Parenting to Publishing: Inara Scott

This month we have the amazingly talented Inara Scott telling us her Parenting to Publishing journey.


CW: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
IS: I grew up in winter wonderland of Buffalo, NY. Consequently, I spent much of my childhood complaining about being cold. To spare the world my whining, I fled the cold climate and eventually wound up in the Pacific NW. I love it here — we get occasional snow, tons of rain in the winter, and lots of sun in the summer. The forests are huge, and the old Douglas Fir trees and thick ferns make you think you’ve wandered into a fairy tale. I would be surprised if there weren’t fairies and elves living here. Seriously.
I love to hike, canoe, and play outside. I am addicted to yoga. I have a deep affinity for water (I used to believe I could learn to breathe underwater, if I stayed down there long enough).
I’m a geek through and through. I fear deep, intellectual books and love romance and fantasies. I listen to cheesy, happy music. When I was in high school, my friends considered having a clothing intervention for me because I insisted on making my own clothes and shopping at thrift stores. Somehow, I survived.

CW: When did you start writing? 
IS: I started writing in 2005. At the time, I was working full-time as an attorney, and I had two little ones at home. I think writing became my happy place -- an escape where no one needed me, the women were beautiful, the men were sexy, and there was ALWAYS a happily ever after.

CW: What genre do you write? What are your books about?
IS: I started writing adult historical romance. I wrote two books that weren’t published, and then tried my hand at young adult fiction. That YA book (Delcroix Academy: The Candidates) became my first published novel.

CW: Tell us a little bit about your journey to getting your agent. What were your query stats? What is the most memorable feedback (good or bad) you have received about your book?
IS: Oh lord, I think I had well over 150 rejections before I found an agent. I queried relentlessly for my first two novels, but always kept writing. I queried about 50 agents for my YA novel, and 49 of them said no. But as the saying goes, you only need one! There really wasn’t one piece of feedback that stood out for me. It was a series of “you’re almost there” type of statements that were simultaneously soul-crushing and uplifting. (Gosh, that kind of describes most of publishing, don’t you think?)


CW: Most writers dream about getting published. Tell us how it works. How did it feel to hold your book in your hands?
IS: Oh, I cried and cried. It’s hard to put it into words. You look at that book and wonder how it could possibly have happened to you. I still tend to believe it was an accident. ;-)


CW: Can you describe your writing routine? Any certain music, food, smells or atmosphere that get you in the mood to write?
IS: I write best early in the morning, and when I was working full time, I’d often get up at 5 to get some writing time in before work and kids demanded my attention. I love sitting down with the computer and a cup of steaming hot coffee. Coffee definitely gets my writerly-brain working.


CW: What is your favorite writer’s resource?
IS: My friends! I need the reassurance of other human beings telling me to keep going. Writing is a lonely business. Having human contact is a very good thing.


CW: How do you feel about conferences? Have you been to any? Do you have any suggestions as to which conferences are good?
IS: I highly recommend that aspiring writers join the Romance Writers of America and start attending their annual national conference (if you can swing it) or local conference. They are loaded with resources, from classes and workshops to agent information, and they help you build communities, which I believe are essential to writers.

CW: What are you currently working on?
IS: I’ve got about five projects going right now. It’s not a particularly healthy state of being! I’m hoping my brain will settle down soon.

CW: What kind of support do you have from friends and family when it comes to writing?
IS: My husband is truly remarkable. He has always supported my writing in every way possible. I’m not one of those women who has to work the second -- or third -- shift when it comes to housework and childcare. My husband has always been an equal partner in all of that.

CW: How do you balance writing and family life?
IS: I believe it’s crucial to be honest with yourself and prioritize all the things you want to do. Whether it’s spending time with family, writing, or exercising, you’ve got to make it a priority or it will never happen. I tend to block out discretionary things like TV, movies, even reading, when I’m on a roll with my writing. It’s the only way I know to get it all done.


Thanks so much to Inara Scott for sharing her Parenting to Publishing journey with us. For even more on Inara, follow her on Twitter (@inarascott), Facebook and at www.inarascott.com. 






And if you didn’t already know how awesome Inara is, she wants to send you guys a little swag pack for her latest adult book, Radiant Desire -- bookmarks, stickers, and an adorable little faerie tattoo! Comment below with your email address and we will get your info! 


                                                     

Parenting to Publishing: Bethany Crandell

This month’s Parenting to Publishing is with Bethany Crandell . . . . Let’s hear how she’s trying to balance it all.


CW: Tell us a little about yourself.
BC: I recently turned 36 which means I’ve been married for…EVER. I have two amazing little girls (9 and 6) and a chocolate Labrador who has no regard for personal space. I work full-time, write whenever I can steal a moment (which is typically courtesy of a helpful Grandma or a new iCarly episode), and quite often stress about life situations that I have absolutely no control over.

CW: When did you start writing? 
BC: I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing. As a kid I wrote several books for school projects--one I still have (complete with horrible illustrations), is all about how certain events in my life made me feel. The distain for beef stew page is my favorite.
Since then I’ve always tinkered with poems, short stories, etc., but about two and a half years ago I realized that my nightly My Little Pony productions weren’t filling the creative void in my life. After reconnecting with a good friend and creative coach, I started doing some focused writing. Small bits at first; five minutes every morning just to establish a routine, then gradually build on that.  Before I knew it I was writing at every opportunity, and was well on my way to completing my first novel.

CW: What genre do you write? What is your book about?

