My Latest Publishing Venture

I'm a big supporter of sharing my work online. As some of you know, I almost gave up on writing and then I discovered Wattpad...you can read about that here.

Now, seven published novels later, I'm excited to be partaking in Swoon Reads!

What is Swoon Reads you ask?

It's pretty cool, actually. Like Wattpad, stories are posted on their site for free. Then readers can comment and vote, letting the Swoon Reads Staff know which books are resonating with the reading community, thereby helping them find their next author! But don't take my word for it, here's their twitter bio.

We publish the latest and greatest in YA fiction with the help of readers and writers like you, because we believe that great books are better shared. 

Yes, books really are better shared! My mantra.

I've submitted my latest manuscript, NEVER ONCE to Swoon Reads, hoping it finds a loyal following to enchant and charm the pants off.

Hmm...sorry? What's my book about? Oh, right.

*clears throat* It's a gender swapped retelling of Cinderella with a sci-fi twist.

*cues epic romantic soundtrack with an underlying impish beat in the strings section*

As heir to an impoverished planet, eighteen-year-old Princess Tianna is forced to select a husband from an array of interplanetary suitors to ensure a viable future for her people. But instead of choosing a wedding gown, she steals a spaceship determined to flee the arranged marriage.

Tired of being treated like a slave at his stepfather’s android repair shop, Sinter trades in his safety goggles for a tailored suit and executes a daring escape, only to end up stowing away in Princess Tianna's ship by mistake. 

Sparks fly as the two opposites battle wits, but they soon realize their schemes of escape come at a dangerous price when they inadvertently uncover a plot to overthrow the monarchy. As they work together to expose the mysterious rebel leader, Tianna and Sinter are surprised to find they share an unexplainable bond and soon their attraction is too great to resist.

Racked with guilt, Sinter decides to reveal his true identity on the night of the ball, but testing Tianna’s affections will cause a deadly chain of events to unfold because the rebels are plotting an assassination and the hired killer is the very last person he suspects.

WHEE!!! How can you resist?

Guess what, you don't have to! Head over to Swoon Reads at this link right HERE and you can start reading Never Once speedy quick.

Psst...don't forget to rate the story and comment.

My Year in Writing 2016

Most of us would rather wake to find that this year (especially the heart breaking loses) was only a bad dream.

However, this exercise of writing my 'year in review' post has become a bit of a tradition, so let's get at it, shall we? 

FYI, here are my posts for 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

According to my post from last year, these were my goals for 2016...Psst I actually accomplished two things from this list.

1.Write a combined novel for both Kelsey (BUTTERFLIES DON'T LIE) and Jesse (GIRL ON THE RUN).

2. Skate on the Oval more.

3. Somehow get chosen to be a parade marshal.

4. Outline third novel for The Nefertari Hughes Mystery series.

5. Find the agent who is the right fit for my secret project.

6. Learn how to knit socks.

So how did I do? Here we go...

JANUARY

I receive the final version of NIGHT SHIFT from the editor and complete the (last ever!) revisions for this story. I apply for an ISBN from the Library and Archives of Canada. This is the first official step in self publishing NIGHT SHIFT and I'm scared to death. I then send a creative brief to the cover artist, Emma Dolan who also did the outstanding look for ASP OF ASCENSION.

My contemporary romance, THE RIGHT FIT (written under a pen name) reaches one million reads  on Wattpad. I think it might be time to try submitting to agents. 

Most popular blogpost of the month is Seven Characters That Will Strengthen Your Story.

FEBRUARY

THE RIGHT FIT is featured in Cosmopolitan.com. I participate in #pitmatch on Twitter and receive four requests by agents.

The final cover comes in for NIGHT SHIFT and I am overwhelmed by how perfect it is!

Along with millions of other viewers I tune in to watch the mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead.

I begin the very sharp learning curve of formatting a novel for Createspace. I make a lot of mistakes and learn what 'bleeding edge' means.

I send in the final edits for the second book in the Nefertari Hughes series, DIADEM OF DEATH to Fierce Ink Books.

