Querying Agents

As there is an art to writing, there is an art to querying agents.  When I told friends that I finished writing a book and was querying agents, they assumed it would be a quick process.  God bless their wee hearts.  

Querying an agent is like speed dating without the speed.  You both have something to offer, and you're trying to find a match.  Each agent, and rightfully so, will want something different from the author.  Some will want a query, a synopsis, and the first ten pages.  Others may want a query and the first fifty pages.  This is their method to see if they are interested enough to ask for more of the book.  Oh.  You didn't think there was an immediate offer of representation, did you?  Bless YOUR wee heart.  It's a true collaboration between two people wanting the same thing.

I've put out queries for "Chimera" and am still waiting to hear from probably two-thirds of the agents I queried.  But I received truly the best email of non-representation ever.  Let me share a bit:

Dear Crystal,  

 

I’m honored to be one of the agents you considered to represent your hard work. Unfortunately, though your premise is intriguing, I don’t feel as invested in the overall project as I need to be its best champion, and so I'm going to pass.  

*******

First of all, "honored."  She is "honored."  That's a nod to my hard work of banging my head and fingers against the keyboard to create a story I love with my soul and want to share with the world.  Then she goes on to say that my premise is "intriguing."  That's my little boost right there.  Thank you for taking the time to comment on my work.  It's beyond appreciated.  Then she says she doesn't feel she can be its best champion.

And I say thank you.

That's what the author needs.  That's what we're looking for.  A champion.  

I will DIE on that hill for this book.  Give my last breath.  My last heartbeat.  And I'm looking for someone willing to do the same.  That's what an agent will do for the author.  It's a collaboration, a marriage of sorts, between the two where they both work their hardest for the work.  

Still looking for my match.  But he/she is out there.  Because, as I've always said:  A good book will find a home.  Don't ever give up on yourself or your work.

Always writing*

One week out

 I've been "retired" from the day job for one week.  I've also deep-cleaned 92% of the house, mowed the lawn, trimmed the trees, and kept myself remarkably busy.  Cleaning the Sanctuary now.  My office.  I'm on Day 3.  I'd put everything from my other desk in here, plus every other thing I didn't know where to place.  I can finally see the carpet again.  But I still need to clean off my desk and bookshelves.  And...dust.  Man, I am NOT a duster.  I don't mind laundry, dishes, or vacuuming.  But dusting?  The result is great.  The process?  😑

That's how I'm spending my day today.  Cleaning the Sanctuary.  Probably at least today and one more day since I'm moving and dusting everything.  I'm not a knick-knack person, but I've some of those in here.  I've a row of baby ceramic kitten an inch high.  I had to have them.  Now I have to dust them.  😊

Tomorrow is a bit cooler.  I'll probably make that an outside day.  At least early on.  Mid-nineties instead of hundreds.  *sigh*  

But.  About mid-week, I should be able to settle my ass right back into my office and completely focus back on the writing.  It's simply been a major upheaval with leaving the day job of 16 years and shuffling everything and readjusting (I still am).  Going to be a bit before I'm steady and have a routine that I can be comfortable with and trust.  But I'm getting there.  Things are finally falling into place, and it's a wonderful feeling.  It's an imperceptible click.  A feeling of rightness.  It's the same feeling I get when I'm writing and in the flow.  It's a knowing.  There's nothing better.

Always writing*

Even though right now I'm cleaning 😂  

In a mood

 My mood dictates my writing.  I was in one this morning.  Dark but not too dark.  Was going to go with "C" but decided that really was a bit too much this morning.  "Incantation" it is.  Conflict scenes.  The right amount of static to fit my mood.

Words of wisdom to myself:  Do NOT open iCloud and start playing with stories you've started in lieu of simply opening up one of the three you are seriously writing now.  You will piss yourself off that they are not finished...hate when that happens, and you will have wasted time not writing on one that you know you'll publish in a couple months.  DO NOT take you phone into the bathroom with you.  TIK TOK is the devil.  Fifteen minutes later, my legs are numb, and still no writing.  sigh...