BC: I write YA. SUMMER ON THE SHORT BUS, the book I received representation for, is the story of seventeen-year-old Cricket Montgomery and what happens to her the summer she’s forced to work at a camp for disabled teenagers. It’s funny, bordering on irreverent, but is an honest and sincere look how Cricket’s upbringing (silver spoons & credit cards) has shaped her into the person that she is. What she discovers with the help of some unexpected friends, and a Zac Efron look-a-like who steals her heart, is that changing how she views the world doesn’t mean she has to say goodbye to the person she’s always been, but rather embrace the person she’s always wanted to be.

CW: Tell us a little bit about your journey to getting your agent? What were your query stats? What is the most memorable feedback (good or bad) you have received about your book?
BC: I queried SUMMER ON THE SHORT BUS for about six months (taking a break half-way through for some edits) before I got THE CALL from my dream agent Rachel Dugas. 90 queries sounds about right, with a dozen full requests and about as many partials.


CW: Most writers dream about getting published. Tell us how it works.
BC: My dream version involves Bradley Cooper, a six-pack of beer and a huge royalty check. The reality version has yet to happen. I’ll report back when it does.

CW: Can you describe your writing routine? Any certain music, food, smells or atmosphere that get you in the mood to write? 
BC: I like it quiet. No music. No TV. No kids. Just me, the computer and a lot of peppermint Orbit gum.

CW: What is your favorite writer’s resource?
BC: Query Tracker is a pretty incredible tool. I admit that congregating with so many like-minded folks was a little intimidating at first, but once I dove in and started connecting with other writers, reading their experiences, sharing my own--it proved to be invaluable. (It’s also where I met one of my dearest friends. For that reason alone I will always sing its praises.)

I’m also a www.thesaurus.com junkie. Synonyms make my toes curl.

CW: How do you feel about conferences? Have you been to any? Do you have any suggestions as to which conferences are good?
BC: I have only attended one conference, the SDSU Writer’s Conference in San Diego, but it was such an incredible experience I’m dying to go again. The participating agents were friendly and encouraging, and the breakout sessions were so informative, I actually left feeling like I needed a heavy dose of Xanax—so much to take in, but really good stuff.

I must confess; I was terrified before I went to the conference. I was sure that every other participant would be a best-selling author and I was the one token idiot. Boy was I wrong. Not only were the other attendees at various stages in their careers, but everyone was supportive and encouraging of everyone else.

CW: What are you currently working on?
BC: My current WIP is a very light paranormal YA, which is sort of scary because my comfort zone is my favorite place to hang out. It’s about an ornery angel whose trying to earn her wings.

CW: What are you reading now? What is your favorite book? What is your favorite movie?
BC: Right now I’m finishing up FOREVER, the third in the Maggie Stiefvater trilogy, but may have to set it aside before I’m done. I have a good pal’s WIP on deck and I’m pretty eager to start in on that.  My all-time favorite book is BREAD AND JAM FOR FRANCES. I love animals that do people things. As for my favorite movie…Oh I could go on for days. Since we all either need to vacuum, change a diaper or get to soccer practice, I will give you just a handful (in no particular order): Sixteen Candles, The Shawshank Redemption, The Goonies, Pride & Prejudice (Keira’s version), Sound of Music, Breakfast Club.

CW: Tell us a little about your kids, husband and home life. 
BC: I’m married to the boy I met when I was a senior in high school and he was a PFC in the Marine Corps. We were just friends until we started corresponding through letters during his deployment to Somalia, (for the record: I wrote hundreds, he wrote 5) but the friend status changed shortly after he returned home. He’s incredibly supportive of my writing though would rather cut off his own hands then do any writing himself.

My girls are quite simply the coolest kids on the planet. The oldest, nearly 9, has an ear for words, both written and spoken. (She does a killer Spanish accent). She’s dramatic, sensitive, hysterically funny and, oh yeah…highly-emotional. The little one is extra special, and not just because she’s so cute you could eat her with a spoon. Just before her first birthday she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. While she’s definitely behind the curve of other first graders, she makes fans everywhere she goes. I liken her to a spring flower. While her petals are wrapped up tighter than most, the beauty of watching them unfold is like having a front row ticket to a slow motion miracle.

As far as my home life: Last year my dad paid me one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever received. He said that he enjoyed visiting our home because it was peaceful. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for a home environment—and for my kids. I want them to know that no matter what happens out in the big, bad world they can always return home to a safe and peaceful place. (Side note: My dad made that comment before we adopted our current dog)

CW: What kind of support do you have from friends and family when it comes to writing?
BC: Endless. I couldn’t do any of this without them.

CW: How do you balance writing and family life?
BC: *sigh* There are days when I actually manage to cook a meal, unload the dishwasher AND give the kids a bath. Those days I feel like Super Woman. Then there are the days when we have cereal for dinner and bath time involves little more than a scrub with a baby wipe. Those days I feel like a complete failure. I think as moms and wives we feel like we have to be everything to everybody all the time. While it’s important to put the needs of our family first, we need to remember sometimes the best thing for our family is for mom to have some time to write by herself. I try and do that—but it’s hard.

CW: What has been your biggest challenge in writing so far? Any solutions?
BC: I have ridiculously high expectations for myself. If I don’t reach a particular word count on a given day, I’m a failure. If I get another rejection…failure. I haven’t figured out a permanent solution, but prayer, venting to friends, and the occasional alcoholic beverage definitely help.

CW: What is your guilty pleasure? Tell me something people wouldn’t guess about you.
BC: I’ve watched the last episode of Glee (1st season) about 1,000 times. Noah Puckerman (Mark Salling) scan turn me into a puddle with one raise of his eyebrow.

