Well, I can hardly believe it but it's been A YEAR since I started this blog! Happy anniversary to me! Which means that, while I haven't counted, I must have answered a couple hundred questions by now...and I hope that I've proven myself helpful and put some good juju out there in the world.
SO.
I think, as recent posts have indicated, that I'm going to shift gears a bit from here on out. I feel like I've answered just about every question related to writing that's humanly possible, so I want to expand the blog a bit to discuss a wider range of industry and writing-related subjects. Is that cool with you guys?
I'll definitely still be answering questions: so please don't think that you can't email me with them. You can, and I'll happily post them, along with my insights. But, well, I have other things to say, dammit, and I want to say 'em! :) This also might mean that I'll slow down the pace of the blog, but we'll see how it goes.
So from here on out, that's what we'll be doing. Cool?
In the meantime, if you haven't bought TDLF, why not??? Here's another rave review from the Tampa Tribune, along with another one from Coffee Time Romance. Now, explain to me again what you're waiting for? Buy it here. Buy it now.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Why Do I Write?
Yes, I'm in a philosophical mood these days.
I've been mulling over this question of late. I've been fortunate enough to receive a bevy of emails from people who have read TDLF and with whom it resonated enough that they actually took the time to track me down online and send me a few kind words. Some of these people have been touched by cancer, others are cancer survivors themselves. And their notes mean EVERYTHING to me. I mean, seriously. Here I am, just someone who had the misfortune of losing a loved one to cancer, but not anyone who battled it herself, so for these survivors to reach out to me and say, "Hey, thank you for writing my story," or "Thank you for portraying a kick-ass woman who is strong enough to wreak fury on the disease," or "Thank you for helping me to heal when cancer took my mother," well, seriously, it's truly hard to express the emotions that these notes drum up for me.
All of which has gotten me thinking. I wrote TDLF as a way to cope with my own grief. The truth of the matter is, that I'm not sure why else I wrote it. I guess, now that it's out there in the world, part of me must have written it as a way to connect with others, to share my story and hope that it resonated with them. Is this why we write? Is this why we pick up books? I guess so.
It would be easy for me to say that I write because I'm good at it. But I'm good at a lot of things - I don't expect to be paid for them. I'm an excellent Precor-er, that doesn't mean that I think I should be a professional aerobics instructor! (I'm stretching my point, but I think you get it.) I mean, I do write partially because I'm good at it, but there has to be something more than that. I suspect that some people write because they want the world to see how brilliant they are...they should only wait until they get their first scathing review or discover that the world doesn't think they are as brilliant as they anticipated. Others write because "it's their calling." But what does that really mean? (And I'm being serious in asking this.) Is it your calling to share your stories or to entertain people or to be able to make money while working in your pajamas? Which is it?
I think that I've finally realized that for me, as I said above, it's about being able to connect with people. I don't kid myself that my work will win huge prizes or land on the top of the NY Times list...but I guess that via the emails I've gotten, I now understand that I write because my story is also someone else's, and in reading the book, it helps/entertains/amuses/soothes that other person.
But what of all those unpublished writers whose work might never see the light of day? (Though hopefully it will!) Why do they write? Or even for other published authors...why do you write? I think it's an interesting question that a lot of us don't focus on...because we're too busy writing. :)
I've been mulling over this question of late. I've been fortunate enough to receive a bevy of emails from people who have read TDLF and with whom it resonated enough that they actually took the time to track me down online and send me a few kind words. Some of these people have been touched by cancer, others are cancer survivors themselves. And their notes mean EVERYTHING to me. I mean, seriously. Here I am, just someone who had the misfortune of losing a loved one to cancer, but not anyone who battled it herself, so for these survivors to reach out to me and say, "Hey, thank you for writing my story," or "Thank you for portraying a kick-ass woman who is strong enough to wreak fury on the disease," or "Thank you for helping me to heal when cancer took my mother," well, seriously, it's truly hard to express the emotions that these notes drum up for me.
All of which has gotten me thinking. I wrote TDLF as a way to cope with my own grief. The truth of the matter is, that I'm not sure why else I wrote it. I guess, now that it's out there in the world, part of me must have written it as a way to connect with others, to share my story and hope that it resonated with them. Is this why we write? Is this why we pick up books? I guess so.
It would be easy for me to say that I write because I'm good at it. But I'm good at a lot of things - I don't expect to be paid for them. I'm an excellent Precor-er, that doesn't mean that I think I should be a professional aerobics instructor! (I'm stretching my point, but I think you get it.) I mean, I do write partially because I'm good at it, but there has to be something more than that. I suspect that some people write because they want the world to see how brilliant they are...they should only wait until they get their first scathing review or discover that the world doesn't think they are as brilliant as they anticipated. Others write because "it's their calling." But what does that really mean? (And I'm being serious in asking this.) Is it your calling to share your stories or to entertain people or to be able to make money while working in your pajamas? Which is it?
I think that I've finally realized that for me, as I said above, it's about being able to connect with people. I don't kid myself that my work will win huge prizes or land on the top of the NY Times list...but I guess that via the emails I've gotten, I now understand that I write because my story is also someone else's, and in reading the book, it helps/entertains/amuses/soothes that other person.
But what of all those unpublished writers whose work might never see the light of day? (Though hopefully it will!) Why do they write? Or even for other published authors...why do you write? I think it's an interesting question that a lot of us don't focus on...because we're too busy writing. :)
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
When A Book Changes Your Mind
So I'm reading a book now (shout out to Trish Ryan!) that won't hit shelves until 2008, so I can't really chat too much about it, but I'm having a really interesting experience with it. Here's why: it's a subject matter about which I have not that much interest or experience - namely, religion - so I was really hesitant (and expressed this to Trish) about whether or not it would appeal to my sensibilities. And here's what I've found so interesting: through her writing, which is strong and relatable and at times, so funny (seriously, some of her dating experiences have had me giggling with glee on the Precor at the gym), that I've found myself tugged into her world, despite the fact that I didn't think I would be.
I've heard similar comments about my own book: that because it's about breast cancer, people aren't initially interested. But once they're drawn into the story, they discover that a) it's not really about breast cancer, just as Trish's book isn't about religion, and that b) there's a lot to learn about experiences that aren't your own or even ones that you thought would interest you so much. Rather, TDLF is about one woman's journey of finding her way in the world, and in the book, cancer is just the catalyst for that. Just as in Trish's, religion is the catalyst for her path to self-discovery. (Trish, I hope you don't mind me taking liberties here!) :)
And this was a sort of eye-opening experience with me: I tend to pick up books that might in some way reflect something that I've already gone through, but I'm learning that this is a mighty small box that I've constructed for myself. It's the reason that I haven't read The Kite-Runner (shhh!). I thought, "Ugh, I won't relate to that," but I'm guessing that just because I don't really have a HUGE interest in Afghanistan in the 70s, that there are still things to be learned, just as I'm learning about religion and spirituality via Trish, and just as people might have learned about cancer via my book.
I dunno. I can't believe that it's taken me this long to figure this out. But I guess I look at books as entertainment, even if it's heavy entertainment, so I've never wanted to slog through something that didn't immediately appeal. But I'm learning that my gut instinct might be wrong.
So let me ask you: have books ever surprised you? Have you ever found yourself interested in a book that you thought would hold little interest? If so, which ones? Or am I alone in my discovery? (Please say no!)
I've heard similar comments about my own book: that because it's about breast cancer, people aren't initially interested. But once they're drawn into the story, they discover that a) it's not really about breast cancer, just as Trish's book isn't about religion, and that b) there's a lot to learn about experiences that aren't your own or even ones that you thought would interest you so much. Rather, TDLF is about one woman's journey of finding her way in the world, and in the book, cancer is just the catalyst for that. Just as in Trish's, religion is the catalyst for her path to self-discovery. (Trish, I hope you don't mind me taking liberties here!) :)
And this was a sort of eye-opening experience with me: I tend to pick up books that might in some way reflect something that I've already gone through, but I'm learning that this is a mighty small box that I've constructed for myself. It's the reason that I haven't read The Kite-Runner (shhh!). I thought, "Ugh, I won't relate to that," but I'm guessing that just because I don't really have a HUGE interest in Afghanistan in the 70s, that there are still things to be learned, just as I'm learning about religion and spirituality via Trish, and just as people might have learned about cancer via my book.
I dunno. I can't believe that it's taken me this long to figure this out. But I guess I look at books as entertainment, even if it's heavy entertainment, so I've never wanted to slog through something that didn't immediately appeal. But I'm learning that my gut instinct might be wrong.
So let me ask you: have books ever surprised you? Have you ever found yourself interested in a book that you thought would hold little interest? If so, which ones? Or am I alone in my discovery? (Please say no!)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Getting Organized
I was wondering if you could recommend some writers' organizations I could look into joining. Do you belong to any?
The only "official" organization to which I belong is the American Society of Journalists and Authors, also known as ASJA. It's a group of talented, well-regarded journalists (they have fairly strict entry requirements), and its focus is on non-fiction journalism. You can grab invaluable contract advice from its contract committee, and I particularly enjoy the month newsletter, which has insidery tips on who is paying what, who is delinquent in payment and lots of other good scoop.
That said, ASJA does not cater to fiction writers, so I'm also debating joining The Authors' Guild. I received an invitation package when TDLF came out, but I just haven't gotten my rear in gear. But I've heard that TAG is a wonderful advocate on behalf of writers, and from what I could tell, it looks like a network of tremendously accomplished authors.
There is also the National Writers Union, which I really know very little about, and I'm sure that there are a slew of others. Anyone want to chime in on where you belong and why?
I should note that the membership I find the most valuable is at FreelanceSuccess.com, which has no strict requirements for entry - but just asks that you maintain a professional, helpful and friendly attitude on the boards. Which, for 99% of the folks there, isn't hard at all.
So where do you guys belong? And why?
The only "official" organization to which I belong is the American Society of Journalists and Authors, also known as ASJA. It's a group of talented, well-regarded journalists (they have fairly strict entry requirements), and its focus is on non-fiction journalism. You can grab invaluable contract advice from its contract committee, and I particularly enjoy the month newsletter, which has insidery tips on who is paying what, who is delinquent in payment and lots of other good scoop.
That said, ASJA does not cater to fiction writers, so I'm also debating joining The Authors' Guild. I received an invitation package when TDLF came out, but I just haven't gotten my rear in gear. But I've heard that TAG is a wonderful advocate on behalf of writers, and from what I could tell, it looks like a network of tremendously accomplished authors.
There is also the National Writers Union, which I really know very little about, and I'm sure that there are a slew of others. Anyone want to chime in on where you belong and why?
I should note that the membership I find the most valuable is at FreelanceSuccess.com, which has no strict requirements for entry - but just asks that you maintain a professional, helpful and friendly attitude on the boards. Which, for 99% of the folks there, isn't hard at all.
So where do you guys belong? And why?
Monday, July 09, 2007
Query Letter Confusion
I am writing because I am a little confused about the whole query letter thing.
Let me start by saying, I did not write a book for anyone but my daughter. I wrote her a story of her own because she hated Harry Potter, not because she read it and did not like it but because her brothers loved it.
After I wrote, “Anna and Her Amazing What if Machine” something odd happened. My daughter started passing it around to her friends. Much to my surprise, they loved it. Then my daughters teacher read it and she loved it. Together they pushed me to get it edited and ready for publishing. I did, and now I am stuck. I have read every website, and I have seen so many different variations on the query letter, my head could spin. I have sent out a few letters and no takers so far.
I could use some good advice…..Can you help me?
Hmmm, well, I'll try. To begin with, I'm not sure what "a few letters" means, but most folks have to send far more than "a few" to land an agent. I've rarely heard of writers who have sent out fewer than, at least, a dozen, and most send out five times as many. If you're serious about getting an agent, then you have to keep pitching and pitching. I started with my top twelve or so, then kept sending out a new letter every time a rejection came in.
As far as query letter format, yes, there are some variations, but in general, there are also some rules.
