Top Nine “Who Knew” Moments Since Becoming a Writer

with guest Jen Turano.

In the spirit of Seekerville celebrating their ninth birthday, I thought it might be fun to do nine of my favorite “Who Knew?” publishing moments.  Having originally been in a completely different industry, that being fashion, I must admit that my first few years dipping my toes into the publishing world were somewhat interesting.  It’s my hope that if you’re an aspiring writer, you’ll take comfort in the idea you’re not alone in this weird world, and if you’re a reader, you’ll get some insight into why a few authors seem to be slightly…neurotic.  So, on that note – here goes.

1. Who knew writing that very first book was going to be the easiest thing I did on my publishing journey?  There I was, blithely typing away, completely unconcerned about pesky little things like POV (Point of View) and distraction from plot.  I didn’t blink an eye over the idea I had more than one character in my first book with names that began with M, such as Monroe, Montrose, Mary and Martin.  It also didn’t concern me that I would go down numerous rabbit holes, wanting to get into side plots because they struck my fancy, no matter that they really didn’t add anything to the storyline.  It was utterly delightful putting all those words on a page in a completely willy-nilly fashion.  Unfortunately, it would soon be brought to my attention that I had much to learn regarding the whole craft of writing, but before I grasped that idea, I made one of my first mistakes – that being giving my manuscript to people who knew me, which led me to my second epiphany, which was…


2. Who knew that seeking out the opinions of those nearest and dearest to me was not the best decision an aspiring author could make?  Giving that manuscript to people I was acquainted with, most of those people employed at the local elementary school where I was head of the PTA, had me, in all honesty, coming to the misguided belief that I was soon to find myself on Oprah’s couch.  She would be smiling and nodding her head at me, perhaps even reaching over to pat my knee, while she declared my book the most amusing book she’d ever read and believed it deserved to be made into a movie.  Those notions were rapidly proven to be a pie in the sky idea because, not only was it highly unlikely I’d ever sit on Oprah’s couch, that first manuscript of mine was never going to see the light of day. (See above for the whole POV and distraction from plot problems that lurked on practically every page.)  How did I learn I was not nearly as accomplished at writing as I believed at that time?  It all came down to literary agents, those mysterious beings I decided I might need to sign with, but…

  

3. Who knew that agents, those guardians of the traditional publishing houses, were just so difficult to retain?  Being relatively clueless about the industry, I had no grasp of what the competition was, nor did I understand that literary agencies often receive 30,000 or more query letters a year.  Add in the idea that agents also meet with hundreds of authors at various conferences, and the odds were definitely not in my favor to secure representation.  Strange as this may seem, the very idea that it was so difficult to break into the industry actually helped me strengthen my resolve to press forward, if only to see if I could experience some measure of success.  I crafted one query letter after another, tightened up my proposal, and dove into researching agents who represented the genre I was writing.  As an aside, “Guide to Literary Agents” by Chuck Sambuchino is a wonderful resource to use when looking for an agent.  He also has a blog with a great many useful tips - http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents.  I then personalized each query, making certain to address the letters to the proper agent (you’d be surprised by how many agents tell me they get letters sent to them with their names misspelled) and then waited for the real fun to begin, which didn’t take nearly as long as I’d expected because…


4. Who knew that a person is making strides when they receive personalized responses from agents, even if those agents aren’t offering representation?  After I got the hang of sending out query letters – and writing numerous books, trying to find my groove, I began getting feedback from these agents.  Now, I have to admit that the feedback wasn’t always what anyone might consider pleasant.  In fact, there were a few letters from agents that almost scorched my eyeballs straight from their sockets.  One agent was nice enough to write that I had sent her a most impressive query letter, and then went on to tell me in explicit detail how disappointed she was by the manuscript I sent her, having been expecting something different.  That was one of those “Ouch” moments for sure.  But, once I got over the idea that it seemed to me as if I was the girl everyone wanted to be friends with but no one wanted to take to the prom, I realized that if I took the advice that was so readily coming my way, I might be able to produce a work that might be worthy of publication.  So, gathering all of the many, many suggestions I’d been given together, I sat down at my computer again, really concentrated on POV and not going down every rabbit hole that sprang up in front of me, and wrote yet another book.  To my delight, after finally improving my writing craft, I secured a contract with a literary agent who wanted to represent a Regency romance I’d written, titled “A Marriage of Inconvenience.” However, there was still much for me to learn since…
   
5. Who knew that just because you’ve finally secured an agent’s representation, that disappointment may very well still be lying in wait for you on the horizon?  When I signed with my first agent, I thought for certain I’d have a contract within a month, and one for multiple books of course.  Sadly, that’s not what happened.  The novel I had turned in did garner some interest, but it seemed as if there was still work to be done on it.  After rewriting it per an editor’s suggestion, without the benefit of a contract I might add, I was taken aback when that editor didn’t buy the book, having changed her mind about it.  At that point, I decided enough was enough.  I was obviously too much of an idiot to figure out the publishing business, as well as being a complete hack when it came to writing, so decided I was going to go back to my old career in the fashion industry.  Interestingly enough, I never got the opportunity to reenter my old career because…   

