The Holy Grail for every dedicated writer is publication.With my debut novel, The Brat, it was a case of ‘third time lucky’. By that I mean it was rejected twice before it was accepted. So what! Every writer experiences rejection! Very true, and if they are wise and fortunate enough to get comments stating why it returned with indecent haste, then they can learn from their mistakes.
Did I send in a shoddy piece of work the first time? I didn’t think so, but the receiving editor did! She also stated she didn’t like my writing style. So what was wrong with my style? Nothing, other than it didn’t meet the criteria of the publisher I sent it to.
And the second time? Well. The second time I was very fortunate. The editor loved the story, admitted she’d love to accept it but I hadn’t quite read the target requirements properly, but why didn’t I try… That would mean a pretty major re-write she admitted, but felt the story and characters were worth the extra effort.
So what did I learn? What would I do differently with my next submission?
I learned that every publisher has their own house-style. Oh yes, I’d heard of that, even, to some extent noticed it in my reading, but I had not absorbed the truth of it. So if I want to publish another book, I have to ensure I’ve done my research thoroughly this time so that my offering is suitable for my target market.
What else did I learn and would do differently? Editing! Once more, I’d read reams of information online, thought I’d got the process sussed and soon learned the error of my ways. It does not matter how thoroughly I thought I’d edited, a second pair of eyes is essential. My fingers and brain do not always work in sync when typing what is going on in my head. Your inner vision often gets in the way. You think you’ve got it down when in reality your fingers couldn’t keep up with the brain. And when you read it back, you still ‘see’ what you intended. Not good.
The final learning curve that rocked me off my feet was the ‘net work required. Thankfully it is now in place, but for those aspiring authors out there, I’d advise you study a variety of author web pages and blogs and if you are seriously aiming for publication, get the ground work in place before you sign your first contract.
I have been incredibly fortunate that I signed with a wonderful publisher, who provided an inspirational editor, and who offer advice and opportunities for their authors. All essential stuff for the newbie author!
The one thing I’ll change for next time is getting a text-to-speech software programme. I just hate reading aloud and to hear what you’ve written is essential if you want to minimise your editorial errors :-)
From Goodreads, Gina Williams is a 35-year-old famous children’s author, who also writes detective mysteries under the name of George Williamson. She was robbed of her childhood when aged ten by the late mother of the hero, Ben Kouvaris. When he was ten-years-old his mother sent him to her ex Theo Kouvaris, multi-millionaire, who lives in Greece. When he returns to her funeral he is haunted by the beautiful woman who organised the funeral. When his father orders him to marry he thinks of Gina Williams. They have to overcome the horrors of the past and forgive their parents for their betrayals. Will their past destroy their future?
The Brat – Excerpt Three - Pg 99
“I guess life diverted your dreams.”
The earlier light-hearted banter between them vanished. “Yes.” Ben signalled the waiter, passed over his credit card, and rose.
She leaned forward to pick up her bag just as her phone rang. Without checking the caller ID she took the call.
“You think I don’t know what you’re up to?”
The last time she heard that voice the Inspector had walked into her house seconds later. The phone almost slipped through her fingers, and she swung away from Ben’s perceptive stare.
“Who are you? What do you want?”
“You won’t deny your family’s existence for much longer, I promise you.”
The dial tone buzzed in her ear. Dear God in heaven, what did that mean? She’d never denied her family! They’d deserted her.
0 comment:
Post a Comment