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This day 4 years ago I was DEVASTATED.
I'd been working with a brilliant editor who hoped to publish my book.
But at the last hurdle, the infamous acquisitions meeting, it failed.
I cried for two solid days.
I almost gave up.
I'd been working with a brilliant editor who hoped to publish my book.
But at the last hurdle, the infamous acquisitions meeting, it failed.
I cried for two solid days.
I almost gave up.
Because that year I'd taken voluntary redundancy, giving myself a year out of the ratrace to see if giving EVERYTHING to my writing career might finally nail me that elusive UK deal that could transform my career.
I took that no hard.
I took it as a sign I was kidding myself.
I took that no hard.
I took it as a sign I was kidding myself.
It seemed to affirm everything my imposter syndrome had been telling me all along.
Even though the wonderful editor was still lovely and wonderful & supportive.
BUT
Even though the wonderful editor was still lovely and wonderful & supportive.
BUT
After those two days of SOBBING down the phone to my writer pals, I decided to pull myself together because I believed there was something in this story that had merit.
So I combed the feedback, I read the genre widely, I studied blog posts on structure & character
So I combed the feedback, I read the genre widely, I studied blog posts on structure & character
I rewrote that book and more than that I LOVED writing that book.
It morphed into something I had always wanted to write, but never really knew how before.
My agent and I did our research and sent it out on submission...
It morphed into something I had always wanted to write, but never really knew how before.
My agent and I did our research and sent it out on submission...
After a few nail-biting weeks I took a call from another, extremely lovely & brilliant editor, who said great things but suggested some changes.
I didn't let those suggestions do anything other than what they were meant to do - to guide me in polishing the book.
I didn't let those suggestions do anything other than what they were meant to do - to guide me in polishing the book.
On the 22nd of June, 1 year and ONE DAY after I'd given myself a year to see if I could do it, I was offered my first deal with @AvonBooksUK by editor @Phoebe_A_Morgan
Just six months after the day I thought I was done
Just six months after the day I thought I was done
That book became #HerNameWasRose and has sold more than a quarter of a million copies.
I've written six and a half novels since.
I write full time.
I change things up.
I acknowledge I'm always learning...
I've written six and a half novels since.
I write full time.
I change things up.
I acknowledge I'm always learning...
This isn't me being a boasty mcboasterson, (well, it is a tiny bit about that) but it's also for any writer who has been crying in their car after one more rejection, one more 'not for us at this time'.
Know that things can and do change - and keep going.
Know that things can and do change - and keep going.
