SARA's own Julie Ortolon, author of Drive Me Wild, Dell, March 2000, shares her experience over the months from sale to in print of her first novel.
Ever wonder what happens after you get THE CALL? How do you pass the time from hanging up the phone to rushing to the nearest Barnes and Noble to scour the bookshelves for your name on the spine? Is it a time of reflection, calm repose and tea sipping?
Julie Ortolon found out when she made her first sale in January of 1999 and shared her experiences with her fellow SARA members at the January 21st meeting.
The Waiting Game
Julie endured months of agony brought upon her by corporate mergings and big business shenanigans. Dell Publishing, owned by Random House, underwent major rearranging when they were purchased by a larger Germany conglomerate. This became known internally as the "blood bath" as editors found themselves shuffled and out of jobs. New authors, such as Ms. Ortolon, found they were the first to be cut in terms of contract plans. Julie's second book as yet untitled and unwritten, was scratched. Luckily, she was spared the disagreeable task of paying back the monies already advanced on that sale and she had the rights back to resell. While all the corporate bigwigs struggles with the matters of big business, Julie went about driving herself wild wondering where she and her writing careers stood.
Sound Advice
In stepped her faithful agent who imparted sound advice. "Concentrate on the writing. That is all you can control. If you write a good book, you will sell."
And Julie Ortolon did just that. Her first novel, Drive Me Wild, was on the USA Today Bestseller list for three weeks, went back for a second printing, was nominated for the Dorothy Parker Award For Excellence as Best Debut Novel, and has led to her second book, Dear Cupid, scheduled for release May, 2001.
The Six Steps
As with any plan, steps are involved and these are Julie's.
Step 1:
Concentrate on the writing. This is all you can do at this point. New York is doing its thing, churning out book after book and yours is far down the line and in the back o their mind. Use the energy your waiting creates to write the best book you can.
Step 2:
Understand your goals and stay on target. What does success mean to you. Being published is not the be all and end all to some writers while for others that is the only goal. Set you sights on where you want your writing to take you.
Step 3:
Accept no excuses. Make writing the priority in your life. If that means setting the alarm for two hours earlier so you can have time to write
or staying up hours after the family has retired, then do it! Don't allow hurdles to stand in the way of your goals.
Step 4:
Treat it like a career now. Develop a routine. Set deadlines. Trust your instincts. If you play at writing, it'll be just that..play. But if
you work at it, finding your path to that career, it will develop into a successful business.
Step 5:
Think of your manuscript as a book. Visualize the cover. See your title and name in fancy slick paper and print. Discover your voice. What tone and where do you want this story to go?
Step 6:
Don't give up! Getting published takes hard work and effort. It isn't easy for anyone and is something accomplished alone. Have faith in your self and the writing. It takes such a big blind leap of faith to set out on this road. But don't give up.
All these steps are designed to help you write the best book you can. Then you have a chance. Worrying about what editors want, think, and are doing won't get your name on a good book. Only you can do that. Concentrate on the writing. It's all you can control.
Julie Ortolon's Drive Me Wild is still available from Dell and Dear Cupid will be released in May 2001 by St. Martin's Press. A third and fourth are in the works. We wish Julie continued success in publishing.
Kay Swanson, w/a Kei Swanson, is the author of THE WORDS OF THE PITCHER, released by Genesis Press, May 2000 and a nominee for the 2000 DOROTHY PARKER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE for BEST DEBUT novel.
©2001, San Antonio Romance Authors, all rights reserved. Articles may not be reprinted without permission.
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