This book changed my life
My first book got me signed to one of the top literary agents at one of the top literary agencies in the country.
But it didn’t sell to any of the top publishers.
It did do a whole bunch of other things in my life, however, that I never could have imagined when I started writing it:
It made me a better writer. Draft after draft, one rewrite and writing course after another, I learned to tell a better story, even after 25+ years as a published writer and professional editor.
It launched me on a journey of self discovery and self development that transformed my life, and helped me transform hundreds of other lives, which is pretty much the best thing in the world.
It led to me to a whole other career, as a book coach, where I get to inspire and encourage other writers, sharing everything I learned along the way, so they can get where they’re going faster and easier, and reaching the end with a better book in hand.
Some other takeaways along the way, for you writers:
Sometimes we write our books. Sometimes they write us. Most of the time, it’s a little of both. Stay curious. Stay open. Particularly to the fact that there may be an invisible co-writer up above who’s co-creating it with you.
Make sure to have benchmarks: First Draft, Second Draft, To Editor/Feedback Partner, and so on. To keep you motivated and on track and moving forward. It’s pretty hard to run the race when you don’t know where it ends.
Take the coaching. I say this to my kids all the time. You can bounce ideas around in the echo chamber of your mind, or profit from that most valuable thing of all, which is integral to growth and improvement: Feedback.
That said, in order for the feedback and partnership to be fruitful, find a coach/mentor/agent/feedback partner who is as passionate about you and your book as you are, who is an active participant in your journey and committed to your success.
As for that first book? I’m looking at my options, including pitching smaller publishing houses and self-publishing. But first I want to make sure I’ve written the best book that I can. My latest Beta reader told me of my book’s most recent iteration: “If they like Firefly Lane, they’ll love this.” I haven’t read the book or seen the show, but I’ll take her word for it as a sign I’m on the right track ;)