What do YOU see?

What do you see?

What do you see in this piece of art to the left? Faces? Letters? Nothing at all? No doubt we all have a different answer. Just as when we read a novel, some see greatness whilst others are bored.

When my lids descend, a world unlike the one I inhabit plays across the planes of my imagination. And when a vision comes upon me, a thought for a scene, setting, or piece of dialogue, I run with it. And what I see is most certainly not going to be what you see.

“I learned... that inspiration does not come like a bolt, nor is it kinetic, energetic striving, but it comes into us slowly and quietly and all the time, though we must regularly and every day give it a little chance to start flowing, prime it with a little solitude and idleness.” Brenda Ueland

As of late, those that circulate in my realm have asked the same question; when will you submit your MS? I thought it was done, they bemoan, asking for the hundredth time; what happens to the secondary characters? You do write a story for them, right? Done is relative term. Yes. And, no.

Yes, of course I'll submit. I have. But the answer is not always so simple. Unlike following instructions, or going to work to repeat the same repetitive tasks day in and day out, writing, whilst possessing unwritten rules, is a gift of imagination, writing skills, and mastery of the language in which you write.

I've received advice from agents and editors, judges and crit partners, and as a result, have taken their suggestions and made the best possible tale I can. I've been done so many times, I've lost count. And each time, I repeat the same mantra: this really is IT!

Well, this time, this last beta read, it really is. It HAS to be. Lets face it, some of us could continue writing the same story for years, always attempting to make it better. But this time, it will be submitted to those that requested, then 'tis time to move on.

My partners have done their job; made sure there were no plot holes, grammar mistakes, or inconsistencies. Its my turn, implement in between my other life, and get 'er done!

Writers can be a bit neurotic, obsessive, pedantic, but this really is IT! Charli would kick me arse otherwise.

Its not ready because your family and friends think it ought to be, or a new crit partner does not see what others have seen, but when YOU, the author, creator are confident with the product.

How do you know when your story is ready? Do you obsess endlessly, always hoping to make it better, fearing, it just might not be enough as your reason to hold back, hold back from letting the world see, to read?

What do you see?

AJ

I Liz-Lemoned my Agent Interview

I totally Liz Lemoned my agent interview at the New Jersey Romance Writer's Conference. Totally. If you do not know whom or what I am referring to, be gone. And come back when you are a part of decent society. Nah, just click on the links to get better acquainted with these fine gems of pop culture.

Back to me, Charli, aka Liz Lemon.

Me of all people totally botched it. Charli...the social go getter. Charli...the political schmoozer. I'm the girl who WROTE THE PITCH posts and I totally Lemoned the entire thing. But, in 30 Rock fashion, no....Liz Lemon fashion, I triumphed. The journey was quite comical. Please, follow along.

This agent totally Donaghyed me. So cool, calm, and collected. So in tune with the business. I sat in awe of him. Looking back I think I sounded more like Tracy Jordan at first, but I digress.

I prepped the whole night before. Jaws and I even got index cards. Woot. I had my business cards ready, all my pitches memorized, I was totally ready. TOTALLY. These other nerds have no idea how prepped I am.

So, here I am in the waiting room, waiting for my first appointment. The one with Donaghy, the great agent with great personality and a very nice smile. I am Charli. Chatter and schmoozer extraordinaire. I am soo ready. They had Kenny in the waiting room, handing out Mentos and calming nerves. So nice. Very thoughtful, really.

Glancing around there were Tracy and Jenna types, you know, other authors clamoring and freaking out a bit. So glad that wasn't me. I was so cool sitting there. Liz Lemonesque, for sure. Unaware of the impending doom ahead. Anywho. I watch and am so happy JAWS and I stayed up until 3AM prepping. This appointment is already in the bag. Take that nerds!

I walk in and there is Donaghy. Hello, will the real Liz Lemon please stand up? My mouth suddenly feels like I ate a case of cheesy blasters. Where the hell did my cool go? Tracy and Jenna took it. Damn them!  I was ready. I was prepared. What the frig happened?

Donaghy smiles and is so nice. I introduce myself. Donaghy remembers me from commenting on his blog. I am not a stalker. I am not a stalker. I say over and over to myself. We exchange cordial banter then he asks me.....he asks me about my friggin' book. What book. I wrote a book? I gulp. Of course I did. My hands shake twiddling with my index cards.

Donaghy reaches across and taps my hands. I look up and I am suddenly calm. Donaghy is like Jesus himself. I hear the "Ahh" behind him. I see the light. I can breathe. I finally hand over my business card. He likes, really likes it. I give him a copy of my query and synop, again he is impressed.

Then, his eyebrows go up, waiting for me to continue. Damn. Now I have to talk about the book. I fidget with the index cards. My hands are tapped again. Donaghy tells me they are not needed and to relax. I do.

Point blank, he asks what my book is about. And it just flows like butter, cheesy blasting butter. I am totally rockin it. In the zone man. Woot woot. Bottom line. I nail a partial. A friggin' partial. JAWS nails a full with Jack later. Biotch was totally spying on my skills.

You are asking...What is the lesson within all this Lemon? Here it is.

Agents are really like us, people. How you'd explain what your story is about to your friends or a new crit partner is how you should approach pitch appointments. I pray this totally rockin agent likes what I am about to submit. Cause, she, ah-hem, he- was really nice, gentle, and supportive.

This first meeting is what led to TWO editors requesting a submission. I was totally prepared for them. Thanks Jack Donaghy, you're the best!