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P. J. Hoover first fell in love with Greek mythology in sixth grade thanks to the book Mythology by Edith Hamilton. After a fifteen year bout as an electrical engineer designing computer chips for a living, she decided to take her own stab at mythology and started writing books for kids and teens. Her first novel for teens,
Solstice, takes place in a Global Warming future and explores the parallel world of mythology beside our own. Her middle grade fantasy novels, The Emerald Tablet, The Navel of the World, and The Necropolis, chronicle the adventures of a boy who discovers he’s part of two feuding worlds hidden beneath the sea. Catch her on her
website, or on
twitter.
Not Letting Your Work Go Unread
by P.J. Hoover
I’m not sure about the rest of you, but when I dreamed of my publishing career, it was simple. Something along the lines of (1) write book; (2) find agent; (3) sell book for a gazillion dollars. Three easy steps. I’d do my part, being step (1), and the splendor of my writing would do the rest.
Okay, so it didn’t quite work out that way. Sure, I wrote a book I love (being THE EMERALD TABLET), and I queried this book. And I was thrilled when I sold the book as part of a trilogy to a small press. I poured myself into revisions, learned a ton about the process and the publishing world in general, and ended up with three books I loved. Seriously. I love them. (And for those curious, the books are THE EMERALD TABLET, THE NAVEL OF THE WORLD, and THE NECROPOLIS.) Every time I pick them up and start reading them or when I think of fun elements I used in the book, I get a happy smile on my face. My middle grade trilogy holds an amazing special place in my heart. Sure, it’s not perfect, but I’m still proud of it and thrilled to share it with the world.
After writing the third book in my series (THE NECROPOLIS), I wrote another book and managed to snag one of the very best agents in the business. Laura Rennert was at the very top of my list of preferred agents, so to say I was over the moon when she offered representation would be putting it mildly. How cool to know she supported me and my work. And as excited as she was about my new middle grade story, I was sure it would sell in a day.
Yeah, you guessed right. It didn’t. Looking back on this submission period, I realize the piece was just not revised enough to go out on sub. I believed in the story and I loved the writing, but once I’d collected a fair number of rejections and started thinking about revisions again, I was shocked by how much had to change. It was so obvious in hindsight. And I was willing to change it. Because, when it comes right down to it, I love revisions, especially when I have strong direction.
But I put the middle grade piece on hold, because in my spare time, I decided to venture into the young adult market. I had been reading tons of young adult stories, and I loved the thrill and intensity that was present in so many of these novels. My young adult story (SOLSTICE) flew out of my mind and into the computer. It flowed faster than any writing has every flowed for me before. And I took advantage of this crazy period and wrote my butt off.
I had a first draft in just over two weeks. Wow. This was super fast because it normally takes me two or three months to crank out a first draft. Still, I knew the story needed lots of revision, and with the help of Laura, I spent the next couple years revising. I was willing to try anything and see what worked, and in the end, I found myself with a story I couldn’t wait to share with the world.
SOLSTICE got a fanta
You might not be aware that when this blog was created, the original group of posters agreed to keep it going for 843 days exactly. We had done some pretty complicated calculations on the shelf-life of a blog about speculative fiction for teens and pre-teens, with some assistance from several persons (and a robot) who arrived from the future to warn us about impending utopian conditions.
So here we are at Day 843, feeling compelled to say goodbye so that we can enjoy the sudden utopia we have been informed is about to be created on Earth. (We’ve been told there will be free iced coffee and several Harry Potter sequels for everyone.) We’d like to thank you, blog readers, for following us for so long (two and a half years! over 500 posts!). We’ve appreciated your comments and silent visits alike. We feel this has been a great opportunity to explore our thoughts on various topics important to us science fiction- and fantasy-lovers, and to chat with people we otherwise would never had known existed.
We hope that you will continue to visit us on other places on the web so that we can chat about books and hear your recommendations for what we should be reading and share thoughts about writing and publishing. You can find links to our websites here. Thanks, lovely blog readers, and Happy Reading!
Filed under:
Chris Eboch,
Greg Fishbone,
Joni Sensel,
K. A. Holt,
Linda Joy Singleton,
Nick James,
P. J. Hoover,
Parker Peevyhouse 
//
Writing can be a lonely thing to do, and all you guys out there who go at it alone, I hope you’re finding some ways to connect like Skype or texting or tweeting every ten seconds or something.