CW: Any advice you can give to writers? Also, any helpful tips, tricks or websites? 
BC: It was a little scary when I first started to put myself out there with other writers, but that has turned out to be the most valuable support system I could have asked for. From critiquing, to advice—your writer friends will support you like no one else can.

Thank you so much to Bethany Crandell for telling us about her journey in Parenting to Publishing. We wish Bethany much success and can’t wait to be able to get her book at our local bookstore.  Visit Bethany’s website and blog, and stop by and say “Hi” on Twitter, @rookieriter. 

                                              

Parenting to Publishing: Abbi Glines

Let’s see how Abbi is doing it all.     

CW: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
AG: When I am being forced up a mountainside with a backpack weighing me down and the fear of bears hammering in my head or when I am being hauled out into choppy waters holding on for dear life afraid I will be pitched over at any moment, I wonder why it was exactly I married my crazy husband. Then again having an adventurous if somewhat insane spouse has been the best muse a writer could ask for. My debut novel BREATHE was released May,17, 2011 by Wild Child Publishing  and it was thanks to one of those spur of the moment boat trips that sparked the idea for Breathe. I've been writing all my life but it wasn't until I tried my hand at YA fiction that I found my groove. Apparently I never really grew up, which may explain my marriage to a dare devil. I've recently signed the contract on my second YA novel Existence and I am currently writing my third novel. I am a Twitter junkie and I am now on Google +
      

CW: When did you start writing? 
AG: Well, I began writing actual stories when I was nine. I knew I wanted to be a writer. I loved making stories up.  I wrote for a county wide newspaper when I graduated from high school and quickly realized I didn’t much care for the real world. However, I continued to write freelance for parenting, travel, and family magazines. I tried writing chic lit but it didn’t really go anywhere. Something wasn’t clicking. Then the idea for my current novel Breathe hit me and before I knew it, I had a YA novel on my hands.

CW: What genre do you write? What is your book about?
AG: I write YA fiction. Breathe is about a young girl, who hasn’t been handed an easy path in life, finding herself immersed in the private world of America’s favorite teenage rock star. Sadie has a pregnant irresponsible single mom who relies on her to fix all their problems. Jax Stone is the golden boy of the music industry who has escaped for the summer to the coastal southern town of Sea Breeze, Alabama. Jax knows Sadie will never fit into the life he leads but he can’t seem to stay away from her. When his fame splashes their “summer fling” all over the media, Jax leaves in hopes of saving Sadie from the harsh spotlight. Broken hearted Sadie’s life spirals out of control. However, she holds the rock star’s heart in her hands and he soon realizes without Sadie he can’t breathe.


CW: Tell us a little bit about your journey to getting your agent. What were your query stats? What is the most memorable feedback (good or bad) you have received about your book?
AG: I didn’t have a very long journey looking for an agent. I sent out twenty query letter to agents and three to smaller publishing houses that didn’t require agents. I received seven partial request from agents and a contract from two publishing houses. The first publishing house wanted me to promise to buy a certain number of my books. I didn’t want to pay anything to get Breathe published. Wild Child Publishing would send Breathe to ebook and then to paperback later. I had to make no promises to buy anything. It felt more legit to me. So, instead of dealing with agents and rejections I chose Wild Child. They had several successful authors and I really like working with their editor in chief Marci Baun. Most memorable feedback would have to be the first review I received from someone I did not know at the time. Debbie from I HEART YA reviewed Breathe on her blog and gave it an excellent review. I think I went back and reread her review a thousand times that week.

CW: Most writers dream about getting published. Tell us how it works? How amazing did it feel to hold your book for the first time? 
AG: You edit A LOT! Once you sign the contract edits begin. You edit and edit and edit. It is grueling. Not my favorite part of the writing process. Designing the cover is the fun part. Wild Child assigned me an artist to work with and I absolutely loved deciding on the perfect cover for Breathe. As for holding the book I haven’t done that just yet. I am waiting on Breathe to go to print. However, it does feel pretty darn good to hold my Nook with my book opened up on it.



CW: Can you describe your writing routine? Any certain music, food, smells or atmosphere that get you in the mood to write? 
AG: I spend at least five hours a day writing. I require silence and a large bag of tropical flavored Twizzlers. Nothing really gets me in the mood. Somedays I don’t feel like writing but once I force myself to start I quickly find my groove.

CW: What is your favorite writers’ resource?
AG: My favorite author’s blogs. I read them daily. I follow their tweets. Soaking up knowledge from a writer you admire is the best resource out there. Thanks to the world of blogging it is very easy to do.

CW: How do you feel about conferences? Have you been to any? Do you have any suggestions as to which conferences are good? 
AG: I have never been to a conference. I have three kids and their social lives and activities don’t leave me room to go to conferences. I do hope to attend them someday.

CW: What are you currently working on?
AG: After I finished Breathe I had a paranormal idea running through my head and immediately wrote my next novel Existence. I began writing my second paranormal around the time Breathe was released. However that was soon put to a halt after the influx of readers requesting a story for “Marcus” the other guy in Breathe began to pile in. So, right now I am writing Marcus’s story.

CW: What are you reading now? What is your favorite book? What is your favorite movie? 
AG: I am currently reading The Peachville High Demons series by Sarra Cannon. My favorite book ah... that is a hard one. My favorite classic is Pride and Prejudice. I can’t pick out just one book out of my current reads. Favorite movie would have to be Sweet Home Alabama.