I attend the Books Start Here campaign for local publishers and writers and am lucky enough to meet Lesley Crewe.

Most popular blogpost for the month is Cover Reveal for NIGHT SHIFT.

MARCH

Set up blog tour and contest for NIGHT SHIFT.

Rejections trickle in for THE RIGHT FIT.

I'm honoured to be invited to speak on a YA author panel at the 2016 Atlantic Books Shortlist Announcement.

Don Aker, Vicki Grant, Shauntay Grant, Me ;) and Youth Collection Development Librarian, Ashely Nunn-Smith. 

Most popular blogpost of the month is How to Deal With Author Jealousy.

APRIL

I send BLACK FRIDAY (Night Shift series #2) to the amazing Penelope Jackson for editing and cross my fingers that she likes it. 

THE RIGHT FIT reaches over 4 million reads on Wattpad!

I do a guest spot on community radio with Suzanne Rent. We talk about writing, self publishing, and what it means to be a local author.

Set up a blog tour and contest for ASP OF ASCENSION to build interest for the sequel (DIADEM OF DEATH).

Most popular blogpost of the month is Once Upon A Time, Season 5, Episode 17 Her Handsome Hero.

MAY

Since I didn't manage to snag an agent, I submit THE RIGHT FIT to a few publishing houses that accept unsolicited queries.

Send out emails to book stores that carry my other YA novels regarding taking NIGHT SHIFT on consignment.

Attend the annual New Book Bash hosted by the WFNS and Woozles bookstore. It sounds violent but it's to celebrate the books from children's authors across the province. I was there to show off GIRL ON THE RUN and ASP OF ASCENSION.

The Canadian Children's Book Centre pick GIRL ON THE RUN as one of their 'Best Books for Teens for 2016'.
Yay! Way to go, Jesse!

Most popular blog post of the month is Bad Writing Advice From Non-Writers.



JUNE

Receive final edits back for BLACK FRIDAY and work feverishly to make it sparkle. 

See the cover for DIADEM OF DEATH and I dance in the kitchen. Start to organize a reveal and contest on my blog.

Most popular blog post of the month is How Yoga Saved My Writing. That's me on the rock doing my best not to fall into the water.

JULY

My 16 year old daughter has her wisdom teeth removed. We take advantage of her drug induced state and film her while she tries to talk. It still makes me laugh. 

NIGHT SHIFT is now in select Chapters/Indigo bookstores across Nova Scotia.

See the cover for BLACK FRIDAY and I die because it's that friggin' amazing.

THE RIGHT FIT reaches over 5 million reads on Wattpad!!

Things are going along swimmingly, and then...

Two weeks before DIADEM OF DEATH is due to release I receive news that Fierce Ink Books is closing immediately. Sadly, this means 'Diadem' will not be published. I cancel the cover reveal and explore my options of taking back the rights and perhaps pursuing self-publishing.

Most popular blog post this month is Cover Reveal for HEAR THE WOLVES by Victoria Scott.

AUGUST

I binge on the OLYMPICS and cry every time a Canadian makes the podium.  

I attend the first Indie Author Fair in Halifax. It was a great opportunity to meet other independent authors and of course, buy books. Plus, I reunited with my grade 6 teacher, Geraldine Tuck! She's an author now too. She's so beautiful, this woman never ages.

I receive an offer of publication for THE RIGHT FIT from The Wild Rose Press. The editor sent a lovely email about how she loved the characters and how the story made her swoon, then cry, and then laugh and swoon some more. And I realize this is the editor who is meant to have this story.

The editor who worked on DIADEM OF DEATH mentions the series to another publisher he freelances with. Lucky for me and my characters Blue Moon Publishing is keen on the story and offers to publish the Nefertari Hughes Series. 

BLACK FRIDAY is now available as ebook and paperback!

Most popular blog post of the month is BLACK FRIDAY Cover Reveal and Contest! 

SEPTEMBER

Have a magical time attending Beauty and the Beast at Neptune Theatre.

Outline the third book in the Nefertari Hughes series! I have a title, but I think I'll keep that secret for a bit longer.

