Contradictory feelings

It's a strange thing. When I finish a novel or short story, I feel excited about what I have just done. I'm sure it reads well. But at the same time, I am gripped by a incredible insecurity about my writing.

It's a contradiction.

But then I get comments from those whose opinions I trust -- both good and bad opinions. And while offering suggestions for improvements, they are always encouraging of my progress as a writer.

So, I feel better and keep writing.

Anyway, I decided to let you in on a little of my insecurities. Have a good day and keep writing.

Querying agents, Part II

I was wondering whether any other you had an useful suggestions on how to pique a potential agent's interest in representing me. Yeah, I know. Write something interesting and worthy of being read. All that goes without saying. I need some help in attracting them in the first place.

I always read up as much as possible on an agent before I query them. I visit their website, read anything I can find of their writing if it is relevant, read comments on them by others. But is there something I'm missing?

Agents mention different things about what catches their eye in a query letter. But even that can be random.

One agent who blogs alot states repeatedly about the three rules she needs to see in a query letter. But she also shows a query letter that she loved -- she went on to request a full manuscript -- that broke all those rules.

That makes it hard to discern what an agent may ultimately want.

So, as I am completing a list of agents to query, any advice from any of you would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

And thanks for reading.

5 Stages of Querying

I saw a really interesting online article last night at Writer's Digest called The 5 Stages of Querying. While the author admits they are not all encompassing, she listed them as: Conceit, Fear, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. The author also included helpful methods for dealing with each.

When I sent out my first queries for my first novel, FIGHTING CHAOS, I was certainly in the first stage. I thought the novel was brilliant and a smart agent would see that. And I was surprised that the first agent I queried rejected me via e-mail in under 15 minutes, which, by the way, remains my record rejection response time.

But as my writing improved, as did my knowledge and understanding of the publishing industry, I came to understand why the query and the book never made it anywhere. The story is still interesting, I think, but both the storytelling and the writing are seriously flawed. It reads like it was written by an amateur, which it was. Some of my favorite parts of the book are the oldest and if I ever totally re-write the novel again -- it has gone through seven drafts -- they will be the first to go, never to be seen again.

I'm not ready for that yet. I still love those parts.

As I have grown, conceit generally hasn't been the problem. Of the five, I battle depression in the form of intense anxiety. I try to accept what might comes next when I send out material but the expectation of a positive outcome generally overtakes me. And if I let the expectations of a negative outcome overtake me, I begin to hesitate sending out more queries or requested material.

The article helped, however. And I always remain hopeful and optimistic over time. Sooner or later, something is going to happen. And until then, I will plan my next steps and work on my next novel (which I haven't titled yet, in case you were wondering).

So, carry on, as will I.

And thanks for reading.

Hooray for Megan

I planned to post on my blog tomorrow but today I got some of the most wonderful news --that is short of the wonderful news of me getting a publishing contract. And so I had to write today.

My friend Megan Messina Bostic has a contract and is on her way to being published!

I have never seen Megan face-to-face. We met online during the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. But I have always felt a certain kinship with her. She was an aspiring novelist, like me, only further along. She has a blog, plus a video blog, plus read and reviewed books. All that was in addition to writing, and being a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and a host of other things.

The woman is a superhero. I wouldn't be surprised if she has a cape hidden somewhere in her house.

But more importantly than all that, she has always been a terrific online friend -- encouraging and supportive.

Unlike some who took part in ABNA last year and, perhaps, this year as well, Megan has never been one to belittle another writer. She has never seen one writer's success as a threat to her own. She has always been a cheerleader for writers struggling against the long odds of success.

I also feel that way and have said so at other times in my blog. As we all fight to succeed, one writer making it isn't a blockade for those left behind. They are a trailblazer paving the way for others to hopefully follow.

I couldn't be happier for someone's success. It nearly brought tears to my eyes. Megan is a person who deserves it. So, in her honor this afternoon, I did a Happy Dance.

I don't know the details of Megan's deal or when her book comes out. I suspect some time next year or in 2012. But regardless, I am going to get my copy of MENDING FENCES -- I read part of it last year and liked what I read -- and will make sure my friend signs a copy, even if I have to drive all the wat to the West Coast to have her do it.

