In recent posts I've shared some of the technical details about my book contract. This week, however, I want to get more personal and give you a glimpse of how the contract is affecting me on an emotional level.In sharing my journey toward publication, it's my desire to inspire other writers. Many of you have said you've appreciated getting a "behind the scene" view at the various steps I've taken (either that or you're just being really nice!).
Some of you have already been in my spot and some are right behind me. Wherever you're at, I hope my blog can encourage you to keep persevering during the long uphill climb. The path to publication isn't easy, but it IS possible.
So, in getting more personal today, I thought I'd tackle the question Tabitha asked in her comment on my last post: What does it feel like to write after a contract? Is there new pressure?
I'm just starting to research and write my next contracted book. I'm absolutely overjoyed to have the green light to begin writing Book 2. During the past few months I wasn't at liberty to pick any ol' book idea and run with it. I'd agreed (and desired) to have the input of my publisher. We all wanted to choose carefully so we could find a setting and era beneficial to my long term career.
Now that I have the go-ahead, I'm delirious with the need to eat and breathe story life again. I have my character worksheets printed and my plot notebook started. I'm filling my research binder and plowing through stacks of history books.
In some ways, I view this next book the same as I have all of my others: I want everything about this one to be better than the last. Plot, characters, tension, setting, historical details. Everything.
No one else has put this pressure on me. Certainly not my agent or editors. No one has said I have to write a better book or they'll stop representing me or rip up my contract.
The only pressure I feel right now is what I'm putting upon myself. I want to challenge myself to improve in my writing skills whether it's my second book or my twenty-second. If I'm growing in my abilities then I'll hopefully satisfy my agent and editors. Even more important, I'll satisfy my readers. But mostly, I'll be able to take pride in doing my best with the gifts God's given me.
At some point, deadlines might add new stresses to my writing. Editing one book while writing another will pose challenges. But right now I still feel like I'm the same kind of writer I've always been: dedicated and determined.
Thanks, Tabitha, for asking such a thought-provoking question! Now here's my question for all of you: What kinds of pressures do you put upon yourself with your writing?
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Interesting. I think it's great that you worked with your publisher to find the perfect setting, etc. for your next book. As for pressure, I feel internal pressure sometimes to finish a story and move on to the next. Or to make a story I have already better.
ReplyDeleteThat's another great thing, your desire to make a better book. I can't wait to read your stuff! :-)
Jody, maybe we are long lost sisters. Because I feel like you just typed out my heart. I'm not satisfied with just writing stories. I'm hungry to soak up the craft so each story I write gets better than the one before. Just like you said, I put the pressure on myself, because I don't want to squander this gift God's given me. I want to use it for His maximum glory. So that means, study, study, study, grow, grow, grow. It's an awesome, exciting challenge. As a writer, we will never reach a point where we no longer have to learn. That's what makes me love this endeavor so much.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday!
Katie
Jodi, I want to be the best writer I can be. That is a big leap for me considering I am "right now" kind of woman.
ReplyDeleteI believe God is using this gift to develop some staying power in me, to transform me more into the image of Christ. I love that.
To finish and then start again and again would mean more to me than I can put into words.
The only other thing is I can't seem to read all the books I want to fast enough!
Blessings to you...
I feel the greatest pressure trying to be patient with the long, detailed process that it takes to produce a good manuscript worth submitting and standing behind for years to come. I, like you, put a great deal of pressure on myself. Although I dream of the day I can have agents and editors adding to that pressure, I tend to put way more than enough pressure on myself at the moment, like setting deadlines for myself.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the growing and learning and doing better with each book. I think stretching yourself is what God calls us to do. I hope I don't dissapoint Him!
ReplyDeleteAnd, for me, I can honestly say that I'm not being nice when say that I love hearing about your publication journey--you're educating me for what hope to be involved in some day. Thanks for being so giving, Jody, by sharing all this!!
I love this! You are so right, we need to ALWAYS improve our craft, and what a great goal:-) I can't WAIT to read your books, Jodi!
ReplyDeleteI agree with that pressure, the need to continue improving and challenging and bettering. And just ensuring I write as often as I can, no excuses.
ReplyDeleteBest as you dig into this new book!
A page a day.
ReplyDeleteIt is so exciting to read how you just want to keep improving. I want to cheer you along in this b/c I feel it too! I feel it too!
ReplyDeleteRight now I have deadline pressure on myself b/c I am almost positive I'll be able to make it to the next conference. :D
Also, right now I have my hand in too much. I did that to myself.
~ Wendy
It sounds like you do much background work in preparation for the writing, I'm the same way. I find it helps inform the storyline tremendously. Like you, I want to grow, improve, expand, and really digging in the research seems to bring an authenticity to the words and story that can help it to grow with insight and details.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a good perspective on your writing career. I guess in my mind I think, can I do it again at all...? :O)
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ReplyDelete(That was me...trying it again without typos. Haven't had my coffee yet...)
