Tuesday, December 13, 2005

A Inside Look at Your First Sale

So this month is the release of my friend, Ally Carter's, book CHEATING AT SOLTAIRE and I couldn't wait to pick it up. I was NOT disappointed.

Her characters are unique and interesting. Her plot is high concept. Her wit is fabulous.

And if you'd like a small taste of it, visit her website. I did a stroll-through the other day and came across this post of hers that I loved. Every writer should read this because it's an honest (and humorous) look at what happens from that first idea to on the shelves.

It's sometimes easy to sit back and look at the people who've really "made it" in publishing and think they must have a grand life. And that's not necessarily untrue. But the other side of the coin is a damned hard job of putting together fantastic works, time after time, and the pressure of deadlines, and do you hire a publicist, and what will everyone think, etc.

Another friend, Diana Peterfreund, also sold on a "significant" deal and posts often on her blog about the amount and type of work it takes to carry off such a big sale.

I'm just glad that when my own "significant" deal comes along (I can dream, right?) that I have two people to draw knowledge from who've already paved the path and know the pitfalls along the way.

Hey, they're younger and have better legs. Why should I do the work?

3 comments:

Kelly (Lynn) Parra said...

I love Ally's Second Shuffles too. They're fun and certainly have some truth. I read Diana's blog too, she always has great posts. I guess I'm all over the blogosphere. ;D

Diana Peterfreund said...

Ha! Better legs... tell you what, Jana, if I "figure it out," you'll be the first one to know!

Meanwhile, you're doin' pretty well...

Jana DeLeon said...

Kelly - I tend to "get around" myself. lol I guess if we weren't inherantly nosy we wouldn't be writers.

Diana - I'm doing all right, but I'm still counting on you to do the "leg" work. And please figure it out in a hurry - I'm down to chewing acryllic nails!

 
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