Begin a new contemporary romance set in Halifax.

I discover Call The Midwife on Netflix and quickly fall in love with Sister Monica Joan.

And Holy Hannah, look at the tomatoes from our garden. So so so delish.

Most popular blog post of the month is 9 Easy Ways to Add Conflict To Your Story.

OCTOBER

Receive the editorial letter for THE RIGHT FIT and I'm happy to see all the suggestions resonate with me and I'm excited to make the book even better.

Start work on press package for Blue Moon Publishing including book club discussions for both books. I learn ASP OF ASCENSION and DIADEM OF DEATH will be released together in April 2017!!!

Most popular blog post of the month is Deus Ex Machina.

NOVEMBER

Send out blurb requests for DIADEM OF DEATH. For the record, asking for author blurbs is one of the least fun parts of being a writer. However, I'm lucky to have some lovely authors in my circle.

Finish the contemporary romance set in Halifax!

Send in final edits for THE RIGHT FIT.

Had a short but wonderful trip to Liverpool and London to visit with family. And yes, I'm the kind of person who takes pictures of her food.

Hal-Con 2016 offered me the chance to get to hear Maggie Stiefvator, Courtney Stevens and Brenna Yovanoff talk about the changing landscape of YA. And I just want to say that Maggie and I look great, we could be part of a rock band or something.

Most popular blog post of the month is Ten Things Writing Has Taught Me.

DECEMBER

See the cover for THE RIGHT FIT and I smile because it's all swoony and romantic looking.

Book signing in Chapters where I get to hand out candy canes and chat up passer-bys about books and such.

Halifax gets a HUGE snow storm, but that's okay because we're all cozy inside. My dog, Cody claims his territory under the tree.

Most popular blog post is Novel Spotlight: A and B, by J.C. Lillis.

Hey, were you keeping track? Which goals did I accomplish?

Write a combined novel for both Kelsey (BUTTERFLIES DON'T LIE) and Jesse (GIRL ON THE RUN).
Erm...no. But I'm always thinking about them if that counts.

Skate on the Oval more.
Okay, I did skate more than the year before. You'll just have to trust me on this. 

Somehow get chosen to be a parade marshal.
Damn. I'll keep trying though.

Outline third novel for The Nefertari Hughes Mystery series.
Yes! Unlock achievement.

Find the agent who is the right fit for my secret project.
I didn't get an agent, but I did get a PUBLISHER. So I think that's worth two points.

Learn how to knit socks.
Nope. However, I did find someone who knits socks and sells them at the Farmer's Market every Saturday.

Goals for 2017

1. Outline and hopefully write sequel for GIRL ON THE RUN. See above.

2. Write third book in Nefertari Hughes' series.

3. Meet another famous author and get a picture with them!

4. Go to a writing convention. Seriously, I've never gone.

5. Make new friends. Why not?


What are your writing goals for 2017?

  

A Second Chance

This past July the second book in the Nefertari Hughes Mystery series, DIADEM OF DEATH, was due to be launched. I was extremely excited about this book and head over heels in love with the cover. Unfortunately, Fierce Ink Books closed shop just shy of the publication date.

Based out of Halifax and dedicated to publishing quality young adult novels by Canadians, the staff behind Fierce worked tirelessly and passionately for four years, but ultimately they were not able to continue in the competitive field of publishing. I will always be appreciative for the experience with Fierce Ink and how they brought Asp of Ascension and its characters into the world.

Although it was a sticky situation to start shopping around a sequel, I didn't have to wait for long to find a home for the series. I'm thrilled to announce that Blue Moon Publishers has taken on the series and will be releasing Asp of Ascension and Diadem of Death in the Spring of 2017.

I'm not sure how the new covers will look, but I know Terry and Maude and the rest of the gang are in very capable hands. As of today, I'm busy writing the third book in the series and outlining ideas for a fourth.

Again, I'm grateful for what Fierce did for my writing career and I wish the team the best of luck in the future. They're all very talented and I'll be championing their future endeavors.