CW: Tell us a little about your kids, husband and home life. 
AG: I have three kids. Austin is 12 and obsessed with football. I thought he was going to be my book lover because he was a complete Harry Potter fanatic but football entered his life and it became his first love. Annabelle is 10 and my dancer. I’d like to say she is a graceful ballerina but she is all hip hop. Where the child got her moves I have no idea because her father nor I can dance. Ava is 6 and my gymnast. She can flip and bend in ways that should be illegal. At any given moment the child will flip and land in the splits. My husband is a photographer. He has had his work published in the Wall Street Journal. He also is an amazing videographer. Check out my rocking book trailer ;)  We live in Fairhope, AL but spend a good portion of our summer in Orange Beach, Alabama. My kids are water rats. They learned to swim in the Mobile Bay instead of a swimming pool.

CW: What kind of support do you have from friends and family when it comes to writing?
AG: If my family didn’t support me then I wouldn’t be able to write. My kids and husband deal with the messy house and fast meals during writing intervals. They don’t complain and understand. My friends also are great about not taking offense when I don’t answer their phone calls and become a recluse when writing. They make up an awesome support group.

CW: How do you balance writing and family life?
AG: During the school year this is easy. All three of my kids are in school so I get them off then spend  five hours writing, an hour or so cleaning and then I’m ready to help them with their homework or take them to their after school activities. Summer is a whole new ball game. I do most of my writing at night when they are asleep. I work during the day on my social media which is a must for writers. That is something you can get interrupted and then come back to without a problem. I don’t get as much writing done in the summer as I do during the school year. Remembering you are Mom first can be hard to balance.

CW: What has been your biggest challenge in writing so far? Any solutions?
AG: Lack of sleep. When a story is in my head I can’t seem to stop writing. It keeps me awake. And a sleepy Mom is a grouchy Mom. I have found keeping a notebook by my bed to jot down ideas is  a way to ease my active brain.

CW: What is your guilty pleasure? Tell me something people wouldn’t guess about you.
AG: Planning Disney World trips. Weird, I know. I literally plan trips I know I can’t take. When I have a trip in the future I will plan that sucker to death. When I don’t a a trip in the future I plan one anyway. I’m obsessed with the place. I could go five times a year.

CW: Any advice you can give to writers? Also, any helpful tips, tricks or websites? 
AG: If you plan to ever be published then make a name for yourself online NOW. Blog regularly, get involved in the Goodreads community, TWITTER OMG I can NOT stress this enough. Twitter is invaluable. Make friends, make connections, get to know blog reviewers, get to know readers who read your genre. I can not tell you the connections I’ve made that have made all the difference in getting word out about Breathe. Being published by a big dog in the publishing field means nothing if you don’t know how to market yourself. Online presence is absolutely a must. You can’t ignore it. Did I get my point across? LOL!


Abbi, thank you so much for this great interview.  I personally could relate to this interview, being a Disney over-planner myself. I also find it hard to write in the summer while my kids are out of school.  I loved reading about your road to publication and cannot wait to see more from you.


Follow Abbi Glines on Twitter, visit her website, watch her awesome book trailer and check her out on Google+.  

Parenting to Publishing

Anita Grace Howard writes YA and adult literary fantasies with a romantic slant and is represented by Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency. When she’s not riding on the coattails of her fictional characters, Anita spends time with her husband, two teenage children, and Labrador retrievers. She also enjoys rollerblading, gardening, sewing, and blogging with her writer/reader pals. 

Let’s see how she’s doing it:

CW: When did you start writing?

AGH: As a kid, I wrote a few silly little stories. My dad actually threw them away accidentally a while back when cleaning out the attic, so they’re probably sitting in a landfill somewhere now, entertaining a rat or two. ;) I started writing seriously back in 2004. My grandfather died of cancer, and on the night of his death, I sat down and wrote a poem for him—my way of letting go. It was pretty long, and basically a tribute to how he was with all of his grandkids. Grandpa was an amazing man with a sharp wit and a tender heart. After reading it, my cousins were all so touched that they had the preacher use it as part of the eulogy. After that, poems just started pouring out of me. It’s like it opened a floodgate to a passion I didn’t even know existed. I went from poems to short stories, and then finally novels. So I’ve crammed a lot of writing in that small span of years.

CW: When do you start writing? 

AGH: I usually play around on twitter for about an hour in the morning (I only tweet once a day and take the weekends off so it won’t take over my life) before I start writing. After that, I write in spurts throughout the day—anywhere from an hour to four-hour stretches. In the summer, my hours are even more sporadic due to carting kids around to various activities. 

CW: What genre do you write? What is your book about? 

AGH: I write both YA and adult literary fantasy. The book that’s being shopped right now by my agent is a YA fantasy called Splintered, a funky and gothed-up YA Alice in Wonderland spin-off that’s one part adaptation and one part continuation. 

BLURB: Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the problem that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before.  Surely, she tells herself, it has nothing to do with the fact that she is directly descended from Alice Liddell, the real life inspiration for Alice's Adventures In Wonderland.  But when her mother takes a turn for the worse and the whispers grow too strong to bear, Alyssa seeks the origins of the family curse.  An eerie website and a mysterious moth lead her down the rabbit hole into the real Wonderland, a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on.  There she must decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush who followed her down the rabbit hole, or the sexy-but-enigmatic Morpheus, their guide through Wonderland who may have wicked motives all of his own.

CW: Tell us a little bit about your journey to getting your agent? What were your query stats? What is the most memorable feedback (good or bad) you have received about your book?