Megan, well done. Well done, indeed!

Thanks for reading and, like Megan Bostic, don't give up on writing.

Birthday

I have had a really good birthday today. I received many, many wonderful birthday wishes from friends and family. And many reminded me that the coming year should be my best.

I think that is true but it won't be unless I do my part to make it so.

In the last two-and-a-half years, I have finished three-and-a-half novels -- FIGHTING CHAOS, DEATH AT THE JUNGLE-BUNNY JOURNAL, and AN UNTIDY AFFAIR, with THE DEATH OF ART sitting at the 40,000-word mark. But I still an unpublished and unagented. Why? I'm not all together sure. Writing is a hard and lonely task. I have worked hard at it.

And while I have queried agents, networked with writers and others in the profession, entered contests, attended conventions and conferences, and reached out into the biosphere, I am not further along than I was at the end of 2007, when I started blogging. I have read and researched and tried many of the things writers do to get noticed. Nothing has really worked.

But I must also admit, at least to myself, that I have tried harder at the creative part of my job as a writer than I have at the business end. It is understandable. Many writers are more comfortable at writing than with promoting themselves or their work. But I know -- and I have blogged about this in the past -- publishers aren't going to come looking for me. I have to go to them.

So this year, as my birthday gift to myself, I pledge to re-double my efforts to improve me writing and to make myself more visible and viable in the industry. Then this will be the best year of my life, which I believe it can and should be.

Thanks for reading and don't give up. I won't.

ABNA

Well after the entry period had started, I decided this year to enter the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. I entered last year with DEATH AT THE JUNGLE-BUNNY JOURNAL, though I changed the title to A MURDEROUS DISPATCH. (I have since changed it back.)
The contest last year was a brutal experience that left me sad, depressed and somewhat angry, and not so much because I failed to advance far in the contest. Some of the comments in the threads were horrible and totally uncalled for. However, I met a number of truly amazing writers in ABNA, many of whom I still communicate with and consider my writing buddies.
I didn't want to have the same experience this year so I decided to submit AN UNTIDY AFFAIR under a pen name and vowed not to read the threads, at least not as often as last year. But I wasn't as enthusiastic about it this year as I was at the beginning of last year. I didn't want to expose my ego to the harsh political realities of the contest again. I didn't think it was worth it.
I went about preparing my entry before the deadline, which ended on (some date, I can't remember) or when they had 5,000 entries. All day of the deadline submission day, the submission period remained open. But at about 11:23 p.m., 37 minutes before the closing, I went to enter and the submission period had already ended.
I was a little down-hearted at the time but quickly got over it. Many friends entered and most made it into the quarter final round. The 250 semi-finalists were announced yesterday and a few good friends didn't make it.
However, what I admire about the friends I have through ABNA is that they are unfailingly supportive. Writing is a hard and lonely task, but knowing good writers who are on the same path -- some further along, some not -- is always a comfort and helps keep you going.
So, if you don't have any writing buddies get some. They will be an encouragement.
That is my advice for the day -- that, and listen to music that you love when you write.
Thanks for reading and don't give up on writing.

Some helpful advice

I went to an author talk and book-signing this evening to hear a totally delightful author named Julie Kramer. She has two books out in a series -- STALKING SUSAN and MISSING MARK. And, like me, she is a journalist. She done quite well for herself, having gotten great reviews for her first book, published last year, and is now out promoting the second, published this summer.

I bought her first book, of course, and had it signed. And I plan to purchase the second book after I finish reading the first.

I asked a lot of questions afterwards and would have stayed to ask more except that the store was closing up shop. But she gave me a couple of very good pieces of advice -- one which I knew (and hadn't yet totally taken to heart) and one which is new to me and will probably prove to be very helpful.

The first is to be able to describe your novel in a single sentence. I know that but I have a hard time coming up with a single thought to express the entire work. Julie, who didn't outline her first novel ahead of time but did outline the second (mostly, apparently, because the editor insisted), came up with a single line for her novel BEFORE she wrote the manuscript and before she even knew who the killer was. I didn't do that.

In fact, now that I think of it, I don't even write the headline for my stories until after I have written it. I have a hard time thinking of my writing in such a simple, direct way. However, I do know I will have a hard time getting someone interested in my work without that simple, direct statement.