1) Limit it to a page. If you can't sum up your book in that amount of space, you need to figure out how to hone your writing.
2) Imbue the letter with the same voice that you use in your book. Don't just make it an, "I wrote this book and I'm sure it will top the charts" letter. Agents get that all the time and honestly, there's nothing unique about that at all.
3) Toot your own horn but depersonalize it. What I mean by that is that I would emphasize your professional accomplishments, but I wouldn't let them know that your friends and family endorse your book. That screams amateur, and frankly, agents don't care if your mother thinks it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. That's part of a mother's job.
4) This isn't a rule, but I like to set up my letters in the following format: opening paragraph is a brief, snazzy, grabs-ya summary of the book and what makes it unique. Second paragraph is a real push for why readers will love it. Third paragraph is my bio. (See last week's posts for my query letter for TDLF)
Hope this helps. Anyone else have other query letter tips to help out this reader?
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Top Freelancers' Traits
I'm still in vacation-land (mentally, anyway), but wanted to pass on this fabulous article from MediaBistro today. True, I'm quoted in it, but that's not what makes it fabulous. :) (Though that doesn't hurt!) Heh. No, it's about the top qualities you need to make it in this crazy biz.
Read it here.
Hope everyone's holiday was happy and healthy! And given that Al Gore's son was arrested for a DUI...? Well, it just goes to show, as I noted below, that education and wealth do not equal class. Period. (Please note, this isn't a political statement of any kind, just my overall disgust at Junior's behavior, and anyone else who behaves similarly.)
Read it here.
Hope everyone's holiday was happy and healthy! And given that Al Gore's son was arrested for a DUI...? Well, it just goes to show, as I noted below, that education and wealth do not equal class. Period. (Please note, this isn't a political statement of any kind, just my overall disgust at Junior's behavior, and anyone else who behaves similarly.)
Monday, July 02, 2007
Vent of the Day
Warning: non-book related vent ahead...feel free to skip if you're so inclined.
So, my husband and I are at a wedding a few weeks ago, actually, the following event takes place at the rehearsal dinner, and I'm sitting nearly across (just to the right and then across) of some dude I don't know. I overhear his conversation with the gal next to me (the girlfriend of one of my husband's friends), and cock an ear. I pick up on the fact that he's a lawyer of some sort, and the convo then goes something like this:
"Yeah, no, I could never have been a prosecutor." - Him
"Why not?" - Her
"Oh because I could never prosecute someone for things that I do, you know, like driving drunk. I mean, I do that all the time, so how could I string someone up for that?" - Him
Stunned silence - Her. And from me. Though at this point, I'm seriously considering leaping across the table, shoving a breadstick up his nose, dousing him with wine and setting him afire with a tea candle.
I mean, I just CANNOT believe that there are idiots out there like this guy: educated enough to be a freakin' lawyer, yet clearly so dumb that he doesn't even realize that he's risking not just his (stupid, insignificant) life, but lives of innocent others when he gets behind the wheel. Seriously, I wanted to punch him in the face.
Anyway, the point of this post - and there is one - is that a lot of us will be on the road over the holiday week, so please have a safe and healthy one. Morons are littered among us (and sorry, drunk driving, which is so easily preventable, is just inexcusable and one of my major causes), so please go out there and have a great time, but have a safe one too!
I'll be hanging with my fam for the next few days, so I'll be back on the blog later this week!
So, my husband and I are at a wedding a few weeks ago, actually, the following event takes place at the rehearsal dinner, and I'm sitting nearly across (just to the right and then across) of some dude I don't know. I overhear his conversation with the gal next to me (the girlfriend of one of my husband's friends), and cock an ear. I pick up on the fact that he's a lawyer of some sort, and the convo then goes something like this:
"Yeah, no, I could never have been a prosecutor." - Him
"Why not?" - Her
"Oh because I could never prosecute someone for things that I do, you know, like driving drunk. I mean, I do that all the time, so how could I string someone up for that?" - Him
Stunned silence - Her. And from me. Though at this point, I'm seriously considering leaping across the table, shoving a breadstick up his nose, dousing him with wine and setting him afire with a tea candle.
I mean, I just CANNOT believe that there are idiots out there like this guy: educated enough to be a freakin' lawyer, yet clearly so dumb that he doesn't even realize that he's risking not just his (stupid, insignificant) life, but lives of innocent others when he gets behind the wheel. Seriously, I wanted to punch him in the face.
Anyway, the point of this post - and there is one - is that a lot of us will be on the road over the holiday week, so please have a safe and healthy one. Morons are littered among us (and sorry, drunk driving, which is so easily preventable, is just inexcusable and one of my major causes), so please go out there and have a great time, but have a safe one too!
I'll be hanging with my fam for the next few days, so I'll be back on the blog later this week!
Friday, June 29, 2007
A Little Horn-Tootin'
Wanted to take today to note some new raves and reviews for TDLF.
Haven't gotten your copy yet? WHY NOT???
Buy it here: Amazon.
- One of my favorite book blogging sites, Trashionista, posted a wonderful review last week, calling it "thoughtful," "heartwarming," "informative," and yes, "funny."
-The lovely librarians at Hennepin County Library in Minnesota have a fab book blog, and this week, they highlighted TDLF, noting that they found it, "Just plain great." Woo-hoo!
And finally, Romance Junkies (rated one of the top 101 sites by Writers Digest), has this to say about the book: "A fantastic debut. I loved this book, and would recommend it to those looking for a story strong in both love and friendship."
So what are you waiting for??? Buy it now!
Haven't gotten your copy yet? WHY NOT???
Buy it here: Amazon.
- One of my favorite book blogging sites, Trashionista, posted a wonderful review last week, calling it "thoughtful," "heartwarming," "informative," and yes, "funny."
-The lovely librarians at Hennepin County Library in Minnesota have a fab book blog, and this week, they highlighted TDLF, noting that they found it, "Just plain great." Woo-hoo!
And finally, Romance Junkies (rated one of the top 101 sites by Writers Digest), has this to say about the book: "A fantastic debut. I loved this book, and would recommend it to those looking for a story strong in both love and friendship."
So what are you waiting for??? Buy it now!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
What's In A Name?
How did you feel about changing the title of your book? I like Round Trip as well! Who chose TDLF for a title--did you have to brainstorm?
Well, I really liked Round Trip too because I felt like it really played on the rounds of chemo that Natalie went through but also spoke more metaphorically to how she comes full circle and rediscovers her life.
But.
Nearly every business-y side person thought that it wasn't strong enough, eye-catching enough, if you will. So, what was I going to do? I mean, I wasn't not going to change the title when my agent so strongly urged me to (and my agent before that too), and when her whole agency agreed.
So...my agent and I brainstormed for a while, but didn't come up with anything really genius. In fact, I'm embarrassed to admit them now because they just feel so off. So anyway, my agent also asked for input from other agents at her firm, and bam, her boss came up with TDLF. While I liked the catchiness of it, I wasn't sure, frankly, how well it tied into the book, so I went back and tweaked a scene (toward the end with Susanna Taylor when they're eating scones) to make the title feel less esoteric. Once I did that, it was settled. TDLF was born.
Anyone else have his or her title changed? How did you feel about it?
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The Rejection Blues
Allison, you seem like an upbeat person. Congrats on your book, btw. I am wondering if you've experienced a lot of rejection as a writer and how you deal with it. Also, what do you think of my new blog? You can check it out at Literary Rejections on Display. I guess I'm naming names! www.literaryrejectionsondisplay.blogspot.com.
First: your blog. Hey, if you're willing to put yourself out there and risk that an editor might recognize you, then more power to you! Personally, I'd be wary because the industry is small and incestuous, and you never know with whom you might work. BUT, it seems like you're just reporting the facts and not disparaging anyone, so yeah, if you're comfy w/it, so am I. And maybe people can find solace in numbers.
As far as personal rejection? Well, I think there are different types of personalities in this world: people who take rejection personally and people who do not. I fall into the latter category. My ego must be too big or something because yup, between the magazine world and the book world, I've gotten rejected hundreds of times, and I just don't care that much. In fact, my agent and I were chatting the other day about a rejection for TDLF, and we were cracking up at it (not at the editor, I should note, just the strong distaste noted for the book in the rejection)...which was sort of the same reaction that I had at the time. What else can I do but laugh?
I dunno. My attitude is always like, "Oh well, what am I going to do about it?" Which isn't to say that you can't learn from rejection. You often can and even more often should, but I've been around long enough to know that an editor or agent or whomever isn't rejecting me when he or she says no to an idea or a pitch or even a completed manuscript. By depersonalizing it, I've already removed the emotion from the situation.
I also find that it's really helpful to get right back on the horse. When I was in the midst of my agent hunt, I'd send out a query as soon as I got a rejection back from someone. That whole "close one door as another one opens" idea.
So readers, how do you deal with rejection? Any good coping strategies?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Milking Money From Fiction
I'm an aspiring literary novelist, and have been for many years. All this time, I've also been freelancing unrelated (and un-literary) nonfiction work, both in the form of books (low-paying) and magazine articles (high-paying). My freelance work has been just a job to me -- I've mastered it enough to do it half-asleep, but I only do enough to keep the bills paid and buy time for my "real" work that I put everything into.
Now that I'm selling my novel, I feel ready to show my "real" self to the world, and never again go back to those nonfiction articles I only did for money. So I've begun to sell some of my short stories, but while I regularly got 4-digit sums for nonfiction magazine features, I'm discovering that magazine and web outlets don't seem to pay much at all for serious fiction. What should a writer in my position do to shift successfully to fiction?
First of all, congrats on selling your book! That's a big accomplishment.
Second of all, I don't have much advice that you're going to want to hear. I feel your pain - I do - I certainly understand the tug of fiction and the monotony that one can feel (but not always because, hey, some magazine assignments are interesting and informative, etc, etc, etc,) with the freelancing gigs. But the truth is that fiction just doesn't pay well, and often times, the only way to keep a steady flow of incoming coming in is to make compromises with yourself and with your career.
I can't tell you how many best-selling authors I know who didn't quit their day-jobs until their third or so book. Because then, and only then, will you (hopefully) have an influx of royalties, as well as money from new advances, coming in. It sucks to say and to hear, but it's the truth. Even if you get a 100k offer, that's 85k after your agent's cut, then say, 50k after Uncle Sam is done with you...and that's your income until you crank out another novel. Short stories and such? Well, unless you're writing for top markets - Esquire, The New Yorker, etc - you're just not going to bring home a lot of bacon.
I wish I had better news. I wish I could say, "kiss all that soul-sucking work goodbye," but I can't in good conscience do so. Sometimes, it's called a job because it IS one. So the best advice I have to offer is to keep writing - the more books you sell, the more money you have to potentially pad your back account.
But readers, am I too conservative? What advice would you have for transitioning to fiction full-time and not going hungry?
Now that I'm selling my novel, I feel ready to show my "real" self to the world, and never again go back to those nonfiction articles I only did for money. So I've begun to sell some of my short stories, but while I regularly got 4-digit sums for nonfiction magazine features, I'm discovering that magazine and web outlets don't seem to pay much at all for serious fiction. What should a writer in my position do to shift successfully to fiction?
First of all, congrats on selling your book! That's a big accomplishment.
Second of all, I don't have much advice that you're going to want to hear. I feel your pain - I do - I certainly understand the tug of fiction and the monotony that one can feel (but not always because, hey, some magazine assignments are interesting and informative, etc, etc, etc,) with the freelancing gigs. But the truth is that fiction just doesn't pay well, and often times, the only way to keep a steady flow of incoming coming in is to make compromises with yourself and with your career.
I can't tell you how many best-selling authors I know who didn't quit their day-jobs until their third or so book. Because then, and only then, will you (hopefully) have an influx of royalties, as well as money from new advances, coming in. It sucks to say and to hear, but it's the truth. Even if you get a 100k offer, that's 85k after your agent's cut, then say, 50k after Uncle Sam is done with you...and that's your income until you crank out another novel. Short stories and such? Well, unless you're writing for top markets - Esquire, The New Yorker, etc - you're just not going to bring home a lot of bacon.