AGH: Jenny is actually my second agent. After leaving my first agent on the grounds I wasn't willing to change the fantasy part of my book, I started querying again. I received four requests for fulls almost right off the bat, but they all resulted in rejections for the same reason my original agent didn’t like it. At that point, I was at the lowest I'd ever been. But I didn't quit because my family is super supportive of my writing career, as are my wonderful writing friends (including the awesome support group on QT). Not long after that, the very elements in my story that caused me to part ways with my first agent, and caused the other four agents to turn me down, are the ones that caught the eyes of the three agents who offered representation.

STATS: I sent out 26 e-queries which resulted in:

 7 full requests (4 rejections/3 offers)

 5 partial requests (2 rejections / 1 closed no response / 2 bowed out after offers received)

 12 rejections on query alone

 3 closed/unanswered

Memorable feedback on the book being shopped now? Well, it actually came from one of the agents I didn’t choose. When we were talking on the phone she told me about a scene in the book where Alyssa first meets her nemesis/guide, Morpheus. It’s a little eerie and she was reading on her kindle while riding the subway in New York. She got so engrossed in the scene, she didn’t hear the ticket guy walk up beside her. When he cleared his throat to get her attention, it startled her so much she dropped the kindle. She told me that she honestly had forgotten where she was for that moment—because in her mind she was in that world I’d created. That’s the best compliment any writer can ever receive.

CW: Have any websites or articles helped with the query/synopsis process?

AGH: As I mentioned above, QueryTracker played a huge role in my success. Also, Nathan Bransford is probably one of the most educational and uplifting blogs out there, mainly because he’s been on both sides of the biz, agenting and now writing. I think this gives him keener insight into what we need to know as writers to get into the good graces of an agent and then a publisher. 

CW: How do you feel about conferences? Have you been to any? Do you have any suggestions of which conferences are good? 

AGH: I’ve only been to the local conference here in the Texas Panhandle called Frontiers in Writing. I even won a few contests there years ago—though it never led to anything other than bragging rights on my query letters. One of the best conferences—hands down—is RWA, and I hope to make it to one in the future. People always assume it’s all about romance there, but they’ve expanded into all areas of writing over the years, YA included. It’s a great place to network with writing peers and bigwigs in the biz, and also to learn the ropes of writing and querying. 

CW: Can you describe your writing routine? Any certain music, food, smells or atmosphere gets you in the mood to write?

AGH: Food wise, mainly coffee in the morning and bottled water throughout the day. I also like music to write by. I always make a playlist for each book before I even begin writing (while I’m still in the brainstorming phase). I may start out with ten songs in the beginning, but I keep adding to that when the real writing starts, and sometimes end up w/thirty or more titles before the book’s done. Also, I work so much better at home on my computer in my office. For some reason, I don’t get the words out as fast on the go with my laptop or writing in a spiral. 

CW: What are you currently working on?

AGH: I’ve started a new YA based on the Phantom of the Opera, one of my favorite Broadway musicals.

CW: What are you reading now? What is your favorite book? What is your favorite movie?

AGH: Well, I’m actually reading Phantom by Susan Kay, because I tend to saturate myself in my subject when I’m writing, and this fits in nicely with the Phantom theme. My favorite book of all time is Jane Eyre, and my favorite movie is the same. Best love story EVER.

CW: What is your favorite writer’s resource?

AGH: The Online Thesaurus. 

CW: Tell us about your blog, any blog advice you can give?

AGH: I just started up my blogspot / blogger blog the first of March, almost a month after signing with my new agent. It’s interesting because the Livejournal blog I’d had for a couple of years before had died a quiet death because I wasn’t organized with my posts. But on this new blog, I’ve been posting consistently and in the process have hooked up with tons of writers and readers. The best advice I can give is to pick one or two days out of the week when you post so your readers know when to drop by. And don’t let them down. Have a new post up each week on those days. Also, make sure you answer your visitor’s comments to the best of your ability.  Treat them like guests in your home, because they deserve that respect. After all, they took the time to visit your blog. And most importantly, return the favor. Visit other people’s blogs and leave comments as often as you can. It’s all about supporting one another. Much like any aspect of life, you can’t not give back, and still expect to receive. 

CW: What blog do you keep up with the most? Why?

AGH: On my blog’s side bar, I have a list of blogs entitled: Fun and Savvy Bloggers. The order they’re in varies according to who has posted most recently. These are the blogs I keep up with on a weekly basis due to their informative and /or entertaining posts. Plus, they’re very consistent about posting. Further down my side bar is a list of blogs entitled: Industry and Book Reviewing Blogs. I visit those less often, but if I see a caption that catches my eye or I’m looking for post ideas myself, I hop over to have a read or do some research. 

CW: Tell me a little about your kids, husband and home life. 

AGH: I have a daughter who just graduated high school and a son going into high school next year. My husband is a computer tech and is SO much smarter than I could ever dream of being. He’s also my webmaster (he LOVES when I use that phrase … surely it has nothing to do with the word “master”?) so he’s working on my website when he has time. We also have two Labrador Retrievers and lots of flowers. Gardening is my newest passion. It’s kind of a challenge in the Texas Panhandle because it’s so dry and windy here; but I’m giving it my best shot!

CW: What kind of support do you have from friends and family when it comes to writing?

AGH: I mentioned in an earlier answer that my family kept me from giving up querying Splintered. Well, that’s true for this entire journey so far. Once I voiced my love of writing and started getting serious about it, they were behind me 100%, never once treating me like this was a waste of time or just a hobby. I’m more grateful for that than I can ever say. Also, I cherish my writing friends—both online through blogging and tweeting—along with my critters and beta readers. Without their input and encouragement, writing would be very lonely and not nearly as much fun. Everyone needs an extra set of eyeballs on their work. When those eyeballs belong to other writers who you respect, it helps you grow in your craft and validates that you’re going the right direction with your stories. And we all need validation in this biz.

