Submissions

Hi friends! Okay, so I'm two weeks into my submissions process, and already learning some invaluable lessons. For One: I've now received 3 requests for my partial in a matter of two weeks. That has me pretty excited. But, it's only the first step! A good step, don't get me wrong, but a baby step it is. The first agent who requested a partial was on my list of New York DREAM AGENTS, seriously. So, when I heard from her *gulp* I couldn't believe it. She wanted my partial. WOW! And, not only that...she requested it in less than twenty-four hours after recieving my e-query. I was stunned. From all of my research, and the horror stories regarding the length of time before you hear back...I was blown away. So, I sent her the partial. Meantime, I recieved another request for my partial...from another agent whom I never thought I'd hear from. I feaverishly began getting that package together, and praying that it didn't dissappoint. I had butterflies in my stomach as I slipped it into the tall, blue, metal bin that would consume it forever: (aka, the mailbox). Two days later, I hear from the New York DREAM AGENT, who sends me the most gracious email. Sure, she rejected it, but not w/ a form letter, or by saying anything cruel. She sent me a critique. I couldn't believe it. She actually took the time out of her insanely busy day to personalize a letter and critique--for lil' old me. Seriously. When I read it...I got exactly what she saw...and felt...and read. It inspired me to make a few changes...amazing changes...and now my manuscript is definately for the better, and I the wiser. WOW...I want to send her like, oh, I dunknow, a hunky male model singing graham thank you. But, realistically, I'm dying to send her at least a quick thank-you but, don't know if it would be a faux pau or not to contact the agent w/o her inviting me to do so. Someday...when I'm a famous author...I'll do it, though, and I'll tell her how much her words of guidance and rejection meant to me...when I was still down here...one of the aspiring thousands. I still have yet to hear from the other two requesting agents, and recieved two flat out: No, Thank You's (which I completely expected.) I'm still blow away at the quick, positive response I've recieved thus far. Now, I know I'm on the right track...I'm on my way. But not w/o the help of all of my friends in writing...everyone on the same course...and a few writing pros on Twitter, and out in the real world. Everyone is so completely forthcoming with hardcore, honest advice...it's motivating...all of you are motivating. Another funny little part of my submission experience thus far, my seven y.o. son, Connor, sees me celebrating re: my partial requests, and made me a card. It said, "Mom, your good, Im good, and your book is good. Love, Connor your boy. Does it get any better than that? Does it? I don't see how. Talk to everyone soon!

Progress....MY DOCUMENTARY!!!

Okay....so I'm sitting at my computer today, music blaring from my speakers, editing my synopsis....avoiding packing, oh yeah, we're moving right now too! I pick up in my normal tone and say, "Hello." Voice: Hi....it's Mark. AAAHHHHH! I instantly knew that this was good....REALLY GOOD! Mark: I'm ready to move ahead with the documentary. You ready to go? JM: Silence. Heart beats rapidly, takes a quick gulp of courage. Uh....yeah, sure....how... how are you? (I was jumping up and down in my office, biting my fist as he continued.) Long story short, this is IT. Not only is this the credit I've been working so hard for but, a job, a paid one....to write. And the best part of it....he wants me to work on writing something else, another project, for his production company, something we're going to collaborate on and FILM oh yeah, FILM. I'm trying to calm down and stay grounded because so much could simply fall through, I realize that but, right now....it's standing firm....we're moving ahead w/ MY DOCUMENTARY. Its hard to even type, let alone realize or say out loud. I was almost embarrassed when I told my husband, I don't know why, I just was. I can't believe this is happening so quickly. I'm sorry if this is such an excited post but, it just happened. I called my husband, and my best gal pals, my mom, and now....I'm telling you all. I'm so excited because this seems like the beginning of a really happy time in my life, doing what I've always known I should be doing, and ridiculous as it may be, getting paid for it. She said what? Thanks to everyone who's supported me and helped me up until now, and everyone who's going to continue to listen to my rambles as this exhilarating chapter in my hectic life. I'm going to need the support :) -JM Crawford

