Happy Independence Day everyone! Hope all of my U.S buddies have a wonderful day!
Today, the superbly talented Elizabeth Seckman speaks to us about the adventures of publishing. It is a topic Elizabeth knows all about as her first book, Past Due, has recently been published and is now available to buy!
Looks good, yes? :D Now, I will hand you over to Elizabeth!
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During this ‘trying to get published
adventure’ I spend quite a bit of time cheering on and being cheered on by
other writer friends ( and of course by my husband, who I must add has recently
asked to be included in the edit process and I am now imagining all the
poignant places he’ll want to add some fight/sex scenes and
spandex bikini wardrobe changes…but that’s a topic for another time…)
For today, as I closed an email from a
friend who offered up all the love and support a wavering wannabe could ask
for, I decided it was only right to give back. So this is a post for the
aspiring writers.
*Now, I know not everybody in the world
wants to get a book published, but for the half of the world that does, here's
a thought...
Getting an agent or an editor is like
dating. You shower and dress pretty for each date. But not every date ends in a
score. Sure, some have more luck than others and their every date becomes a
sure thing, but they are the exception, not the rule.
For the rest of us? Plan to put your party
shoes on and dance till your feet blister and you think your shoes just might
wear out...then you may be getting close to that magical moment when the stars
align and love strikes.
What to do until then?
1. Enjoy each date. There's something to
learn from each one...even the toughest 'don’t call me’s, I’ll call you’s' teach you something.
2. Respect your date. Just because they
didn't show the love doesn't make them an idiot. Follow up hate mail will only
flag you as the idiot that you are.
3. Don't make every date a blind date. Find
out a little something before you ask them out. Do they share the same interests? Like the same kind of books? Why
waste your time and sensitivities on people who aren’t even your type?
4. Find a writer buddy. You'll need a
shoulder to cry on, preferably one who understands that a 'personal rejection'
is something to be brag about. (And who
can be trusted better than a friend to let you know you have spinach in your
teeth before you head out of the house?)
5. Always remember, your first love is
rarely your true love. Keep creating while you’re planning other dates~you
don't have the luxury of wallowing in the past or in a single work.
I know you’ve heard it all before but I’ll
bore you with it again… If at first you don’t succeed, then write, write again.
Cause as long as the band is
playing....then we shall dance!
Chin up, fingers cramped, and God will
bless. :)
****
Many thanks Elizabeth for sharing your wisdom! If you'd like to buy Past Due, you can do so here. :D
Excellent advice Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. Now I know where I'm going wrong - my shoes aren't pretty enough :-D
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Elizabeth - and thanks for hosting Kyra!
I happen to love your shoes! You just have to find somewhere to dance in them where they play the sort of music that makes your toe tap!
DeleteLovely post and wise words, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Few people ever call me wise. ;)
DeleteGreat analogy :)
ReplyDeleteshe does sound very wise indeed :)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! I love the analogy. And yes, I've heard that as much advance information as possible is best. Those blind dates are scary!
ReplyDeleteHaha. Very funny dating analogy. I loved it! :-)
ReplyDeleteLove it! I'm still waiting for my special someone. :)
ReplyDeleteThis made me laugh... great analogy.
ReplyDelete