CW: How do you balance writing and family life?

AGH: Just whenever I can fit it in around chauffeuring kids and doing laundry, meals, and SOMETIMES housework. Dusting is really low on my priority list. *wink*  So basically, any chance I get. I don’t have to be inspired to write, I simply need to have time to sit down at my computer and get my fingers to tapping.

CW: What has been your biggest challenge in writing so far? Any solutions?

AGH: After my new agent sent out Splintered, I had a hard time getting back into writing mode; knowing that my book is out on sub makes it REALLY difficult to concentrate on the actual work of writing. I tend to want to check my email every three seconds. Plus, I started getting bogged down by blogging and tweeting too much. So I had to pull back finally and find a way to discipline myself. On days other than my blogging days, I shut down the internet other than my thesaurus link and keep my email turned off. This has helped me tremendously. Also, if I ever get “stuck” on a scene, I’ve found that either gardening or roller blading helps wipe out the cobwebs in my brain. It’s like clicking the refresh button on the internet.

CW: What is your guilty pleasure? Tell me something people wouldn’t guess about you.

AGH: Hershey’s special dark chocolate. I eat one square every day. Hee. And something no one would guess about me? I first learned to write through poetry. I even seriously considered writing for greeting cards for a while. I’ve written over two hundred poems. Though they helped shape the lyrical quality to my voice, they are all very personal and will likely never see the light of day. ;)

CW: Any advice you can give to writers? Also, any helpful tips, tricks or websites? 

AGH: My best tip for writers is to branch out and socialize. We’ve always heard that writing is very lonely. That’s because it’s so easy for us to isolate ourselves; yet if we don’t experience life and relationships on every level, how are we going to write about them?

No tricks from me. Just discover what energizes your muse and go with it. You have to find your own way if you’re going to have your own voice. 

As for websites, read lots of agent and industry blogs, and lots of author and book review blogs. Pay the $20 a month for PublishersMarketplace. It’s a great investment for keeping up with deals so you’ll know what’s selling and what’s not. 

And the most important piece of advice I can offer (this applies to critiquer, agent, and editor feedback) is to know the difference between pride and vision. In other words, if people are telling you to change something in your book that you love, stand back and ask yourself why you love it. Is it personal to you? Something that other people, including your readers one day, are likely not to connect with? Or is it something integral to the characters in your story. Something that’s a part of them? That’s the difference between pride and vision. Pride applies to the glory it brings you. Vision applies to the glory it brings your characters. Never make changes that will compromise your character’s voice which ultimately IS your book’s vision. But be humble enough to let go of pride if it will make your character’s voice stronger and your book a more solid read. 

Thanks so much for having me, Jessica!

Thank you Anita for your wonderful interview. Anita said it perfectly, that writers tend to feel very lonely. I have found out that if you surround yourself with writers like Anita, you gain friends that help you feel part of a community. We hope Anita will come back and talk with us when her book does get published and let us know how it all happened. Good Luck, Anita! 

Her website:  A.G. Hoaward is in the construction phases.  To glimpse a personal side of Anita and follow along on her writer’s journey, visit her blog at:  AuthorAGHoward, or follow her on twitter: @aghowardwrites.  

Parenting to Publishing

Karen Stivali got her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from NYU in film and television production and a Master's degree from Rutgers in clinical social work. She worked in both industries in varying roles until she got married and had kids.  She lives in New England, and for the past 15 years Karen Stivali has been a stay-at-home mom of two boys. She does all sorts of volunteer work at her sons' schools and in her community. She also bakes custom cakes/desserts and is known for her party planning and fundraising expertise. For the past 5 years she has been writing about the TV show The Bachelor for several forums on the topic. She also has a great blog where she ties in the topic of The Bachelor, her love of cooking and her novel. Sounds tasty!

Let’s see how she’s doing it:

Karen, my blog is titled “Closet Writer”. I only recently "came out” about my writing. When did you come out of the closet?

We’re supposed to come out? Uh oh.Seriously, although it’s no secret to anyone in my life that I write (blogs, forum posts, letters, newsletters, recommendations, meeting minutes, storyline/scripts for birthday parties) there are very few people who know that I am (and have for years been) a fiction writer. I like to keep my writing life separate from my personal life in a lot of ways. A lot of people don’t like the pressure of reading their friend’s writing. They may not like it, or it may not be a genre they find interesting. Plus (my personal pet peeve) a lot of people assume that the people in a novel are “real people” who they “know” and there’s nothing I hate more than the question “so, am I in the book?” It’s easier for everyone if I only tell people about my writing on a need-to-know basis.

What genre do you write? What is your book about?

I write women’s fiction with strong romantic overtones. Contemporary love stories. “Letting Go” (formerly titled Meant to Be), the novel that I currently have on submission, is about what happens when you’re already committed to the wrong person when fate finally brings you the right one. My two main characters, Daniel (a handsome British expatriate who’s a professor at NYU) and Marienne (a talented artist and awesome cook who’s about to become a mom) are both trapped in marriages that are, for a variety of reasons, unfulfilling. When Daniel and Marienne meet as neighbors they discover their paths have crossed several times before; they lived in the same town briefly as children, attended the same college. A penchant for good books, bad movies and Marienne’s to-die for homemade brownies creates a powerful bond between them. Their friendship helps them weather every hardship from Daniel’s divorce to Marienne’s unexpected widowhood, now they’re both secretly wondering if it can survive a first kiss.