Okay, so maybe the tweeting thing isn’t going to advance your writing career along, but here’s an idea of something that is.
A WRITING GROUP
For clarification, this is not a critique group. This is a group of people who get together to write. They all put words on paper at the same time.
Maybe you think you don’t have time for this. Maybe you think you don’t mind being alone. Well, we here at THE PLACE (being K. A. Holt, Jessica Lee Anderson , E. Kristin Anderson, Madeline Smoot, Mari Mancusi, and sometimes member Jenny Ziegler) offer up reasons why you, too, should be part of a writing group.
We give you…
TEN REASONS TO HAVE A WRITING GROUP:
1) It maintains social skills after long periods of writing in isolation.
2) It’s inspiring when you can watch your writer friends make themselves chuckle as they write.
Or maybe they’re chucking because they’re sneaking zombie stickers up onto the walls. Either way, it’s entertaining.
3) Trying to keep up with everyone will increase the amount (and hopefully quality) of what you write.
This is still theoretical. We’re not sure there is a valid way to prove this hypothesis.
4) Your group will always have good suggestions for books to read.
Plus, you can trash discuss books you’ve read without ever having to put it in writing.
5) Someone will usually let you borrow $6 for an egg sandwich.
6) When you get a crappy rejection you can tell your group and they’ll totally make you feel better.
7) You can look up and say “if you stabbed a guy repeatedly with a pen knife would he totally bleed out or could he survive?” and you will get advice instead of dirty looks and
//
…when everything else seems to get in the way.
I know we’ve all been there. We claim we can’t read the latest next best paranormal romance because we don’t have time. We can’t possibly squeeze in a book on the writing craft because we have too many things on our plate. I mean we have kids and jobs and lives. How can reading possibly get any kind of priority, especially when we’re trying to crank out some writing, too? This just goes beyond the impossible. This is just asking too much.
FALSE, I say! Just flat out false!
We here at the place (being K. A. Holt, Jessica Lee Anderson , E. Kristin Anderson, Madeline Smoot, Mari Mancusi, and sometimes member Jenny Ziegler) are going to disagree with the global statement that there is no time to read. We have the answers you need.
We give you the Top Ten Ways to Make Time for Reading:
1) Locate an isolated closet in the house.
Purchase a reading light and a year’s supply of batteries. Using crayons, create a “DO NOT DISTURB” banner to post on the door. Tell your family to respect the banner. When they call for you, do not answer.
2) Read during your daily commute.
Unless you’re the driver. In which case you should listen to audiobooks.
Actually whether you commute or not, audiobooks are a fantastic way to add extra books to your list. They make cleaning and cooking and commuting and grocery shopping and everything better.
3) Set aside an hour at bedtime before turning off the light.
This might mean turning off your TV and laptop earlier to make time to snuggle up with a book, or it could mean staying up a little later. Either way, it’s great relax-y time.
And really, even if you’re too tired, it’s okay to fall asleep reading.
4) Visit the library with your family.
Everyone gets to curl up with a book for a while.
(Yes, admittedly, this will make some moms roll around with laughter. It’s very kid dependent.)
5) Buy a pair of reading glasses, download the appropriate app, and read a novel on your cell phone.
Just think how fast you can flip through those words.
6) Always keep a book on your person.
In your purse, in your manpurse, on your phone, whatever. Then, wherever you are, you have something to read.
Take *that* line at the post office.
<
First some basic stats on THE EMERALD TABLET:
Time to write first draft – 3 months
Length of first draft - 113K
Length of published novel – 66K
Time from first word written until publication – 4 years
First line of first draft – The night was bright, lit by a waxing gibbous moon.
(Okay, it pains me to put that down. And it came from a prologue, no less, long since deleted from the story.)
First line of published novel - When Benjamin Holt saw his mom disappear into a pinprick of light, he shouldn’t have been surprised; his life was already weird.
So I’ve talked a little bit about the revision process for THE EMERALD TABLET before, but I thought I’d go into a bit more detail.