For the long haul

So, I've been editing my manuscript (again) all week.*sigh* I've become freakishly obsessive about it. I want it to be utterly perfect. Though I know that without professional editing, perfection is a long shot. I keep trying, day after day, night after sleepless night. I'm going to take the advice of some really talented writers and give it to a critique group. Sure, I've had people read it but, they all come back to me gushing with the typically gooey, "I just love it", "It's fabulous", etc. Do I really want that? No! I want it read by an angry drill seargent type. Someone who's gonna put me and the MS through literary boot camp...tell me what sucks about it, and why. Every time I do a read through, I find something that makes me cringe...and I fix it. My worry...what if one small part of the plot is all wrong? Even worse...what if I don't know, and no one tells me, and I send it? No one except for *Dum-Dah-Dum, Dum* my dream editor. The editor that, after months of the process, agrees to sacrifice their invaluable time to read it...ONCE. *Thump...forehead meets desktop* It would be like going to dinner with, Oh, I don't know, your favorite movie star and having a big black peppercorn stuck between your two front teeth. Your family (also at dinner) is too polite to tell you about it. You don't see it until dinner is over and the star is *sigh* gone...left with that one mental picture of you. It's done and over with. The star is gone, and doesn't ever want to dine with you again. That's how my mind's eye sees it going down. You know, when I send my manuscript off to: THEM. *shiver* So, I'm going to put it out there to some locals...locals who eat, breath, and sleep lit. I'm going to ask them for the painful, honest to God's truth. That's what I really need. If they too come back with wonderful reviews, I'll take it somewhere else. There is always room for error and improvement, and DAMN IT, I'm gonna find it! Meantime...I've started another one. OMG! are you serious? Yep, I am. I'm in this for the long haul so, I have a plan. A plan that--in theory--should keep my career rolling in forward motion. I'm starting an erotic romance. It's something I've been outlining and planning to do for a while. It's also sort of helped me to let go of what I've already written. When I say let go, I don't mean it in the sense of being done with it but, I'm putting it down (until further notice) and wiping my hands. I'm acknowledging that I've done all I can do for my beloved story. I'm going to have to get professional help if I ever want it to see the light of day. In essence: My erotic romance has become my 'intervention'. I'm moving on now. I'm happy to say that 1687 words in...I've just begun. I'm no Iris Johansen but...it's not a historical anyway, its set in present day. So far, I love it. I love the plot, the steamy characters, the planned resolve, and of course...the SEX. I'm taking it one step at a time, what choice does one have? I don't want to dive into something in which I'm not 100% satisfied with my skills. Okay, I'll settle for like, 94.7%. I still have many lessons to learn about writing and a bio to fill. I'll keep chugging along. One day, hopefully, I'll see my name on a glossy cover or two...or more. I'm in no rush. I want to go through this process the right way, like (almost) everyone else had to. So someday, when you're eating Jell-O from your wheelchair in the nursing home rec room, and see my name on the tellie...you'll say, 'Damn, she was in it for the long haul'. And then, they'll wheel me in to sit next to you. :o "Please...no autographs now." That's what I'll say, just because I'd waited so damn long to be able to. (bah-dump-bump)

Writing doesn't seem like the hard part anymore.

