Recently I heard someone say they wrote a book in seven days, thanks to AI. I wouldn't say they wrote a book. I'd say they wrote a draft. As we navigate the brave new worlds before us, one question I'm asking me and my process is, What's the right amount of time for my book … [Read more...] about How to Bake a Book: a 10-year Recipe
querying
On Querying Agents: I’ll Tell You What’s Frustrating
This is dedicated to all my writer pals currently in the querying trenches. I may feel a long ways away from a long querying journey, but I still remember the struggles, and I won't ever forget what it's like dead center of that marathon run to find an agent. (I've found … [Read more...] about On Querying Agents: I’ll Tell You What’s Frustrating
On Querying Agents: What’s a Personalized Rejection?
How do you know that a rejection is a sign to keep going? The personalized rejection can give you some hope. With 113 rejections in this last round of querying, I've developed some theories about what constitutes an authentic and individualized response versus a template … [Read more...] about On Querying Agents: What’s a Personalized Rejection?
Houston, We Have an Agent!
I'm so excited to announce that I am now represented by Tara Gelsomino of One Track Literary Agency! What a journey! Sigh of Relief + Dance of Joy doesn't capture the many feelings of landing here after a #neverthelessshepersisted trek in the trenches...and for, yes, the third … [Read more...] about Houston, We Have an Agent!
Don’t Despair When Your Agent Leaves the Business
When your agent leaves the business, what do you do? In June I wrote my friend and YA author Gordon Jack when I was in the bluest, most Anne Shirley depths of despair. “My agent is leaving the business,” I said, feeling as if I were delivering the worst and most shameful of … [Read more...] about Don’t Despair When Your Agent Leaves the Business
Make Defeat Your Fuel
More than halfway through my latest novel, I’ve been thinking a lot about why I keep going. Writing is a business full of few favors, lucky breaks, or sudden hits. One thing I’ve figured out after many years in this game is that defeat is my fuel. Wins? They’re my … [Read more...] about Make Defeat Your Fuel