Good news?  Working on "Incantation" and probably putting some words down on Book Five, "Transformation".  Makes me happy. 😁

Always writing*

Saturday Saturday

This is it.  My last Saturday to work at the day job. 🎉  When I say it's weird...it's weird.  I have an Exit Interview planned.  I need to clean up my desk here.  I don't have a lot of stuff, but I need to pick a day to take most of it home.  I'm here two more weeks, and I don't want it completely bare, though.  🤔

I feel like I'm stuck at the in-between.  The "long goodbye" as the Honey calls it.  I want to dive into the writing, but I'm still tethered to the day job for a few.  Also want to work a few rooms around the house.  The Sun Room needs a bit of sprucing.  And the living room needs some rearranging, as well.  That makes me excited.  Sometimes, besides the writing, I think I've almost forgotten what that's like.  

Have a lovely Saturday.  Bury your nose in a book for me. 💓

Always writing*

Here's your sign

Inspiration is a wonderful chaotic quixotic being.  I say that with love in my heart.

Most people are looking for inspiration to create or continue or even begin.  That invisible push that keeps you on the path.  That drives you to the finish line.  That booming voice in your head CHEERING YOU ON!

My inspiration whispers.  Always has.  My brain did rock, paper, scissors this morning and decided to work on "C", which is the first book in my dark trilogy.  The inspiration for the book came from a single-word sign on a truck as I was driving down the highway.  One word triggered an entire book which then triggered two more.

Inspiration can literally be found anywhere.  It can be in the seed of a dandelion.  It can be in the curve of a woman's eyebrow.  It can be in the deep timbre of a man's voice.  It can be the shout of victory.  It can be the comfort of a police siren.  It can be your grandmother's soup.

Be open to what calls to you.

Mine happens to be an incredibly damaged young woman with no filters, little sense of self-preservation, and homicidal tendencies.  She and I are going to have so much fun today. 🥳 

Always writing*

I love weekends

Weekends are for creating.  They are for writing, editing, and absolutely driving myself mad with all that needs to be done with the writing side of life.  

The day job drains my energy.  The writing life?  Oh.  My.  Lord.  I'm manic.  The more I do, the more energy I have.  I bought four packages of ruled index cards.  I keep my word counts for my books and little notes on them.  Three dollars at the Dollar Store.  I'm looking at them like this:  😍  I may have stroked the package they're wrapped in.  None of you will ever know...

Today, I will be having my webmaster (my Honey--she has a Masters in Computer Science and does fancy computer stuff for a living.  God knows we are opposites 🤨) add "Fascination" to my website and rearrange things a bit.  Little sidenote:  I'm addicted to office supplies.  Like, a LOT.  I will now be creating an Excel spreadsheet with the names of the agents I've queried, as they are scattered across a plethora of post-it notes on my desk.  

If I've time after that, I'll work on either "Incantation" or my first book in the dark trilogy.  Have over 17,000 words on that one.  Looks like I haven't worked on that since October.  Then again, I've published a short M/M Erotic Romance, edited and published "Fascination", and wrote a book in three months that I'm particularly proud of and owns a piece of my soul.  

I'm calling it good.

Have a lovely weekend!

Always writing*

Isn't she lovely? Book Three in the Rivers Sisters series.

 

Kindle Edition now available on Amazon.  Paperback should be ready within two days.  💖

Fascination

Megan Rivers has itchy feet and a short attention span. Legendary in the family for not keeping a job longer than two weeks, Spencer mentions an artist friend who needs a caretaker while he creates. Wade hires Megan, and a mutual attraction sparks. But both are more than they tell each other. She's a witch. He's fey royalty. They begin a relationship which catches them by surprise with its intensity.
An unexpected announcement shocks them both and sends Megan into a tailspin. She steps away, hurt, from everyone and exposes herself to the darkness that haunts her family. One quick strike leaves the redhead fighting for her life. Now it's up to Wade and her family to find her before her last breath.

****

Always writing*