The road to success –
Writer’s take many paths to their goal. And the path you take is a personal decision. I watch new writers question the published members basically asking, “What should I do?” But that is a decision you should have made before you submitted to e-pubs or agents or small prints.
So today, we’re talking about building a career plan. I’ll talk about mine and maybe you can share a bit of yours and we’ll all learn.
I started being serious about novel length manuscripts in 2010. By serious, I mean finishing and submitting. I probably submitted way too soon, (rookie mistake #1) but I learn by experience, good and bad. My first book was rejected by the targeted publisher twice – rookie mistake #2.
Another manuscript written and this time, I got a revise and resubmit letter. But I thought it was a rejection. (Rookie mistake #3.)
I sent them my current manuscript which they asked for revisions on. Which I did and sent it back. People will say this is rookie mistake #4, but I disagree. The thought is you never revise without a contract. But at that stage of the game, I needed the revisions to become a stronger writer, and, my manuscript a stronger story.
Then they rejected the project. I’d been working with them for over eighteen months. I got a very nice letter, saying although they liked the revisions; it still wasn’t working for them.
I was out of town when I got the letter. I told my husband I was going to send it out one more time and if I got another rejection, I was shelving the book and going on.
The next Friday, I sent a query. I had a request for a full in less than an hour and a contract in my in box in less than a week. The same week, I got offered a contract on a novella I’d entered into a publisher’s contest. March 2012 was a very good month.
By the end of the year, I’d sold six projects. Temporary Roommates, the title releasing on April 20th was number five. I love this novella as the determination to make a difference in the world of both my hero and heroine makes me a better person.
I still have career goals out there. And I know I need to keep stories in the pipeline in order to have contracts show up in my inbox. So my focus now is to right a better story. Each and every time.
What are you striving for?
BLURB-
When a determined nurse and a hot intern find the perfect apartment, the same perfect apartment, they must find a way to share it for ninety days, without killing each other.
Annie Baxter has her dream job. Now, all she needs is a cheap apartment close to the hospital. Troy Saunders knows his life as an intern is all about the long hours. He doesn’t have time to play doctor to some Nurse Barbie. So when his sister finds a great apartment walking distance to work and next to the best running paths in the city, he’s sold. Two leasing agents, two prospective renters, one apartment. Can they co-exist without fireworks?
BIO-
Lynn Cahoon is a contemporary romance author with a love of hot, sexy men, real and imagined. Her alpha heroes range from rogue witch hunters, modern cowboys, or hot doctors, sexy in scrubs. And her heroines all have one thing in common, their strong need for independence. Or at least that’s what they think they want. She blogs at her website www.lynncahoon.wordpress.com
5 quick questions if you don’t mind.
1) What the last gift you bought?
A bejeweled notebook in baroque style for a writer friend. I’d picked it up at the art museum when I finished with a renaissance show. It was almost too pretty to give away.
2) When was the last bar-b-que you had?
With people? We just grilled a couple weekends ago. I did pork steaks and they turned out really well. But as an event, it’s been a while. One fourth of July we hosted a bunch of my husband’s employees for a bbq. As it darkened, the boys started with the fireworks. The first bottle rocket went straight for me. I moved my lawn chair. The second did the same. I moved again. Finally, I’d had enough and told my husband if he was trying to kill me, he had too many witnesses.
3) What’s your favorite color?
Blue. Or Purple. I love the deep jewel tones. Although if you looked at my closet, you’d guess black.
4) Who’s your favorite author?
It changes. Right now, it’s Harlan Coben. Loving his mysteries and the themes that he uses of family and friendship. Love the mixture of paranormal and mystery and romance with Heather Graham.
5) What’s your favorite thing to eat when you need a sugar fix?
Again, depends. If I just want sugar – skittles. Berry please. If I want chocolate I want Hershey level or better. Big fan of semi-sweet chocolate chips right out of the freezer.
LINKS-
Goodreads -http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5857424.Lynn_Cahoon
Twitter - https://twitter.com/LynnCahoon
Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/LynnCahoonAuthor
website - http://lynncahoon.wordpress.com/
Amazon author page - http://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Cahoon/e/B0082PWOAO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Passion in Print website - http://www.passioninprint.com/future.php
