A Fresh Page (SSYL New Year’s Eve Blog Hop)

December 29, 2013December 31, 2013

Welcome to the first Annual Smile Somebody Loves You New Year’s Eve Blog Hop. This is my first time participating in a blog hop and I’m very excited! SSLY was started in 2013, so what better way for them to kick off the New Year than with a new adventure! There are over 40 participating blogs, all giving away some awesome prizes. Please visit everyone and meet these wonderful women and men. They are terrific and you may find a new “favorite” author among them!

The grand prize, which will be chosen from the rafflecopter at the bottom of the page will include: a $150.00 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card (winners choice) SSLY Key Chain, a signed copy of Bohemian Grove by T.M. Williams, an E-book of Maverick Touch: The Cat by Ashley Nemer.

What are you looking forward to in 2014?

I mentioned to my husband that I was pondering the question, “What are you looking forward to in 2014?” for a blog hop I’d be participating in.

“Well, that’s easy,” he responded. “You’re looking forward to getting your book published.”

I thought about it for a moment. Getting my book published – or at least inking a book deal – is the biggest thing on my mind lately. I’ve been working my butt off and I’m closer than I’ve ever been. My novel is on submission with a dream editor and another dream editor is in the wings, but I’m still not there. I just started a new round of revisions and while I’m very excited – after sixteen (sixteen!) rewrites, I know it will be a long haul.

In March of last year I decided to put this novel in the proverbial drawer and work on my next novel. I vowed to let it sit for a bit after about a dozen rejections (I know – that’s nothing compared to the hundreds some receive). But then, something unexpected happened – I met a fantastic agent on Twitter who still has my novel. Every agent before gushed that my writing was fantastic, but the plot needed work. Each was a pass. And yes, the rejections were all (or at least mostly) very nice – but, they were still rejections. This agent offered me a revise and resubmit. She took the time to see past plot issues and consider the quality of my writing and for that, I’ll be eternally grateful, even if a partnership between us doesn’t work out.

And then, there was the other unexpected development – I met an equally fantastic editor a few months later who has been extremely patient while I revise, revise, revise. I’ve probably sent her three versions already and I can only hope that this next one is the last. Again, even if it doesn’t work out – I’ll always appreciate her time and interest. And last, but not least, there is yet another awesome editor who requested that I send her the first few chapters when the final touches have been put on the final revisions. I couldn’t have anticipated such an amazing surge of interest in my work after I had all but given up on it.

So, in answer to the question, “What am I looking forward to in 2014?” I’d have to say – seeing how this journey I’ve been on with this book that I’ve poured over six years of my heart and soul into turns out. I could receive more rejections. I could decide to self-publish. I could even get that coveted offer, that dreamed about phone call. It seems like anything is possible – like the slate is clean. The rejections of the past are just that – in the past. And, that’s not just because the calendar is turning over to a new year. It’s because every day is a new page – we only just tend to remember that as the new year beckons.

As part of the Blog Hop, be sure to visit my Facebook page and like it for a chance to win a $15 Amazon gift card! Winners will be chosen on Friday, January 3rd. Thank you!

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