I wish I had better news. I wish I could say, "kiss all that soul-sucking work goodbye," but I can't in good conscience do so. Sometimes, it's called a job because it IS one. So the best advice I have to offer is to keep writing - the more books you sell, the more money you have to potentially pad your back account.
But readers, am I too conservative? What advice would you have for transitioning to fiction full-time and not going hungry?
Monday, June 25, 2007
You Show Me Yours...
Now that I've read TDLF, would you mind sharing your query letter for it? It might help inspire those of us struggling to concoct the perfect letter!
Sure, no probs. Here ya go (note, the name of the book got changed after I signed w/my agent):
Dear XX,
Natalie Miller had a plan. She had a goddamn plan. Top of her class at Dartmouth. Even better at Yale Law. Youngest aide ever to the powerful Senator Claire Dupris. Higher, faster, stronger. This? Was all part of the plan. True, she was so busy ascending the political ladder that she rarely had time to sniff around her mediocre relationship with Ned, who fit the three Bs to the max: basic, blond and boring, and she definitely didn't have time to mourn her mangled relationship with Jake, her budding rock star ex-boyfriend.
The lump in her breast that Ned discovers during brain-numbingly bland morning sex? That? Was most definitely not part of the plan. And Stage IIIA breast cancer? Never once had Natalie jotted this down on her to-do list for conquering the world. When her (tiny-penised) boyfriend has the audacity to dump her on the day after her diagnosis, Natalie's entire world dissolves into a tornado of upheaval, and she's left with nothing but her diary to her ex-boyfriends (who, in her haze of delirium, she tracks down like a wolf does prey), her mornings lingering over the Price is Right, her burnt out stubs of pot which carry her past the chemo pain, and finally, the weight of her choices - the ones that might drown her if she doesn't find a buoy.
Round Trip is a story of hope, of resolve, of digging deeper than you thought possible until you find the strength not to crumble, and ultimately, of making your own good luck, even when you’ve been dealt an unsteady hand.
I'm a freelance writer and have contributed to, among others, American Baby, American Way, Arthritis Today, Bride's, Budget Living, Cooking Light, Fitness, Glamour, InStyle Weddings, Lifetime Television, Men's Edge, Men's Fitness, Men's Health, Parenting, Parents, Prevention, Redbook, Self, Shape, Sly, Stuff, USA Weekend, Weight Watchers, Woman's Day, Women's Health, and ivillage.com, msn.com, and women.com. I also ghostwrote The Knot Book of Wedding Flowers.
If you are interested, I'd love to send you the completed manuscript.
Thanks so much! Looking forward to speaking with you soon.
Allison
Sure, no probs. Here ya go (note, the name of the book got changed after I signed w/my agent):
Dear XX,
Natalie Miller had a plan. She had a goddamn plan. Top of her class at Dartmouth. Even better at Yale Law. Youngest aide ever to the powerful Senator Claire Dupris. Higher, faster, stronger. This? Was all part of the plan. True, she was so busy ascending the political ladder that she rarely had time to sniff around her mediocre relationship with Ned, who fit the three Bs to the max: basic, blond and boring, and she definitely didn't have time to mourn her mangled relationship with Jake, her budding rock star ex-boyfriend.
The lump in her breast that Ned discovers during brain-numbingly bland morning sex? That? Was most definitely not part of the plan. And Stage IIIA breast cancer? Never once had Natalie jotted this down on her to-do list for conquering the world. When her (tiny-penised) boyfriend has the audacity to dump her on the day after her diagnosis, Natalie's entire world dissolves into a tornado of upheaval, and she's left with nothing but her diary to her ex-boyfriends (who, in her haze of delirium, she tracks down like a wolf does prey), her mornings lingering over the Price is Right, her burnt out stubs of pot which carry her past the chemo pain, and finally, the weight of her choices - the ones that might drown her if she doesn't find a buoy.
Round Trip is a story of hope, of resolve, of digging deeper than you thought possible until you find the strength not to crumble, and ultimately, of making your own good luck, even when you’ve been dealt an unsteady hand.
I'm a freelance writer and have contributed to, among others, American Baby, American Way, Arthritis Today, Bride's, Budget Living, Cooking Light, Fitness, Glamour, InStyle Weddings, Lifetime Television, Men's Edge, Men's Fitness, Men's Health, Parenting, Parents, Prevention, Redbook, Self, Shape, Sly, Stuff, USA Weekend, Weight Watchers, Woman's Day, Women's Health, and ivillage.com, msn.com, and women.com. I also ghostwrote The Knot Book of Wedding Flowers.
If you are interested, I'd love to send you the completed manuscript.
Thanks so much! Looking forward to speaking with you soon.
Allison
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Going Into My Cave
Apologies, guys. I'm am getting my booty kicked with a project I'm working on and am behind in my blog posts. I'm taking the rest of this week off and will be back on Monday to answer more questions. (Yes, I know that they've piled up!) I just have to burrow down and crank out some work until then...I'm sure that you can relate!
Thx!
Thx!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Reading Quandary
So I'm halfway through a book that I was enjoying enough to keep going. Parts of it were really pulling me in, and parts of it were good enough to have me flipping to the better parts. But now I've hit a wall. I've set it down for three days, and even though I keep walking by and looking at it and thinking, "I should pick it back up," I haven't yet been able to.
Now this was a big bestseller that got rave reviews. So that's probably why I feel compelled to keep going. I mean, if people say it's great, it's great, right? Well, not always. And I'm not talking about this particular book, but I can't tell you how many times I've read a book or seen a movie that has been lauded and lauded some more, and thought, "Well, that sucked."
(Though here's a secret: the more people I talk to about this book, the more admit that they didn't love it either, though they say so in hushed voices. Interesting.)
So my question is, do I keep at it? Is the critical praise worth anything? When do you guys abandon a book? Honestly, if something doesn't draw me in within the first 50 pages, I put it aside with absolutely no guilt. But I'm halfway done with this one, so...what to do? Complicating matters further is that I'm not someone who reads two books at once, so I've been holding off starting something new because I know that means that I'll have given up on this one forever.
So what are your rules for reading books? When do you throw in the towel?
Now this was a big bestseller that got rave reviews. So that's probably why I feel compelled to keep going. I mean, if people say it's great, it's great, right? Well, not always. And I'm not talking about this particular book, but I can't tell you how many times I've read a book or seen a movie that has been lauded and lauded some more, and thought, "Well, that sucked."
(Though here's a secret: the more people I talk to about this book, the more admit that they didn't love it either, though they say so in hushed voices. Interesting.)
So my question is, do I keep at it? Is the critical praise worth anything? When do you guys abandon a book? Honestly, if something doesn't draw me in within the first 50 pages, I put it aside with absolutely no guilt. But I'm halfway done with this one, so...what to do? Complicating matters further is that I'm not someone who reads two books at once, so I've been holding off starting something new because I know that means that I'll have given up on this one forever.
So what are your rules for reading books? When do you throw in the towel?
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
I Want More Peanuts!
I have been contributing regularly to a magazine for about a year. It pays me the least of any other publications to which I contribute, but I love it the most. Right now, they pay me about one peanut. I'd like to ask for two peanuts. How do I go about this professionally and in the right way with the editor? Can I even go there?
Yes! You can and should go there, in fact. But asking for a raise seems like one of the most daunting things that we do, right? I mean, it's one of those pulse-pounding sweat-inducing tasks that we put off at all costs. Why? Because we're so grateful that someone is handing us work that we don't want to seem ungrateful, nor do we want to offend the person offering said work.
But.
Here's the thing: in any job, you'd get raises as time goes on and after you've proven yourself a valuable commodity. Writing is no different. If you feel that you deserve a raise, well, then figuratively march yourself into your boss's/editor's office and ask for one.
Here are some tactics as to how to go about it:
1) Say something like: "You know how much I enjoy writing for you. However, I earn more money writing for your competitors and was hoping that we could discuss a boost in my rate."
2) Be prepared with a number to offer. I think the best tactic to do so is to figure out how much you need or want to earn per hour for each article, and then suggest the word rate that will get you there.
3) Be kind and gracious yet still professional and firm. One of the best negotiating tips that I've read said, "Pretend that you're negotiating on behalf of a friend. You'd never allow her to get paid poorly, so do everything for yourself that you'd do for her."
4) Don't take it personally or worry that you'll be fired for asking for a boost. Most editors are actually PREPARED to raise rates if they can - the author just has to ask. And if they like you, they sure as hell aren't going to ditch you for asking. They might not be able to raise your rate, but seriously, you'll almost NEVER lose the job just for asking...and if you *do* lose a gig over getting money that you deserve, is this really an outlet you want to be associated with? (Other readers can chime in here to agree with me!)
So, those are my thoughts. Other writers out there who ask for raises, how do you go about it?
Monday, June 18, 2007
Final Formatting
Once you've gotten the go-ahead on a story, how do your format it for submission and how do or do you include sidebar information if you have it?
I think that every writer has his or her own way of formatting, and I don't think that there is a truly wrong way to go about this, but that said, here's how I set up my stories:
Greatest Article Ever Written: Allison Winn Scotch, Genius Magazine, December 2007
(Note: the above is the publication date, not the date that I hand it it)
Text, text, text that is written in Times font, size 12 and double spaced or 1.5 spaced
End of text
Sidebar: Why this story is so genius
Text, text, text
And that's it! Sort of common sense, and unless you turn your piece in on paper with unicorns in the background, I think you'll be okay.
But writers, I'm curious: how do you format your pieces when you hand them in? I know that everyone does it differently!
I think that every writer has his or her own way of formatting, and I don't think that there is a truly wrong way to go about this, but that said, here's how I set up my stories:
Greatest Article Ever Written: Allison Winn Scotch, Genius Magazine, December 2007
(Note: the above is the publication date, not the date that I hand it it)
Text, text, text that is written in Times font, size 12 and double spaced or 1.5 spaced
End of text
Sidebar: Why this story is so genius
Text, text, text
And that's it! Sort of common sense, and unless you turn your piece in on paper with unicorns in the background, I think you'll be okay.
But writers, I'm curious: how do you format your pieces when you hand them in? I know that everyone does it differently!
Friday, June 15, 2007
The End of an Era
Wow, so today is Bob Barker's last day on The Price is Right. So sad, but yeah, looking at him, it does seem like it's time to ride off (in a new car!) into the sunset. The man has been on TV for FIFTY YEARS! Can you imagine?
For any of you who read the book, you know what a big Price is Right fan I am, so I thought it was only fitting that we spend today sharing our favorite Price is Right moments and games.
My fave? Undoubtedly, Plinko. They only rolled it out, like, once a month, but when I was a kid, I waited with breathless anticipation for that wonderful day! And yes, it's true, when I was younger, I thought I would spend my 18th birthday on the show: that's how old you have to be to go on it, so, at 12 or 13 or whenever I was at the height of my PIR obsession, that was the fantasy.
So...what was your favorite game? Did you ever dream of going on the show, like I did?
For any of you who read the book, you know what a big Price is Right fan I am, so I thought it was only fitting that we spend today sharing our favorite Price is Right moments and games.
My fave? Undoubtedly, Plinko. They only rolled it out, like, once a month, but when I was a kid, I waited with breathless anticipation for that wonderful day! And yes, it's true, when I was younger, I thought I would spend my 18th birthday on the show: that's how old you have to be to go on it, so, at 12 or 13 or whenever I was at the height of my PIR obsession, that was the fantasy.
So...what was your favorite game? Did you ever dream of going on the show, like I did?
Thursday, June 14, 2007
But What Happens Next?
For my post today, head over to Writer Unboxed, where I talk about the post-publication letdown, er, experience. :)
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Parenting Essays
How can I find a good place to to send a parenting essay?