I came up with something back in March -- actually, my wife, the marketing diva, came up with it back in March -- and I am going to revisit that, re-familiarize myself with it and go forward with it to see how it works.

I gave Julie my card, which I'm sure she will promptly lose, and told her I will see her at Bouchercon in October and would have a sentence for her by then.

The other piece of advice was new to me but was also excellent. She said read the debut novel of my favorite successful authors to focus on why their characters intrigued me. What wonderful advice. My favorite novel is TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY. And while it was not John Le Carre's first novel, it was the first in a series. And I love the way he developed interesting characters that I cared about. It is very character-driven and, if he were trying to get his first novel published today, would probably have a hard because there is so much backstory and so little action. But it is still an excellent book. I read it every 18 months to two years or so.

And I have looked at Janet Evanovich's first Stephanie Plum novel. It is in first person and I write in third but there is something urgent about the way she introduces characters and plot quickly, even before you are totally aware of it.

I will have to give the entire idea of reading deovels some thought and, perhaps, will let you know how it goes.

Talking to a successful novelist has its ups and downs. The downside, of course, is the question of why I haven't made that jump yet. There is a certain envy going on there. But the upside is that someone has made it and so there is no reason to think I can't.

So I will stay positive and keep working. And so should you.

Thanks for reading and keep writing.

Persistence

Reading Donald Maass is quite informative, and somewhat depressing. His book, WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL, doesn't pull any punches. And frankly, it shouldn't. But that doesn't mean it is any easier to take.


Regardless of all the practical information -- and there is a lot -- the one overriding impression I have gotten so far is that you must be persistent -- persistent in working to improve your craft, persistent is advancing your craft and persistent in promoting your craft.

I wish there was a shortcut for that. But, of course, there isn't.

And in the end, persistence is the reason I started this blog and is the one piece of advice I want to continually offer to any readers who happen upon my postings, as well as to myself.

So thanks again, Donald Maass. Perhaps I will have the chance to thank you in person in October at Bouchercon in Indianapolis (and maybe have you sign my book).

Thanks for reading and don't give up on writing.

A good day

I had a good day today. I felt like a writer. Not that I don't feel like a writer most of the time but today was a particularly productive day.

I reread the writing of two authors in my critique group who are due for critiques. And while haven't yet written the critiques, which are due tomorrow, I feel I have them well in hand. I sent out several e-mails to Sisters in Crime members regarding tomorrow's meeting and I feel am ready for tomorrow's meeting. It will be my first as secretary. Better take a couple of sharpened pencils. (I like taking notes in pencil.)

I got an e-mail regarding a two-day mini-conference in May that has a fellowship for new authors with works in progress. The deadline for applying for a fellowship in mid-March and requires roughly 1,000 words of a work in progress and a one-page synopsis. So, I took the first chapter of "The Death of Art," which is 2,300 words without the ending with the guy in the BMW. And I cut that chapter down to a mere 1,085 words without destroying it. I will eventually use most of the material I cut but it was good to edit it and see it was still good.

I started to seriously work on the three- to -five-page synopsis I need for my pitch session next Saturday. I already have some of it and I am expanding it and it is going reasonably well. I decided I just need to relax and tell the story. Everything else will work itself out.

I got two good freelance jobs today, including one that could lead to some on-going work.

And finally, I got a rejection e-mail today. But it was kind and considerate, and it didn't upset me too much. Really, it didn't upset me at all. I sent back a quick thank you and marked the agent off my list.

So it was, overall, a good day to be a writer and a good day to be alive.

Thanks for reading. Have a good day and don't give up on writing.

Writing style, and an embarrassment

I was reading my Writer's Digest today and I learned something, which, of course, is a good thing. There is something called "The Chicago Manual of Style."

As I have mentioned before, I am a member of a critique group in my local chapter of Sisters in Crime and have been reading material from the other members for the last 10 months. Also, since entering the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest, I have been reading excerpts written by other entrants. And I have been amazed at the style other people use. In many cases, it is very different from what I am used to, particularly when it comes to numbers and when to write them out and when to use numerals.

