Writing a Book, PArt 2

It was over a year ago that I wrote the sections below. In 2010 I completed a manuscript about my hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. After consulting about a gazillion sources (more or less), I wrote a book proposal and query letter. I made a list of agents who sounded compatible. I revised, re-read, re-consulted. When the query letter and proposal were the best I could make it, I asked myself, "Is this the best I can do?" It was. So I knew I needed outside help.

I pored over the websites of editorial services. I narrowed my choices to three, heard back from two and chose one, who not only offered sound advice and wise counsel but became a dear friend. We worked on the proposal. My father died. We kept working. Her father died. Neither of us were prepared for or expected this in our lives and these events profoundly affected our lives. We had much more than the project in common. We kept working. Of the many agents to whom I sent the query, a large percentage asked to see the proposal. On the basis of the proposal and sample writing, I received only rejections. This told me the subject was of interest; the writing wasn't good enough.

My brilliant and thoughtful editor suggested that I take time out to learn the craft of writing. She was and is a cheerleader for me and buoys me with her savvy and good sense. She says what I was trying to do in the manuscript is advanced and difficult. The night I received my final rejection--this time for the entire manuscript, and from an agent who really, really wanted to like it--I was attending a reading by Heather Sellers at Schuler's, a local independent bookstore. I'd read the author's work and loved it. When I saw her onstage, I knew she was the teacher for me. Charming, funny, vibrant, brilliant, and real. In her own book, she had solved the problems I was having. Plus, she was a writing teacher, full-time. I asked her if she took on students outside of the college and she said "yes." We started working together in January 2011.

I can't summarize everything I've learned from Heather. Mostly what I'm learning is to get out of my own way. (That's usually the problem, no matter what I do!) In writing, this means getting out of my head and into my body. Telling the truth--not the truth I THINK is the truth, but the real truth--the truth I don't know until I start writing. Smashing the roadblocks I put in front of me (I can't talk about THAT, I can't hurt that person's feelings, I don't want people to know THAT about me!) and diving deep inside. Not knowing. To not know what I will find or what it means is an exciting journey, somewhat like my hike. I am progressing. I am deeply grateful to Heather, R. my editor; and T. my first mentor, friend, and "muse". I am lucky to have such a great support team, none of whom know each other. Heather's secret for writing success? "Butt in chair." In other words, WRITE.

SELLING A BOOK, PART 2

Heather says, "The way to sell a book is to write a (you can supply your own adjective) great book!"

The "Old" Writing a Book

When I started hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I had no intention of writing a book about it. I intended to hike my hike, return home and start writing - a screenplay based on a true story about an ill-fated Arctic exploration. I had other writing projects in mind, too: an adaptation of one of my favorite books for a TV movie, a book of short stories, a couple of biographies.

I kept an online journal while I hiked and thought that would be enough. But when I finished, I realized that the journal did not tell the story. My writing in the journal stayed on the surface and recounted the day to day events. A different story happened on that trek, one that I want to tell. So I started writing about my journey, from the heart.

After a year of writing, revising, writing more, deleting, writing more, I knew I needed help with this. I contacted an old friend, a man I'd given some flying instruction to sixteen years ago. He writes for a living. In one long telephone call, several emails and a couple of days together meeting face to face, I got years worth of writing instruction. Just as on the trail, the process transformed the way I write, think about writing and hope to write.

All the research I've done about selling a book indicates that 99% of what is submitted is rejected. That's OK. When I get ready to submit my work to an agent, it will be my best effort. Then, if I am turned down, it will be because of factors I couldn't control, not because I hadn't done my best.

It's a business. If an agent and publisher think my book will sell, then I will have a shot. If they don't think they can make money on it, it will sit on my hard drive waiting for another time and I'll start writing the next thing. That's my plan.

The "OLD" SELLING A BOOK

Once I get the book written, I will share with you the process of selling it. Just as I brought readers with me on a journey on the Pacific Crest Trail, I will bring you along on the journey of selling a book.  But first, I've got to get the thing finished! Right now I am working on a query letter and book proposal as well as the manuscript. The title of the book is Alternate Routes.