After my manuscript was complete (I’d been through it a few times, I’d added all I thought needed added), it weighed in at a hefty 113K. Why hefty you might ask. There are books being published with that word count and more. But for the case of THE EMERALD TABLET, the words were unneeded. I’ll summarize these unnecessary words in three line items:
- Backstory
- Incorrect Starting point
- Far too many things “personal” to me
Backstory:
When I started the planning of the novel and the trilogy overall, everyone had a birthday and everyone had a family and there were friends of the family. And being a telegen in the real world, Benjamin had played many pranks in the past. And there was the prologue which dealt mainly with Benjamin’s birth. And you know what? I needed to know all these things. But the reader didn’t. And so I went through the manuscript many, many times, cutting everything I could possibly cut in regards to backstory. Benjamin’s best friend’s mother’s occupation was just not pertinent. Neither was the girl next door who had a crush on Benjamin.
My advice: Cut all the backstory you possibly can. Ask yourself – does the reader really need to know this? If not, cut it.
Incorrect Starting Point:
Let’s see, first there was the prologue (as mentioned above), but then the story started one sunny afternoon with Benjamin and Andy playing a prank as they so often did on sunny afternoons. And after the prank, we needed a chapter showing us a little more of Benjamin’s talents. And then we needed to see the last day of school. And once Benjamin found out he was going to summer school, he needed to go shopping, because, you know, all boys are really excited about going shopping. And then he was off to summer school and the story got going. So yeah, in revisions, guess where the story ended up starting?
A couple fun comparisons:
Benjamin finds out he’s goi
//
So you did it.
You wrote 50K words in the month of November. Or maybe you only got to 25K. Whatever it is, congratulations! This is a huge accomplishment! Now comes the fun part, because, yes, you need to revise…
Well, we here at the place (being K. A. Holt, Jessica Lee Anderson , E. Kristin Anderson, Madeline Smoot, and sometimes members Mari Mancusi and Jenny Ziegler) have the answers you need.
We give you out Top Ten Post NaNo revision tips:
1) Throw out the whole draft and start again.
It may sound daunting, but at the end of revisions, this very well could be exactly what has happened.
2) Eat cake. Lots of cake. You deserve it, no matter what your mother says.
If you’re a perfectionist, you might consider imbibing wine in addition to cake.
Making it a fun cake will make it all that much better.
3) Do not read about anyone else’s novel idea.
If it’s similar at all to your NaNo project, it’ll make discouragement settle in.
Anyway, your story is different. And unique. And totally has a place in the market, even if it is chock-full of faeries and vampires and mean cheerleaders who stole your main character’s boyfriend.
4) Cut those cliches that crept their way into your manuscript.
Okay, they didn’t creep. You put them there, and sure, you said to yourself, “I’ll remove this cliche when I revise.”
Guess what? It’s time to revise.
Here’s a handy list in case you’re interested.
5) Sit on it. Put it in a drawer. Hide it under your cat.
Seriously. Best tip ever. Take as much time away from that thing as you can stand. It will love you so much more when you return.
Wait until Daylight Savings Time ends and you have to change your clock.6) Ask your favorite Barista at THE PLACE for tips.
Like, advice, not the stuff in his jar by the register.
7) Read the author who most inspires you and ask yourself:
“What would Francesca Lia Block do with this scene?”
Feel free to substitute the author of your choice here.
…or a critique. Because hearing others tell us what needs to be changed in our work can be painful.
Because we are in love with our stories.
And we think they are perfect.
And we can’t imagine why the world doesn’t feel this way, too.
But reality hits and the critique comes in, and our rosy colored world can come crashing down.
(um, if this hasn’t happened to you, then you’re either the rare, perfect author, or you aren’t getting enough feedback on your work. You decide.)
We here at The Place (being K. A. Holt, Jessica Lee Anderson , E. Kristin Anderson, Madeline Smoot, and sometimes member Jenny Ziegler) have come up with a list to help you cope with this event.
We give you…
TEN THINGS TO DO AFTER RECEIVING A REVISION LETTER (or critique):
1) Drink eight cups of coffee
We recommend picking a favorite coffee mug for this step, and avoid anything that can be crushed (such as Styrofoam).
2) Hide the critique in the freezer
Things have a way of getting lost in the freezer, at least in mine. I’m thinking the critique could hang out with that half-full bag of frozen peas that never seems to get used. Or maybe those ice cubes in the far back that you have to chip off the walls.
3) Tell your cat or dog or tortoises about it
The love you. They agree with you. They listen and never tire of hearing your voice.
