Friday, May 23, 2014

The Writing Journey: Patience


I started this blog in February 2012 as a way to document my writing journey. Since then, I've blogged about all the amazing writers I've met (online and in person), the retreats and conferences I've attended, the stories I've written, and the day I signed with my wonderful agent, Mary Keeley, from Books & Such Literary Agency. I've shared personal struggles and victories, and I've talked about how this pursuit has affected my faith, my family, and my friendships. I've celebrated over being a semi-finalist, and finalist, in writing contests, and I've talked about receiving rejections when the answer has been no.

Now that I've been on this journey for a couple of years, I often have people ask if my books are published. I get a lot of questions about the process, and the time it takes to get published by a traditional publisher. I thought it would be fun to share where I'm currently at on this writing journey.

Very few people get their first, or second, manuscript published. I don't know the statistics, but I've talked with many friends, and read many blog posts by agents and editors. Pursuing publication is all about patience and persistence. And then more patience, and more persistence. If you're not a patient person, you will do one of two things: 1) self-publish your brilliant novel, or 2) learn how to be patient.

I have completed three full-length novels. I write historical romance and my stories are all about 100,000 words long. It takes me about three months to write the first draft, with about two-three weeks of intense research and plotting beforehand. After my first draft is finished, I take a couple of weeks to revise and polish it, then I send it off to my critique partners. They are very good at reading my manuscript and returning it within a couple weeks. After I go through and make the changes they've suggested, I send the story to my beta readers. This is a group of about ten ladies who are readers, and not necessarily writers. After I get their notes, I make more changes, and then have one more read-through before I send the manuscript to my agent.

Along with the manuscript, I also send a book proposal and a five page synopsis. My agent will read the manuscript and give me feedback, which I will use to make further changes to the story. After all my editing is done, my agent then submits the manuscript to publishing houses.

Here's where everything is out of my hands and the waiting really begins. There is a rhythm to the publishing world. There are seasons and times when publishing houses are actively acquiring new authors, and times when they are not. I trust my agent to send my manuscript at the right time. This might be right away, or it might be a month or two after I get it to her.

If an editor becomes interested in my story, she will then need to take it through all the different stages at her publishing house before she could offer a contract. This will require more patience! I have a rough idea of what this would entail, though I've never been through the process. She would present the story to other editors to read, then the marketing team would see it. After the marketing team punches in some numbers, she would then bring the story to a publishing board meeting where she would have to "sell" the book idea to the board members who would then vote yes or no. If the vote is yes, she would write a contract, which would then be sent to my agent and the negotiation would take place. If all of this is done, the story would then go through numerous rounds of editing and the book would be on shelves about a year later.

Where am I at right now? Currently, I am waiting to hear back from my beta readers on my third story. In the next couple of weeks I will send my manuscript to my agent and wait to hear her feedback. In the meantime, I am working on other writing opportunities my agent has presented.

Patience. Persistence.

Your Turn! If you're not a writer, does this process surprise you? If you're a published author, what surprised you most about the process? If you're not published, where are you on the journey?
----
Today I'm a guest on the Inspy Romance Blog! I'm talking about finding romance in the midst of parenting. You can find it here.

11 comments:

  1. Yes, patience is definitely a virtue in the writing industry. My experience as a professional actress prepared me well for the transition. IMHO, the writing can only get better with time :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Preslaysa, I didn't realize you were a professional actress! I imagine there is a lot to learn about patience in all careers. And, yes, the writing can only get better with time! My third story is much better than my first two, and I'm sure my fourth will be better than this one. Patience allows us to practice, and practice allows us to get better. :) Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  2. You nailed it right on, Gabrielle! Those are the two key qualities to making it in the publishing biz.

    After more than 10 years of writing, I suddenly got three contracts within 6 months. Don't give up! It will happen if you persevere.

    Will pray for someone to love your manuscript! All it takes is the right person. Then a whole new set of waiting starts!

    Cheers,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ten years takes amazing patience and perseverance, Susan. There's no fast track in this business, and anyone who is serious about getting traditionally published needs to be prepared to work hard and wait. Praising God for your contracts!

      Delete
  3. Thank you for this post Gabrielle. It is a process...I have only just begun! I am looking forward to my first ACFW conference. When I look at all I have learned about the craft in just this last year, it gets me excited. So much to learn, but I am loving it so much. Blessings to you as you patiently wait for what God is planning with your writing. I have been given this advice more than once ..."Enjoy the journey." What a ride it has been thus far. I am learning to Trust that God is in control all the time. Blessings and enjoy these great days of summer in MN and western WI. Take care. Warmly, Gail

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gail, yay for ACFW! It is one of the most amazing things you'll experience as a writer. My first ACFW was like a wonderful dream. :) I met so many people in person that I had only known online, and I was able to have two successful pitch sessions, which eventually led me to my agent Mary. I'll be there cheering you on!!

      Delete
  4. Hello, Gabrielle! This was so informative. Thank you! I write for a magazine, but I'm working on my first fiction work for middle grade. It was just really something fun to do with my daughter ... but I'd sure love to see if God has something more planned for it. I'm working on the editing process. Trying to figure out where I've made wrong choices and trying to correct them, etc.

    I'll be praying for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shelli, it's been so fun to see you around the blogosphere. It's a big step to tackle fiction, but I know you can do it! Editing can be fun, and a bit daunting. I hope you're making good progress.

      Delete
  5. This post was so helpful--thank you. I am like Gail, just starting out. Attending Cedar Falls Christian Writers Conference in Iowa next week--it'll be my first one.

    I've been filling up my brain on all things publishing. Found a link to your page on another blogger's site, so yours, Gabrielle, is the first one I've joined so I could comment!

    I enjoy the Books & Such page. I've seen Shelli on there too. Yeah--I'm recognizing people that I've been seeing online in the past month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome here, Melodie! I'm honored to have you following my blog. The Books and Such blog is one of the very best. You'll want to be sure and read every post. I'm so excited for you as you embark on this journey. The people you'll meet are some of the very best in the world. I'll see if I can find you on Facebook. Thanks for connecting with me here. Good luck at the writer's conference! I've been to Cedar Falls, IA. My cousin married a man from there and his parents still live there. My hubby and I stopped there when we were living in Ames and he was attending ISU. We love Iowa. :)

      Delete
    2. Small world. I'm on Facebook as Melodie Hofer Harris.

      Just watched this informative interview with Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such. It reaffirmed for me that there is a business side to consider. Rachelle makes great comparisons. It might help other newbies. And it is this link that somehow lead me to you--I'm a happy clicker!

      http://michaelhyatt.com/an-interview-with-rachelle-gardner.html

      Delete

Your comments are my favorite part of blogging!