Reading Rachelle Gardner’s post today struck a cord with me today, and made it abundantly clear that I -unfortunately – am not ready to be a published author.
I WANT to be. I want to go to conferences and have an agent and book deals, but one thing remains clear. I can’t have book dealS, I only have one book! I can only imagine how many of you are rolling your eyes right now. Only ONE book! Most authors who become published have at least 3 novels under their belt. That is the point where they are considered truly ready. I am apparently jumping the gun. (Curse you Stephanie Meyer for making it look so easy!!!!)
So even though I do not want to do it, I think the only answer right now is to put my book down, learn a little patience, and start a new novel.
Here is my question though…do I begin writing the sequels? Or do I start an entirely new novel?
What do you think?
Write what inspires you most. It always works best. Are you called to the sequel or are you pulled toward something completely new? Go where your heart chooses and it’ll go smoother.
Write what you want to write. If it’s a sequel, so be it. If it’s something new, so be it. The choice on what to write is up to you.
I have a closet full of rough drafts. I worked through them, revised, revised, and revised some more, and then moved on to the next project. Trust me, most of the endless revising had to do with childhood issues. I’m over them . . . I think. Inferiority complex, and so many other things.
Almost three years ago, I got the inspiration for Margarita Nights. For two years, I focused solely on that project – start to finish. Okay, so I’m still working on that project – last revision, query almost ready to go. Still, I somehow knew from the first sentence, the first paragraph that Margarita Nights was the book I wanted published. I have faith in my writing and that project. I will, as a blogger friend has done, wallpaper the agent world with my query letter at some point in time. Okay, maybe not wallpaper, but my project is right for some agent, some editor, and some publisher. I just have to persevere and find the magic people to propel Margarita Nights off my desk and out into the publishing world.
Have faith in yourself and your writing!
S
p.s. after a gazillion rejections I might start querying the next project ready at the gate! : )
I don’t think it matters what you write next, it’s the PROCESS of writing that will improve a writer’s work and increase her/his likelihood of publication.
And if you improve significantly in the writing of a sequel, you can always rewrite/edit the original to come up to the new standard!
I agree – write what inspires you. With every book I’ve written, I feel as if I’m that much closer to being ready for publication. It’s a fun journey, but no doubt a frustrating one!
I would write what compels you to write. Saves you the trouble of having to work up the enthusiasm for it.
You should write a girlie tweener book. Even harlequin is making books for teens. HUGE segment of the market right now.
If not, you could always write a compilation of witty Twitter one liners.
BTW: You could even call it “Witty Twitties”. LOL