Okay so...I've written my first, full length manuscript (I'd love to call it a novel but...it's still in Word format on my computer). To Myself: "It's not a novel yet Sugarpuss, you've only just begun." Painful? Yes. Necessary? Yes. I must keep myself grounded and not get lost in the fantasy of instant gratification that I know isn't coming. I have a long road ahead and I'd like to share it with anyone who'll join me. After all...this one may never meet toner and binding, or feel the weight of it's brothers and sisters stacked one on top of the other en route to Barnes and Noble. Sure, I think it's phenomenal, my 3 (carefully chosen and top secret) "guinea pigs" think it's ridiculously good but, we aren't the ones who count now are we? I need an agent to think it's that good, to sell it to a publisher and editor who also think it's that good. I suppose the exercise forces me to separate myself from the art and passion of my writing and nail down the dirty little details that make or break any author's career. Hell, I've contemplated sending myself some rejection letters...just to get prepped. I've spent countless hours crying (don't tell anyone tee-hee....you see, I'd rather eat shards of glass than admit to crying but, I'm going to be painfully honest in my blogs), typing, deleting, researching, scheming and sweating. I've poured my all into it, setting aside laundry, sleep, hunger, yard work, riding bikes with the kids, paying any sort of attention to my husband, making money, and cooking full meals (except on the weekends). Hamburger & Tuna helper own my pantry and I didn't even get a Christmas Card from that freaky little white glove. Oh, and surface cleaning...I'm a pro now. The book shelves in the living room might look clean just...don't pick up the vases or picture frames on top of them. Those nifty little Swiffers get around EVERYTHING! I'm also trying to juggle my writing with the pre-production of a documentary that I already wrote, and actually have a production company interested in. It's the little things like calling numerous people, hunting down the interviews, getting quotes and verifying information....for the tenth time. You should have been at my house the night my (might be future) producer came over for dinner...he wanted to meet my kids. (Only because he doesn't have any). They thought he was like Batman without the mask or something, it was quite comical. They each had a list of questions about their favorite movies and how said movies were made. He 's truly angelic, in a quirky, 'Willy Wonka' sort of way, and was quite indulgent with them. He enjoyed story time with the kids so much that he ended up sitting at my breakfast table until one A.M. discussing our business. (Yes Mark, I'm talking about you. As if I have so many producers over for dinner.) Anyway, the novel-to-be is done now. It's done & I'm in love with it. Of course I can always find a sentence that could be edited in one way or another, who doesn't? (Don't answer that, for my ego's sake...I'm saying please.) I even have the next two books in the series outlined. I'll start writing #2 this weekend. Hey...don't laugh all I said was that I'd 'start'. After #2 is complete I'll either start on #3 or, move onto my next project ~she sighs~ a paranormal romantic thriller series that is all but in black and white because, it's stuck inside of my head. If only I'd been gifted with an extra set of digits...what I could accomplish. I've written the short stories for them, covering all the basics. I'm biting my nails off to dig into it. Oh, who am I kidding? My nails are long gone, I now have ten little bald guys thumping away at the keyboard. I suppose it is easier to type that way. So, what now? I know...yet, I don't know. My query letter and synopsis are complete. I've got a wish list of agents that I'm anxious yet, terrified and still not prepared, to send my first queries off to. I know that I need to get copyrights filed. I know that I need (and want) to join the RWA and a local writing club or two. I'm really anxious for the RWA and the writing clubs. From what I hear they're beyond beneficial...they're enjoyable and people make a lot of friends, not to mention contacts. I know that I really need to fatten up my bio. Damn it, I can't put the "Deer Hunter" down, as I wrote and illustrated it when I was four years old. Hell, I can't even use my documentary until the production co. finds the people willing to put the money into it; making it and giving me a listed 'credit' for the writing. I'm slowly finding a balance between being mommy, wife, friend, domestic goddess (hardly), and aspiring writer. Note that I said 'finding' balance. My very best gal pal since high school, (which you'll hear about often.) Julie, called me last night and said, "Are you avoiding me or something? I just told Cheri (another of our gal pals) that you're not talking to me and I'm starting to get a complex!" I assured her that I wasn't intentionally avoiding her and then slapped myself on the hand for hurting her feelings. Then, while I was writing this, my twelve (and a half) year old daughter called from the football game, ready to be picked up (along with three friends) so, my husband just took off after them in the mini van. My three year old wants Spongebob Squarepants on again and my neighbor Mindy (another gal pal) called to tell me that my son and her son, both seven years old, were done playing Transformers and he was walking back to the house soon. I'm headed out to the front yard to meet him...be back in a sec. Okay...I'm back. So, that's about the gist of it...balance, combined with motivation and a plan. That's it, in my opinion, and who am I anyway? *German accent with pinkie lifted to corner of my mouth*: "You silly little truffle." About the plan...I have a plan...except for the part about fattening up my bio. I love to write. I started this blog to write, and hope others will join me. I look forward to hearing from writers at ALL stages...the virgins; the ones who've written professionally for years and need an agent and a deal, or have the agent but, they're waiting for the deal; and of course...the ones who have been there done that and can give us ALL advice. Speaking of advice...I'd like a little if anyone out there has a few pointers for me. How do I land small gigs here and there? Again...I love to write, did I mention that I love to write? Oh...sorry, anyway, I would be happy with the little jobs. If that's all that God deems fit for my future then so be it, though we all know what I would be really happy with a book deal...the icing on the cake. Even many published writers hold day jobs folks. Okay...that's it. I'm following my dreams and hoping that my husband doesn't divorce me in the process. You know the saying about the light at the end of the tunnel...I just hope mine isn't a train...I'm sort of stuck in the tunnel right now. We all have the write to blog but, I'm blogging to write. Sincerely, (yes, even the part about me crying) -J.M. Crawford