The Magical Part of the Process

This has been a month of major deadlines--a YA historical due to the editor mid-month, 60 articles on children's and YA authors due today, and a 3-sample-chapter request from a book packager. Plus NaNo--which got a bit sidelined with all the traveling for the holidays. (Although part of that travel meant I got to spend time with my fav CPs from PA!!)

Now I've met all my deadlines and I'm ready to start on a new project. It's temporarily under wraps, but I've started some research and hope to get a lot done on it over the next month or two. I'm working with a great collaborator (it's actually her idea that we're working on). It's exciting to work with someone so enthusiastic and supportive!! Can't wait to see what we produce together. And thank heavens for the Internet and cell phones as we live on opposite sides of the country.

Right now I'm in the fun stage of the project--the preparation. It always reminds me of getting ready for the first day of school. The blank pages of new notebooks and smell of sharpened pencils and pointiness of unused crayons. The anticipation.. The adrenaline surge when everything is fresh and new, and anything can happen.

So much of writing is just showing up to the page, churning out word counts, ignoring carpal tunnel syndrome and stiff necks. So before the newness wears off and the dull dailiness sets in, I'm taking time to revel in the broad expanse where anything can happen and usually does. This is when magic happens.

What part of the writing process do you find magical?

Bonus: I've shared some wisdom about rejection letters and bad reviews on the Downtown YA blog. If you're feeling discouraged, you might want to pop over there for a little encouragement.

Are Published Writers Divas?

If I'd had a crystal ball, I would have made a prediction about an anthology I've been editing. Several well-known authors have contributed stories. Very exciting, except I was worried about dealing with divas.

And I definitely am.

They fight every suggestion made by me or the other editors, copyeditors, and proofreaders. Even when five people on the editorial team insist something isn't working, they totally ignore the suggestions. They skip over requests for edits, so the manuscript has to be sent back multiple times requesting the same rewrites. They're so tied to their words that they argue about even small changes. Exactly what I was expecting, except...

The writers who are doing this are NOT the big-name authors.

The multi-published authors are a dream to work with. They turn in their edits on time and do a wonderful job on any requested rewrites, making the story stronger each time. They say "thank you" for the suggestions and say that the edits have improved the story. And every single one of them ends with a final line something like this: "If this doesn't work, please let me know, and I'll be glad to rewrite it."

So who are these divas I'm working with? They're the pre-published writers, the newbies, the ones who have had two magazine stories published in local magazines. They're the ones who are so puffed up about being included in an anthology with "real" authors that they cling doggedly to every word, every idea. "If this story was good enough to get me accepted, it should be ready to publish as is" is their mantra. They fail to realize that most editors accept on potential, not perfection. And sadly, they're making a name for themselves as being hard to work with, which may mean this could be their only shot at publication.

So while my peek into the crystal ball was accurate, the details were murky. I've learned that far from being divas, published authors are willing to work at their craft and seek ways to improve what they write. Which, most likely, is the real reason they're published.

Rejection Letters Getting You Down?

If you're struggling to keep submitting after receiving a stack of rejection letters, maybe this story from More. com will help you get back on track. Kathryn Stockton persisted even after 60 rejection letters. And now she not only has a book, but a movie deal too.

And if you've recently received a rejection letter that you need help interpreting, here's a site that offers some spot-on translations. See Reading Between The Lines for clues to the editor-ese.

Connections

Years ago when I was a struggling--and starving--writer, I agonized about paying the dues for a national writing organization. At that time, it came down to a choice between paying the dues or buying groceries for my five children. Which would you choose? Of course I forked over the dues--after squirreling away nickels and pennies for a year and setting aside my birthday money. And I've never regretted the decision. It set me on the course to being a professional, and well-paid, writer.

This week, when I was contacted to write material for a high-profile, national TV series, that sacrifice paid off big time. I traced a line back from this job opportunity to a writing assignment 3 years ago with a major textbook company, which came about from contacts at a CA book publisher who was shutting down, which came from a referral by a magazine editor, who knew and had published work from one of my critique group members--a friend I'd made through that writing organization more than 10 years ago. Without that friend, I'd never have found my first paying writing gig. Without that friend, I'd never have had my first book contract. Without that friend, I never would have made this long, convoluted journey to being a paid writer.

Each one of us is interconnected, and you never know when an author you meet may hold the key to your success. And conversely, you never know when you might be that vital link in the chain for another writer. I've heard it said that you're only 6 people away from publishing success (provided you've studied your craft and worked hard). You never know who that person might be, so it pays to be generous with your time and knowledge whether the person you meet is a newbie or an experienced writer. Help others as much as you can. Someday they may help you in return.

