tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post3790217549462242944..comments2023-12-09T00:33:24.572-08:00Comments on Novel Matters: Roundtable Discussion - How We Got PublishedBonnie Grovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-63419515492307760062009-02-24T15:34:00.000-08:002009-02-24T15:34:00.000-08:00There's a lot of luuuuuuv out there today. I think...There's a lot of luuuuuuv out there today. I think I need a tall glass of testosterone or something like that to balance things out. Could we get the next blog post to explode or morph it into a Wittenburg Door event?<BR/><BR/>I think the stories are great! I have wanted to write for a long time (I remember seeing ads for the Write! Canada event in Bible College). Life got in the way, so now I just live vicariously through my wife! I so appreciate the effort it takes to get published. It's like building a house. We've all used hammers and 2x4s but it ain't gonna happen until you "pull up your big boy panties and get 'er done!" Congrats to all 6 of you for where you are at.<BR/>word verification - hononas: Phrases a reggae Santa uses...Steve Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02332880875202358601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-41527726998385884442009-02-24T13:35:00.000-08:002009-02-24T13:35:00.000-08:00As a member of that same critique group at MH 2004...As a member of that same critique group at MH 2004 with Gayle Roper, I must say how delighted I am to see Sharon and Katy publish. Wonderful writers, yes, and special women as well.<BR/><BR/>It's helpful for me to remember the gifts God gave me are His to use how He sees fit. A lot more goes into the writing process than what we see as the ultimate reward--publication. Sometimes God can use our journey to accomplish far more that we anticipate.<BR/><BR/>Meanwhile, back to the keyboard for me! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-8349340261072614962009-02-24T09:31:00.000-08:002009-02-24T09:31:00.000-08:00Letterlady, my friend, I'm speaking for your grand...Letterlady, my friend, I'm speaking for your grandma here: NO, 50 is not too old for anything! Are you <I>trying</I> to insult me? <BR/><BR/>But really, you don't have to go to school, to write for publication. My publishers never even asked to see a degree. It <I>is</I> a good idea to get around other writers, and a conference is an excellent way to do that, and to also hone your craft, and make contacts with editors and agents. <BR/><BR/>I'd love to see you pursue that bug. Your grandma would be so proud.Kathleen Popahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682046279211463305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-53245135338910156122009-02-24T09:23:00.000-08:002009-02-24T09:23:00.000-08:00Thanks ladies for sharing your stories. I hadn't ...Thanks ladies for sharing your stories. I hadn't actually thought about writing for money. But I think you might have given me a bug. Is 50 too old to go to school?Letterladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04914221575200844372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-62963223809222920372009-02-23T18:03:00.000-08:002009-02-23T18:03:00.000-08:00Judy, I think of Jeremiah 29:11 for you. God has h...Judy, I think of Jeremiah 29:11 for you. God has his plans and they're to profit you. I'm holding my breath in anticipation.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-54449643301176954622009-02-23T15:45:00.000-08:002009-02-23T15:45:00.000-08:00Wonderful to see you on the blog, Judy! You're rig...Wonderful to see you on the blog, Judy! <BR/>You're right - conferences can be a wonderful training ground for a writer. Gets the creative juices flowing like nothing else!<BR/>And networking is important. Notice in my story, I was already connected with other writers who were connected to others.... it's important for both career (we all need help sometimes) and sanity (we all need a friend who understands us) to get to know other writers!<BR/>Blessing, Judy!Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-29388098589811327672009-02-23T14:44:00.000-08:002009-02-23T14:44:00.000-08:00Ladies, thank you for sharing your writing journey...Ladies, thank you for sharing your writing journeys! I'm in a difficult place in my writing. Today God used your stories to remind me of how He has guided my own writing journey, and that He will not abandon me now. Bless you for your vulnerable sharing.<BR/><BR/>I hope everyone sees the one pattern in your journeys--the value of writers conferences. Like many of you I re-connected with my editor and met my agent at Mount Hermon.Judy Gannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05011682327930823519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-12025025322627927332009-02-23T13:31:00.000-08:002009-02-23T13:31:00.000-08:00I also had an agent early on that didn't turn out ...I also had an agent early on that didn't turn out to be a good fit before I found Wendy Lawton. I was agent-less for awhile in between, which turned out to be a good thing. I don't think its unusual, because it's a learning process for new writers.Debbie Fuller Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09174333267329587740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-50667499268264872032009-02-23T13:06:00.000-08:002009-02-23T13:06:00.000-08:00What I love about this discussion is the FACT that...What I love about this discussion is the FACT that there is no one way to being published. Everyone's story is unique.<BR/>You can read all the "how to" books in the world, and they will help to a point, but somewhere on the journey, you have to forge your own path - and find your unique way to the destination. (not like it is a singular destination, either!)Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-10180231766132366952009-02-23T10:35:00.000-08:002009-02-23T10:35:00.000-08:00Katy is absolutely right. Writers conferences are ...Katy is absolutely right. Writers conferences are important on so many levels. Mt. Hermon was central to my finding editors who like my work, to signing with my agent Wendy Lawton, and to connecting with my closest writing friends. Even though we live a long way from each other, we're very connected.<BR/><BR/>I neglected to say in my post, in an attempt at brevity, that I signed with an agent my first year at Mt. Hermon, but it turned out not to be a good fit. She was going in one direction and I was going in another. After our parting of the way I felt a bit like I was floundering for a while, but God knew I had to be free to sign with an agent who really would be my advocate.