Friday, March 15, 2013

Things change but only for the better.

Hey friends. If you're not in the world of publishing then you might think it goes like this.

1. Write a book.
2. Send in book.
3. Get huge check for all the money.
4. Live on the beach because your job as a writer is glamorous.

Hold on while I laugh/cry.


It's not even close to that.

First you write a story. You tell a couple people.  They ask you these questions.

1. How many pages is that? Then this conversation follows. Me: I don't know... how many it takes to hold 70 thousand words? Them:What? OMG. I can barely write a grocery list. Me: You could do it. Them: So it's easy? Me: *Kicks self repeatedly* No.. Um, it's not.. it's just... *drinks all the wine*

2. So when's your book coming out? I want to buy it. You sent it out to three agents last week and haven't heard back yet? Sorry you failed. You should do it this way. I read on the internet this is how it's done.

I wish I could say who I had this exact conversation with, but I'm guessing they read my blog, but dear person, just shut up, okay? Love ya. Mean it.

The thing is, it doesn't work like that. There are things to do. And for me, who is self-publishing, there is still so much do to and coordinate and if I had an agent they would be doing all that for me. But I don't, so it's me and my unbelievable support team. Seriously, my writer family can rally! But bottom line... A has to happen before B before C. And if it doesn't? Derail.



3. What's your book about?

I'm not sure how it is that I can write tens of thousands of words, breathe my characters night and day, wrestle over the tiniest plot details, know what shade of lipstick Ellie prefers even though it isn't in the book, write a query, a synopsis, and a tagline and still get blank face in a moment of white hot terror when someone asks me this question.

What is that about? My answer usually starts off something like, "It's about Ellie and River and they're art students and they fall in love but it's complicated and their parents and they're in college and she has two best friends... Then I finish up with the ever impressive... and you'll just have to read it.

Okay, no. That's not the right answer.

The right answer is: Ellie and River have finally found someone who gets them, each other. They are awkward art kids who should fit among the pretty people, but don't. Ellie and River have completely different upbringings which have defined who they are today. Is their new found college romance strong enough to make it, or will tragedy and hardships get in the way, putting Ellie right back in her shell and River back to being alone.

See? I can articulate.

My point is writing is scary. Publishing is scary. But oh so delicious. And I'm so excited to have a real book in my hands. In. My. Hands!

But there's so much to do to get from typing Chapter One to Ta-dah! It's a book! 

So here's the real reason for this blog. I have to change my publishing date.  You remember how all the letters had to be in place before the next one could happen? There's a hold up on aisle five. But I can promise you this, it will be worth the wait.



New pub date for CHARCOAL AND HOT CHOCOLATE is June 4th, 2013.

3 comments:

  1. That's funny about summaries. I still get a little anxious when I have to fill them out and it's the same with author bios, but then I say to myself, "wait a minute, I'm a frickin' writer!" and laugh.

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  2. I hate answer that question, too. "What's your book about?" it shuts my brain down as fast as when someone asks me, "What's new?"

    Happy Publication date!

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  3. I love your humor. Keep going!

    I am also an aspiring writer.

    Best of luck to you!

    Cathy in Austin

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