Well, this might seem obvious, but the place way to find outlets is to read those outlets. I've said it before here, but editors can get quite peeved when people submit to them and the mag doesn't actually cover said material. So I'd be sure to flip through the mags you plan to submit to before doing so.
That said, Cookie runs a lot of essays, Parenting usually runs (I think) about one per issue, as does American Baby, and Parents runs the occasional one. But there are sooooo many other options out there: your local paper, bigger papers like the Christian Science Monitor, and a ton of websites. Just google "parenting essays" (without the quotes), and you come up with a lot of options.
Good luck! And what say you readers? Do you have favorite outlets for your essays about your adorable tots?
Well, this might seem obvious, but the place way to find outlets is to read those outlets. I've said it before here, but editors can get quite peeved when people submit to them and the mag doesn't actually cover said material. So I'd be sure to flip through the mags you plan to submit to before doing so.
That said, Cookie runs a lot of essays, Parenting usually runs (I think) about one per issue, as does American Baby, and Parents runs the occasional one. But there are sooooo many other options out there: your local paper, bigger papers like the Christian Science Monitor, and a ton of websites. Just google "parenting essays" (without the quotes), and you come up with a lot of options.
Good luck! And what say you readers? Do you have favorite outlets for your essays about your adorable tots?
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Jumping the Gun
Thanks for all the insightful comments on yesterday's post...at the very least, it's a good thing that people like us are concerned about this trend, and will raise our children (and spouses, hee!), differently.
Question of the day: Can I pitch a story without having the story written, or the subject on board? For example, if I would like to write a profile of someone (well-known or not) do I have to get their approval before pitching the article?
Well, this raises two questions. First of all, you should never write the complete article until the editor has given you the green-light. The exceptions are essays and travel pieces. As I've said before on this blog, sending in a complete story before an assignment is a huge newbie mistake and sends red flags to editors right away. (Search the archives of the blog for more info on this.)
But things do get tricky when you're pitching a celeb piece or a profile. It's a bit of a catch-22 situation because if you approach your subject first, then don't get the assignment, you've let that person down...and if you approach your editor first, then can't land the subject, you risk letting your editor down. BUT, if this is a well-known person (a celeb, for example), most editors understand that landing the interview isn't a slam-dunk. I do celeb pieces (have a cover story coming out on the 15th with Jaime Pressly), and when my editor and I chat about who he wants me to cover, it's always with the understanding that the publicist might say "no."
So...if you're uncertain that you can land your interview subject, I'd probably just be up front with the editor and say, "I'd love to cover this story for you, and while I *think* I can land Brad Pitt, I just wanted to see if you'd want to run the story if, indeed, I can land him." This covers all bases: you've pitched the story, but also given yourself an out. In my case, since I have a relationship with my editor, I'd rather give myself that flexibility than waste the time of Brad Pitt and his publicist, who might not take kindly to my wasting their time.
But there really aren't any easy solutions for this type of situation, at least not that I've found. Readers, do you have better suggestions? I'd welcome hearing them.
Question of the day: Can I pitch a story without having the story written, or the subject on board? For example, if I would like to write a profile of someone (well-known or not) do I have to get their approval before pitching the article?
Well, this raises two questions. First of all, you should never write the complete article until the editor has given you the green-light. The exceptions are essays and travel pieces. As I've said before on this blog, sending in a complete story before an assignment is a huge newbie mistake and sends red flags to editors right away. (Search the archives of the blog for more info on this.)
But things do get tricky when you're pitching a celeb piece or a profile. It's a bit of a catch-22 situation because if you approach your subject first, then don't get the assignment, you've let that person down...and if you approach your editor first, then can't land the subject, you risk letting your editor down. BUT, if this is a well-known person (a celeb, for example), most editors understand that landing the interview isn't a slam-dunk. I do celeb pieces (have a cover story coming out on the 15th with Jaime Pressly), and when my editor and I chat about who he wants me to cover, it's always with the understanding that the publicist might say "no."
So...if you're uncertain that you can land your interview subject, I'd probably just be up front with the editor and say, "I'd love to cover this story for you, and while I *think* I can land Brad Pitt, I just wanted to see if you'd want to run the story if, indeed, I can land him." This covers all bases: you've pitched the story, but also given yourself an out. In my case, since I have a relationship with my editor, I'd rather give myself that flexibility than waste the time of Brad Pitt and his publicist, who might not take kindly to my wasting their time.
But there really aren't any easy solutions for this type of situation, at least not that I've found. Readers, do you have better suggestions? I'd welcome hearing them.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Just Pick Up a Damn Book Already!
While perusing my usual blog roll (something I'm very behind in these days because I'm so busy), I came upon Eileen Cook's wonderful post which noted the alarming statistics about how few people read books these days. I mean, 58% of the US adult population never reads another book after high school????? Can these stats be right???
So, in light of her plea on her blog, I'm posting about the alarming dearth of reading going on in our country these days. What do you guys think is causing it? Beyond the obvious problems in our education system - I mean, these stats note that these are LITERATE people who are choosing to ignore books - I'll say that there are a few factors at work.
1) The internet (and I guess video games, though I don't really have any personal experience with them). There are stats out there (which I'm too lazy to google) which show that people now spend hours in front of their computers, even taking away from the time they spend in front of the tv. If the tv usurps time from books, I can't even imagine how much time the internet sucks away. And hey, I'm just as guilty as this as anyone. Last night, I was mindlessly surfing - just to zone out - rather than get into bed and read The Time-Travelers Wife, which I'm working my way through right now. Why? Because reading doesn't allow my brain to turn off...and that's a GOOD thing, but in our society, we like to vegetate, and reading just doesn't allow for it.
2) Reading takes work and cost money. True, to go to the movies these days, it can cost waaaaay more than a book, but people don't seem to see it this way. Shell out $20 for a book that might be difficult to get through or cause you to actually use your brain? No dice.
3) We're a lazy society. (See points above.)
I'm sure that there are a gajillion other reasons that people don't like to read, starting with the fact that parents don't emphasize it to their children, so people don't grow up as readers, which they then don't pass on to their own children, etc, etc, etc. But what say you? Why don't people enjoy reading and what can be done about it?
Well, for an initial solution, head over to the lovely Larramie's blog today and see what some authors (yours truly included) are recommending for summer reading...
So, in light of her plea on her blog, I'm posting about the alarming dearth of reading going on in our country these days. What do you guys think is causing it? Beyond the obvious problems in our education system - I mean, these stats note that these are LITERATE people who are choosing to ignore books - I'll say that there are a few factors at work.
1) The internet (and I guess video games, though I don't really have any personal experience with them). There are stats out there (which I'm too lazy to google) which show that people now spend hours in front of their computers, even taking away from the time they spend in front of the tv. If the tv usurps time from books, I can't even imagine how much time the internet sucks away. And hey, I'm just as guilty as this as anyone. Last night, I was mindlessly surfing - just to zone out - rather than get into bed and read The Time-Travelers Wife, which I'm working my way through right now. Why? Because reading doesn't allow my brain to turn off...and that's a GOOD thing, but in our society, we like to vegetate, and reading just doesn't allow for it.
2) Reading takes work and cost money. True, to go to the movies these days, it can cost waaaaay more than a book, but people don't seem to see it this way. Shell out $20 for a book that might be difficult to get through or cause you to actually use your brain? No dice.
3) We're a lazy society. (See points above.)
I'm sure that there are a gajillion other reasons that people don't like to read, starting with the fact that parents don't emphasize it to their children, so people don't grow up as readers, which they then don't pass on to their own children, etc, etc, etc. But what say you? Why don't people enjoy reading and what can be done about it?
Well, for an initial solution, head over to the lovely Larramie's blog today and see what some authors (yours truly included) are recommending for summer reading...
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Live Free or Die!
No, this isn't an ad for the next Jon McClane movie (though you can bet your ass that I'll be in line for it, just after I see Knocked Up), rather it's an announcement that I'll be in New Hampshire this weekend for a book signing. (For those who don't get the reference: "Live free or die" is the state's motto, which cracks me up, like there are all these angry, anarchist rebels who inhabit the state.)
The details:
Barnes and Noble
1741 S Willow St. Manchester, NH 03103
Saturday, June 9th
2:00 PM
In other news, I just found out that we sold the German rights to TDLF. So for those of you who sprecken ze deutch, you can have a blast reading through the translation come 2008. :)
That's it for today. I'm busy getting the apartment in shape for our open house this weekend, and packing up the brood for the (long) drive tomorrow AM.
Hope to see some of you New Englanders there on Saturday!
The details:
Barnes and Noble
1741 S Willow St. Manchester, NH 03103
Saturday, June 9th
2:00 PM
In other news, I just found out that we sold the German rights to TDLF. So for those of you who sprecken ze deutch, you can have a blast reading through the translation come 2008. :)
That's it for today. I'm busy getting the apartment in shape for our open house this weekend, and packing up the brood for the (long) drive tomorrow AM.
Hope to see some of you New Englanders there on Saturday!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Dying To Ditch the Day Job
My trusty google alert dinged me with this wonderful review from Romance Reader at Heart, which said that, "Every woman should read this book."
I also got a lovely review from the Jewish Reporter, which said that after reading TDLF, "readers may find that they, too, can disregard their own talismans now that they have a guide for finding their way."
Oh, and I don't know that I ever mentioned this, but the Philadelphia Inquirer picked TDLF as one of their five summer reads! Coolio!
If you haven't picked it up, what are you waiting for?? Buy it now!
Question of the day: I am currently involved in a search for a literary agent. I finished my novel six months ago and began querying immediately. My query receives a good response rate, as many agents have requested partials and fulls of my manuscript. However, I find myself increasingly hopeless about actually obtaining an offer from an agent, as many have sent me rejection letters (albeit usually with some positive slant - though I can't help but think they're placating me as they do everybody else with some positive words in closing). Anyway, I was wondering if you have any advice for someone trying to embark on a career as a writer. I'm anxious to leave my current job, but nervous to enter the world of freelance writing and/or odd jobs and an uncertain stream of income. But part of me thinks my mental health will suffer if I don't make this move soon. All I want to do is write! I wanted to wait until I secured an agent before making this big move, but the process is taking much longer than I expected.
First of all, hang in there. As I've said many times on this blog, there is very little instant gratification in this business (not that you're looking for it), but establishing a writing career is a very, VERY long process, and if you don't have the stomach for what could be a decade-long process, this probably isn't the career for you.
Second of all, it sounds like your agent search is going well, or at the very least, you have a strong query letter, since you're getting good responses. Have you taken a fresh look at your material lately? Or had an objective source take a fresh look at it? Perhaps there are tweaks that can be made that you're not aware of that will strengthen your work and take it from good, but not agent-worthy, to outstanding.
Third of all, I'd be very wary about quitting your job (if you're your sole provider or don't have a hefty savings account) just because you've landed an agent. I know that this isn't what you want to hear (and I'm sorry!!), but getting an agent is by no means a lottery ticket: just ask a lot of us whose first works didn't sell. Then, once you've spoken to that group, go talk to another group of published authors whose work DID sell, but barely covered their annual grocery bills. I've said it before here, but the average fiction advance is somewhere in the 10k or less ballpark. Yup. 10k. Not exactly the ticket to luxurious living, even if you live in the cheapest town in America.
Fourth of all, if your job is killing you, maybe you can find something writing-related outside of work that will help fulfill you. A critique group. A fiction class. Anything that will make you a stronger writer while also beating back the workday doldrums.
Fifth of all, if you're hellbent on leaving your job to write full-time, I'd line up clients long before you say "sayonara" to your boss. I don't know what your area of expertise is, but say, for example, that you're capable of doing corporate work...well, I'd contact some small businesses in your area and try to secure them for future work. This will a) ensure some flow of income after you leave and b) reduce your (sure to be high) stress level once you do leave and are frantic to take on more clients.
So...that's my advice. Readers, what say you to this writer who is dying to leave the daily grind?