As a I look back along my writing path, I see many friends and critique partners who contributed to making me the writer I am today. I could have never done it without their support. And, though I still have a long way to go and much to learn, these cheerleaders, mentors, and supporters have moved me much farther along that path than I ever could have gone on my own. I only hope that I, in turn, aided them in their journey. So many thanks to all of you out there for what you've contributed to my life. You know who you are...

And so, I offer you all a networking opportunity. Here's a chance to meet one of my many groups of colleagues, friends, and fellow writers:

Several of The Wild Rose Press authors have banded together to offer a blog bouquet today. Twenty authors are each offering a different prize for stopping by and commenting on their blogs. Who knows what possible connection might open up for you by meeting these authors! I wish you all the wonderful friendships and possibilities that meeting other writers can afford. Good luck!!

Hope you enjoy getting to know every one of them:

www.amberleighwilliams.blogspot.com
www.authorsstudio.blogspot.com
www.bettyhanawa.blogspot.com
www.christineclemetson.blogspot.com
www.findagreatromance.blogspot.com
www.freewebs.com/lesmora
www.freewebs.com/teriwilson/apps/blog/
www.grgiall.blogspot.com
www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com
www.jennfrancesca.blogspot.com
www.joycemoore.blogspot.com
www.lianalaverentz.blogspot.com
www.LindaHopeLee.blogspot.com
www.lje1.wordpress.com
www.noveltrails.blogspot.com
www.plotsandthoughts.blogspot.com
www.tanyahanson.blogspot.com
www.tinagayle.blogspot.com
www.traveltheages.blogspot.com
www.willtravelforromance.blogspot.com

Going Postal

Today I once again ventured into the breach. I spent the weekend polishing my next epic fantasy, First Dragon, and researching the market. I don't have an agent, so a few NY publishers are closed to me. I selected the four 'big' guys who still put out sword and sorcery and typed up query letters for each of them. Two of them had guidelines asking for the entire manuscript to be submitted and two wanted only the synopsis and the first three chapters.
All that was as normal, but keep in mind, I haven't submitted anything to these guys since Medallion Press contracted my last epic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Futhark. My romance novels go to ebook publishers and all the communication, edits and submissions are online.
But not New York. One of the major fantasy publishers asked for the entire manuscript to be submitted as an attachment in an email. The other three, including the one who wanted the entire novel(all 400 pages) wanted it sent by snail mail. All three asked to have a SASE included so they could sent communication back to me. Not send my manuscript back, but send just my business size envelope back. They're all going to 'recycle' my expensive ink and paper. One even dared to say they wouldn't send it back because it would 'cost' the author too much for the return postage. The other two admitted because of a change in postage, they know had to go to the post office to return the package when before the postman would pick it up at their office.
I always reuse those chapters unless they've been wrinkled and bent. Four hundred pages are nearly a ream of paper!
So yesterday I stewed while my printer spit out the paper. I cursed when I had to put in a new ink cartridge. I growled when I raced from work to get to the post office before it closed. I nearly cried when I ran my card through the little gadget to pay the postage for those three packages.
I know most of the big NY houses now have their books available in ebook for kindle or other readers, but when are they going to get with the program in submissions? Think of the trees that could be saved? The time and gas of visiting the post office. The time and expense to the author. All these things could be put to better use.
What do you think? Will NY figure this out?

Prom Mania

My publisher, Wild Rose Press, is promoting our YA line, Climbing Roses, throughout the month of May 2009. All books are discounted, and Prom Mania has begun. Join us for prizes, quizzes, craft ideas, funny & embarrassing prom stories, and more.

If you comment on the blog and mention you saw the Prom Mania logo here, your name will be entered into the drawings for fabulous prizes. Check out the excitement at http://twrpclimbingrose.blogspot.com/.

For authors interested in writing for the young adult line of The Wild Rose Press, stop by http://www.behindthegardengate.blogspot.com/ between 9-10 p.m. EST tonight, May 1, 2009, to meet Climbing Rose editors on the editor blog. Or drop into the chat room http://client0.addonchat.com/sc.php?id=160587 on Thursday, May 14, 8-9 p.m. EST. The editors can answer any questions you may have about writing for or submitting to TWRP.

Posted by Laurie Edwards, author of Rihanna (People in the News) and Summer Lovin'