I suppose everyone has seen my word counters on the side of the blog and has noticed that yes, they all stand at 100%. It’s true, I have finished all three of my WIPs. Now I truly, truly don’t mean to be smug. It’s just that I am very lucky in that this is my day job. And having one kid at school and the other at creche means I do get quite a bit of time to write. And I do write fast when the mood takes me.
The other thing to bear in mind is that although I may have three finished mss, it doesn’t mean that they are, in fact, any good! They could all be complete crap! If and when I finally do get to submit any of them, I could be soundly rejected or be told to completely rewrite them. In which case it’s back to the old drawing board.
However, I’m fully of the belief that it actually doesn’t matter if they are all complete crapola. They were all great practise. Old Coot (mountain climbing hero) is one that I wrote the start of, realised I had no conflict to speak of, and then completely rewrote. Kate and Alex is my Feel the Heat entry, minus the stereotypes and with added internal conflict. And Panic Attack…well, actually that was the latest one I started and the only one where I felt I actually knew what I was doing when I began it – meaning I had the internal conflict worked out first. So even if they are all rejected, I figure that each ms was a great learning experience. Nothing is ever wasted!
And now the fun really begins. Editing! So now I have to contemplate which one to start editing first (and finding titles for since I can’t really submit something called Old Coot!) . While I do that, the other thing I’m wondering about is whether to pitch to an agent at the RWNZ conference. Sadly we’re not getting an HMB editor this year but we are getting an agent from the Knight Agency who is actively seeking category projects. I don’t know whether to pitch or not. I’m thinking not, because you don’t really need an agent to write for HMB. What does everyone else reckon? To agent or not to agent?
HMB have a standard contract for all new writers which doesn’t change even if you do have an agent so at this point you’d be paying them to do very little however they could come in handly later and its a great opportunity to kidnap one while you’re in their proximity 🙂 HUGE congrats on THREE mss you disgustingly talented woman you!
Thanks Lacey!! Not sure about the talented part – like I said, all 3 could be complete pants – but I will admit to speedy. 🙂
Yeah, that’s why I thought I might not do the agent thing yet. It probably won’t be the only opportunity ever to corner an agent.
Interesting you ask the agent question JAckie, cos Kelly Hunter was asked this question on the author panel at the Romance Roadshow on Sat. She said she got an agent after her fourth book and she’s worth every sent she pays her. She says having an agent look after the business side of her writing, means she can concentrate on the fun side. I also know Robyn Grady sold fairly soon after hooking an agent… so I wouldn’t write them off completely for category!
And yay!! Wohoo on those three mss. Think I’ll be lucky to finish one this year 🙂
Hmmm, interesting Rach. I didn’t want to discount it completely, it was more whether I should be wondering about it at this stage. Kind of feels like an extra hoop to have to jump through. I can see the attraction though admittedly.
When my kids were tiny babies, I did no writing whatsoever so I reckon if you’ve managed to even do a partial, then you deserve a medal!
Mm, that’s interesting about agents, I hadn’t really considered them to be honest.
No matter how hard you try to play it down I think you’ve achieved a massive amount this year and should be really pleased with yourself. It really is only a matter of time before I’m grabbing complete strangers in Tescos, pointing to your book and saying ‘I know her’
🙂
Ah, you are a sweetie Lorraine! No doubt I’ll be doing the same when you sell yours! And you will because Heidi said so. 🙂
I am rather pleased with myself, it has to be said. Though it’ll come back to bite me no doubt when they’re all soundly rejected!
I’m seriously impressed by your output. You’ve every right to be very pleased with yourself.
(Is it just me, or would anyone else like to read a book called ‘Old Coot’? I think it’s a great title.)
Maybe I should just leave it, Suzanne! Somehow I don’t know if the editors would appreciate that kind of levity from an unpubbed author though. Sigh.
Can you pitch to an agent and then (assuming they say yes) decide whether or not to take them on afterwards? Could be an interesting exercise, even if not for M&B…
Oh, I’m sure you can, Lucy. I just was wondering whether I want to have all the nervousness etc that pitching entails to pitch to someone I don’t really know if I want to pitch to. Sigh. Maybe I should wait to see if I get something accepted with HMB first… If!!
When. Not if. When.
Lucy, you’re right. None of this pussy-footing around or being half-hearted. WHEN I get published…
Yes, be positive! You’re right, Jackie, Heidi has given Lorraine her ‘green light’. I’m sure there is someone out there cheering you on too (other than all of us, of course).
Just think how productive you will be when you are published. They will have to have a special category all for you!!
I love Lorraine’s idea of grabbing your book in Tesco. Seriously, that would be a good bit of publicity. When yours (positive!!) and Lucy’s books are on the shelf all us blogees should take a pic of the book and blog it. Would be fun 🙂
Whoops, I meant to actually say huge congrats on your 3 finished mss instead of blabbering on!
A special category for me? Hahaha! Given how much I write, people would soon be heartily sick of me. ‘Oh no, not another Jackie Ashenden book!’ 😉
Ah, I love your optimism re blogging about my books! I’m having a ‘it’ll never happen’ day today so thanks for the cheer-up. 🙂