I also got a lovely review from the Jewish Reporter, which said that after reading TDLF, "readers may find that they, too, can disregard their own talismans now that they have a guide for finding their way."
Oh, and I don't know that I ever mentioned this, but the Philadelphia Inquirer picked TDLF as one of their five summer reads! Coolio!
If you haven't picked it up, what are you waiting for?? Buy it now!
Question of the day: I am currently involved in a search for a literary agent. I finished my novel six months ago and began querying immediately. My query receives a good response rate, as many agents have requested partials and fulls of my manuscript. However, I find myself increasingly hopeless about actually obtaining an offer from an agent, as many have sent me rejection letters (albeit usually with some positive slant - though I can't help but think they're placating me as they do everybody else with some positive words in closing). Anyway, I was wondering if you have any advice for someone trying to embark on a career as a writer. I'm anxious to leave my current job, but nervous to enter the world of freelance writing and/or odd jobs and an uncertain stream of income. But part of me thinks my mental health will suffer if I don't make this move soon. All I want to do is write! I wanted to wait until I secured an agent before making this big move, but the process is taking much longer than I expected.
First of all, hang in there. As I've said many times on this blog, there is very little instant gratification in this business (not that you're looking for it), but establishing a writing career is a very, VERY long process, and if you don't have the stomach for what could be a decade-long process, this probably isn't the career for you.
Second of all, it sounds like your agent search is going well, or at the very least, you have a strong query letter, since you're getting good responses. Have you taken a fresh look at your material lately? Or had an objective source take a fresh look at it? Perhaps there are tweaks that can be made that you're not aware of that will strengthen your work and take it from good, but not agent-worthy, to outstanding.
Third of all, I'd be very wary about quitting your job (if you're your sole provider or don't have a hefty savings account) just because you've landed an agent. I know that this isn't what you want to hear (and I'm sorry!!), but getting an agent is by no means a lottery ticket: just ask a lot of us whose first works didn't sell. Then, once you've spoken to that group, go talk to another group of published authors whose work DID sell, but barely covered their annual grocery bills. I've said it before here, but the average fiction advance is somewhere in the 10k or less ballpark. Yup. 10k. Not exactly the ticket to luxurious living, even if you live in the cheapest town in America.
Fourth of all, if your job is killing you, maybe you can find something writing-related outside of work that will help fulfill you. A critique group. A fiction class. Anything that will make you a stronger writer while also beating back the workday doldrums.
Fifth of all, if you're hellbent on leaving your job to write full-time, I'd line up clients long before you say "sayonara" to your boss. I don't know what your area of expertise is, but say, for example, that you're capable of doing corporate work...well, I'd contact some small businesses in your area and try to secure them for future work. This will a) ensure some flow of income after you leave and b) reduce your (sure to be high) stress level once you do leave and are frantic to take on more clients.
So...that's my advice. Readers, what say you to this writer who is dying to leave the daily grind?
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Crossover Content
Quick reading note: Johanna Edwards' new book, How to Be Cool, launches today, and for those of you who want a light, diverting beach read, I'm sure that this is it! Johanna was kind enough to blurb me when I blindly emailed her a year or so ago, and she's turned out to be a super-cool (ergo, the title of her book!) gal.
Question of the day: In January, a magazine I write for on the regular, contacted me to write a story. I outlined. It was approved. I submitted a first draft. Got positive feedback and made a revision. Two weeks after submitting the revision in February, I e-mailed my backup materials to the editor to pass on to fact-check. The ed responded to my e-mail and said that the story had been bumped due to page count issues; not sure when would get back on the lineup. Yesterday, I read a story in this magazine. It covered roughly 40 percent of the topics in my story. My thoughts: crap! and nearly half my story can't run now because the info's already out there. Replacing those portions of my story aren't an option. Bottom line: damn kill fee for 25% is in my contract--something I should have fought a long time ago. However, my bone to pick is that the work was technically "accepted." How would you approach said ed with your expectations?
I would proceed as if you hadn't seen the piece at all because whether or not they ran similar content shouldn't matter at ALL when it comes to full payment vs. a kill fee. Of course, we all know how writers can get screwed on this issue, so I'd immediately start pressing your editor for payment because it sounds like, given the fact-checking, your story has clearly been accepted, and you're due your check. Now. I'd make no mention of the other piece, instead, just say that you haven't been paid, and you expect to be. Period. Regardless of crossover content, she outlined her expectations and you delivered them, so...there's nothing to argue over.
She should get your check in the mail asap, and that should be that. So I'd email/call her right away and proceed as normal.
Anyone else have other suggestions?
Question of the day: In January, a magazine I write for on the regular, contacted me to write a story. I outlined. It was approved. I submitted a first draft. Got positive feedback and made a revision. Two weeks after submitting the revision in February, I e-mailed my backup materials to the editor to pass on to fact-check. The ed responded to my e-mail and said that the story had been bumped due to page count issues; not sure when would get back on the lineup. Yesterday, I read a story in this magazine. It covered roughly 40 percent of the topics in my story. My thoughts: crap! and nearly half my story can't run now because the info's already out there. Replacing those portions of my story aren't an option. Bottom line: damn kill fee for 25% is in my contract--something I should have fought a long time ago. However, my bone to pick is that the work was technically "accepted." How would you approach said ed with your expectations?
I would proceed as if you hadn't seen the piece at all because whether or not they ran similar content shouldn't matter at ALL when it comes to full payment vs. a kill fee. Of course, we all know how writers can get screwed on this issue, so I'd immediately start pressing your editor for payment because it sounds like, given the fact-checking, your story has clearly been accepted, and you're due your check. Now. I'd make no mention of the other piece, instead, just say that you haven't been paid, and you expect to be. Period. Regardless of crossover content, she outlined her expectations and you delivered them, so...there's nothing to argue over.
She should get your check in the mail asap, and that should be that. So I'd email/call her right away and proceed as normal.
Anyone else have other suggestions?
Monday, June 04, 2007
BEA!
Well, I hit BEA on Friday, and I lived to tell about it. (Though barely.)
For those of you who don't know about Book Expo America, it's a huge, HUGE, 3-day convention in which all the publishers gather to show off and pitch their new and upcoming books. And when I say huge, I mean huge. (TWSS - a little shout-out to The Office fans. Hee!) It was so packed that my taxi driver wouldn't even pull up to the convention center, so I had to walk seven blocks to the entrance, and since it was a lovely 90 degrees on Friday, I arrived in less than fresh fashion.
Anyhoo, I checked in (no easy feat, amidst the chaos), and proceeded upstairs to meet my publicist, agent and marketing manager, and immediately got lost/dizzy in the sea of booths, people and publishers. Think: a football field filled with booths and posters all about books. I mean, this place is enormous. I walked through the Grand Central (formerly Warner) area and ran into an old editor friend of mine. I was still profusely sweating - seriously! - I was using a flyer as a fan - and completely discombobulated (which, incidentally, is one of my favorite words), when I noticed the time, and had to dash to meet my peeps because...drum roll...I was about to be late to my autographing session.
So, another editor whom I know dashed by, and said, "They're waiting for you!," so I ran over, they nabbed me, and we proceeded to an entirely different floor (yes, this place was HUGE, I tell you), where we dipped behind some curtains (think: Wizard of Oz), got some water and trail mix (seriously: like they're trying to ensure that you have energy to make it through your session), and then were called up to our post. I proceeded to frantically sign books for the next 30 mins, which doesn't sound like a lot of time, but trust my cramping hand, was a lot of time. It was pretty cool actually - I was right next to the gals who wrote The Nanny Diaries, and just a few posts down from (gasp!) Jodi Picoult, whom I revere.
When my time was up, they cordoned off my area, and I got booted for the next author. I wandered around and looked for some children's galleys for my son (but came up empty), and then had to meet my agent on the top floor. (Is anyone still even reading at this point? See? You're tired, just like I was starting to get at this point in the convention.) Shortly after we met up, I found myself two feet away from the amazing Ms. Picoult, so I introduced myself (dying!), and thanked her so much for graciously answering my email (within an hour, even!) last summer, when I blindly wrote her to ask her for a blurb. (She was about to leave for a tour, so ever-so-politely declined.) She was lovely and smiley and warm, despite the fact that I was probably frothing at the mouth, and she was most likely more exhausted than I was. (Because, obviously, she had a gazillion more people to meet than I did.)
Anyhoo, that was the highlight. From there, I met all sorts of other industry peeps, including some of my agent's agent friends, who were totally cool and normal. Which I found so hilarious. Because when you're querying agents, you figure that they're up in their thrones, totally la-dee-da and scary and intimidating and all of that, but here these wonderful gals were - completely normal and chatty and totally could-be-my-friend sorts of people. So I had a little "aha" moment that I thought I could pass on to you guys. Agents: they're just like us!
So...by 2:30, I could barely form an intelligible sentence (I'm not even kidding - my editor friend whom I saw at the beginning of the day saw me again and was like, "You're fried,"), and was also so ravenous I almost entertained eating the scary food options, but alas, opted to head home. Of course, it would be nice to end this story there, but NOOOOO....I couldn't get a friggin' cab, so ended up walking about 13 blocks in the now nearly-deathly heat, until some kind cabbie finally took mercy on me and whipped me uptown to my favorite Cosi, where I proceeded to purchase sustenance and return to my apartment to plop on my bed and watch The Starter Wife, which I'd taped the night before. (Wow, that's a hell of a long sentence.)
Later, when I recovered, I realized that I had a lot of fun, but also hoped that this helped spread the word about TDLF. Because, I have to admit, when you see HOW MANY books are out there, all vying for a piece of attention and press and love, it's pretty scary. I mean, what can you do to ensure your book's success? I'm not really sure.
So, that was BEA. Anyone out there also attend? Thoughts? And who caught The Starter Wife? I'm sort of digging Debra Messing all over again!
For those of you who don't know about Book Expo America, it's a huge, HUGE, 3-day convention in which all the publishers gather to show off and pitch their new and upcoming books. And when I say huge, I mean huge. (TWSS - a little shout-out to The Office fans. Hee!) It was so packed that my taxi driver wouldn't even pull up to the convention center, so I had to walk seven blocks to the entrance, and since it was a lovely 90 degrees on Friday, I arrived in less than fresh fashion.
Anyhoo, I checked in (no easy feat, amidst the chaos), and proceeded upstairs to meet my publicist, agent and marketing manager, and immediately got lost/dizzy in the sea of booths, people and publishers. Think: a football field filled with booths and posters all about books. I mean, this place is enormous. I walked through the Grand Central (formerly Warner) area and ran into an old editor friend of mine. I was still profusely sweating - seriously! - I was using a flyer as a fan - and completely discombobulated (which, incidentally, is one of my favorite words), when I noticed the time, and had to dash to meet my peeps because...drum roll...I was about to be late to my autographing session.
So, another editor whom I know dashed by, and said, "They're waiting for you!," so I ran over, they nabbed me, and we proceeded to an entirely different floor (yes, this place was HUGE, I tell you), where we dipped behind some curtains (think: Wizard of Oz), got some water and trail mix (seriously: like they're trying to ensure that you have energy to make it through your session), and then were called up to our post. I proceeded to frantically sign books for the next 30 mins, which doesn't sound like a lot of time, but trust my cramping hand, was a lot of time. It was pretty cool actually - I was right next to the gals who wrote The Nanny Diaries, and just a few posts down from (gasp!) Jodi Picoult, whom I revere.
When my time was up, they cordoned off my area, and I got booted for the next author. I wandered around and looked for some children's galleys for my son (but came up empty), and then had to meet my agent on the top floor. (Is anyone still even reading at this point? See? You're tired, just like I was starting to get at this point in the convention.) Shortly after we met up, I found myself two feet away from the amazing Ms. Picoult, so I introduced myself (dying!), and thanked her so much for graciously answering my email (within an hour, even!) last summer, when I blindly wrote her to ask her for a blurb. (She was about to leave for a tour, so ever-so-politely declined.) She was lovely and smiley and warm, despite the fact that I was probably frothing at the mouth, and she was most likely more exhausted than I was. (Because, obviously, she had a gazillion more people to meet than I did.)
