tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post8398425551593275434..comments2024-03-28T08:48:51.749-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: A Foot in the Door: Lessons LearnedJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-72568078503038337822009-07-12T19:32:40.487-04:002009-07-12T19:32:40.487-04:00It's interesting to hear someone else's ta...It's interesting to hear someone else's take on "the process". Thanks for sharing yours. I've always felt that as newbies it's not our place to make demands. Instead we need to listen, question, evaluate and learn while maintaining some confidence in our own instincts. <br /><br />Good luck at this next stage. I hope the news will be good.<br /><br />Careann/Carol GarvinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-84405727098024856982009-07-11T16:53:55.965-04:002009-07-11T16:53:55.965-04:00Wise advice. I do think it's a shame that the ...Wise advice. I do think it's a shame that the industry has evolved so far away from its core members (the writers) that the those members often don't really even understand the industry. It's a failing I'm trying to overcome in my own writing life.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13832782604769370695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33431874257405822832009-07-10T21:54:02.126-04:002009-07-10T21:54:02.126-04:00Thanks for stopping by my Newbie world. :) I'm...Thanks for stopping by my Newbie world. :) I'm excited you found me. Your posts are filled with GREAT info. Congrats on getting through the first door! You're way ahead of me so I can't offer much insight but I did enjoy hearing about your process.kahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-22764956145884881742009-07-10T19:12:48.616-04:002009-07-10T19:12:48.616-04:00I think you make some great, valuable points. Find...I think you make some great, valuable points. Finding an agent and then a publishing house is like marketing yourself. It's proving to them that you can be a team player. And even once that's accomplished, you have to prove yourself to your readers all over again. Keeping a humble attitude, listening from those who know better and being flexible all help you accomplish this.Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-89340225679837067462009-07-10T18:20:55.342-04:002009-07-10T18:20:55.342-04:00I think you're doing great! My three points ar...I think you're doing great! My three points are:<br /><br />1. Listen more than you talk.<br /><br />2. Have an attitude of gratitude.<br /><br />3. Learn, learn, learn from the pros and trust them to know their business.Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772984806574666959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-83650674532559182822009-07-10T16:47:50.713-04:002009-07-10T16:47:50.713-04:00Wow, some great lessons. thanks for sharing!
I...Wow, some great lessons. thanks for sharing!<br /><br />I'd agree that there's a balance between trusting your instincts and trusting others. They may be experts, but ulitmately you have to feel like you have some say over your work. I bet that is a place for patience, pondering, consideration and communication.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-91370521257708033592009-07-10T16:09:45.674-04:002009-07-10T16:09:45.674-04:00I'd trust the experts unless said experts star...I'd trust the experts unless said experts start to give me advice that goes against anything I've ever hear or read.<br /><br />Lynnette Labelle<br />http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.comLynnette Labellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03227593491562480538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-39930065676407800132009-07-10T15:56:41.690-04:002009-07-10T15:56:41.690-04:00Great attitude, Jody! So glad that this third book...Great attitude, Jody! So glad that this third book is so inspiring for you.Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-16440998778984071632009-07-10T15:38:25.739-04:002009-07-10T15:38:25.739-04:00What a lovely attitude you have! I agree, we have ...What a lovely attitude you have! I agree, we have to earn everyting and we should be grateful. Of course, I also think we should be confident.Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-80280266971138811032009-07-10T15:12:17.497-04:002009-07-10T15:12:17.497-04:00part of me feels we should earn everything: agent,...part of me feels we should earn everything: agent, editor, publisher, etc. but we also need to educate ourselves to know what to expect. that's why i like your blog so much....you're giving inside info on YOUR experience...which is invaluable (although i realize that everyone has their own story). so thanks again.Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-5286446293882386482009-07-10T13:16:56.665-04:002009-07-10T13:16:56.665-04:00Gotta pay our dues just like in every other indust...Gotta pay our dues just like in every other industry. <br /><br />Looks like things are going well with the agent, so congrats!Angie Ledbetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16407006980893727627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-56494579923970351022009-07-10T12:06:02.852-04:002009-07-10T12:06:02.852-04:00I think being coachable is one of the greatest att...I think being coachable is one of the greatest attributes a new writer can have.Susan R. Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-22795414017119924712009-07-10T12:00:51.673-04:002009-07-10T12:00:51.673-04:00Your post has me humming the America Rock cartoon....Your post has me humming the America Rock cartoon..."I'm Just a Bill." (Tell me you know what I'm talking about, and I'm not THAT old!) Writing a book is kind of like getting a law passed, so many steps and places it can stall.<br /><br />I pray you make it through the next big hurdle.<br /><br />Your lessons learned are filled with wisdom. Thanks for sharing. <br /><br />Happy Friday!KelliGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00261710060954867880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-17295721193039444652009-07-10T11:58:26.340-04:002009-07-10T11:58:26.340-04:00No, I don't think we have any right to make de...No, I don't think we have any right to make demands. We can always take our precious babies somewhere else if we don't like what they want, or we can respect the experts and go on. If what they want is way out of our interest level, there is always blogging.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163662759281341381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-48967289052728937702009-07-10T11:27:08.131-04:002009-07-10T11:27:08.131-04:00I don't know about "demands", but it...I don't know about "demands", but it's certainly okay to ask questions and to challenge status quo in a knowledgeable fashion. I agree that we need to be "teachable" but writers who've taken the time to do their homework and to network with other writers shouldn't assume they simply have to sign on the dotted line without discussion. Of course, the more "teachable" one is, the more that person earns the right and respect to engage in these discussions.<br /><br />It's all about attitude, and you have a wonderful one, which will make your success that much sweeter.PatriciaWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04572087157439187319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-42142640724251497032009-07-10T11:17:56.319-04:002009-07-10T11:17:56.319-04:00Jody,