6. Who knew that God can use a can of Scrubbing Bubbles to get a person back on track?  After reaching out to some of my old contacts in the fashion industry, I was cleaning the house since I certainly was no longer writing and had nothing better to do with my time.  Plus, the house needed a good cleaning.  As I waited for the Scrubbing Bubbles to do their thing, always hopeful that I won’t have to apply that elbow grease, an idea struck from out of nowhere.  It wasn’t a vague idea, but a full story, complete with quirky characters, an unusual storyline, and I had no choice but to write it.  Since I’m a little OCD when it comes

to cleaning, I couldn’t actually stop cleaning the house.  Instead, I armed myself with a pad of post-its, and went about my business, jotting down an outline on pastel colored pieces of paper as I cleaned.  I then collected all the post-its scattered around the house, even finding some on the vacuum, put them in order, and began to write.  My agent sold that book within a month and a half of me turning it in, and that book was none other than “A Change of Fortune.”  Now, one would think that was the end of my “Who knew” moments, but nope, I still have more to tell, and the next one is…


7. Who knew that the theme song from Star Wars, the one heralding the arrival of Darth Vader, would spring to mind every time I get an email from one of my editors?  Don’t get me wrong, I love my editors, it’s just that they are so annoyingly right all the time, and that annoying business is normally accompanied by pages of suggestions regarding how I can make my story stronger.  I have been known to leave the room while my printer is spitting out all these amazing suggestions - making some toast, putting in a load of laundry, doing whatever it takes to distract me from the idea that when my printer is done regurgitating the lovely suggestions my editors have sent me, I’m going to have some very intense thinking days ahead as I rewrite a good portion of my story.  As the years go by, my printer doesn’t spit out quite as many pages, but it’s just a thing with me now, the Darth Vader tune, and makes me smile whenever it springs to mind.  In all honesty, I can’t imagine not having a team of editors to work with on my stories, because they rein me in when I get a little too wacky, and they’ve made me a stronger writer.  For that, I cannot thank them enough.  It is because of them that I don’t get slammed with too many horrible reviews, which leads me to my next “Who knew” moment, that being…  


8. Who knew that perusing reviews on Goodreads are not for the faint of heart?  I’d never taken much notice of book reviews before I became published, but wow –that was a bit of an eye-opener.  I had no idea there were so many people seemingly quite comfortable writing snarky pieces that tore my work to shreds, one of those pieces beginning with “Oy.”  Nothing good has ever followed in a sentence beginning with the word Oy.  But, oddly enough, I’ve gleaned important insight by reading reviews and have adjusted my writing because of them.  I now have a better grasp of my target audience, what they enjoy and what they definitely do not. I’ve also learned not to dwell on any of the reviews – good or bad.  If I believe the good ones, well, I’ve been known to freak out while writing my next first draft, convincing myself that since readers found my last book amusing, I’m all out of witty ideas, which means I’m washed up and have nothing left to write.  During those times, I spend hours stretched out on my office floor, gazing up at a rather dull white ceiling, wondering why in the world I ever thought I could pursue a career in writing.  On the other hand, dwelling on bad reviews can certainly convince me I’m nothing more than a pretender and should immediately cease all future attempts of writing another book.  According to my husband, the man responsible for plucking me off my office floor and convincing me wallowing is not exactly a productive use of my time, it’s best if I avoid lingering on a site that posts reviews.   And finally, one of my very favorite “Who knew” moments is…


9. Who knew I’d be given the opportunity to meet so many readers and writers, all of whom share a great love of books with me?  It never occurred to me that the best part of becoming involved in the writing community was the idea I was going to make so many new and delightful friends.  I’ve been given the extraordinary gift of getting acquainted with a variety of different people from all over the world, and that right there has been my greatest blessing of all.  Those interactions nourish my soul and provide me with friendships I’ll always enjoy, no matter the state of my writing career.  

Anyone care to share their own "Who knew" moments?


Thank you so much, everyone, for stopping in to visit with me.  Thank you also to the wonderful ladies of Seekerville.  Congratulations on your nine fabulous years, and I hope you have many, many more.

Jen is generously offering a wonderful giveaway for one commenter. The three books in her last series - "A Class of Their Own."  That includes "After a Fashion," "In Good Company," and "Playing the Part."  Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.

And here's a great offer: "At Your Request," is currently available for pre-order as a free e-book and is the prequel novella to her next series "Apart from the Crowd," releasing in 2017 and 2018.  

A USA Today Best-Selling Author, Jen Turano has written the critically acclaimed Ladies of Distinction series, and A Class of Their Own series, published through Bethany House Publishers.  Her novel, After a Fashion, was chosen as a top pick from Romantic Times, as well as being named a top ten romance of 2015 from Booklist.  It was also a nominee for Romantic Times 2015 Reviewers’ Choice Award.  Her book, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, was chosen as a top ten romance by Booklist in 2013. When she’s not writing, Jen spends her time outside of Denver. She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/ or visit her on the web at www.jenturano.com. She is represented by the Natasha Kern Literary Agency. 

Leave a comment today for a chance to win an iPad mini! Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.

For those of you who are "caked" out, after thirty-one days, we brought an elegant treat, to go with Jen's lovely covers. Macarons. Help yourself!