Anyhoo, that was the highlight. From there, I met all sorts of other industry peeps, including some of my agent's agent friends, who were totally cool and normal. Which I found so hilarious. Because when you're querying agents, you figure that they're up in their thrones, totally la-dee-da and scary and intimidating and all of that, but here these wonderful gals were - completely normal and chatty and totally could-be-my-friend sorts of people. So I had a little "aha" moment that I thought I could pass on to you guys. Agents: they're just like us!
So...by 2:30, I could barely form an intelligible sentence (I'm not even kidding - my editor friend whom I saw at the beginning of the day saw me again and was like, "You're fried,"), and was also so ravenous I almost entertained eating the scary food options, but alas, opted to head home. Of course, it would be nice to end this story there, but NOOOOO....I couldn't get a friggin' cab, so ended up walking about 13 blocks in the now nearly-deathly heat, until some kind cabbie finally took mercy on me and whipped me uptown to my favorite Cosi, where I proceeded to purchase sustenance and return to my apartment to plop on my bed and watch The Starter Wife, which I'd taped the night before. (Wow, that's a hell of a long sentence.)
Later, when I recovered, I realized that I had a lot of fun, but also hoped that this helped spread the word about TDLF. Because, I have to admit, when you see HOW MANY books are out there, all vying for a piece of attention and press and love, it's pretty scary. I mean, what can you do to ensure your book's success? I'm not really sure.
So, that was BEA. Anyone out there also attend? Thoughts? And who caught The Starter Wife? I'm sort of digging Debra Messing all over again!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Crafting a Query
I saw your "Just Do It" article in WOMAN'S DAY yesterday. I've never seen that format, why you resist/why we insist in a self help article. Have I just overlooked it or did you or the WD editor come up with it? Since this magazine is so readily available, I think it would help your blog readers to read the article and also read the query you sent for it. (You've posted queries before, but we didn't have the matching article). Would that be possible?
Unfortunately, I searched my old email files and can't find this exact pitch, but I can give you an idea of what it looked like and how it came to fruition.
To answer your initial question, no, this isn't a standard format, this is how you land a story...but taking a generic topic, in this case, things that we all put off (which women's magazines cover endlessly), and spinning it into a clever package. For those who haven't seen the article, each thing that we might procrastinate (i.e, eating more fiber), is broken down like this:
Why You Resist Doing It: blah blah blah
Why We Insist On Doing it: blah blah health advice blah blah
Here's how I came up with it: I know that my editor at Woman's Day likes "fresh" spins on ideas. The magazine isn't going to cover crazy, outlandish topics. Rather, their audience likes good, smart advice on day-to-day, evergreen subjects, but they like it given to them with an interesting tweak. So...to that end, I thought of the idea of "things that we all put off." But if I'd written my editor an email saying, "let's cover a story about things that we all put off," she'd have said, "snoozefest." Because there's nothing snappy or interesting about that subject, at least when you look at it superficially. So what I did instead was come up with crafty packaging: i.e, the resist/insist angle. See how I pitch the exact same subject matter but make it 100x more interesting by adding in the resist/insist suggestion?
For the actual pitch, I simply put together two or three topics that we later went on to include in the article - I can't remember what they were, but probably something like having more sex, making time for workouts, etc. I showed my editor how the article would break down, and then offered a list of other topics we could include and voila...story assigned.
Readers, how do you come up with unique pitches that you go on to land?
FYI: tomorrow, I'll be at BEA (Book Expo America), signing books and meeting and greeting. Will be back on Monday to report the scoop!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
I'm Back!
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend! I, for one, went to a wedding in Calistoga, CA and then on to San Francisco (SFians - you can find signed copies of TDLF at Borders!), which was fabulous, albeit a really long trip. But we relaxed and caught up on sleep and ate way too much and drank wine, and all in all, it was great, though I did miss the kids (and hate toting my pump everywhere!). Anyhoo, back to reality today.
So...here we go.
So...here we go.
I have my first national byline! Question for you is if I'm supposed to send my editor a note or a gift or anything??
Congrats!!! There are few things more exciting than seeing your name in print for one of the first times. Enjoy the thrill.
No, no presents - a well-written article is present enough for your editor! :) Instead, send her a note thanking her for the assignment, saying it was a pleasure to work for her, and pitch her another ass-kicking idea asap. Successful freelancing is all about relationship-building, and the two ways to do this are 1) to be gracious and easy to work with and 2) to make yourself invaluable to an editor by suggesting great ideas and following up with great stories. You might not land another assignment right away from this editor, but don't be discouraged...after all, this editor already knows that you can deliver...keep pitching and eventually, another assignment should come in.
Readers, how do you follow up to a new-to-you editor?
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Agent Hunting
I am in the midst of trying to find an agent, and am wondering if you went thru any agent site to find the agents to submit your work to, or did you do the research on your own?
I've heard of people having limited success finding an agent via a search/matching site, for lack of a better term, but I've always found this a little weird. I mean, to me, you're the one who is completely responsible and in control of your career, and why would you pass this off to someone else and rely on him or her to be the one to suggest good matches? Again, this is just my opinion, but I wouldn't feel comfortable with it.
Not to mention, that there's enough information on the web that you can (and should) do this on your own. AgentQuery.com and PublishersMarketPlace.com offer such a wealth of knowledge that you should be able to find and target agents who are right for you, as well as learn more about them and get their contact info. Does it take some time? Sure. But as I've said before, part of being a good writer is being a good researcher, and I can't think of many things that are more important than finding the right agent, so time shouldn't be much of a concern.
But I'm open to changing my mind. So what say you readers? Have you guys used these search firms and have they worked? Or would you be open to using them or do you believe in the old-fashioned way of landing representation?
Btw, I'm headed to California through mid-next week. Have a great holiday weekend. Until then!
I've heard of people having limited success finding an agent via a search/matching site, for lack of a better term, but I've always found this a little weird. I mean, to me, you're the one who is completely responsible and in control of your career, and why would you pass this off to someone else and rely on him or her to be the one to suggest good matches? Again, this is just my opinion, but I wouldn't feel comfortable with it.
Not to mention, that there's enough information on the web that you can (and should) do this on your own. AgentQuery.com and PublishersMarketPlace.com offer such a wealth of knowledge that you should be able to find and target agents who are right for you, as well as learn more about them and get their contact info. Does it take some time? Sure. But as I've said before, part of being a good writer is being a good researcher, and I can't think of many things that are more important than finding the right agent, so time shouldn't be much of a concern.
But I'm open to changing my mind. So what say you readers? Have you guys used these search firms and have they worked? Or would you be open to using them or do you believe in the old-fashioned way of landing representation?
Btw, I'm headed to California through mid-next week. Have a great holiday weekend. Until then!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Well, Crap!
A few people have written me to say that they couldn't comment in the past few days, and yup, I just realized that there was a glitch last week. I have no idea why or what happened, but if you wanted to comment on a post or write in with a question, rest assured that as of today, I will get them and try to respond! Whoops, sorry! (And thanks to those who wrote me about the problem!) And there I thought that my posts and info on the signings were boring you... (Seriously!) Phew.
Pushing Press
Hey, wanna read an excerpt from the book? Until Amazon gets mine up, check out HarperCollins' "browse inside" feature here.
Question of the day: I love reading author essays, profiles, etc. in magazines - it makes me feel like I know them a little bit when I go to read their book. But I've never known how they land there. Did you send out freelance articles on breast cancer to coincide with the book launch?
Yup, that's exactly what I did, and that's exactly how these articles land there. Well, sort of. In my case, I could pitch various ideas to the editors with whom I had relationships, in the same way that I'd pitch any other piece. But this time, I could also send them a galley, and say, "hey, I have a book coming out in May, how about a piece on such and such?" The biggest assignment that I landed this way was an essay on my friendship with Lizzie that will be in the July issue of Fitness.
My publicist and other folks at Harper have also been doing something similar, and have been doing so since about six months prior to the book's release. They're the ones who crafted a fab press release, as well as the Q/A that's up on my site, and sent these out, along with a galley, to mags/papers/radio stations/tv etc. It takes a lot of people and a lot of work to generate press and buzz for a book, so we've all been in the trenches trying to do so for mine.
Pubbed authors: how have you gotten press on your own release? Readers: what sorts of articles do you like to read about books/authors? What grabs your eye so that you actually go to the store and buy a book?
Question of the day: I love reading author essays, profiles, etc. in magazines - it makes me feel like I know them a little bit when I go to read their book. But I've never known how they land there. Did you send out freelance articles on breast cancer to coincide with the book launch?
Yup, that's exactly what I did, and that's exactly how these articles land there. Well, sort of. In my case, I could pitch various ideas to the editors with whom I had relationships, in the same way that I'd pitch any other piece. But this time, I could also send them a galley, and say, "hey, I have a book coming out in May, how about a piece on such and such?" The biggest assignment that I landed this way was an essay on my friendship with Lizzie that will be in the July issue of Fitness.
My publicist and other folks at Harper have also been doing something similar, and have been doing so since about six months prior to the book's release. They're the ones who crafted a fab press release, as well as the Q/A that's up on my site, and sent these out, along with a galley, to mags/papers/radio stations/tv etc. It takes a lot of people and a lot of work to generate press and buzz for a book, so we've all been in the trenches trying to do so for mine.
Pubbed authors: how have you gotten press on your own release? Readers: what sorts of articles do you like to read about books/authors? What grabs your eye so that you actually go to the store and buy a book?
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Where are Those Damn Editors?
I'm having trouble finding the email addresses of the editors I want to reach. The mags' website offers only a generic email address and there's nothing in the masthead either. Writer's Market also doesn't have any specific editor info. Do you have any suggestions on how to go about this?
Indeed, I have a few:
The first: if you're willing to shell out a few bucks, check out mastheads.org. The site contains up-to-date info on who is who and who is where at a ton of magazines.
The next: surf the mag's website. Almost always - usually within the advertising/PR or sales sections - you can turn up the email format of that specific publisher. Just insert the name of the editor you want to reach, and voila. Example: jane_doe@condenast.com will work for any editor at Conde.
Hearst: jdoe@hearst.com
Rodale: jane.doe@rodale.com
Meredith: jane.doe@meredith.com
TimeInc: jane_doe@timeinc.com
I think that should cover it. Anyone have other great ideas to track down email addys?
Indeed, I have a few:
The first: if you're willing to shell out a few bucks, check out mastheads.org. The site contains up-to-date info on who is who and who is where at a ton of magazines.
The next: surf the mag's website. Almost always - usually within the advertising/PR or sales sections - you can turn up the email format of that specific publisher. Just insert the name of the editor you want to reach, and voila. Example: jane_doe@condenast.com will work for any editor at Conde.
The next: Call!!! Too many writers are scared to pick up the phone and get answers to easy question. Call up the mag and ask which ed is right for your query and his/her email.
Finally: ask me. Somewhere on the archives, I've posted general formulas for most of the bigger publishing houses. I'll do it again here:
Conde: jane_doe@condenast.comHearst: jdoe@hearst.com
Rodale: jane.doe@rodale.com
Meredith: jane.doe@meredith.com
TimeInc: jane_doe@timeinc.com
I think that should cover it. Anyone have other great ideas to track down email addys?
Monday, May 21, 2007
Approaching Essays
***Listen to me on the radio today from 10AM - 10:40 EST on KTLR 890AM. You can listen to it on the web here.***
I had a weekend that sort of reminded me of aspects of TDLF. With two small kids, a career, an in-the-works new apartment, a marriage, a dog, etc (you get the point), I've realized that the first thing to go is often my social life. I know that any parent of young kids out there can relate. But this weekend, I had lunch with a fabulous friend on Friday, we had brunch with our awesome next-door neighbors (Broadway actors! Love them!) on Saturday, we went out with another couple on Sat night, and then I spent some time with Lizzie's parents, who were in town and wanted to meet my kids, on Sunday. All the while keeping our apt in tip-top shape for the open houses. Anyway, even though I was totally beat, I also felt so rejuvenated, not unlike how Natalie comes to feel. It's important to take time out and just have some fun, even if it's at the expense of the massive deadline that I have today (don't worry, I'm getting it done!) or playing catch-up with the blog. It was a good weekend, and not one I'll forget for a while.