<BR/><BR/>The thing I've learned most in my writing life, is that God truly is in control. I don't always understand the path He leads me on, but I don't have to. I just have to trust.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-16620624294506303242009-02-23T10:23:00.000-08:002009-02-23T10:23:00.000-08:00Susan, Nichole, Lori and Laura: We were so hoping ...Susan, Nichole, Lori and Laura: We were so hoping that our stories would encourage you to keep writing, and to approach the all-powerful Wizard of Oz with your manuscripts. God bless you all.Kathleen Popahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682046279211463305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-76068505510003907662009-02-23T10:20:00.000-08:002009-02-23T10:20:00.000-08:00While we're thanking people, I should mention that...While we're thanking people, I should mention that one of the best gifts Mount Hermon gave me was writer friends! I met Sharon Souza the same year I showed my manuscript to Jeff Dunn. She and I read each other's chapters and immediately became friends and critique partners. Then the next year I met Debbie Thomas, and again, we were instant friends. I don't know what I would have done without their friendship and encouragement. <BR/><BR/>I should also mention that I met my agent, Janet Grant, at Mount Hermon. She was one of those erudite goddesses in the dining hall in 1999. I do think she may be just a little bit all-knowing. I'm thrilled to have her on my side. And see? Again, I thank the conference. <BR/><BR/>Have I made myself clear? I think writers should go to writers conferences.<BR/><BR/>Now I'm over the moon to be teamed up with all five of these ladies. What a lot we all can learn from them. What an encouragement to hear their stories.Kathleen Popahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682046279211463305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-84500458712912362142009-02-23T10:18:00.000-08:002009-02-23T10:18:00.000-08:00Lori: Thanking God for his grace in your life. You...Lori: Thanking God for his grace in your life. You're rich in him with so much to offer. I hope we get to sit down and share stories someday.<BR/><BR/>Laura: Woohoo! You go, sister friend! Keep us posted.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-15252341560514760622009-02-23T10:07:00.000-08:002009-02-23T10:07:00.000-08:00Thank you ladies. You've given me the courage to a...Thank you ladies. You've given me the courage to actually submit my next book to a publisher (instead of self-publishing).Laura J. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13822749971171301648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-41109115264403271662009-02-23T09:15:00.000-08:002009-02-23T09:15:00.000-08:00I've had the privilege of learning from Lauraine S...I've had the privilege of learning from Lauraine Snelling, too, at an Oregon Christian Writers conference, many (many, many) years ago. <BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for sharing your stories, ladies. They've encouraged me to keep on with my own story (which is getting to be about as long as one of my novels!). I sure can relate to that *Intermission*, Patti. Had one of those myself.Lori Bentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04714197239425827339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-49534400973505387592009-02-23T07:38:00.000-08:002009-02-23T07:38:00.000-08:00When I tweeted about this column, I said something...When I tweeted about this column, I said something about there not being a "royal road" to publishing in the Christian marketplace. Boy, our diverse experiences surely do prove that!<BR/><BR/>I love and admire Bonnie, Patti, Sharon, Debbie and Katy for their devotion to their craft and to their Lord!<BR/><BR/>Latayne C Scott<BR/>www.latayne.comLatayne C Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06133535124591010838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-39118516414906655822009-02-23T07:27:00.000-08:002009-02-23T07:27:00.000-08:00Thanks for reminding me, Patti. The first fiction ...Thanks for reminding me, Patti. The first fiction class I attended at Mt. Hermon was taught by Lauraine Snelling. What a great experience! I still have the cassette tapes (even though I no longer have anything to play them on). She critiqued my first novel, and then pulled me aside on the last night of the conference and asked me why it hadn't been published. I said that I didn't know, and could she please tell me what was wrong with it? She said, "Absolutely nothing." Bless her, she gave me the confidence I needed to keep writing, even if it meant trying a different genre.Debbie Fuller Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09174333267329587740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-42211989416795692762009-02-23T07:12:00.000-08:002009-02-23T07:12:00.000-08:00Thank you ladies, your stories are very inspiring ...Thank you ladies, your stories are very inspiring and encouraging.Nichole Osbornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-19363339988996079412009-02-23T06:12:00.000-08:002009-02-23T06:12:00.000-08:00I really should give credit to three people who he...I really should give credit to three people who helped me say yes to God's calling: my husband who thinks I can do anything. I don't know where he got this idea, but it's contagious. Write a book? No problem! [Insert roll of eyes here.] No surprise here, I have to thank my mom. She paid my way to a Learn How to Write Great Fiction class taught right here in my lil' home town. This is nagging put in overdrive, but she wasn't afraid to shove me towards God's will. Thanks, Mom! And certainly not finally, because all writers rely on the talents of others to learn, stay focused, and motivated. Lastly, my heartfelt thanks to Lauraine Snelling for teaching that class. She gave me what no other writing teaching could...a place to start. All I needed was a huge notebook and about 3 million dividers! Thanks to Lauraine, too!<BR/><BR/>What's your story and who do you have to thank?Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-70342528992900582702009-02-23T05:35:00.000-08:002009-02-23T05:35:00.000-08:00Thanks ladies for the encouragement to continue th...Thanks ladies for the encouragement to continue through reading about your roads to publicationSusan Storm Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022089496490587104noreply@blogger.com