If you want to purchase the original Asp of Ascension, it's still available, but only for limited time.

iTunes
Amazon (Canada)
Amazon (US)
Chapters/Indigo
BarnesandNoble

How to Deal with Jealousy

Does this sound familiar?

You're about to go to bed, but you decide to check your email one more time to see if the agent you queried has responded.

Nope.

It's okay, you rally your sprits, there's still hope. Just for kicks, you check out Twitter...and there it is.
Someone has just signed a three book deal *gasp* at auction.

Someone who isn't you.

You scroll down your Twitter feed a bit more, and wowzers, someone has been nominated for a book award in your genre.

Someone who isn't you.

And then—and this is the killer—someone announces a movie deal.

Someone who isn't...okay, I think you know where I'm going with this. You lean back from the computer and swallow your tears whispering, "Why not me?"

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But that's okay. Jealousy is normal. It means you're still hungry for your dream, and that you're willing to keep working at it because you think about it every day. Still, you don't want to crumble every time you read your Twitter feed, so...

How can you deal with jealousy?

First: Forgive yourself for wishing it was you making that announcement. Wishing is awesome! You're hopeful! You still have that burning desire...keep that shit lit, man.




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Second: Take a break from social media to concentrate on other awesome aspects of your world; like dancing in the kitchen, eating Lucky Charms for supper, and how your friends will always have your back and bring you chicken soup when you're sick.

Writing is part of your life, but it shouldn't be your ENTIRE life. 

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Third: Now that you've connected with the other things in your daily life that bring you happiness think about the news on Twitter that made you feel jealous; a major book deal, an award nomination, a movie adaptation.

These announcements should always be celebrated because the writer has probably worked their fingertips to the bone for years and had their heart broken a thousand times to make this happen. Plus, all of these accomplishments benefit the publishing industry.

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 DING! DING! DING! *light bulb moment* And um...dude, you're a writer so this is big important stuff. This means the publishing industry is ALIVE and well. (Just like yogurt) Holy heck, it's flourishing!


Fourth: After you've counted your blessings and realized that good news for one author is good news for ALL writers, get back on social media. Send a big congratulations to the people who are basking in their happy news. Everyone loves a big party and the writing community is outstanding at supporting one another. So remember...

Success by others in this industry doesn't diminish your chances, it increases them. 

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I hope this helps you on your own writing journey. Positive thoughts and high word counts, my friends.

If you enjoyed this post please share!

Cover Reveal: FIND ME IF YOU DARE

I'm so excited to share the cover for Vicki Leigh's upcoming YA dark urban fantasy, FIND ME IF YOU DARE! Published by Curiosity Quills, December 1, 2015.

And if the cover art is any indication at how creepy and chilling this second book of the Dreamcatcher series is, I recommend reading this one with the lights on and NEVER when you're in the house alone...at night.

Feeling brave? Add it on Goodreads here.

To celebrate the cover reveal Vicki Leigh is having an awesome 22 BOOK GIVEAWAY! Check out all the details on her tumbr page. (vickileighauthor.tumblr.com). 

But first, a little bit about FIND ME IF YOU DARE.

They may have won the first battle, but the Apocalypse has just begun.

Five weeks have passed since the battle that left Rome and Columbus in ruins. Sheltered in the hidden city of Caelum, Daniel and Kayla train alongside over one hundred Magus and Protectors, hoping that their unified ranks will be enough to take down their greatest threat yet: Richard, his followers, and his horde of Nightmares. Then a fallen comrade is returned to Caelum with a message carved into his chest and a note referencing the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and Daniel knows their time for training is over.

Finally understanding Richard’s plans for Kayla and the three other Magus born on Halloween, Daniel and the rest of Caelum’s volunteers scout the U.S. in a desperate attempt to stop their enemy before he can unleash his first Horseman. But when massive attacks claim thousands of lives, people all over the world begin to fall ill—including those Daniel and Kayla care about the most.

With the Horseman of Pestilence released, Daniel knows it’s time to step aside and let Kayla take the lead. Only she has the power to rival her father’s. But when Richard’s plot turns out to be darker than they imagined, their fight is met with more death and destruction—and an enemy who might be unbeatable, after all.