Question of the day: I would like to know the best strategy for approaching editors when you have an essay to sell.
I've touched on this in the past on the blog (so search the archives), but the general rule of thumb is to have the entire essay piece written before you query the editor. From there, I like to write a very juicy paragraph or so, perhaps using my opening sentence from the actual essay, then providing a fabu summary of the piece. Don't send the piece as an attachment prior to getting the okay from the editor: that nearly guarantees deletion. Just write a very concise, catchy opener, list your credits and ask if you can send them the full essay.
At least that's what I'd do. But there are others out there who are wiser in the ways of essays than I am.
So, essay-sages, what say you?
I had a weekend that sort of reminded me of aspects of TDLF. With two small kids, a career, an in-the-works new apartment, a marriage, a dog, etc (you get the point), I've realized that the first thing to go is often my social life. I know that any parent of young kids out there can relate. But this weekend, I had lunch with a fabulous friend on Friday, we had brunch with our awesome next-door neighbors (Broadway actors! Love them!) on Saturday, we went out with another couple on Sat night, and then I spent some time with Lizzie's parents, who were in town and wanted to meet my kids, on Sunday. All the while keeping our apt in tip-top shape for the open houses. Anyway, even though I was totally beat, I also felt so rejuvenated, not unlike how Natalie comes to feel. It's important to take time out and just have some fun, even if it's at the expense of the massive deadline that I have today (don't worry, I'm getting it done!) or playing catch-up with the blog. It was a good weekend, and not one I'll forget for a while.
Question of the day: I would like to know the best strategy for approaching editors when you have an essay to sell.
I've touched on this in the past on the blog (so search the archives), but the general rule of thumb is to have the entire essay piece written before you query the editor. From there, I like to write a very juicy paragraph or so, perhaps using my opening sentence from the actual essay, then providing a fabu summary of the piece. Don't send the piece as an attachment prior to getting the okay from the editor: that nearly guarantees deletion. Just write a very concise, catchy opener, list your credits and ask if you can send them the full essay.
At least that's what I'd do. But there are others out there who are wiser in the ways of essays than I am.
So, essay-sages, what say you?
Friday, May 18, 2007
The Signing!
Whoops, sorry about yesterday guys. I know that I said I'd fill you in on the signing, but, well, life is so crazed right now for a variety of reasons, and the blog is sometimes the first thing to go. I know that you understand!
Anyhoo, the signing was a total blast. For reasons unknown to me, I was completely freaking out about it. My stomach was going bananas, I couldn't concentrate on other work, I was just a total mess! Which is just so weird because I used to do a lot of theater and performing, and I have no issues getting up in front of a crowd and making a general ass of myself, but ugh, I was out of my brain on this!
So after losing my mind for most of the day, I arrived at Borders and saw my mom snapping pics. :) How cute! So she shot one of me at the entrance:
Anyhoo, the signing was a total blast. For reasons unknown to me, I was completely freaking out about it. My stomach was going bananas, I couldn't concentrate on other work, I was just a total mess! Which is just so weird because I used to do a lot of theater and performing, and I have no issues getting up in front of a crowd and making a general ass of myself, but ugh, I was out of my brain on this!
So after losing my mind for most of the day, I arrived at Borders and saw my mom snapping pics. :) How cute! So she shot one of me at the entrance:
Then my agent and publicist arrived and cased the store, handing out flyers, urging people to come hear me speak. Hee. Poor victims who just wanted to shop and not be bothered.
At 7:10, I was introduced to the crowd (most of whom I knew! LOL), and I read three passages.
For the curious minds who asked what I read, here's what I chose and why: 1) the opening diary entry. Sort of for obvious reasons - it sets up the entire story and helps explain the other two passages that I was going to read. 2) The beginning of chapter 2, in which she composes an email to Ned. (Pg. 13-pg. 16.) I felt like this section demonstrated that despite the fact that the book tackles a serious subject, there's a lot of levity to it as well. 3) Her first appointment with Dr. Chin. (Part way down pg. 23-most of the end of pg. 25.) I also wanted to choose a section that counterbalanced #2, a section that showed that indeed, there is depth to the book and that readers might (hopefully) find themselves on an emotional roller-coaster.
At 7:10, I was introduced to the crowd (most of whom I knew! LOL), and I read three passages.
For the curious minds who asked what I read, here's what I chose and why: 1) the opening diary entry. Sort of for obvious reasons - it sets up the entire story and helps explain the other two passages that I was going to read. 2) The beginning of chapter 2, in which she composes an email to Ned. (Pg. 13-pg. 16.) I felt like this section demonstrated that despite the fact that the book tackles a serious subject, there's a lot of levity to it as well. 3) Her first appointment with Dr. Chin. (Part way down pg. 23-most of the end of pg. 25.) I also wanted to choose a section that counterbalanced #2, a section that showed that indeed, there is depth to the book and that readers might (hopefully) find themselves on an emotional roller-coaster.
From there, we did a fun Q/A, and toward the very end, my son rushed down the aisle and demanded that I pick him up. Then proceeded to stare out to the crowd with awe. I think we found someone who loves the spotlight. :)
He remained on my lap while I signed books, as you can see here. Talk about a juggling mom!
And well, that was that...I signed, people eventually drifted out, and my husband and I headed home to eat some cold pizza. Ah....the glamorous life!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Come Hear Me Read Tonight!
Hey all you peeps in the New York area,
Swing by Borders at Time Warner tonight at 7:00 PM. I'll be reading and signing, and it will be a good time for all!
Here's a little preview of the window at Borders. I took this from my Blackberry, so it's not great, but you get the idea! So fancy that I'm nearly a semi-celeb. :)
Hope to see some of you guys there!
Swing by Borders at Time Warner tonight at 7:00 PM. I'll be reading and signing, and it will be a good time for all!
Here's a little preview of the window at Borders. I took this from my Blackberry, so it's not great, but you get the idea! So fancy that I'm nearly a semi-celeb. :)
Hope to see some of you guys there!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Slipping You the Secret Handshake
I am not new to writing, but I am new to having my writing published. ~rim shot~
I have just finished my second novel, and I am already working on the third...nothing like an optimist!But here's the question: How exactly does the secret handshake go? Left hand upside down first? Thumb up? Down? I know if I just knew this damned handshake I'd be all inside with the easy street crowd and not on the outside, in the sunshine, with my pale skin starting to pink in the sun.
LOL! Seriously, you made me giggle! Hee!
Well, just as I was sworn to secrecy over my sorority's secret handshake, so too am I over the published author's handshake. :)
Naw, look, I'll tell you what I know: unfortunately, as you've surmised, it's not as easy as an arched index finger that scratches the other person's palm while interweaving thumbs. Too bad, eh? But I think you have the right idea - you're still writing. Every time you start/finish/draft a book, you arguably should become a better writer. If, I should add, you don't simply regurgitate the same outline/prose/concepts in each book.
Have objective readers take a look at your previous work and tell you where you can make it stronger, then apply this advice to your next one. If you keep making the same mistakes over and over again, then you're just treading water. But if improve each time, then you're well on your way to publication. I can't tell you how many writers I've heard about who have 5 or 6 unpubbed novels in their desk drawers, only to hit success on the next one. (Jon Clinch, who wrote the best-seller Finn, comes to mind, if I'm not mistaken.)
And even published writers can learn from the past. I've written the first half of my second book, and I've been told by several people that it's better than TDLF. Why? Because I worked out a few kinks and think I'm a better writer now.
So keep writing...I think that's a better tip than giving you a fancy finger-hold anyway. :)
Readers - what's your advice that's the equivalent to a secret handshake?
Monday, May 14, 2007
Easy Editing?
As I'm reading your book, I'm curious about what other aspects changed. Has the tone remained the same and you've just tweaked plot points and characters? How different is the book from what you'd originally envisioned?
One thing I've always said about writing is that as an author, you shouldn't get too attached or fall too in love with any passage or particular part of your prose, and I think that this attitude served me well when it came to TDLF revisions. It's very easy to think that what you've written is genius, but writing a decent book isn't and shouldn't be easy, and thus the harder decision often isn't what to say, but what to leave out or what to cut.
So, with that out of the way, to your question. The tone has essentially remained the same. I "got" Natalie's voice from the get-go, and her voice is such a critical part of her story and her evolution that I never dreamed of - and more importantly, no one suggested - that I modify it.
That said, as I've mentioned before, I certainly made other drastic changes. After reading the first draft, my then-agent suggested that I might have started at the wrong point of the story - I'd originally started on the day that Natalie was diagnosed - and guess what? Turned out she was right.
So out when the first 90 pages. Easy come, easy go. Even though yes, I'll admit that it was a tad painful hitting "delete" on all of those pages. Then, we decided that Natalie needed to be more likable, more relatable. So I went back and threaded in the entire Price is Right plot line. Yes, it's true, the aspect of the book that seems to be among peoples' favorites wasn't even in there to begin with! I also went back and added touches and hints about Natalie's relationship with her mom: why Natalie was who she was and how she got that way.
And this doesn't even cover the stuff that shifted in my mind while I was writing the first draft: the shifting love interests, the role of Susanna Taylor (who I didn't realize would play such a pivotal role until I was writing), the friendship issues (won't elaborate too much on those, in case of spoilage). These all came up organically as the story took me where it did.
So, the bottom line of this post is really to say, go with the flow. I think often times, authors lose any chance of objectivity because they so passionately believe that what they wrote is solid gold. But there's a reason that we have critique partners and editors and agents. And that reason is because they make our writing better. So let them.
How do you guys feel about the editing process? Is it painful and ego-blowing or a means to a better product?
One thing I've always said about writing is that as an author, you shouldn't get too attached or fall too in love with any passage or particular part of your prose, and I think that this attitude served me well when it came to TDLF revisions. It's very easy to think that what you've written is genius, but writing a decent book isn't and shouldn't be easy, and thus the harder decision often isn't what to say, but what to leave out or what to cut.
So, with that out of the way, to your question. The tone has essentially remained the same. I "got" Natalie's voice from the get-go, and her voice is such a critical part of her story and her evolution that I never dreamed of - and more importantly, no one suggested - that I modify it.
That said, as I've mentioned before, I certainly made other drastic changes. After reading the first draft, my then-agent suggested that I might have started at the wrong point of the story - I'd originally started on the day that Natalie was diagnosed - and guess what? Turned out she was right.
So out when the first 90 pages. Easy come, easy go. Even though yes, I'll admit that it was a tad painful hitting "delete" on all of those pages. Then, we decided that Natalie needed to be more likable, more relatable. So I went back and threaded in the entire Price is Right plot line. Yes, it's true, the aspect of the book that seems to be among peoples' favorites wasn't even in there to begin with! I also went back and added touches and hints about Natalie's relationship with her mom: why Natalie was who she was and how she got that way.
And this doesn't even cover the stuff that shifted in my mind while I was writing the first draft: the shifting love interests, the role of Susanna Taylor (who I didn't realize would play such a pivotal role until I was writing), the friendship issues (won't elaborate too much on those, in case of spoilage). These all came up organically as the story took me where it did.
So, the bottom line of this post is really to say, go with the flow. I think often times, authors lose any chance of objectivity because they so passionately believe that what they wrote is solid gold. But there's a reason that we have critique partners and editors and agents. And that reason is because they make our writing better. So let them.
How do you guys feel about the editing process? Is it painful and ego-blowing or a means to a better product?
Thursday, May 10, 2007
9 Things I Learned On the Way To Publication
Today's juicy post is brought to you by Writer Unboxed, so head over there to hear about the 9 things I've gleaned along the way.
