Today I am thrilled to be taking part in Kelley Lynn and Jenny S. Morris' blog tour for Road To Somewhere! These ladies are super hard-working, and super talented, and I couldn't be more pleased that their book is now available for you all to read!
I asked Kelley to write up a guest post, and she came up with an excellent topic, which I am certain all other writers can relate to! Take it away, Kelley!
Thanks so much for being a stop on our ROAD TO SOMEWHERE release tour, Kyra. So excited to be here.
When Kyra first asked what I would like to post about on her blog I didn’t respond right away. The interest from the online community to be part of Jenny S. Morris and my release tour gets me all
emotional. It’s been a long journey for the two of us and this little book, and he support from the reading and writing community is just astounding.
So after I thought about all that, I figured out just what I’m going to talk about here on Ms. Kyra’s blog. Because she’s such a great bloggy friend and writer, like so many others out there, it
feels fitting to say it here.
Critique Partners/Betas – Where would a writer be without the kind honesty from their writerly friends? Every writer needs feedback on what works and doesn’t work in a story. We, as the author,
are just too close to the characters to see where the flaws may lurk.
Reading Community – A lot of us would write whether someone read our work or not. It’s just something we’re compelled to do. But the real reward is when others read our work, ponder it, question why the characters they love and hate do what they do. The reading community makes
our stories jump off the page into a form of reality that wouldn’t be possible
without them.
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
New! From Bloomsbury Spark, a sunny heartwarming story of discovery and sisterhood.
For Charlie, a post-high school road trip isn't just a vacation, it's life changing. While her parents think she's helping a friend move, a chance
at fame is the real reason to grab her best friends and drive to L.A. But when her super annoying, uber-responsible, younger sister, Lucy, has
to tag along, it isn't quite the summer of fun she imagined.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Kelley Lynn was born and raised a Midwestern girl. She’s not afraid to sweat and fills her free time with softball, soccer and volleyball. (Though you probably don’t want her on your volleyball team.) She occasionally makes guest appearances as a female vocalist for area bands. Music plays a large role in her writing process as well as the characters and plot
lines within her stories.
Jenny S. Morris is a YA author who loves all things geek, may have a Kdrama addiction, and prefers the rainy NW to any place she's ever lived. Road to Somewhere is her debut novel.
I asked Kelley to write up a guest post, and she came up with an excellent topic, which I am certain all other writers can relate to! Take it away, Kelley!
**
Thanks so much for being a stop on our ROAD TO SOMEWHERE release tour, Kyra. So excited to be here.
When Kyra first asked what I would like to post about on her blog I didn’t respond right away. The interest from the online community to be part of Jenny S. Morris and my release tour gets me all
emotional. It’s been a long journey for the two of us and this little book, and he support from the reading and writing community is just astounding.
So after I thought about all that, I figured out just what I’m going to talk about here on Ms. Kyra’s blog. Because she’s such a great bloggy friend and writer, like so many others out there, it
feels fitting to say it here.
It takes a village to get a book published. When I started out, I thought writing would be this calm, solitary thing. Only when I was ready to share my finished book with others would I interact with
the outside world.
the outside world.
I was so silly.
Yes, ultimately it is me and only me who can put words on a page. But from conception to physical (or ebook) copy, there are so many people who touch a given story.
Critique Partners/Betas – Where would a writer be without the kind honesty from their writerly friends? Every writer needs feedback on what works and doesn’t work in a story. We, as the author,
are just too close to the characters to see where the flaws may lurk.
Writing Community – There’s no one who understands the ups and downs of writing more than someone who’s doing it. Whether through blogs, or facebook posts, or conferences, the interaction with other writers is essentially to keep an author sane.
Agent – Not exactly necessary in today’s day and age of self-publishing, but when you’ve got a good one you wonder how you’d ever manage without. They’re an advocate for you and your work. The voice for you when pitching to the publishing houses.