And they think you are the rare, perfect author.
4) Commiserate with writer friends at The Place.
Unless of course they were the ones to give you the critique. In that case, go back to step (3).
5) Cry.
6) Bury yourself in a plate of nachos and eat your way out.
If you’re going gluten-free, substitute yogurt and nuts for this step.
(But come on, you know you want the nachos.)
7) Take up belly dancing.
You would look fab in that belly dancing costume.
8 ) Use your Kung Fu skills to pummel a pillow
9) Try to hold off on responding for as long as possible.
Except for a nice thank you. There is always a place for a nice thank you in the world.
So I’m not sure how many of you know about my local writing group, but it’s OSUM and fun and we meet at the coolest place. On a normal Friday I get together with K. A. Holt, Jessica Lee Anderson , E. Kristin Anderson, new member Madeline Smoot, and sometimes member Jenny Ziegler.
Yes, we talk about fun stuff. Yes, we get writing done. Yes, we listen to music from the 80s and read the graffiti on the walls (and there is lots and lots of it…). And yes, we come up with ridiculous lists.
Care of “The Group” from “The Place,”
here are ten things found in any manuscript:
1) A dog barking in the distance
Due to the paranormal craze, we’ll stretch this to include werewolves, too.
2) A Star Trek reference
3) A head wound
A gash, a small cut, blood dripping warm on the face. You know you have one.
4) Some stupid joke which will not longer be funny after 50 revisions
So kill the darling early. No one else thinks it’s funny from the start.
5) Something small to crawl through (like a secret tunnel or a ventilation shaft).
Make this a Jefferies tube, and you’ve got (2) taken care of, too.
6) A doorway/keypad/lock that’s impassable that your character manages to pass.
Why? Because your character has to change the world. And how else is your character going to change the world if they can’t get through that locked door or figure out the secret code.
7) Homage to a friend or teacher or family member or pet (Easter eggs)
No birthday is random in books. It’s kind of like lottery numbers.
And names? It is no coincidence I named the bad guy in THE EMERALD TABLET after my ninth grade Geometry teacher.
8 ) Explosions or fire
When the middle of the book is sagging, blow something up. It’s sure to make something happen to the plot.
9) Piercing or brooding eyes
Maybe think up some new descriptors for the eyes. And vary the arching and raising an
Thanks, everyone, for participating in revision week here at THE SPECTACLE! It’s time to announce the winner of our giveaway.
The winner of the 2011 Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market is…
Sherrie Petersen!
Sherrie, email me your address, and I’ll get your book out to you!
PJ Hoover just finished decorating her house for Halloween!
Filed under:
P. J. Hoover 
We’re all focused on revision this week, and while revising, it’s important to keep in mind why we revise. So I’ll give you five good reasons to revise your manuscript:
5) Because it isn’t perfect, no matter how much you think it might be
4) Revision provides the perfect opportunity to work on improving at writing.
3) Everyone is doing it. And in this case, peer pressure is a good thing.
2) Your critique partners told you to.
1) You dream of having that book actually published.
And so once you revise and the book is even more perfect and your critique partners are happy, it’s time to find an agent or publisher, right? What better way than with your very own copy of the 2011 Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market? For your chance to win this great resource, answer me this:
What do you do for fun when you take a break from revisions?
PJ Hoover needs to get back to her revisions…
Filed under:
P. J. Hoover 
Remember back when they first announced they would be making THE LORD OF THE RINGS into movies? Okay, so this was a very exciting time for me. I pulled out my copies of THE HOBBIT and the LOTR and proceeded to read them without stopping. I then bought THE SILMARILLION on audiobook and listened to it non-stop. Then I bought THE HOBBIT and LOTR on audio and listened to them. Then I bought THE SILMARILLION illustrated by Ted Nasmith hardcover and read it, loving all the gorgeous pictures.
Finally, the day came that I’d been waiting for forever. The first movie was out, and I rushed to the theater and saw it. I bought the extended edition and saw the second movie and debated with friends on how much better the extended cuts were since in THE TWO TOWERS the character of Faramir was so much more drawn out. Third movie came out and I was there, loving every minute of it. I re-read the books. I wanted to study the mythology Tolkien had created.
