Someday...

You will know my name.

Okay, it may not ever be on a New York Times best seller list, but someday it will be in a bookstore.

I was scrolling through Facebook today, when I noticed an article shared by a friend. Good-to-know stuff about the Christian fiction market. While reading the article, I noticed a link in the sidebar to this one: Five Reasons Why You May Never Get Published.

I stiffened. I clicked. I prepared to be shattered. I wasn't.

I may not as regimented as I want to be, but I am willing to put in the years   yes, years!   that it takes to accomplish this goal.  I don't expect to write a rough draft and have total strangers drool over it. I am not a professional. I WANT to be. Someday. What I know compared to what I need to know is a drop in the bucket. Or ocean. Yes, more like a drop in the ocean. It is sometimes overwhelming, but yet I plug away...

I am willing to take criticism, and LEARN from it. I have sent pieces of my WIPs to friends 'in the business' and listened to their advice. From pasts posts, you know that I am friends with the recently published author, Terri Tiffany. Terri has offered to be my critique partner, and has offered me tremendous encouragement. But she has also pointed out my mistakes and offered well-informed advice to correct those areas. AND I LISTEN! Apparently, that is not the typical reaction from a novice. Many people tell me stories of hurt feelings and 'I never heard from her again' scenarios. Why? If you're serious about writing, as I am, shouldn't you prize that information?

I won't even think about submitting my work to anyone until I am positive   and have other knowledgeable people in agreement   that my novel is the absolute best it can be. I worry enough about Terri seeing my drafts! This book is my baby. I birthed it. I want to be proud of it. It isn't enough to be published. I could self-publish tomorrow. (And I think too many have at this stage.) I want to be an author   by my definition. I want to write a really good book that people will recommend to others. A book that people are willing to pay for   not just willing to read because it was free.

I want my book to be different. I don't want to write a book that is predictable, or just like so-and-so's. I have my own voice, and want to perfect it so that is stands out from the crowd   or rather, the slush pile. I'm not so in love with my current WIP that I would continue down the same path if told the idea is overdone and will not sell. That is true insanity if my goal is to be published.

Lastly, I'm not so big-headed to think my talent surpasses that of other published authors, and therefore I will be 'discovered' by that lucky agent...blah...blah...blah...  Just as my book is my baby, I am a baby in this world of writing. Even though I've been doing it all my life, I've never before attempted to do it correctly. Yes, there is a method. There are rules. There is so much to learn. But I am willing and eager.

I  stumbled across this bit of wisdom today:

 "There is no comparison between that which is lost by not succeeding and that which is lost by not trying."     Francis Bacon 

 I am trying. I am definitely trying!

Inspired by Another, I #AmWriting!

It feels so good to be back at it! I truly love writing. Always have. In past posts, I shared a lot about why I put off getting back to the other book for so long. That's right--I have started a new story! And I love it. Not that I didn't love the other one, but it needs so much revision since I've turned in a new direction. The old story is still a WIP, but on the back burner.

In my last post, I told you about Terri Tiffany.
She has been such an inspiration...er...motivator...um...drill sergeant! I say this jokingly, but in all seriousness, she has provided a much needed push to get me going. I guess I can call her an accountability partner. Best. Thing. Ever.

When I told Terri I had an idea for a new book, she told me when she expected the first chapter. I sent her the first chapter. I love her.

Terri sent me a wonderfully detailed critiqued that will help me mold that chapter into the best it can be. I've already sent her the revision!

I love technology. Today, we have so many great writing tools at our fingertips via the internet--a dictionary, thesaurus, style handbooks, maps, images--but none can take the place of someone that holds you accountable to your writing. Terri tells me that I WILL finish a book this year. I believe her.

Do you have a critique partner or writer's group that keeps you directed toward your goal?