Are you actively seeking an agent? What are your query stats? What is the most memorable feedback (good or bad) you have received about your book?

Yes, I’m actively seeking an agent. My query stats are all over the map. I’ve had a dozen requests for partial and full manuscripts, multiple form rejections, and a lot of non-responders. I currently have several submissions out, so we’ll see what happens. The most memorable feedback I’ve received came from an agent who requested enough pages that he clearly read through the first significant sex scene. The feedback I received was that “although there were certain elements that I truly enjoyed… this isn’t what I’m looking for at the moment.” It made me laugh because I’m guessing the sex scene was the enjoyable element. I can live with that.

Have any websites or articles helped with the query/synopsis process?

Yes. Nathan Bransford’s blog and  forums have helped me tremendously. I can’t even tell you how many versions of my query I had critiqued on that site and I’m incredibly grateful to Nathan and all his forum-goers for all the help and feedback they provide. It’s invaluable. Some agents who have not been in the market for my type of novel have taken the time to tell me that my query is well written and I know that wouldn’t have been the case if it hadn’t gone through the review process at Bransford’s forums first.

How do you feel about conferences? Have you been to any? Do you have any suggestions as to which conferences are good?

I have attended one conference, so far---Writer's Digest Conference in NYC this past January. It’s a pretty famous (or infamous) conference because it offers the well-known “pitch slam”, a mind-blowingly nerve-wracking two hour event where every writer in attendance gets the opportunity to pitch a roomful of fifty top agents, in 90-second pitch sessions---agent speed dating. Insane, wild, but a great way to meet agents, fellow writers, and get your pitch heard. I’ve heard great things about Grub Street’s Muse and the Marketplace, held in Boston annually, and I’d hoped to go to the one this spring, but that’s not working out schedule-wise. I also know some writers who swear by the Backspace Conference in NYC. I hope to attend one of those some day soon.

Can you describe your writing routine? Any certain music, food, smells or atmosphere that get you in the mood to write?

Routine? There’s supposed to be a routine? No one tells me anything. My routine is that I write whenever I possibly can. Sometimes it’s on the backs of receipts I’ve pulled out of my purse because there’s no other paper handy while I’m in the car waiting for basketball practice to be over because it’s my turn to drive carpool. Other times it’s leaning against the bathroom wall writing notes on a tissue with eyeliner because I’m afraid I’ll forget the idea if I have to trek downstairs at 3am and wait for my computer to restart. Most times it’s me, at my laptop in the kitchen, for as many of the 24 hours of each day as humanly possible. I probably get the most solid writing accomplished late at night, when everyone else is asleep, but there are days when I manage to write thousands of words while I’m cooking dinner, helping with homework, fielding phonecalls, and stopping the cats from killing each other. I’m good at multi-tasking. And I almost never sleep. That helps a lot.

What are you currently working on?

I recently completed the first draft of my second novel, “Holding On”. It’s a sequel to my first novel, but it is a completely stand-alone story. I’m letting that sit for a week or two before I do a cover to cover edit. In the meantime I’ve churned out a novella that, with any luck, I’ll finish tonight after I complete this interview.

What are you reading now? What is your favorite book? What is your favorite movie?

I am currently reading about a half dozen books I’ve recently downloaded from a variety of publishers while I research the crossover between contemporary romance and women’s fiction. I’m trying to learn as much as I can about the current market for both of those genres. My all time favorite book is Anton Myrer’s “The Last Convertible”. I read it for the first time when I was 14 and I don’t think I’ve gone more than a year without re-reading it since. It’s one of those sweeping sagas where you come away feeling like you’ve known the characters forever; that’s always my favorite kind of book, one where you feel like the characters are people you actually know. My favorite movie? There is no single answer to that question. I love movies, always have. There are many that I consider favorites for different reasons. Good Will Hunting and Keeping the Faith, because I love the dialogue and the characters. Titanic, because no matter how many times I watch it I always still hope Rose will scoot over and make room for Jack on that damned door. Chocolat, because the combination of Johnny Depp and all that chocolate is just irresistible. Remember Me, because that movie transported me back to my college days in New York City and was a touching tribute to all those impacted by 9/11. Jerry Maguire, because he had me at hello. Cousins, because it’s a beautiful love story. A Fish Called Wanda, What About Bob?, Sleeper and Anger Management, because no matter how many times I watch them they always make me laugh. The Notebook, The Way We Were, and Running On Empty because they always make me cry. (I warned you, I’m a movie-girl. I’ll stop now.)

What is your favorite writer’s resource?

Query Tracker has been incredibly helpful for keeping track of the dozens (and dozens) of queries I’ve sent and has helped me to sort through agents in a very efficient manner. And Nathan Bransford’s blog and forums. Not only are Nathan’s posts great, but he runs his forum in a manner that is conducive to learning and making friends. He insists on posters being respectful to one another, something that is sorely lacking on so many other forums, and it creates a very safe and unique atmosphere. I’ve made several friends there including, most notably, my critique partner Karen Balcom. There’s no question in my mind that if I hadn’t met Karen and had her support I’d have given up and stopped querying ages ago. She was also a great roommate when we attended the Writer’s Digest Conference. She’s a sounding board for every idea and we swap everything we write; there’s no such thing as a draft that’s too early for her to see. I can’t imagine getting through all of this without her.

Tell us about your blog. Any blog advice you can give?