And then I had one of those moments. You know the ones. It dawned on me that I was spending an awful lot of effort studying the world someone else had created. And to what end? There was no real value added in doing this. Sure, I could talk about Hobbits with the best of them, but my life was not much richer as a result. And seeing as how I could never kick back and have an ale with an actual hobbit, what was next?
So I made the decision to create my own worlds rather than losing myself in someone else’s. And that’s when I got very serious about creating my own fantasy worlds and putting them on paper.
What was your turning point for your worlds of spec fiction?
PJ Hoover still wants to visit The Green Dragon.
Filed under:
P. J. Hoover 
Okay, so I think much of the debate this week will be on the fact that the majority of the time books are far better than the movies made. I’d like to point out one I think is the exact opposite: JURASSIC PARK.
First the disclaimer – I know this is not MG or YA.
Anyway, I saw the movie first. And there was nothing like the special effects and action and music and imagery of this movie. I loved it, felt emotions along with the characters, felt the ending tied up neatly. It was perfect. Even now, 20 years later, I still enjoy watching the movie with my kids.
I went on a Michael Crichton kick not too long after the JURASSIC PARK movie came out where I read everything he’d written to date. This was about the same time most of his books were being made into movies. I read SPHERE and CONGO and TIMELINE and everything else.
SPHERE and CONGO were way better books than movies. TIMELINE felt like it was written to be a movie (which it probably was). But even after reading JURASSIC PARK, I still enjoyed the movie far more.
Anyone else with me on this one? And why do you think this was the case?
PJ Hoover wants to drive a JURASSIC PARK Jeep.
Filed under:
P. J. Hoover 
Ready to know more about our contest this week? Here is the basic information:
What you need:
- The best possible opening sentence for your completed MG or YA novel.
- A compelling opening sequence of five sentences that each make the reader itch to keep reading.
When you need it:
- First sentence by Thursday 6/10 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time, first 50 submissions, or Thursday 6/10 a.m. at noon E.T., another 50 submissions.
- If you pass, you'll be invited to submit the second sentence, and so on.
The prizes:
- Natalie Fischer of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency will judge and offer a 25-page manuscript critique to the 1st place winner, a 10-page manuscript critique to the 2nd place winner, and books from SDLA authors to places 1-3.
- A 5-page critique by P. J. Hoover, author of The Forgotten Worlds Trilogy for the 3rd place winner.
- Three-page critiques for finalists by debut authors who have recently fought their way through the submission process and won. Authors include Kirstin Hubbard, Cole Gibsen, Michelle Hodkin and more....
Okay, enough peeking. The full contest rules will go up at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, the first submission window starts at 8:00 a.m. Now back to our regularly scheduled Tuesday "How-to" program,
The Scene Conflict Worksheet--Developing Tension in Your Novel. Scroll down, the worksheet is right below.
Get your openings ready!
Martina & Marissa
In much of spec fiction, we’re dealing with new worlds, new rules, new technologies, new creatures. And with any of these things, as writers, we need to provide answers to the who/what/where/when/why questions.
How did the silicon rock creature develop?
Why is the world flat and on the back of four elephants?
Where is Earth in relation to the center of the Milky Way?
What came first when time travel is concerned: the past or the future?
Who did the aliens harvest their DNA from originally?
As writers of spec fiction, it is our responsibility to make sure these questions are addressed and answered. But do the answers need to be in the pages? And if so, how detailed should they be?
In my opinion, most people read spec fiction to immerse themselves in a new world. And immersed in this place, they don’t want to have to think to hard. They want to lose themselves in the words. They don’t want to see detailed technical details that take them out of place.
So should we purposefully not put too much detailed information into our writing, and thus let our readers avoid a brain cramp from trying to understand? And if we do leave out information intentionally, will be be called out as not addressing the important questions?
And furthermore, what books can you name on both ends of the spectrum?
PJ Hoover likes to think especially when she can understand easily 
Filed under:
P. J. Hoover 
Okay, I’ll be the first to admit it. I adore Orson Scott Card’s books. Pretty much everything I’ve read of his, I love. From SEVENTH SON to MAGIC STREET to THE WORTHING SAGA to EMPIRE to ENDER. The guy is gifted. And the good (best) thing about the ENDER books is they just keep going. Seriously. Now how many series can you really say that about (where it’s a good thing)?
