majored in it at college, where I spent hours and hours perfecting my repertoire. And at the end of the day, it could always be better.
That sounds sort of hopeless, but it's not. You see, in those 4 years of college, my piano skills grew beyond measure. I came in as a floundering freshman who was a bit behind on her technique, and ended up reaching a height of musicality and proficiency that I had barely dreamed of.
Not perfect. Always room for improvement. But so much growth.
So, yeah, it can be exhausting to be so attuned to every detail of my work. And I'm sure that drafting would feel almost effortless if I could let go of my intense word-crafting. But when I look back over the past several years and see how much I've grown as a writer, I'm glad for the way things are. Because, clearly, it's working for me.
What about you? Does your internal editor drive you crazy when you read? When you write? Or are you able to let it all go and simply throw yourself into a maelstrom of words that you figure you'll fix later?
Share! Part of growing is learning how others do things. And you know how much I love hearing from you.
Have a glorious weekend!
Yeah, that. It encroaches upon my life on a regular basis. This never happened before I decided to write seriously--I was actually able to read a book and not be bothered by (or notice, for that matter), the odd typographical error or misspelling. Reading was, well, pleasurable.
Oh, how things have changed. I find myself silently editing everything from directions on a web page to the latest YA novel on my lap to --gasp-- the Bible. I'm sure this has increased exponentially because I'm now freelance editing, so a lot of my reading is supposed to be nitpicky and problem-findy.
It's just--how do you turn it off?
And, of course, the editing monster really rears its anal retentive head whenever I'm drafting or revising. I know there are many writers out there who adore the unfettered freedom of spilling out their souls during a draft, without worrying about much of anything. Because, that's what revisions are for, right? But me? I've got to craft every sentence. Hear every line of dialogue naturally and believably in my head before I'll move on from it.
And yes, I draft this way. I still get my 1000 words a day (which is one first draft in about 3 months). And I revise this way (under normal circumstances, a hefty revision takes me about a month). So it's not like I don't get my work done. It's just...ponderous. Not at all spew-guts-and-clean-up-later.
I'm fine with that--it's the way I am. It's just that sometimes I wonder how it would feel to not be this way. To be able to sit down and let it flow.
(Funny. I don't have any problem with nonfiction. It flows. Blogging is effortless. But fiction is another story.)
Recently, I posted on Facebook about how hard it is to write stories (because, yanno, the Muggles need to know this, right?) I mentioned that, for me, words come easily, but writing the actual story (plotting, logic, etc.) is much harder.
And a friend of mine who is a life-long piano teacher (and who knows that I am also a pianist), said this in response:
That comes from years of piano practice -- you know it can always be better.
Her words struck me, because I believe she's absolutely right. I've studied the piano since the age of 6. I majored in it at college, where I spent hours and hours perfecting my repertoire. And at the end of the day, it could always be better.
That sounds sort of hopeless, but it's not. You see, in those 4 years of college, my piano skills grew beyond measure. I came in as a floundering freshman who was a bit behind on her technique, and ended up reaching a height of musicality and proficiency that I had barely dreamed of.
Not perfect. Always room for improvement. But so much growth.
So, yeah, it can be exhausting to be so attuned to every detail of my work. And I'm sure that drafting would feel almost effortless if I could let go of my intense word-crafting. But when I look back over the past several years and see how much I've grown as a writer, I'm glad for the way things are. Because, clearly, it's working for me.
What about you? Does your internal editor drive you crazy when you read? When you write? Or are you able to let it all go and simply throw yourself into a maelstrom of words that you figure you'll fix later?
Share! Part of growing is learning how others do things. And you know how much I love hearing from you.
Have a glorious weekend!
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
August Editing Openings
Part of me is in denial that I'm actually talking about August. (Right?)
I've got one opening for a Premiere Critique during the first week of August.
PREMIERE CRITIQUE:
As always, you can also hire me for a regular 30-page edit for $95, or a 3-page, see-if-your-opening-is-working edit for $18.
I've got one opening for a Premiere Critique during the first week of August.
PREMIERE CRITIQUE:
- detailed line edit of your first 75 pages
- editorial letter
- guaranteed 1-week turnaround
- $260 - half up front, half when I've finished the project
As always, you can also hire me for a regular 30-page edit for $95, or a 3-page, see-if-your-opening-is-working edit for $18.
Please send all inquiries to authoress.edits(at)gmail.com.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)