ReplyDeleteJody, I think the tension that naturally happens within the process of writing, whether it comes from the outside or within, can be healthy. It's what prompts us to move forward and actually write. The thoughts that come at us fast and furiously in moments, seemingly taking over our brain, are not without merit. I think always, though, we need to continually stop and ask what God is asking of us each day of our writing lives. I think if we offer up that stress and tension that is a natural result of our work, He'll find a way to make it all fit together. I think, too, if we keep reminding ourselves that we are His before we are anyone else's (including an editor's or agent's), we'll be fine, pressure or no pressure, whatever the source. I have no qualms you are navigating this journey just as you should be. That's why you're where you're at. :)
I pressure myself to make progress, but that's not enough. I have to put quantitative goals on what I'm doing or else I won't be as productive as I'm able.
ReplyDeleteAdded pressures...I've felt them. I used to be a linear worker. Start at the beginning of one project, write a book chronologically, edit it to the best of my ability, then move on to the next book.
ReplyDeleteNot so anymore. I'm working on plotting one book, writing another, content edits of a different story, and copy edits of another one. And galley edits of a fifth story are due any day.
What I've found is: I love it!
I pressure myself with personal deadlines and trying to make my first draft as good as possible. There is something in my that won't continue onto Chapter 2 until Chapter 1 is good enough (whatever that means). I struggle with writing the second half a story if the first half isn't working for me.
ReplyDeletePressure to get the first draft done! Then I can relax and have fun editing...
ReplyDeleteI like to write two stories each month in different genres. Getting them published is another goal. So far, I have no trunk stories.
ReplyDeleteI've wondered about what's been going on in your mind as well. I put a lot of pressure on myself for a lot less reasons than you have to do so lol. Oh how I wish I was equally blessed! I do wonder Jody, if now there is more pressure to produce a cleaner, clearer, better first draft. I think that's where I would lose some of my perspective. Wanting to get it as close to perfect right from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteT. Anne,
ReplyDeleteI honestly haven't felt any pressure to get a cleaner, better first draft. But I'm also a planner (not pantser!), so my first drafts are usually pretty clean. And if I have time, I'll still use my freelance editor to help me polish it before I send it to my in-house editor. Thanks for your question, T.Anne! You're such an encourager!!
Publishing is about waiting. But, wow, it must have been hard to wait to write.
ReplyDeleteThe pressure I'm feeling is in part my own level of perfectionism--a beast I'm constantly trying to tame--and in part the pressure of networking with so many talented writers. I don't want to publish something that a good number of them politely congratulate but secretly dislike. I just have to focus on doing my best, like I encourage my children to do.
I feel pressure to learn more and write better.
ReplyDeleteI set impossible deadlines for myself sometimes, and then I ended up not getting anything done because of the self-imposed stress.
ReplyDeleteI am one of those "students" who is learning a lot from you, Jody, and is very thankful for your generous spirit.
ReplyDeleteNow that you have been assigned the preferred stories/plots picked by the publishing group I have a question. Of the 5-6 ideas you submitted, did you have any personal favorites that you were hoping they would choose? Were you surprised, or perhaps ecstatic, at the ones they wanted to proceed with? What will become of the rejected "infants"? Just wondering.
Wow, Jody, your passion for writing fiction is so evident! I cannot IMAGINE having to come up with a single character sheet, let alone several. And a plot notebook? Yikes!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you and rejoicing with you, Jody, that God has given you the job of your dreams! You go, girl! :)
I can labor under the pressure to produce something that is worthwhile, something that is worthy of all my time, and all that I wasn't able to get done with my life instead.
ReplyDeleteMy strength then becomes my nemesis. I am inspired by it, defined by it, flawed by it, and -- all at once.
I do love reading your behind-the-scenes account. This is a topic I don't think I've read much about. Thanks for the insight.
ReplyDeleteMy pressures are more guilt related...mom guilt, to be exact. I want to make sure I'm writing my story (and writing it well!), but not ignoring my children, husband, home at the same time. The pressure of balance, as usual! :)
ReplyDeleteFar too many. My kids want to read my stories, so I try to have a good rough draft completed by the time we finish a read aloud (we homeschool) so that I can read the story to them.
ReplyDeleteIt is the absolute JOY of my life to read them a good story I've made up, and have them all actually enjoy it and beg for another one.
They're hollering right now for me to complete a 100,000 fourth book in my series before I move on to a new series during NaNoWriMo.
Oh, did I mention NaNo? It's another huge self-imposed goal.
All of this while trying (and failing) to be the perfect dad and husband, a boy scout leader, and active in my church in Awana.
Oh, and I have a day job - I should be writing a program right now. I gotta get back to that...
That's great. Thanks so much for sharing your writing/publishing journey with us!
ReplyDeleteI love these glimpses into your writing life, Jody! Thanks for sharing with such honesty.
