Hello Everyone,
It is the first Wednesday of the month, and IWSG Time.
IWSG is a writer support group created and led by Alex Cavanaugh. It is a big help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities, our successes or giving encouragement and help to others.
So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us:
My report:
Submissions – None for January
Outstanding Submissions - to the WEP- An Eternal Beginning
Rejections: Three poems to the Lascaux Review
Happy New Year!
During 2017, I laid what I consider to be the final groundwork to become a traditional and self- published author. I set up my author website, took a class on back cover and developed my back cover for my first novel with the instructor. I developed two or three blurbs by taking a class on blurbs and had back to back classes on setting up my press packets, book trailers, and press releases. I took a marketing class which included writing a query and synopsis. The marketing was hands-on. The writing coach, a former publisher, and now part-time acquisition editor, took the time to make sure that the queries and synopses we wrote were the best representation of our individual books. She did not give up on any of the participants, and I am glad she didn’t. My horror was writing a synopsis, and she remained with me as I kept submitting changes until I had overcome my horror and now have a first-class synopsis.
I also committed myself, last year, to two online writing organisations that challenged me to write
articles and/or flash fiction or poetry that pushed me way above what
I thought I could do. Those two online organisations were the IWSG created byAlex Cavanaugh and the
WEP created by Denise Covey and Yolanda Renee. I took each organisations seriously, and
whatever I wrote, I gave it my best shot. This writing for my peers gave me the
feedback that I needed. I found out through them that I was ready to enter the
publishing world.
The first step taken began with Still Me…After All These Years, a book of short essays published by Karen Helene Walker. I will be forever thankful for that opportunity. Working with Senior Editor Mark David Gerson was a god send. It strengthened my writing muscles and gave my writing voice the clarity it needed so that people can hear, feel, and see what I say.
The first step taken began with Still Me…After All These Years, a book of short essays published by Karen Helene Walker. I will be forever thankful for that opportunity. Working with Senior Editor Mark David Gerson was a god send. It strengthened my writing muscles and gave my writing voice the clarity it needed so that people can hear, feel, and see what I say.
So, what
now?
I keep
marching. This month, I am puttering through stories. I have begun choosing the stories from my
endless pool of short stories for my first self-publication as I work on my
novel that I hope to have ready for submission to an agent this year. I am on a journey. Standing still is not an option for me. With one foot before the other, I am marching.
The only thing that I know is that every obstacle, defeat, failure and success in 2017 has prepared me for every situation I will experience in 2018.
So, like the Prophet Habakkuk, I am standing and watching, waiting to see how God is going to bring this all together. The surety that I will rejoice is founded in my confidence in Him. For,
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19, New International Version, 1984, Zondervan.
Have a lovely January and walk carefully as you move through month.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
The only thing that I know is that every obstacle, defeat, failure and success in 2017 has prepared me for every situation I will experience in 2018.
So, like the Prophet Habakkuk, I am standing and watching, waiting to see how God is going to bring this all together. The surety that I will rejoice is founded in my confidence in Him. For,
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19, New International Version, 1984, Zondervan.
Have a lovely January and walk carefully as you move through month.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
Sounds like you have everything in place for a great writing year. Good luck with your journey!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ronel, and I wish you all the best for 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Keep on marching Pat, the foundations are well and truly laid. I enjoyed reading this thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much dear friend. Yes, we both must keep marching. Each in her own way. We have no other choice.
DeleteAll the best for you.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
That's awesome you were able to take so many practical classes. That will make a big difference.
ReplyDeleteAnd the synopsis isn't my strong suit either.
Thank you, Alex. Yes, those courses were necessary. The stress was gigantic but it was worth it.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
I echo Susan's comment. You are doing a dynamite job of forging forward. Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteThank you dear friend. Wishing you a great year.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
You have really taken this writing career seriously! Good for you. You can never stop learning the craft. Good luck to you this year.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have, Jennifer. Whatever you don't take seriously is not worth doing. Good luck to you too.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
I'm so impressed with your foresight and your thoughtfulness as you move forward! Well done!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jemi. Have a great 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Never give up, Pat! You are moving in the right direction by writing and submitting. I wish you every blessing in 2018.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria. I've blotted out the sentence, Give up. and burned it out of my life.And I don't plan on reviving the ashes.
DeleteAll the best for 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
I am so inspired by your post, Pat. The amount of work you accomplished renews my faith in what I've done in the past that now seems so long ago. If we let our passion direct us, there's no end to what we can do. You can't hear, but I'm cheering loudly for you. Best in 2018. You are a dear soul and I feel a huge gratitude for knowing you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joylene. I am so happy that I didn't know what would be required of me as I started out. If I had known, I would not have chosen this way to go. Now, that I am passionately into it, there is no other way for me to go. This way is life inspiring.
DeleteAll the best to you for 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
I wish more new writers would learn all the facets of writing, publishing, and promoting. You've put yourself ahead of the game.
ReplyDeleteThank you. When I first started out, I didn't know these things either. And I have to admit, they would have scared me away from my heart's desire. I grew into realising that writing was not only writing but so much more.
DeleteWishing you all the best for 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
I love your attitude and strength. Keep at it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Thank you and Happy New Year. I'm sitting here with a smile on my face, thinking positively over your sentence. Anna, just to let you know, my attitude and my strength comes from the confidence I have in the One who created me.
DeleteAll the best for 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
You've certainly prepared yourself for the day of publication. Most writers don't have a clue about any of those essential parts of this business. I'm clapping very loudly for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lee. It is so encouraging knowing that you are pulling for me.