So I’m just about done listening on audiobook to ENDER IN EXILE, the latest in the Ender Files, and here is my question for the day:
IS ENDER TOO PERFECT?
Does he ever make mistakes? I think in ENDER’S GAME he does. And granted, it’s been a while since I’ve read the rest of the books, but in ENDER IN EXILE, to date, everything Ender has done has been correct. And calculated. And perfect. And I’m just about done with the book.
Even all this said, if it is, in fact, true that Ender Wiggin is perfect, it still works for me. Is this because I care about Ender that much at this point? Or am I so skewed that I don’t see his flaws?
Let’s have it, Ender fans. Give me your thoughts.
PJ Hoover thinks Battle School would have been way cool.
Filed under:
P. J. Hoover Tagged:
characters,
Ender 
We continue our discussion of how we react to reviews of our novels.
P. J. Hoover
So far, I’ve read most of my reviews. I’m sure I’ve missed one here or there as I don’t actively seek them out. But when the Google Alerts hit me, I generally check.
The good reviews are great. I read them over and over and cherish every word. I even read things into them to increase the happy feelings they give me. As for bad reviews, there are two kinds I’ve run across. There are the bad reviews that actually look at something critically and analyze it. These type of reviews recognize that any book has merit, and these reviews point out the merits along with the aspects which could be improved. As an author, I know I have room to improve. If I didn’t think I had room to improve, there would be an issue. So a critical analysis of my work is fine. As for the bad reviews that do nothing but slander a book and spout how horrible it is and how the author shouldn’t even be writing, I ignore these. I might read them once, feel a bit bummed for an hour or so, but then I recognize the review for the unprofessional bunch of words it is and move on. I am even able to laugh at these.
I’ve been very fortunate in the review department, having received far more positive reviews than negative ones. But the negative ones (especially the really bad ones) do say one very good thing: there are people besides my mom and my friends reading my book. This means I’m done something right in the world of marketing. And this is a good thing.
K. A. Holt
I enjoy reading reviews because I’m really interested in how people perceive my book. I want to know if they really get what I was trying to say. Most of the time they do, sometimes they don’t, and other times it seems like the reviewer had some preconceived notions going into it. Great reviews can brighten your day, and bad reviews give you something to joke about. (At least hopefully you can joke about them – after you’re finished going “uuuugh” into the phone to your best friend.)
Really, though, the reviews I look forward to most are the ones from the kid readers themselves. It’s one thing to read what Publisher’s Weekly or Kirkus or a big name blogger has to say, but it’s quite another to hear directly from your target audience. Those are the reviews I really take to heart.
Filed under:
K. A. Holt,
P. J. Hoover Tagged:
reviews,
roundtable,
writing 
4 Comments on Roundtable Discussion: Reacting to Reviews, cont., last added: 3/30/2010
In my school visits, I always talk about how I research for any new project. And sure, there is Google Maps and there are so many awesome resources on the Internet, an author could sit at home and do all the possible research needed for any project. Right?
Technically yes. But what extra benefits are there to be gained by actually getting out and seeing various places? I’ll give you two reasons:
1) The Five Senses
2) Those Extra Details
Okay, let’s start with the five senses, and for grin’s sake, let’s pick a sewage treatment plant as our perfect place to research. Most sewage treatment plants have websites complete with an overview of what happens after the flush. But if you ever get a chance to tour a sewage treatment plant, I totally recommend it.
Yes, there is the smell. And it smells; there is no getting around that. And what better way for your characters to know exactly how it smells than to actually smell it yourself? And to see the frothy water bubbling in the first stage. And here’s a little known fact about this initial, untreated sewage: they pump so much air into the stuff that not even the best swimmer could swim out. They’d sink right to the bottom. Hmmm…I’m thinking murder mystery here.
So that’s a nice segway into the second point I want to make: Those extra details. The fact that even a duck would sink in the water is an extra detail. So is visiting Washington DC on the 3rd of July and seeing hundreds of port-a-potties lined up. These are extra details simple web research won’t get you (unless of course you’re reading this blog post; then you have the info).
So grab your camera, make your plans, and get out and do some research.
PJ Hoover—who takes her camera everywhere
Filed under:
P. J. Hoover 
2 Comments on
Onsite Research, last added: 2/25/2010
The winner of K. A. Holt’s Mike Stellar: Nerves of Steel and S. A. Bodeen’s The Compound is
I think it's important to be flexible. As a writer, the main thing I want is for people to read my stories and enjoy them (even though I do have those dreams of success in my head). I love your point about feeling free and moving on.