ReplyDeleteThe pressure that I experience is age-related. Now that I'm a senior I find I'm increasingly aware of the "so much to do; so little time" theme. I spend so much time trying to perfect what I've already written that I wonder how I'll ever live long enough to get the multitude of other stories out of my head and onto paper.
I find it so interesting to hear that many pubbed authors continue to work on their craft. I love to surf author pages or blogs that detail their writing process.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to be following you on your journey. I'm glad the pressure hasn't gotten to you yet.
ReplyDeleteLynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com
Self-imposed deadlines work for me. Even if I don't meet them, I'm producing.
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, Jody. I put pressure on myself. I want to be a good writer, and I want everything I write to be better than the previous attempt. So excited for you that you can finally start writing again! Woo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteI think I really NEED to put some pressure on myself because otherwise I might never finish.
ReplyDeleteI definitely understand what you're saying. I don't think pressuring ourselves is a bad thing because it pushes us to be better. Now, if that pressure kept you away from important family commitments or eating or sleeping, then it might be a problem. A little bit of pressure, though, can be a good thing.
I feel the most pressure at the beginning stages, when there are SO MANY CHOICES! Argh! As the novel takes shape and comes to life, I take comfort in the natural structure that develops.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jody :)
ReplyDeleteI put those same pressure on myself too. Has to be bigger, better and right now! I want a masterpiece yesterday :) Sometimes I doubt my ability to write well enough to be published, sometimes I just plain doubt my ability to write period :) But mostly I enjoy the process and relax and try to just loose myself in it. That is when I do my best work. Thanks for the post Jody :)
I worry about what writing will be like if my book sells. I think deadlines are what scare me the most. I always put deadlines on myself but to have a person waiting on you to get it done--that makes me nervous. I think I always set goals that are just a little beyond what is really possible for me to accomplish and that makes me stressed sometimes too.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Jody. I think you've hit the nail on the head. I was worried more about my second book after getting a publishing contract for the first. I just wanted to make sure, I think, that I showed my editors that it wasn't a fluke--that I could deliver good material regularly.
ReplyDeleteI put lots of pressure on myself to do a Good Job. I try to make sure I'm hitting the right notes as far as my genre goes (and in comparison to other cozy writers.)
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I give myself personal deadlines, and I want each book to be better than the last. I see that I'm growing as a writer as I take classes, edit other people's work, read craft books, read books in and out of my genre, read blogs, and most importantly, write. Since I'm methodical and in a great critique group, I feel good about where I am, but I definitely put pressure on myself.
ReplyDeleteI've had this series simmering in my heart for four years. Book 1 is finished and undergoing editing. I've just started Book 2.
ReplyDeleteThe pressure I'm feeling is to get it out where I can see it (give birth) and edit it (raise it to full maturity). Getting it published is like sending a kid off into the big, bad world as prepared as possible for real life.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I'd echo what has already been said here. I think it has to do with our desire to make writing a long term career instead of a one book incident -- and to show ourselves that we can grow and improve. I only hope to get to that 'second book' situation. Some day, some day!!
ReplyDeleteI really like your "striving to follow God's leading in my writing journey" note. When someone truly DOES that; I absolutely believe God will honor it.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I visited your blog, I think. And it is really nice.
I just now read many of the above comments. I believe if you are writing FOR God, and waiting on God, etc....He will guide you. But we must be willing to wait on His timing. If you do that; God will notice. HE sometimes wants to make us wait a long time. With me, in the past I have told people "It doesn't matter to me, if I have to wait 10 years for God's time": Then in 10 years to the day, sometimes cases it was to the very hour, God brought it to pass. My point is that our God can be trusted ; when we -like Jody said- strive to follow God's leading.
ReplyDeletewhat an encouragement to read your thoughts on writing post-contract. i think that's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to let you know about my blog address change. *sigh* If you're following me, my posts now won't show up in your feed, dashboard, sidebar, whatever. So please forgive me, but you'll have to change the address for my main writing blog, Where Romance Meets Therapy, to http://jeanniecampbell.blogspot.com. To do this, you have to "unfollow" me and follow me again. Sorry for the confusion!
Jeannie
The Character Therapist
I'm known to put pressure on myself in a lot of areas in life (as a parent, volunteer, writer, etc). I think it helps me push myself to keep going and doing these things.
ReplyDeleteJody, I'm so glad you've been given the green light to start on book two and that you're once again enjoying the thrill of writing a story you love. Have fun!
ReplyDeletePressure? What pressure? Oh, you mean after getting the kid to school, exercise, housework, yardwork, etc, etc, etc. Everyday I feel pressure. If I wrote any slower, I'd write backwards.
ReplyDeleteNo pressure right now. I put pressure on myself when I'm doing a novel. Not doing it at present. I want time to enjoy the new delight of blogging the Lord has given me.
ReplyDeleteIt is the nature of the artist, to strive for perfection but knowing that they will never get there.
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