So You Want to Write a Novel

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL

HI all,

I just finished all my shopping this morning and am spending the rest of the day cleaning while little man is in school. Tonight the cooking begins and with any luck we will have a spread worth the time tomorrow for Thanksgiving. I’m giving myself some thanks by watching The Hallmark Channel all day and the great holiday movies while I clean.

So, to those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving here is the states, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Don’t overdose on the TURKEY!

Ann

They are called Trenches.

I just returned from an RWA meeting and feel so refreshed. Not sure if it is the hour of silence I have on the way there, or the “adult conversation” I lack the rest of the month, but I always return feeling a little more centered then before.

Today, Jana G. Oliver shared her experience of going from self-published, to small press, to BIG NAME publisher, too soon to be New York Time best seller.

The message I left with—I’m in the trenches of this thing we call publishing. Thank goodness she cleared that up because I mistakenly thought I was in purgatory.

I know where I want to be, and I know what I have to do to get there, but like most plot lines, the middle is muddy.

From the outside publishing seems like this almost automatic run of events-- write book, send out MS, attend book signings, make millions, guest appearance on Oprah.

Most non-authors don’t see the murky in-between the HOT DAMN I have a contract, to the actual printing of the book. Then there’s the promotion WHILE writing number two and three and . . . You get the picture. At times it seems daunting, but what makes me always come back is it ALWAYS feels worth it.

So, to those in the trenches, and to those who support us (i.e. put up with our masochistic butts) Happy Writing!!