Writing Motivation

I found out some big news this weekend when I heard that my former writing group partner, Phoebe, scored a two-book deal with Simon and Schuster. While I now know a couple of people with literary agents, Phoebe is the first person I actually know to get a book deal and it couldn't have happened to a better writer. Phoebe loves YA but she's also able to look at the genre with a critical eye. She's smart and thoughful and I'm really happy that her perspective is going to be represented on bookshelves. I can't wait to follow her progress on the blog as she goes through edits, cover design, marketing, and all the other steps it takes to get her books on the shelves in 2013. In the meantime, she's done a post on her blog answering some common question about getting published.

Phoebe and I started writing our respective books around the same time. While she's gone through revision after revision (I read and offered feedback on an early draft), I've sort of fizzled out. But no more! Phoebe's achievement is great motivation for me. It makes the whole idea of actually getting an agent and then actually getting published seem that much more real. The kick in the pants that I needed came this weekend when I agreed at my current writing group to submit my manuscript for critique on January 1. This gives me a hard and fast deadline and holds me accountable to 5 other people. It's time to whip my current manuscript into readable shape and send it out into the world.

Finally, a writer who is another great source of inspiration to me is Lauren Oliver, whose BEFORE I FALL was one of my favorite YA books of 2010. In addition to being a talented writer, Lauren runs a book packaging company that has sold 20 books in something like two years which is just mind-blowing. Here's a short article about the success she's found in publishing.

Comments

[Phoebenorth]

Aw, Shan <3 Thank you so much for your kind words. I cannot WAIT to see Zella join Starglass on the shelves. You can do it! :D

[Jaimie]

Motivation for you... for me, I WAS going strong, and then it was like......... I'm so far away from that, suck. (Haha, that's right Phoebe! You're one of THOSE.)

But I have a solid first half of my book. I need to start the second half. I'm distracted with Zelda: Skyward Sword at the moment.

[Pam]

I haven't read your blog for a long time. I originally recommended it to my daughter is around your age because I liked the way you are not afraid to try new things. When I first found you were a printmaker and now you are a writer. And you got married. Congratulations on everything you've accomplished and good luck with your new venture. I look forward to reading your first book.