DeleteAll the best for 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
I love your positive spirit, Pat! Keep on marching on! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much and have a great 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Stay strong, and good for looking at all you conquered in 2017. Here's to an ever-improving 2018!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Loni. I wish you too a successful 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
It sounds like 2017 was a great year for you. It's also lovely to hear that you can see how the struggles are making you stronger, more prepared for the next steps. Good luck with everything you tackle this year.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Charity, and I wish you success in all that you undertake to do in 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
"Standing still is not an option for me. With one foot before the other, I am marching." - that is an admirable attitude. Can I join you?
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Pat.
Yes, you can Olga. The path is opened to all who have left the option of quitting behind them.
DeleteHappy New Year.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
Wishing you a wonderful and successful writing year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liza. I wish you also a successful writing year.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat
Sounds like lots of solid ground work to me. Good luck on everything.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. Good luck to you also in all you undertake.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Wishing you success, happiness, and health in 2018!
ReplyDeleteYou're an inspiration to all of us, thank you!
Thank you, Yolanda. I too wish you an exciting and successful 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
It sounds like you have had a very productive year, Pat! Kudos and wishing you many personal bests in 2018.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sandra. I too wish you many personal bests in 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Such exciting news about your short story collection, Pat! It was harder to find your blog this month, because your gravatar (which appears automatically when you leave a comment on wordpress blogs) directed me to your other blog. Have you considered changing the gravatar link so that it links to this blog so you're easier for us wordpress people to find?
ReplyDeleteThank you Raimey. From now on will sign my posts in the IWSG with my html signature and the name of this blog and it will be easier to get to it.
DeleteWishing you all the best my friend for 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
Happy New Year, Pat! Sounds like some fantastic classes you've taken as writing blurbs and synopses is the death of us all. ;-) I've learned so much from my professional editor and I'm glad you've benefitted from editing, too. Here's to moving forward!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Having a professional editor a god send. It puts you ahead in the ball game of writing.
DeleteAll the best in whatever you undertake in 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
I LOVE the enthusiasm! And I'm so jealous you got to take all those writing/marketing classes. I bet they helped a ton! And look at you, with your first class synopsis. You go!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I needed that synopsis class and I am so happy I took it.
DeleteAll the best for 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
I always feel so upbeat after reading your posts. You really worked hard in 2017. Wishing you all the best for 2018.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. That makes me feel good. All the best in whatever you undertake in 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
I am impressed by how much work you've put into getting yourself into the right place. Keep going, keep working hard, and God will do the rest.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynda, and I wish you all the best in 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Looks like you have everything in place for getting your book published. Good luck for achieving all your 2018 goals.
ReplyDeleteRachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna's Scriptorium
Thank you, Rachna. I too wish you success in all that you undertake in 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
You do sound prepared. Good for you, taking the time to learn all the steps with those classes. Your hard work should pay off.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tamara, and I wish you all the best for 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
What great preparation you've done over the past year taking all those courses and getting everything in place. All the best for the coming year - Ellen
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ellen and I wish you all the best for 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Sounds like you rocked it for 2017. I hope you can continue the momentum for this year. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patricia. The momentum will be there as long as my passion is there. I love what I do.
DeleteWishing you all the best for 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
Keep up that momentum and keep marching on! :) Have a wonderful 2018.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine, and I wish you a wonderful 2018.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Thank you for laying out so thoughtfully the preparation and groundwork you've gone through to hone your writing AND marketing skills. Each step we take, each word we strengthens our writing process, the stories we write, and, sometimes, brings us new opportunity! Thank you for visiting my website. May 2018 be a very good writerly year for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beth. You're so correct. Each step we take strengthens our writing process brings us new opportunities.
DeleteWishing you a successful 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
What a wonderful post! You accomplished a great deal in 2017 and I am amazed by you. I found it interesting that you used a phrase that I tell myself constantly: Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. It's impossible to not move forward as long as you do that. Best wishes for you in this new year.
ReplyDeleteShalom
Yes, indeed, Liz. I've found out that staying focus demands putting one foot in front of the other. You don't see the progress, but it's there.
DeleteAll the best in all you undertake to do in 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
I love that verse from Habakkuk! It sounds like you made great strides in 2017.
ReplyDeleteI could definitely use a class about writing a synopsis. Thank you for your encouraging words about marching on!
Yes, I love the version from Habakkuk very much. It's written in my DNA. All the best in 2018 in all that you undertake to do.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
With all your hard work and your winning attitude, you can't lose. Here's to a wondrous 2018!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicki. It's going to be a great year, no matter what. I look forward to change.
DeleteAll the best for you in 2018 and success in all you undertake to do.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
Keep marching! Your post inspired me. Kudos for all you have already accomplished and to what you will surely accomplish on the year to come. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie. I am looking forward to all that will take place in my life this year.
DeleteWishing you the best year ever. A year filled with success in all that you undertake to do.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
Thank you. I love that scripture and it parallels what David wrote in Psalm 18. Both of these scriptures are beloved Scriptures for me. Thank you also for your well wishes.
ReplyDeleteI too wish you success in all that you undertake to do in 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
Onward and upward! It sounds like you've laid some epic groundwork and all your preparation is going to pay off. Keep on keeping!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your march! I always say that I will go through the doors that the lord opens. If they don't open, then they weren't meant for me. That takes the sting out of rejection.
ReplyDeleteKeep marching! You'll at least get somewhere if you stay in motion and somewhere is better than staying in the same place of making no progress at all.
ReplyDeleteI wish you well and all the best for the coming year.
Lee
Tossing It Out