Phew! Awesome, right? Okay, scroll down for the spectacular cover.
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Adopted at three-days-old by a construction worker and a stay-at-home mom, Vicki Leigh grew up in a small suburb of Akron, Ohio where she learned to read by the age of four and considered being sent to her room for punishment as an opportunity to dive into another book. By the sixth grade, Vicki penned her first, full-length screenplay. If she couldn’t be a writer, Vicki would be a Hunter (think Dean and Sam Winchester) or a Jedi. Her favorite place on earth is Hogwarts (she refuses to believe it doesn’t exist), and her favorite dreams include solving cases alongside Sherlock Holmes.

You can also find Vicki on Twitter!

Are You a Book Pirate?

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I don't mean like Captain Hook or Long John Silver. I mean the book pirate who makes copies of hard copy books and original ebooks, and either sells them or makes them available on the internet for free.

People are still confused as to why this is wrong.

The truth is not many writers are able to support themselves solely by writing, which means most writers have another job.

Why should you care?

Well, let's say you happen upon a terrific book and you're delighted that it's going to be a series. But, oh man—it ends with a cliffhanger and you'll have to WAIT for months or even the next year for the sequel.

Wouldn't it be great if your favorite author wrote faster?

I'm sure they would love that too. But when they don't make enough revenue from book sales to write full time they may only get to work on their novels on the weekend, which means the book you're waiting for will take even LONGER to get on the shelf.

So book pirating affects readers...everywhere.

Still confused? Have you ever said this...

#1. "It doesn't matter if I copy this published book on my blog/tumblr/facebook page for free because the author is super rich."

It's not only the author who is losing revenue. The publisher, the editor, the people who design book covers, and most importantly the local bookstore are all losing out too.

Pirated books don't count in sales figures.

Publishers like to use these numbers to forecast what kinds of books people are buying to help them mainstream which authors/genres they should spotlight. If you're reading pirated books, you're decreasing the chance of another author (probably someone who has written a story you'd love) from getting a book deal.

#2. "It's not illegal. I'm not making any money."

Actually it is illegal. And why should you make money from something you had no hand in creating?

#3. "It's posted for free on the author's website so it's not book pirating."

Sorry, wrong again. Anything that anyone writes is copyrighted by law. Unless you have written permission from the author to post their work on your site, then you're a book pirate.

#4. "Authors should be lucky anyone is reading their book."

If that's how you truly feel, you've missed the whole point of reading the book.

#5.  "I can't afford to buy the book and the waiting list at the library is too long."

Perhaps this would be a good time for you to join a book club. The thing about book clubs is that a lot of members OWN books. Chances are someone in your school has a copy of that very book you're dying to read.

And guess what? Maybe you'll meet someone who loves books as much as you, and then you'll start your own book review blog. And before you know it publishers are contacting you to do reviews and sending you ARCs...for FREE! Then you can have contests so that other people (just like you) can read books for free without pirating.

I know most people who pirate books won't be swayed by this post, but I'm hoping there's at least one person who gets this and will make the decision to stop pirating. I hope that person is you.

And who says you can't read an amazing book for FREE?

Check out Wattpad for oodles of genres and even previews and contests from famous authors. If you're not on there, you should go...like right now. While you're there, check out NIGHT SHIFT.

Congratulations! You made it to the end of this post. Please enjoy this memorable scene from one of my favorite pirates.

Hope for Writers

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I have those moments when I finish an amazing book and think, "Oh my God, I will never write this well." And a dark cloud of funk hangs over me, raining doubt.

Does that sound familiar?

It's natural that we slip into those melancholy batches, but generally as a whole, I think writers are an inherently hopeful people.

Here's why:

1. When you start a book, you're hopeful that you will finish.

2. When you finish the book, you're hopeful that it will be published.

3. When you publish the book, you're hopeful that people will buy it.

4. When people buy your book, you're hopeful they will read it.

5. When people read your book, you're hopeful they will understand it.

6. And when they understand your book, you're hopeful they will love it.

And unbeknownst to you, that person is probably saying, "Oh my God, I will never write this well."