I'm headed down to Nashville for the night to watch my (much younger) sister-in-law graduate from college, but I'll be back next week with more questions and answers. Yep, I know that I have a backlog, and I promise to get to them!
I'm headed down to Nashville for the night to watch my (much younger) sister-in-law graduate from college, but I'll be back next week with more questions and answers. Yep, I know that I have a backlog, and I promise to get to them!
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
And Now, Back to Real Life
Before I tell you all about my launch day, I have another Q/A out! Check out Susan Johnston's fabulous Urban Muse, in which I participate in her weekly 5 Questions post.
So...yesterday came and went and now it's back to my regularly scheduled programming. I ran around like a nutcase - hitting bookstores all over the city (though I still have to tackle downtown - I just ran out of time) and signing stock. I had a nice convo with a wonderful bookseller named Terrance at Barnes and Noble on 86th St, in which he genuinely thanked me for coming in, told me to call in a few weeks to see if I need to sign additional copies, and then also stated that autographed copies really do sell better. See? I find that strange. I guess maybe because I don't collect books or anything, but do people really buy books simply because the author has signed them? Maybe it's a situation of, if a reader is debating between two books, he or she is more likely to buy the signed one? Thoughts? I'm genuinely curious about this.
From there, I fielded more emails than I could handle, and chatted with my agent several times about what was going on, as well as book #2. Oh, and said fabulous agent also sent me some gorgeous flowers, even conspiring with my husband (who, I should note, didn't send flowers - he sheepishly admitted that he thought about it, but knew that my agent was sending them, so he didn't....er, thanks, sweetie!) to find out what my favorite blooms are. (But hubby did know that the answer was calla lilies, so I let him off the hook. He's also listened to all of my stress rants the past week, so again, that helps me give him a pass.)
And then, that was that. Pub day came and went, and by nightfall, I was still sitting on my bathroom floor, reading How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night to my son, who was sitting on the potty, while waiting for him to "push pee-pee out of his penis." Yes, this writer thing is truly glamorous.
I think that for me, the sale of the book might have been more exhilarating. I mean, I've known for months and months and months that this day was approaching, but when you sell a book, it's such a thrill, not least because of the suspense behind it. Not that yesterday wasn't great - it was. To walk into a store and say, "I'm an author, and I'd love to sign my books," is any writer's dream. And I don't mean to undersell that. But now, life goes on. I sit and anxiously await my sales figures and continue to do press and push the hell out of it, and in the meantime, potty training, dog walking, and grocery shopping await.
So, seriously, give me the scoop on autographed copies. Do you buy books based on them?
So...yesterday came and went and now it's back to my regularly scheduled programming. I ran around like a nutcase - hitting bookstores all over the city (though I still have to tackle downtown - I just ran out of time) and signing stock. I had a nice convo with a wonderful bookseller named Terrance at Barnes and Noble on 86th St, in which he genuinely thanked me for coming in, told me to call in a few weeks to see if I need to sign additional copies, and then also stated that autographed copies really do sell better. See? I find that strange. I guess maybe because I don't collect books or anything, but do people really buy books simply because the author has signed them? Maybe it's a situation of, if a reader is debating between two books, he or she is more likely to buy the signed one? Thoughts? I'm genuinely curious about this.
From there, I fielded more emails than I could handle, and chatted with my agent several times about what was going on, as well as book #2. Oh, and said fabulous agent also sent me some gorgeous flowers, even conspiring with my husband (who, I should note, didn't send flowers - he sheepishly admitted that he thought about it, but knew that my agent was sending them, so he didn't....er, thanks, sweetie!) to find out what my favorite blooms are. (But hubby did know that the answer was calla lilies, so I let him off the hook. He's also listened to all of my stress rants the past week, so again, that helps me give him a pass.)
And then, that was that. Pub day came and went, and by nightfall, I was still sitting on my bathroom floor, reading How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night to my son, who was sitting on the potty, while waiting for him to "push pee-pee out of his penis." Yes, this writer thing is truly glamorous.
I think that for me, the sale of the book might have been more exhilarating. I mean, I've known for months and months and months that this day was approaching, but when you sell a book, it's such a thrill, not least because of the suspense behind it. Not that yesterday wasn't great - it was. To walk into a store and say, "I'm an author, and I'd love to sign my books," is any writer's dream. And I don't mean to undersell that. But now, life goes on. I sit and anxiously await my sales figures and continue to do press and push the hell out of it, and in the meantime, potty training, dog walking, and grocery shopping await.
So, seriously, give me the scoop on autographed copies. Do you buy books based on them?
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Well....It's Here!
Before anything else: the fabulous Eileen Cook, whose debut, In the Stars, has been named one of Penguin's lead titles for 2008, was kind enough to do a Q/A with me, which you can find on her site.
Wow, today's the big day! And honestly, I can't remember feeling this stressed since my wedding day! (Let me rephrase: I was super-duper psyched and calm about the actual marriage, but stressed about the whole thing going smoothly. I don't think I ate anything that entire week.) Honestly, I can palpably feel the tension in my body - like the whole thing is curling into itself and forming one giant tension-filled knot. Which is insane, I know! I need to get out there and enjoy this damn thing, right?
So today, I'll try to. I had the dog walked this morning so that I could get to the gym and do the requisite running to exorcise some of my stress. And besides, somehow it didn't seem fitting for a future bestselling author (ha!) to be picking up stinky poop all morning. (We just changed our dog's food, and while you don't need to know any further details, well, things ain't pretty these days with his digestive system.)
So now, I'm going to head out to bookstores around the city to introduce myself and sign stock. Maybe that's when the excitement will kick in and the stress will abate. We'll see...I'll report back tomorrow!
Wow, today's the big day! And honestly, I can't remember feeling this stressed since my wedding day! (Let me rephrase: I was super-duper psyched and calm about the actual marriage, but stressed about the whole thing going smoothly. I don't think I ate anything that entire week.) Honestly, I can palpably feel the tension in my body - like the whole thing is curling into itself and forming one giant tension-filled knot. Which is insane, I know! I need to get out there and enjoy this damn thing, right?
So today, I'll try to. I had the dog walked this morning so that I could get to the gym and do the requisite running to exorcise some of my stress. And besides, somehow it didn't seem fitting for a future bestselling author (ha!) to be picking up stinky poop all morning. (We just changed our dog's food, and while you don't need to know any further details, well, things ain't pretty these days with his digestive system.)
So now, I'm going to head out to bookstores around the city to introduce myself and sign stock. Maybe that's when the excitement will kick in and the stress will abate. We'll see...I'll report back tomorrow!
Monday, May 07, 2007
Sick of Me Yet? My Pre-Release Weekend
Hee. Well, on the eve of my debut, I have a few Q/As and links to post.
Check out Mia King's fabulous blog (and fabulous book, Good Things - it's in its THIRD print run!) for a fun Q/A with me, as well as an ice cream recipe that ties into the book.
Then head over to the wonderful Larramie's blog, Seize A Daisy, for a few of my inner-thoughts just before the book officially hits stores.
From there, move on to Kerri Campbell-Fivecoat's, Write For You, an awesome blog about the ins and outs of the writing world, for another Q/A on my writing habits and ideas behind the book.
More Q/A links tomorrow!
So, this weekend, I prepped for the book's release in a few ways.
I started Saturday morning at the Revlon Run/Walk. While I run a lot on the treadmill, I've never actually done a 5k, so I was really pumped for it. I got off the subway just in time to spy my girl-crush, Mandy Moore, perform her new song, Extraordinary, and I was rapt. Love her! And was within 20 feet of her too, which thrilled me to no end.
The race kicked off, and I ran it with no problems - though I'll admit to crying through parts of it while I ran. All around me, people wore signs memorializing loved ones they'd lost or who were battling the disease, and it was hard not to get choked up.
But I raised nearly $6,000, and this year, my husband and I promised to match all of the donations with a donation to The MetaCancer Foundation, a foundation that was established in Lizzie's memory, so even when I hit a big hill, I kept powering through because I knew that what I was dealing with was nothing compared to what Lizzie had to go through. And it was a pretty cool feeling knowing that I'd helped raised 12k just by doing this little run! From the beginning, I'd always wanted to give part of the proceeds of the sale of the book back to charity, but donating a portion of the sale of each book is complicated, so this was my way of giving back. I've been very blessed, and I really believe in putting some good out in the world for no other reason than putting it out there.
So that was Saturday. (Topped off by seeing a fabulous movie, Waitress. Keri Russell is one of my all-time faves - I've already spoken about my Felicity adoration - and the movie didn't disappoint. Even my husband admitted to really liking it.)
On Sunday, we walked down to the Border's at Time Warner Center. I was shocked (and a little thrilled!) to see a giant picture of my mug in the window! My son ran up and squealed, "Hi Mommy!," which I think was just about the highlight of my life...all of the joyful elements of my life come together for one perfect moment. Then we went inside, and bam! My husband spotted my book front and center on the new release table. I signed some copies and did my best not to accost book buyers and shove the book down their throats, and then we all left to get some ice cream and with big smiles on our faces.
Very cool weekend, and certainly, a first-in-a-lifetime experience. Oh yeah, and a friend emailed to tell me that the Literary Guild called me "a writer to watch" in their newest catalog! It doesn't get sweeter than this.
More tomorrow, when, on release day, maybe it will!
Check out Mia King's fabulous blog (and fabulous book, Good Things - it's in its THIRD print run!) for a fun Q/A with me, as well as an ice cream recipe that ties into the book.
Then head over to the wonderful Larramie's blog, Seize A Daisy, for a few of my inner-thoughts just before the book officially hits stores.
From there, move on to Kerri Campbell-Fivecoat's, Write For You, an awesome blog about the ins and outs of the writing world, for another Q/A on my writing habits and ideas behind the book.
More Q/A links tomorrow!
So, this weekend, I prepped for the book's release in a few ways.
I started Saturday morning at the Revlon Run/Walk. While I run a lot on the treadmill, I've never actually done a 5k, so I was really pumped for it. I got off the subway just in time to spy my girl-crush, Mandy Moore, perform her new song, Extraordinary, and I was rapt. Love her! And was within 20 feet of her too, which thrilled me to no end.
The race kicked off, and I ran it with no problems - though I'll admit to crying through parts of it while I ran. All around me, people wore signs memorializing loved ones they'd lost or who were battling the disease, and it was hard not to get choked up.
But I raised nearly $6,000, and this year, my husband and I promised to match all of the donations with a donation to The MetaCancer Foundation, a foundation that was established in Lizzie's memory, so even when I hit a big hill, I kept powering through because I knew that what I was dealing with was nothing compared to what Lizzie had to go through. And it was a pretty cool feeling knowing that I'd helped raised 12k just by doing this little run! From the beginning, I'd always wanted to give part of the proceeds of the sale of the book back to charity, but donating a portion of the sale of each book is complicated, so this was my way of giving back. I've been very blessed, and I really believe in putting some good out in the world for no other reason than putting it out there.
So that was Saturday. (Topped off by seeing a fabulous movie, Waitress. Keri Russell is one of my all-time faves - I've already spoken about my Felicity adoration - and the movie didn't disappoint. Even my husband admitted to really liking it.)
On Sunday, we walked down to the Border's at Time Warner Center. I was shocked (and a little thrilled!) to see a giant picture of my mug in the window! My son ran up and squealed, "Hi Mommy!," which I think was just about the highlight of my life...all of the joyful elements of my life come together for one perfect moment. Then we went inside, and bam! My husband spotted my book front and center on the new release table. I signed some copies and did my best not to accost book buyers and shove the book down their throats, and then we all left to get some ice cream and with big smiles on our faces.
Very cool weekend, and certainly, a first-in-a-lifetime experience. Oh yeah, and a friend emailed to tell me that the Literary Guild called me "a writer to watch" in their newest catalog! It doesn't get sweeter than this.
More tomorrow, when, on release day, maybe it will!
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