How does writing while unpublished differ from writing under a contract?

I prefer to write under a contract. I’m a reporter so I live by deadlines. Deadlines push me to write tighter and faster. When I’m under contract, I have a goal to aim for. I know how to organize my priorities for the day/week/month. When I’m not writing under contract, I lollygag (how’s that for a word?) and take my time and revise until I’m blue in the face. Sure, there’s a little more pressure writing under contract, but I like pressure—it motivates me!

Do you miss those days of writing in obscurity?

Most days, I still feel like I’m writing in obscurity. J Writing is a pretty lonely profession. Sure, I have a little more recognition now that I’m published, but most days it’s just me and my computer!

I’m afraid of writing under a deadline. Afraid I’ll loose the joy of writing. Afraid my work won’t be as good because it will be rushed, and afraid my priorities will be skewed. Do you ever feel this way and how do you handle this?

I’m constantly reevaluating my priorities. And I’ve come to the conclusion that I have to write for the love of writing. For instance, this year my husband lost his job. He got another job, but it doesn’t pay as much. I determined (foolishly, I might add) that I had to get another book contract to help pay our bills. So, I started churning out proposals and waiting to hear what publishers thought about my stories. I realized in the process that my priorities had changed and I lost my joy of writing. So, I went back to another book that I really liked but had never completed. It wasn’t contracted (and still isn’t). I started writing just to enjoy the story. I discovered that I write terrible proposals. It’s not until I’m 2/3s of the way into the book that I truly discover my story. I don’t think I’m one of those authors who can write a good proposal but I’m a seat of the pants writer. Knowing the ending before I begin kills my joy. I think God can teach us things wherever we are in the process of writing—if we’re just beginning and floundering a bit, if we’re desperately looking for a publisher, if we’re writing under deadline or if we’re getting tons of rejections. Each of these phases is part of the process. I’m trying to learn to enjoy each one because that IS the writing life.

Are there any more books in the future for this series?

I’m working on the third book now. This book still has Gabby St. Claire as the protagonist, but the mystery centers around her best friend, Sierra, an animal rights activist.

Do you have any other books coming out?

I have several that are being considered right now, but currently I don’t have any contracts.

 How did you land your agent?

I met her at a writer’s conference and we really connected. What I love about my agent is that she believes in my writing and is very encouraging.

Did you get your agent before or after you sold your first book?

My first agent and I parted ways amicably after a year, no sales. I got a non-fiction book contract after that, all on my own. Then I went back and forth with another well-known agent for about seven months. She kept requesting revisions to my manuscript. In the meantime, Kregel had reviewed my book and liked it. The well-known agent decided not to represent me. A few weeks later, Kregel offered me a contract. I contacted another agent who’d shown some interest while at a writer’s conference. I hadn’t pursued her at the time because I was still going back and forth with this other agent. Then I signed with my current agent and she helped negotiate my contract with Kregel. I’m still with her, three years later. How’s that for confusing? J

What would you tell writing moms and dads looking for that agent who will sell their first book?

You have to find an agent you connect with. Not every agent is a good fit for every writer. Some of my friends who have literary agents have a different relationship with them than I do mine. Some of their agents really map out long-range career plans, some help with marketing, some do editing, some even help generate ideas. You have to know what you want. You may have to go through a couple of agents before you find one who really works for you. Be sure to check with preditors and editors to make sure the agent is on the up and up. Also, get recommendations from friends and, when possible, meet with agents at writer’s conference before signing a contract. You can tell a lot from a face to face meeting.

What will do if the next contract never comes?

I constantly ask myself that question and I think God really wants me to face that possibility also. I think it’s easy as a writer to get to the point where writing and publishing can become somewhat of an idol. Our happiness seemingly hinges on whether or not we’re successfully published or not. God’s been teaching me lately that I have to trust him and his timing. My self-worth can’t be determined by whether or not I’m published again or what my sales numbers are or what the reviewers are saying. I’m loved by the King. What else could I want?

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