So stop doubting yourself and let your hopeful nature shine.

Book Deal!!!

Yes, it's true, I'm going to be an author.

I have a two book deal with Nimbus Publishing.

BUSGIRL BLUES will be published in the Fall 2014 and JUST JESSE will follow in 2015.

Oh my, where to begin. Well, certainly not at the beginning because that's way too boring.

Here are the dirty details...

JUST JESSE was on submission with two different agents for a combined total of sixteen months.

I received over twenty rejections from publishers.

I had two editors ask for a revise and resubmit (neither led to the above deal).

I had one YES!

If you feel like you've been on submission forever and you think no one is ever going to like your work, I'm here to tell you it will happen. IT WILL HAPPEN.

Keep writing. Join a critique group. Keep writing. Enter contests. Keep writing. Send your work out into the world. Keep writing.

It's okay to get rejections. It's okay for editors not to fall in love with your work. It's okay to feel crappy about it sometimes. It only means that your book hasn't met the right editor yet. There is a lid for every jar, my friend. 

My recent success with BUSGIRL BLUES on Wattpad was a turning point. It gave me the confidence I needed to actually try and get myself published.

I sent BUSGIRL BLUES to Nimbus, hoping a small publisher who focuses on Atlantic Canada might be interested in my coming of age novella set in my home town of Chester, Nova Scotia.

A view of the front harbour in Chester. Isn't it gorgeous!
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Penelope J., an editor from Nimbus (and my new bff) called me the end of May (on my niece's fifteenth birthday to be exact). She'd spent the day reading BUSGIRL BLUES and had just finished. She then proceeded to talk about the characters like they were real people who lived down the street and sometimes popped in to borrow sugar. She used words like; thrilled, excited, loved...

Then she made an offer to publish! I almost dropped the phone into the soapy sink full of dishes. Next we talked about JUST JESSE, so she asked for that too.

The next week I had a two book offer staring at me in the face.

That's right, people, my jar had found its lid.

Thank you so much to everyone who has ever read this blog, or read one of my stories on wattpad, or favorited one of my tweets, or smiled at me, or shared their Oreos at recess when my mom sent me with yogurt, or breathed oxygen...I think you see where I'm going with this.

Yes, I'm in love with the world.

Keep writing. Keep hoping. Keep dreaming. 

IT WILL HAPPEN!

And for God's sake, buy my books when they come out.

Enough talk, time to celebrate!

Top 5 Rejected Titles of NYT Best Sellers

In the heated, competitive world of publishing, a good title is as essential to successful sales as a good cover. It's a common occurrence that publishing houses change the name of a manuscript many times before making a final decision.

But what if...

Here are my guesses at the Top 5 Rejected Titles of NYT Best Sellers.

1. Gone With The Wind Girl, by Gillian Flynn



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A historic psychological thriller about a Southern belle who disappears after her family hosts a BBQ for confederate solders.









2. The Da Vinci Sudoku Puzzle, by Dan Brown



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A young professor is hunted down by a secret society after he discovers the Mona Lisa was actually a paint by numbers kit.














3. Harry Potter and the Gall Bladder Stone, by JK Rowling

A boy wizard is shocked to find out he's the long lost son of two successful gastroenterologists.



4. Breaking Wind, by Stephanie Meyer



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Young vampires in love toy with the dangerous practice of eating baked beans.









 5. Twenty-Five Shades of Black mix with Twenty-Five Shades of White, by EL James

Things get weird with the rollers and bristle brushes in this paint store tryst between a naive inventory clerk and the guy who runs the mixer-machine thingy.


BONUS!!!!!

The Casual Friday Vacancy, by JK Rowling

A voyeuristic journey into the back stabbing politics of dress down days at the office.

Can you think of any others?

If you liked this, click on the Google +1 button below.

I Wave The White Flag

I'm usually a pretty upbeat kind of chick. My motto is, "Hey, it could always be worse." It could also be a whole lot better, but that's not my style.