Editor(s) – They’re the claymasters, taking the gem that is your story and shaping it into a far better piece than it was when you first sold it to them. A great editor understands what your desires
are for your story and makes it so that vision comes to life.
are for your story and makes it so that vision comes to life.
Family and Friends – If these people aren’t behind you in your goal to make it as a writer, life can be quite challenging. Because writing takes up SO MUCH TIME. And for most of us, isn’t our only job.
An understanding support system is vital to making your dreams a reality.
An understanding support system is vital to making your dreams a reality.
Reading Community – A lot of us would write whether someone read our work or not. It’s just something we’re compelled to do. But the real reward is when others read our work, ponder it, question why the characters they love and hate do what they do. The reading community makes
our stories jump off the page into a form of reality that wouldn’t be possible
without them.
Collab Authors – I need to put a separate bullet point for this one because, after all, this is a tour for ROAD TO SOMEWHERE, a collaboration between myself and Jenny S. Morris. There is
something really magical about sharing the creation of a story with someone else. Knowing there’s another person who cares as deeply for those characters as you do.
something really magical about sharing the creation of a story with someone else. Knowing there’s another person who cares as deeply for those characters as you do.
I’m sure I’ve forgot some, as the list really is quite extensive. Perhaps we could all share the village who helps us succeed in this business in the comments below.
Thanks so much for having me here, Kyra!
And thanks so everyone who has been a part of the ROAD TO SOMEWHERE journey.
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
New! From Bloomsbury Spark, a sunny heartwarming story of discovery and sisterhood.
A road trip. A singing competition. And super-hot cowboys. What could be better?
For Charlie, a post-high school road trip isn't just a vacation, it's life changing. While her parents think she's helping a friend move, a chance
at fame is the real reason to grab her best friends and drive to L.A. But when her super annoying, uber-responsible, younger sister, Lucy, has
to tag along, it isn't quite the summer of fun she imagined.
Add in a detour to her grandparents' ranch in Texas, and between mucking the stalls, down-home cookin’, and drool worthy ranch hands, this could
just turn into the best, and most complicated, summer of their lives.
just turn into the best, and most complicated, summer of their lives.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Kelley Lynn was born and raised a Midwestern girl. She’s not afraid to sweat and fills her free time with softball, soccer and volleyball. (Though you probably don’t want her on your volleyball team.) She occasionally makes guest appearances as a female vocalist for area bands. Music plays a large role in her writing process as well as the characters and plot
lines within her stories.
Jenny S. Morris is a YA author who loves all things geek, may have a Kdrama addiction, and prefers the rainy NW to any place she's ever lived. Road to Somewhere is her debut novel.
Great post by Kelley. Thanks for participating!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It really does take a village. :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic post! I used to think it was a solitary thing too, but I wouldn't be able to get by without the writing community now. They're awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for helping us on this tour Kyra!!! Your definitely one in my village :)
ReplyDeleteWriting definitely doesn't have to be a solitary thing. Congrats Kelley and Jenny as well.
ReplyDeleteI seriously thought it was a lone venture too. Thank God it isn't! My bloggy/writer friends are my life line in this career.
ReplyDeleteJust ordered my copy of Road to Somewhere today. Can't wait to read it!
I feel so old, because when I started writing and submitting it really was a lonely business. Writing in my bedroom, buying writing magazines to find markets, sending A4 envelopes off in the post, waiting - alone - for the reply. I wrote short stories, so the only contact I had with other people was a letter saying yes or no, and the story was published as-was (no editing at all, and definitely no discussion!)
ReplyDeleteI can't even think of anything to add to this post! We write by ourselves but we don't publish by ourselves - that's a team effort. Great post.
ReplyDeleteYes! Exactly what this post says. I'm constantly amazed at the depth of support in the writing community (and, really, by now I should stop being surprised because y'all are awesome!).
ReplyDeleteKelley your post has been very informative, because it makes so much sense that there is a writing community around a novel and it's one I hadn't really considered before. Very best wishes with your book.
ReplyDelete