For all writers

For all writers

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

This and That.....

Wow, if the number of motorcycles that have already roared past my house today (and it's just Wednesday!) is any indication of how many people will pour in again to Northwest Arkansas this weekend for Bikes, Blues and Barbeque, we're in for another doozey!

I began thinking about that as the motorcycles whizzed past. How does one get something like that 'going'? All those people! Is it word-of-mouth or high-dollar advertising?

I've been pondering that alot lately as I've retreated into my "writing room" to finish my third book, "Contessa and the Cameraman". I don't want to make any mistakes this time...I want it to be perfect and I know if it's to be perfect, then I will have to work hard to make it so. I have re-written and re-written until I'm almost sick of the story! I have a dear author friend in Benton, AR that is going to edit the manuscript for me and I think she will do an outstanding job! I am amazed at the number of writers I've been meeting lately and they all seem to be in various stages of learning about this crazy ride we call writing. It's not for the faint of heart, I can tell you that!

Back to the subject of the popularity of BBB - I was just thinking, if I could get people as excited about reading one of my books as these people are about dressing in black leather and riding up and down the highway all weekend, I would be set! I think it all boils down to what people are interested in and if the experience is made worthwhile for them. Well, that's what I pledge to do in my writing - make it worthwhile for the reader. You heard it here first, folks! I am as serious as a heart attack about this thing....I know God gave me this thing for some reason and I'm bound and determined to have it turn out for HIS glory and honor. Would you agree with me in prayer that these stories will touch hearts and lives for Him? Would you agree with me in prayer that young women will begin to understand what it's like to live a moral life, that everybody encounters temptation, that we are all human but loved by the Savior?

Whew! Quite a rant today! Just some of this and that.....more later.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Author's Workshop

I apologize for being "absent" lately but I have been working through some big decisions and it has taken time away from my blogging. But guess what???? I'm baaack!
I had a WONDERFUL time at the Writer's Workshop in Siloam Springs this past weekend! (You know that all caps means you're shouting, don't you?) My friend, Kathy (another aspiring author) and I went, not really knowing what to expect but we weren't disappointed by any means. We met wonderful people, enjoyed a wonderful luncheon provided by the writer's club and learned so much that both our heads were swimming when we started for home at the end of the day. I also made a new friend in Linda Fulkerson. She is a honey and brother, can she write! She really inspired me to get busy. I shouldn't have any trouble since we purposely had our cable turned off this last week. Eldon and I both realized that we spend way too much time in front of the tube, watching what others were doing instead of doing it ourselves! How's that for a reality show concept?

Be that as it may, I don't know how interested everyone is in the "rough" side of writing but, trust me, it IS rough! Trying to get someone to just listen to what your book is about is very hard, almost impossible these days. I guess most publishers think their star authors will live forever and there are no new ideas out there. So sad! I have sent seven query letters(most want this first to see if you're even worth talking to before they agree to talk to you in person!) and one book proposal. The proposals are very time-consuming and run anywhere from 30 to 50 pages! They themselves are difficult to write and I guess most publishers think that if you can write a book proposal in their format, you must be able to write a book that someone will want to read; I don't know!

As I write this today, I am waiting for replies, knowing that my Heavenly Father always goes before me and HE will make a way where there seems to be no way. That's what I'm trusting Him for. Would you agree with me in prayer that I will find a publisher that loves the Lord and desires to publish good, wholesome novels for women to read? That's my prayer today....
Pam