Most of my posts deal with getting through the yucky times of publishing. You know, the constant rejections, the feeling no one will ever, EVER publish your book, and how everyone else on the planet is not only getting book deals, but movie rights as well.



That's it! I'm outta here.
photo credit, ereads.com

It's enough to make a girl rethink her motto.

*Le sigh*

This week my cheery outlook has been challenged, but that's what makes you stronger, right?

Well, actually no.

I've been mucking around in a gloom of submission for sometime...one book is clocking in at over a year—that's a lot of waiting for nothing to happen.




Also, I've been laid up with a broken foot, hobbling on crutches, and spending most of my time on the couch. It's been great for my Pinterest boards, but it's also allowed me to reflect on my specific goals for writing.

Why do I want to write?

Because I love creating characters and sharing those stories makes them real for others.

Why do I want to be published?

Because more people would read my stories, plus I might get more twitter followers.

What is the best thing about being on submission?

Knowing there is a chance I might get published, therefore more people will read my stories.

What is the worst thing about being on submission?

Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Rejection. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Rejection.

I want my stories to be read, not stuck in someones in box for another year.

So, I'm taking a break.

I'm turning away from my e-mail.

I'm raising the white flag.

I will be wattpad's best contributor.

I will write more. And I will share more.

No more waiting.

Enjoy the stories...

Why Bother Writing If I'm Never Going To Be Published?

I asked myself this question out loud in my empty kitchen the other morning while scraping the hardened bits of scrambled egg from the frying pan.

Are we there yet?
photo credit, de.fotolia.com

Being on submission is thrilling, but it's also quite boring and depressing at times. They say the road to publication is different for everyone.

I confess I've begun to feel like I'm stuck on a banana seat bike puffing out, I think I can. I think I can. I think I can... as I watch everyone else is fly past me in a Ferrari. It seems to happen to other people much faster and always overnight.



I flipped back through my mental calendar and did the calculation. I started writing three years ago, during March break of 2009. No, way. Really? That long? The math was like a school yard bully, thumbing his nose at me.

I dropped the scraper and stared out the kitchen window. Three years. If it was meant to be, it shouldn't take this long, I reasoned. If it was meant to be, it should be effortless. The answer was like a punch to my gut.

Why am I subjecting myself to rejections from strangers whose opinions can ruin a lovely sunny day? Why? WHY did I ever start writing?

I wiped my hands dry and slumped in front of my computer. I checked my e-mail folder for NIGHT SHIFT. I went to the first draft and the date was confirmed. Yup, three years. I began reading the first chapter. I hadn't seen this version for awhile. I cringed. Ew...so bad. I used up two pages describing the Confectionery.

Then I clicked on an e-mail dated a week after I finished that first draft. It was from one of my close friends. She'd read the first chapter and wanted more. After I had sent her the whole thing, she asked, “What happens next?”

Only a writer knows how amazing it feels to have someone ask you that question.

Gradually, I added two more friends to the weekly chapter e-mail deliveries. With their encouragement the series grew. By the fourth book, the story had became theirs as well. I'll always remember one of my friends congratulating me, “You wrote four books! FOUR!”

“But they're not real books,” I had said. She shot me a look, and then uncorked the wine.

Reading those three-year-old e-mails gave me my answer. I started writing NIGHT SHIFT because I had this story in my head and I wanted to see where it would go. I kept writing because I loved how it felt for other people to know the characters and care what happened to them. And I continue to write because it is a wonderful and powerful thing to create brand new characters and share their stories.

I now realize that as long as I'm sharing it doesn't matter if the book is hardcover or a stack of looseleaf, hole punched and tied with red yarn.

Taking the scenic route.
photo credit, travelzone.com

Writing is a journey. And while pedalling up hill is tough when everyone else is already celebrating at the finish line, I'll rest on my banana seat and enjoy the view.

So...why bother writing?

Because I can.

Why do you write? What inspires you?

Next Monday I'll be blogging the SEASON FINALE of Once Upon A Time. Eek!!!

Cheers!