My blog is a glimpse at things that are important to me. I think it accurately depicts my humor, my writing style, my passion for food, and it all ties into my book in ways that may not be obvious to everyone (yet) but are to those who know me and have read my novel. I don’t think I’m qualified to give blog advice other than keep it real and just do it (if any other cliché’s come to mind I’ll let you know).

What blog do you keep up with the most? Why?

The blog I read the most often is Nathan Bransford’s, because I enjoy his posts, find them incredibly informative, and I think he’s an all-around great guy.

Is there an article you have read recently that helped in your writing?

Right now the most helpful articles are the ones that talk about how you can’t give up. That’s definitely an important message that writers need to hear over and over again, because it’s not easy to keep going when you feel like you’re not getting anywhere, and everyone in the submission process has days where they feel that way.

Tell us about blogging about The Bachelor. How did you get started? Any perks? Got any juicy scoop?

I started watching The Bachelor several years ago at the beginning of Andy Baldwin’s season. My father had just passed away from pancreatic cancer and when I tuned into the show one of the first things Andy talked about was how he’d started a charity in memory of his uncle who had recently died of pancreatic cancer. I googled the charity, wound up finding links to forum sites about The Bachelor, started posting on them, and rediscovered how much I loved writing. I’ve posted on the boards for several years and my posts have had in incredibly big impact on my life. I’ve made several online friends who I’ve gone on to meet in real life. I’ve also met several contestants, many of whom I now consider to be good friends. As far as perks go, that’s a double-edged sword. I tend to know how the season plays out before it airs, whether I want to or not. Some seasons I’ve had inside information about contestants that has made me very unpopular with that person’s “fans”. I try to stay away from the “scoop” as much as possible these days and enjoy the show for what it is; a glimpse into the intense, bizarre experience of a group of people who agree to have their lives filmed for eight wacky weeks. I enjoy analyzing the edit, and I love doing my sarcastic commentary, but I never lose sight of the fact that these are real people and that what we see on TV is what the producers choose to show us, and that doesn’t make what we see “real”. Commenting on a reality TVshow should never be used as a free chance to take cruel pot-shots at the personal lives of people you don’t really know. It’s a TV show, it’s for entertainment purposes only.

Tell me a little about your kids, husband and home life.

I have two sons, one husband, two cats and two African dwarf frogs. There’s an abundance of testosterone in my home. All the residents keep me busy in their own special ways. My life is hectic, but I love it. Most days.

When it comes to writing, what kind of support do you have from friends and family?

I have a few friends who know all about my writing endeavors and they are incredibly supportive. I wouldn’t have even completed my first novel without them, let alone survived the query process or made it through book two. I also have a local critique group whose members have been a great source of support and encouragement. I keep writing very separate from my family life. Writing is my time. The rest of my life is family time. Kids and family always come first and as long as they know that I feel like I’m doing my job well.

How do you balance event planning, baking, volunteering, being a good mother/wife and pursuing your writing dream?

I’m supposed to be balanced? Holy crap. These questions are freaking me out. Baking calms me, the product of baking makes everyone around me happy (and I’m a bit of a people pleaser so that works for me). The same goes for event planning. I love to do things that make other people happy, it brings me pleasure. Volunteering is a bit of a compulsion---I’ve only recently learned to say the word “no” and I’m still not very good at it (though there are a few ex-boyfriends who would argue that I’ve always managed to say “no” pretty effectively….but that’s another answer to a different question). I always make sure my family is my top priority, so I know they’re never being neglected. Writing I make time for because I have to do it. It’s like breathing, not doing it is simply not an option.

What has been your biggest challenge in writing so far? Any solutions?

My biggest challenge has been staying sane through the query process. I’ve never been an “oh look at me, look how great my stuff is” person and that doesn’t make it easy when you need to sell yourself and your book to people. Also, rejection is not my favorite thing, but it’s a huge part of the process of trying to publish a book. My solution? I whine to other people who are going through the same thing, and I listen when they whine to me, and we make each other feel better. Misery loves company. And we send each other chocolate, which helps quite a bit.

What is your guilty pleasure? Tell me something people wouldn’t guess about you.

My guilty pleasures are trashy novels, goofy bad movies that I can’t help but watch over and over again, and chocolate, ridiculously high volumes of chocolates---it’s not a snack, it’s not a food group, chocolate (for me) is a way of life. There are a lot of things people wouldn’t guess about me, those things just vary depending on who the people are. I’m actually a very open person and will tell most people anything they ask, but different people ask different questions, so they all know different things. People who didn’t know me in college probably wouldn’t guess that I went through a phase where I dressed like a punk rocker, complete with the combat boots and safety pinned clothes…though maybe they would, I still dress on the quirky side. I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t guess that I’m a novelist and would be surprised to learn that I not only write loves stories but ones with significant sexual content. Most people wouldn’t guess that I worked as a freelance hand-drawn animator for a while…I worked on a few TV commercials and some segments of the show PeeWee's Playhouse (no, I never met PeeWee).

Any advice you can give to writers? Also, any helpful tips, tricks or websites?

My advice to writers is this: If there is something else you can see yourself being happy doing, do that. If you simply have to write, accept that it’s a necessity, it’s part of who you are, stop fighting it and do it. That’s really all there is. Oh, and make sure you get people to critique your writing. No matter how good you are or how thoroughly you go over your own work there are elements of your own writing that you simply can’t see. Everyone needs feedback and editing. Everyone. You are editing these answers for me before you post them, right?

To learn more about Karen Stivali check out her blog and also follower her on twitter.

Thanks again, Karen, for a great interview. You are very funny and a talented writer, and I am sure we will see your books one day in our local bookstores. Good luck in your writing and agent search, and please keep us posted.