I am used to AP style. As a journalist, wire service style is the standard in the newspaper industry. Yes, it can vary a little from paper to paper. For example, at The Philadelphia Tribune, which is a Black newspaper, the word black is always capitalized when it refers to African Americans. But the basic style remains the same.

Since I had never heard of the Chicago Manual style, I haven't used it, although apparently it is used in the book industry. So I will have to investigate what it is, how to get a copy of what the style is and perhaps get a copy of the style book. Apparently, according to the article in WD, editors and publishers also recognize AP style but it must not be the first style used.

The most important thing mentioned in WD is that whatever style is used, it should be consistent. And that I agree with.

And on to another subject, when I logged in today, I noticed I got a comment from my last posting. It wasn't one of my best because I was angry and frustrated at the time I wrote it. But what does it matter? Only me (or is it I?) and a couple of my friends ever read this blog.

But I was totally bowed over to see it was from writer Chris Roerden. How in the world did she ever hear of this blog? And why in the world did she have to read that one? I felt so embarrassed. She must think I am a hack. (She wouldn't be the first.)

And I would go back and edit that posting but I may not. Mostly I want to remember what I was thinking and how I was thinking when I look back on my postings. The way it is is probably the best indication of that. But if other people start reading it . . .

Thanks for tuning in Chris. I look forward to meeting you at the convention in October.

Thanks to everyone else for reading and don't give up on writing.

Sisters in Crime

I got a call yesterday from the president of my local chapter of Sisters in Crime. She said the newly elected chapter secretary was resigning for personal reasons and asked whether I'd be interested in serving in that capacity.

I had reservations that I did not express to her but on quick reflection, I agreed. The job doesn't take too much. I already attend all meetings. I will just have to take notes when I do.

Although it is not called as such, it is as reporting secretary and corresponding secretary because after I write up the minutes, I send them out to be read and do most of the correspondence of the chapter.

The Speed City chapter of Sisters in Crime is not that big, only 39 members currently, down five from last year, and six of the members are men. There is only one other black person that I have seen, although Jim, the owner of the bookstore where we meet, is a person of color. Does that count?

I am happy to serve because this organization has helped me so much in the past year. I have grown a lot as a writer and much of the credit goes to the members of the Speed City chapter of Sisters in Crime. They welcomed me with open arms and I appreciate it. I pledge to do the best I can for the chapter.

Thanks for reading and keep writing.

The Death of Art

Last week wasn't a good week for me from a personal perspective. There were some things going on that tremendously clouded my focus and undermined my attention. One would think that work -- in this case, writing -- would help but I was too unfocused.

And then my new material was due on Friday to the members of my critique group and I had to decide what type of writer am I. Can I work when I'm totally unmotivated or not?

I wrote.

I wrote the next chapter in "The Death of Art," which, in this case, is Chpter 3. I wrote 3,300 words over about 10 hours, including the time I took to attend my youngest daughter's high school football game. (She is a cheerleader.)

The due date for the material was Friday and, unfortunately, I didn't finish before midnight. I didn't finish until about 1 in the morning. But I sent it so they would have it first thing Satuday morning.

I feel a sense of accomplishment for getting it done. It wasn't brilliant, of course. It was a first draft. But the work got done and, while not perfect, it is still pretty good.

I guess this coming Saturday I will learn how good (or bad) it is. But the most important thing is that I got it done. And that is one of the first characteristic that define a writer or a wannabe. A writer gets it done.

So that's it for the moment. Those are my thoughts. Thanks for reading and don't give up on writing.

A perfect day

It is gloomy outside today. There's a total cloud cover and it's cooler than it has been for some time. It's fall, of course, and soon the leaves should really start turning and falling. I don't have an assignment deadline until later in the week and I had to postpone a luncheon appointment I had for today with two editors. I don't to take a child to a doctor's appointment or cheerleading practice. I don't have to take someone to school. In fact, everyone is out of the house and should be gone until about 6.

In other words, it's a perfect day to write. I can sit and concentrate in peace. I don't have to worry about any interruptions. I can't remember when I had such a perfect alignment of events at home.