I just have to say I love the "teachab...Jody,<br /><br />I just have to say I love the "teachable spirit" bit. I honestly believe we should be open in this way until we are lowered into the ground for our final goodbye. Being open to continued learning, staying in humility, is what we are called to do, and of course, giving to others what has been given to us in our learning. Have a nice weekend and enjoy the living part!Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-44777580103871679592009-07-10T10:49:33.225-04:002009-07-10T10:49:33.225-04:00I love being able to read and follow your journey....I love being able to read and follow your journey. It's so great that you share each step with us. Your pointers are wonderful, especially the one about continuing writing while waiting. It does help so much.Katie Salidashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15159923761047042193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-43765841714688582802009-07-10T10:38:33.418-04:002009-07-10T10:38:33.418-04:00Sherrinda, I'm following the editor's sugg...Sherrinda, I'm following the editor's suggestion for the time being and writing something different, which is actually not so different for me after all. It's a book I started researching/plotting LONG ago before my writing hiatus. I'm excited about picking it back up and have been working on re-plotting and strengthening it. I've even started writing chapter one! Thanks for asking!!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-46069987967693353962009-07-10T10:32:58.475-04:002009-07-10T10:32:58.475-04:00Hi Jody -
I view the book publication process as ...Hi Jody -<br /><br />I view the book publication process as a joint effort. As a member of the team, being a diva is not in the job description. While I don't believe in being a doormat, cooperation is essential.<br /><br />Hopefully, when I get my foot in the door, my writing and my attitude will find a welcome.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-9434119969154189162009-07-10T10:26:23.763-04:002009-07-10T10:26:23.763-04:00Like everyone else, I think we have to pay our due...Like everyone else, I think we have to pay our dues and listen to what the experts tell us. Some may fast-track in the industry, but most have to make the trek the hard way. <br /><br />So, with the editor suggesting a different third book, are you writing something different or going ahead with your original plan?Sherrinda Ketchersidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07581676437345249386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-57456926767066135152009-07-10T09:55:56.841-04:002009-07-10T09:55:56.841-04:00To answer your question at the very end, it needs ...To answer your question at the very end, it needs to be earned. And with all the things you mentioned, humility is the most important to me. If I can hang on to that, I think the rest will fall naturally.Janna Leadbetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06339705935553160673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-69761187971799509392009-07-10T09:43:58.086-04:002009-07-10T09:43:58.086-04:00This post is so encouraging!
"remain open to...This post is so encouraging!<br /><br />"remain open to new ideas and directions" : Oh how i needed to hear this for so many areas of my life, not just writing. <br /><br />"work hard, have a teachable spirit" : Sometimes it's so hard to admit that we need to change. I have a trusted writing friend to whom I give all my books and she is always honest with her editing. There have been times when my first reaction has been defense, but I have grown to realize that if my reader has a problem than can be corrected (and it is a legit issue that needs to be addressed), I need to listen to my reader. Isn't that who we're writing for?<br /><br />"I've learned that I'm able to wait much easier if I move on to my next book and keep myself busy doing what I love--writing" : Boy did I need to hear this! I tend to finish a story and then stare at it, knowing the dreaded query comes next. I freeze! But it's inevitable; I MUST query if I want the hope of my story seeing the light of day. <br /><br />Keep moving, keep writing. Keep doing what you love. Such wonderful advice! Thank you for your wisdom and best of luck to you in this second committee step!<br /><br />Happy weekend,<br />JenniferJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06683486631901017529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-10047107397128027222009-07-10T09:05:24.419-04:002009-07-10T09:05:24.419-04:00Earn the right...and that applies not just for new...Earn the right...and that applies not just for new authors. <br /><br />I loved your last point. Am still hunched in waiting stance...so writing has enabled me to remain patient and hopeful.<br />Have a blessed weekend, Jody!<br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-64691463664760960712009-07-10T08:56:09.468-04:002009-07-10T08:56:09.468-04:00I love your points! So good and so true. I don'...I love your points! So good and so true. I don't think we should demand anything, but I do think it's okay to have expectations. Even though we're new, we're still valuable. It's a balance and I think everything rests on mutual respect. :-)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-86881282742212889632009-07-10T08:45:35.115-04:002009-07-10T08:45:35.115-04:00Thanks for sharing your insights, Jody! To somebod...Thanks for sharing your insights, Jody! To somebody who is further along, I covet them. :)Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.com