The Finish Line is the Starting Line
It’s easy to see The Call as the finish line in the journey of writing. It’s a finish line, for sure, but once you cross it, it’s time to drink some Gatorade and get running again.
You spend all that time working on your manuscript and waiting…but when The Call comes in…and specifically speaking of Harlequin…they’ll want more than just that one MS. See, M&B buy authors, not just books. This is SO very true.
When I got The Call, they offered me a two book contract, and this is pretty standard. My editor and I talked tweaks for HVA and then she said, ‘and we’ll want to look at the next on in six weeks.’
Fortunately, in my wait times, I have been writing. And writing. And writing. So I had a lot of manuscripts to consider submitting. That’s why I always say (well, maybe not always, but I’ve said it before…) that during wait times you need to KEEP WRITING. (write that down and then just keep going…)
So then I sold that second book and what happened next? I got offered a four book contract. And when I signed that contract, my deadlines were set in stone and I had to get myself to work!! *sweats*
I’m working on the last book in that contract right now.
I grant you, running the race as fast as I am is not expected, but you are expected to keep running. You make it in, but then you have to keep going. You have to keep revising, keep improving. I was doing a particularly prickly set of revisions for the Russian partial, and I expressed disappointment (using this —> :S emoticon in my email…I don’t recommend that behavior, but Jenny seems to ‘get me’ :p) in having ‘failed’ at making the partial as good as I’d hoped.
And my editor told me that it’s her job to make sure that what I’m writing is better than the last thing I wrote. And I SO want that. I do. I want to keep improving. I want to deliver great stories to my readers, stories that are told to the best of my abilities…stories that stretch my abilities so that I improve each and every time.
Getting published doesn’t mean I know it all, or that I even know a fraction. I intend to keep learning, to keep growing. To keep writing.
I think that’s why you hear some writers say it’s not any easier once you’re published. Now, I disagree. Getting published is pretty hefty validation that you don’t have when you aren’t published (I remember! LOL). But I think the point of the statement is that it’s still work. You will still get told something you wrote isn’t good enough, either by your editor, or, by a reader after it’s been seen by your editor, a million other editors, polished and bought.
There will always be revisions. (well, mostly always…) There will always be those times when you bang your head on the keyboard because the scene’s not coming together.
But it’s brilliant, and I love it. And I’m so pleased that reaching publication isn’t the end of anything. It’s the start of something new and wonderful.
I’ll be running in this race as long as they’ll let me. 🙂 Pass me the Gatorade!!
Comments
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Yay for you!! Keep running, Maisey. You’re the Usain Bolt of the writing world. Hmmm, the pic reminds me of a certain someone… 🙂
Hehe…he ought to Jackie. Another piccy of my Frenchman inspiration. Ah, Blaise…
And LOL on being Usain Bolt. He’s in better shape than me me though…
Yes, keep running Maisey! I want all the books I can get out of you ;).
Jenny sounds great! I love that she wants to help you grow and make sure that each book is better than the last 🙂
*passes Gatorade*
Lacey, you sweetheart. 🙂 I sent AMAPAP too you last week, so it ought to pop up soon!!
Jenny is wonderful. I love working with her. She doesn’t think I’m crazy…rather, if she does, she hides it well. 🙂
*chugs gatorade*
Awesome post, Maisey! I have your first book (the shot fired into the air that started on this race) on my shelf and after I polish off Heidi’s Knock Me for a Loop, I’m going to read it. Can’t wait! You’re an inspiration – which I believe takes a person being true to themselves. Good on you for being YOU. 🙂
*sings* I’ve got to be me!!!
Jessica, you’re sweet. 🙂 Thank you! And you know…you really do have to believe in what you do. It shows if you do and it shows if you don’t.
Maisey I’ve decided to introduce you to my new saying “Doing a Maisey!” Today was a rubbish today, not working, childfree, had all day to write and couldn’t get a word down on paper. Then I remembered you talking about going out to ?Starbucks or somewhere similar to write. So, since I don’t have a laptop, I printed my story so far, took my pen and paper and hit my nearest coffee shop – Costa Coffee. The staff were fab and kept bringing me more coffee and three hours later I had nearly 3000 words. Perfect. It is now officially known as “Doing a Maisey!” Cheers girl!
Susan!! LOL!!! Yep, that’s how I roll. It’s hard, because when you’re at home, you can’t fully take off the mom and wife cap, at least I can’t. Even if I’m shut in the bedroom, if I hear the kids, it’s almost impossible for me to just let the husband handle it…
But going out is, first of all, such a nice thing for a mom to get to do…and second, it let’s you put on your writer hat and just immerse!! I take my iPad since it has a 12hr batter life (yay) and I drink caffeine till I can’t drink no more!!
3000 in three hours! Girl, you rock!
Sorry to chime in late. Great post, Maisey!
Amy
I love it when you chime in, Amy. No matter when it is!! Thank you!
I need to do a Maisey 🙁
Just like you Susan I had a day at home today… kids at school, no work, a whole day to write, and did I write, Nope.
I read blogs, I watched some miners get brought out of the ground (cried just a little), got the mail (woo-hoo Maisey’s book arrived, wow that was fast), started reading, got panicked and guilty about the lack of writing… finally, finally started poudning out some words (they were all crapola).
Next time I get in this rut I’m going to do a Maisey… I’m going to get my sorry butt out of the house! I will report back and let you know how it goes – it has to be better than my efforts today.
BTW Maisy, AMAPAP is fabulous and I’m only up to chapter three ! Thank you for sending it my way.
That happens, Jo. 🙁 I’m afraid I had a non-productive day myself. *sigh* It happens that way. I do find getting out helps…like going to work. It just makes you feel like, if you’re out to write, you have to write. At least it does that for me.
Ah, the miners…have been watcing and bawling myself. 😉 And THANKS re Mistake. 😀 I’m glad it made it, and I’m VERY glad you’re enjoying it!
Great post Maisey!
Your success has been a pleasure to watch, and wow you have come out of the blocks at a pace girl!
Maybe you’ll choose to settle into a *slightly* slower groove over the coming years, but then again maybe you won’t – either way, you are a complete inspiration to the aspiring romance writers community.
Have put your books onto my Christmas list. :o)
x
Great post, Maisey. You’re an inspiration, and I love the fact that you give back to all the authors who are on the path to publication and perhaps struggling through briars and potholes and unforseen obstacles. Your attitude and go-get-’emness helps pick people up and focus them on struggling through. You should be very proud of yourself, Maisey, I know lots of us out here in blogland are very proud of you!
Joanne, thank you darlin…nightmares of arthritic fingers later in life…that might slow me down for real!!
And to have made a Christmas list? Well, that’s just the coolest thing ever. I look forward to putting your books on my Christmas list one day. 😉
Sally, thank you. 🙂 I needed to hear that today. You have no idea how great it is for me to talk to everyone about…writing. It’s great and I so appreciate you all sharing with me.
Congrats on your own success Sally…and I hope you have years and years of it. 😀