I am not one of those writers who feels you must physically isolate yourself in order to write. Find a place and a time in which you are totally alone. If you have a normal life with family obligations, work, social obligations and the like, it is hard to achieve that sort of isolation.

I think the isolation need only be mental and intellectual. I can -- and do -- write amidst the chaos that is the normal state of affairs in my household. People talking, television on, dog barking, chores being done, music playing.

But it is a delight to have a day when there is that physical isolation. It's just me and the dog. It's perfect.

Thanks for reading and don't give up on writing.

Authors

I like to go to book signings, although I must admit to feelings of jealousy. But I like to hear published authors discuss their craft, their books and how they got published. It doesn't matter whether they are national bestselling authors or local authors with just a few books in print. It doesn't matter. Their stories fascinating __ and helpful.

There is a positive and a negative to all this. The negative side is that I am generally jealous of their success and wonder why it hasn't happened to me. Why can't I get published? I am a good writer and am learning more about the craft and the book publishing industry all the time. It hits me over and over again that talent, while very important, isn't what determines writing success.

I can't remember how many times I have read in the last year that if Ernest Hemingway were alive and working today, he'd be an unpublished author running with bulls through the streets of some Spanish town. He'd still be brilliant but probably unpublished. And certainly he wouldn't have the stature he has today.

On the positive side is my love of authors, their books and their stories. They are an inspiration. It doesn't matter whether I think the author is particularly good or not. They have broken through, which means so could I. And so I buy their books and I read them, for the joy of reading, for clues to their success and to support a fellow writer.

So what can I do, what should I do to move my writing and publishing career along? I still don't know and am still looking for answers. All the while I keep writing and hoping.

And so should you.

Thanks for reading and keep writing.

Art vs. business

There is a difference between the art of writing a book and the business of publishing and selling a book. And because I am stuck in the place in between, I am very aware of the difference.

Writing is about art. It's the creative part. Publishing is about business, about promotion, advertising and public relations. Getting an agent is the first major step on the business side.

For the life of me, I don't know how the business side works. Yes, intellectually I have some understanding of the publishing business. But a deep understanding escapes me. And it is probably why I am not more successful as a freelance writer. I can do the work __ the writing, that is __ but promoting myself is difficult and unpleasant. And so getting more, well-paying work is difficult.

And I am afraid that publishing is going to be the same way. I can write a novel, from start to finish, in about six months. But promoting myself and my work is a difficult and unpleasant prospect. It has to be done but I'm not sure how to effectively do it.

But, with friends and colleagues, I am working on improving on the business side. I am going to a writers conference in two weeks, I am in a critique group and I am slowly growing a network of fiction writers. All of that is important in order to have a successful career as a fiction writer.

I just have to keep at it.

Thanks for reading and don't give up on writing.

Rejections

I got the first of my rejections for "Death at the Jungle-bunny Journal" yesterday, and she was quite nice, actually. It was almost encouraging.

Here are the first two grafs of my query, followed by her response:

Courier-Times owner/Publisher George Wilson was a tyrant. He was nearly as indiscreet as he was sexually promiscuous. This dismissive father and neglectful husband was more feared than liked. And now Wilson is dead and investigative reporter Jason Crown must piece together his murder.

Jason discovers the victim's long-held family secret -- a secret in which money, power and revenge collide. And it doesn't help when Jason begins to fall for one of the sexy suspects. As Jason comes to terms with his personal feelings, he must find the killer or risk becoming the next victim in “Death at the Jungle-bunny Journal.”
---
Thank you so much for giving XXXXXXXX a chance to consider your work. While I found your query intriguing, I’m afraid I wasn’t sufficiently enthusiastic to ask for more at this time. As I’m sure you know, publishing is a subjective business and it’s very likely you’ll find another agent who feels differently.

I wish you the best of luck and the greatest success.

____

The agent found the query "intriguing." That's what I'm looking for. I think I must be on the right track with the query. And I got a reply. She took the time to shoot me a short response. Not a lot of time but some time.

It's these sorts of rejections that can give a writer hope in the face of overwhelming odds. It gives a writer the strength to carry on. She is kind and considerate. It's why I like her as an agent. Too bad she's not my agent but . . . oh, well.

Keep the faith and keep writing. One day, it will pay off.

Thanks for reading.