Thanks for sharing your journey. I especially appreciate knowing I'm not alone in taking years to revise something. Glad you took the plunge on e-publishing Solstice. I loved it and of course loved your middle grade series.
Looking forward to seeing what your next project is.
Thank you so much, Andrea and Natalie. And thank you for hosting me to be here, Adventures!
I really am happy that I've been able to move on and free up my mind more than anything.
Really inspirational, PJ. I've bookmarked this for those down-in-the-dumps days when I need a kick in the backside. (Kind of having one today, so great timing! :-)
There are so many avenues for a story to get to readers these days, and it's an absolute waste to let a polished story gather dust on a hard drive. The Internet has taught me that there is literally a market for everything if you know how to find it.
I know you're an Austin dweller, hope you're far away from the fires.
EJ
You are a pioneer PJ, and I am so proud of you for what you did. That leap must have taken so much courage, especially at that time. And BECAUSE of that leap, you have inspired others to do the same! Great books should not sink into drawer oblivion. They should be out there in the world to be shared and enjoyed.
Thank you!
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Thanks PJ. This is a real help to those of us struggling to decide what to do with our stories.
I admire your courage, as well, PJ. One question I have about the whole process of e-publishing is how do you know when it's ready? You know us writers -- we can revise things to death, and even when it's out and published we see things we would change. At least with a publishing house you have to put a stop to editing! How do you decide when to let it go into the world?
I think it's critical, like you said, to know when your story is ready. That's so hard, when you love your work and have worked so hard on it. Given the opportunity, most of us would pull the trigger prematurely, myself included. But I hope that that knowledge (or instinct, maybe) kicks in with more experience.
Thanks for sharing your story, PJ. Solstice is on my Kindle right now, and I can't wait to read it!
Becca @ The Bookshelf Muse
Fabulous, inspiring post from a fabulous, inspiring author!
What a great story. The one thing I'm learning these days is that the path to publication is not what most people expect.
Thanks, PJ. Once again, proof that there is no right or wrong way to go about getting our stories out there. Great reminder to follow our own paths:)
Thanks, E.J.! I am mostly far enough from the fires, but they've been scary. And lots of smoke.
Thank you, Angela! It's amazing when I think about how many books are probably out there is drawers because authors got frustrated.
You're welcome, Ben!
Hey Judy, what a great question. And I have no good answer. Because there were probably three other times in the course of the three years of revisions when I was sure it was ready. I guess the thing is, none of those points would have produced a bad story had I indie-published at that point. Throughout the whole process, I had put lots of effort into revisions.
Becca, I hope the same for me! I've always have plenty of time to work on stories, but I imagine as sequels and new books are demanded on a shorter schedule, this is where the revision time is just not put in.
Thank you for reading!
Thank you, Jessica!
So true, Stina! The "path" to publication is an evolving thing, and I kind of love that.
You're welcome, Michele! It is so important to just keep plowing forward!
The story of your journey is so awesome PJ! I mean I'm sure it's bittersweet for you, that's obviously a lot of anxiety to go through, but it's really encouraging for the rest of us.
Thanks for sharing it!
PJ, my very first blog talked about how I thought, "Hey, got a great story. I'll write it, get someone to get it to one of those fancy publishing places then BAM! Movie deal!" Yeah...good times until reality hit.
However, I love what you did. You kept believing and striving and revising. You even took your writing another route.
I, too, am continuing the writing journey (not going to let a little reality slow me down). And your story is very inspirational regarding the good that comes from believing in yourself.
You're welcome, Matthew! No matter what else it is, there is plenty of fun in it. I hope I mentioned that :)
LOL, Angela! So I'm not the only one :) Good luck with your continued journey. I'm sure it will be a successful one.
Ah, here's that post so I can comment. Luckily I had the linky in my email folder too. Okay! It works now, woo.
WHAT? You mean a publishing career isn't that simple little list you mentioned, PJ? I'm so disillusioned. LOL Congrats on your success and perseverance with SOLSTICE!! (argh, and how disheartening when it got to acquisitions at that one point and was rejected! It happens, I've heard...)
Best wishes for your writing future. :)