JUST
START
Many
folks live by the mantra that life is all about the journey. As a writer, I
disagree. The journey to becoming a published author is fraught with perils. Who
wants to live like that?
Your
book begins with joy and elation; much like bringing a first child into the
world. (Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration — but it’s my analogy, and I’m
sticking to it.)
Soon
we come to the middle of our tale. Let’s correlate this period of writing with
the teen years of the child you birthed earlier. Joy and elation gives way to
gnashing of teeth and tearing of hair. This may be why there are so many bald
authors.
We
make it through the meat of our story. Whew! Now let’s wrap this up. However,
finding the perfect ending can be as elusive as that candy bar that keeps
sliding just out of reach under the seat of your car. Sure, you’re the one that
hid it there due to a complete inability to share. However, you didn’t know at
the time how far into the clutches of darkness a car floorboard could go.
Finally,
the perfect words fly from your brain, down your arms and to your fingertips as
you tap the computer keyboard as fast as the Flash can dart. The beginning is
tempting, the middle moves the story along and the ending, well, IMPAC Dublin
Award here we come.
Have
a nice cup of tea and take a moment to catch your breath, because now the real
work begins; finding a publisher that agrees with your assessment of the book.
Once that happens (yes, sometimes fairy tales do come true) it’s on to the
world of marketing. Let’s leave that experience for another day.
I
wrote my first novel more than twenty-five years ago. I rewrote that book ten
years ago. Then revised said book a couple of years ago. It wasn’t that I wanted to keep changing the story. I
just wanted to be published.
Having
first written the book as Romantic Fiction, I submitted it to Harlequin. Their response
was along the lines of “We have numerous books at this point. We’ll get back to
you.” They didn’t. Hence, the next rewrite.
Inspirational
Romance was hitting the market big time. I moved my characters into a Christian
setting, added suspense and a bit of humor. I got to know my characters better
and felt an attachment to them. I submitted to various Christian publishers.
Responses varied from “Not what we’re looking for at this time” to “We would
love to help you self-publish.” BLAH!
When
I took a job as a photojournalist for a community paper, I began looking at my
book through the eyes of a reporter. Hence the next revision. That one was a
mistake.
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A
friend suggested I read Stephen King’s book “On Writing.” I always found his stories terrifying
and was never a fan. Now when I’m asked what helped me most in improving my
writing I recommend this book. King is entertaining and the master at turning a
phrase.
As
I worked on redeveloping my first book, I had the idea of making it into a
series set in the Great Smoky Mountains, my area. Before I had rewritten book
one I was well on my way through books two and three. I had found my niche. I
finished book one. Again. I started searching for a publisher. Again.
During
this search, I received an assignment to interview a local author. I was
impressed with her book so I bought it and saw her publisher listed.
I
submitted my first book “Blue Mountain Sky”
to Mantle Rock Publishing in October of 2015.
Editor Kathy Cretsinger liked it enough to send a contract. The book
released July 2016. Book two in this series “Red Morning Glory” released January 2017. Book three “Dawn’s Gray Light” should be available
later this year or early 2018. The genre is Faith-based Contemporary Romantic
Suspense.
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If
you have words stuck in your head, get them out. Put them on paper. Record
them. Share them. Open yourself up to change. Don’t be afraid to self-promote.
You may write the next great American novel. You’ll never know if you don’t
start.
Happy
writing!
Cyn Taylor
Weaving fiction, speaking Truth
ABOUT CYN:
Cyn Taylor lives and plays in Knoxville
Tennessee in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. She and husband Brent
live on his family farm at the peak of Thunder Ridge along with a feral cat and
other woodland creatures who come round to visit. They have two adult children
and seven grandchildren.
As a former freelance photo journalist, Cyn
has written faith, community and feature articles.
Cyn gets some of the best inspiration for her books
when she accompanies Brent on fly fishing excursions to the Smokies. He fishes.
She writes. Life is good.
CONNECT WITH CYN:
Email: cyntaylor2016@gmail.com
Web: cyntaylor2016.wix.com/blog
Instagram: Cyn Taylor author
ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF CYN'S BOOK 1: BLUE MOUNTAIN SKY
