Still Waiting

"So much of human life is lost in waiting." –Emerson 1841

Okay, so maybe that quote is a little over dramatic. After all, it’s only been seven months since I signed the contract with ArcheBooks. I added ‘only’ to make myself feel better, but it doesn’t help. It still feels more like seven years.

I utter sage words like, “Quit thinking about it. When it happens, it happens. A watched pot never boils,” and so on, but I can’t seem to heed my own advice.

I’ve poured over the ArcheBooks web site, looking for insights into the publishing world, and although there are certainly many helpful and interesting articles in the Author’s Writing Corner, http://www.archebooks.com/AuthCor/AuthCorn.htm, nothing really addresses my burning question, “When is The Ride going to be released?”

ArcheBooks has released a new book this month. Prudy Taylor Board’s, A Grave Injustice. I really enjoyed her last book, Murder a la Carte, so I’m looking forward to reading this one. But, one of the first things that crossed my mind when I saw the release was, “Oh, good, that’s one less book the publisher has to work on so maybe now I’ll hear something about mine.” A bit selfish, but…hey, I’m being honest here.

The logical side of me understands there’s more to the editing process than finding mistakes and making revisions. There’s formatting, proofing, something called a book block, cover design, dust jackets and a spine stamp. So deep down, I guess I know why every process of publishing a book drags on for an eternity, but it doesn’t make it easier to accept.

Now I’m going to try to get through another week without checking my e-mail or phone every two minutes to see if there’s a message from my editor. If I make it without driving myself insane, I’ll see you next week.

Thanks for stopping by.

Jane Kennedy Sutton
Author of The Ride (soon to be released by ArcheBooks Publishing)
janekennedysutton@gmail.com
http://janekennedysutton.googlepages.com/


Tags: The Ride, Archebooks, Prudy Taylor Board, A Grave Injustice, Murder a la Carte

On Becoming a Writer

Several people have asked, “When did you become a writer?”

It’s a difficult question to answer. I’ve enjoyed writing for years and dreamed of becoming a published author, but didn’t take myself seriously until recently.

Part of the reason may have been that I worried I’d end up like Mr. Tanner. Mr. Tanner, you might recall, is a character in the Harry Chapin song by the same name. The lyrics, “…But music was his life, it was not his livelihood, and it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good. And he sang from his heart and he sang from his soul. He did not know how well he sang; It just made him whole…” express how I feel about writing. When Mr. Tanner’s friends convinced him to sing publicly, he bombed and never sang again.

In other words, the fear of failing, of rejection, of ridicule and of being judged held me back. Obviously, I’m not alone.

Erica Jong said, “I went for years not finishing anything. Because, of course, when you finish something you can be judged...I had poems which were re-written so many times I suspect it was just a way of avoiding sending them out.”

Shirley, a longtime friend, sent along a newsletter/blog from Robert Genn. He describes his anxiety after sending off his manuscript for a coffee-table book, Love Letters to Art, perfectly when he wrote, “…Actually, I've been a neurotic mess for the last month or so. Maybe you've noticed. Now that I've pressed the button, I don't feel so bad. But books are terribly final. You put yourself right out there, warts and all…” Click http://clicks.robertgenn.com/deadline-day.php to read the entire blog.

"Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears." - Les Brown

Aging, I suppose, is at least partly responsible for the realization that rejection and ridicule, were they to happen, would not be the end of the world. I’m aware that some people may like my work while some may not, and I can live with that. I’m tough enough now to survive the disappointment of receiving reject letters without completely falling to pieces. I finally realized I had nothing to lose and everything to gain by going for my dream.

My foray into the publishing world has been a fun, although nerve-wracking, learning experience that enabled me to proudly declare, “I’m an author.” Regardless of how my writing career turns out, I’m so glad I took the steps to throw my hat in the ring. I only wish I had not put it off for so long.

And, as Christian Nestell Bovee said, “There is probably no hell for authors in the next world—they suffer so much from critics and publishers in this.”

Since there’s been no word from my editor or publisher this week, I have nothing new to report on The Ride so I’ll see you next week.

Get out there and live your dream and thanks for stopping by.

Jane Kennedy Sutton
janekennedysutton@gmail.com
http://janekennedysutton.googlepages.com/

Tags: The Ride, Archebooks, Harry Chapin, Mr. Tanner, Erica Jong , Les Brown, Robert Genn, Love Letters to Art, Christian Nestell Bovee

Blogging Break

Another week with nothing new to report on the progress of The Ride, which is just as well, since I am in Arkansas visiting my parents. My daughter and nearly year-old grandson traveled with me. It’s been a hectic but fun time without a moment to think about the world of authors, publishers or that dreaded monster, marketing.

So instead of blogging this week, I am going to go play peek-a-boo with my grandson, Sebastian, and try to come up with some birthday ideas for celebrating my father’s 89th on Sunday.

I’ll be back to my own little writing corner next week. Hope you’ll stop by.

Jane Kennedy Sutton
Author of The Ride (to be released by ArcheBooks Publishing)
janekennedysutton@gmail.com
http://janekennedysutton.googlepages.com/

Top Ten Countdown

The entire process (to date) of transforming The Ride into a published book continues to be an adventure as well as a learning experience. Along the way, I’ve figured out some assets that fiction writers must possess. I’ve assembled these qualifications into my own top-ten-countdown list:

10. A basic understanding of grammar

9. The knack of appearing professional in order to promote yourself as well as your writing

8. Imagination

7. The ability to turn your thoughts into words

6. Not using words like ‘flocculent’ or ‘lithoid’ when ‘soft’ or ‘hard’ convey the same message

5. Thick skins equal to or surpassing that of a rhinoceros in order to fluff off rejection notices with a flick of the wrist so that you are less inclined to slice your wrists open with any sharp object within reach

4. The capacity to receive constructive criticism with a smile instead of tears

3. The capability of deleting a paragraph you just spent eight hours perfecting after realizing it has nothing to do with the story you want to tell

2. The self-discipline to sit down and write or rewrite daily, even during periods when playing solitaire might seem a bit more productive

And the number one thing a writer must possess: (imagine a drum roll here)

1. PATIENCE (the patience of a Saint multiplied by at least a billion) for without it,a writer is sure to become a raving lunatic

The author must begin to develop this skill from the moment an inkling of an idea pops into his or her head. The need increases as the development of the plot and characters unfolds; escalates throughout the search for agents and publishers; intensifies during the editing process, until—well…what’s next? Marketing? Let’s don’t even go there.

Although I’m working hard to improve in this area, impatience still manages to creep in every morning that passes without word from my editor. I try shrugging it off, saying, “Maybe tomorrow,” so I can move on and start the day, but it is oh so hard to do.

Thanks for stopping by. See you next week.

Jane Kennedy Sutton
Author of The Ride (to be released by ArcheBooks Publishing)
janekennedysutton@gmail.com
http://janekennedysutton.googlepages.com/


Tags: The Ride, Archebooks, top ten list, patience