Wednesday, August 12, 2020

10 CHOICES WRITERS MAKE EVERY DAY

Publishing has changed. It has changed drastically since I started this journey about 18 years ago, and here's a bit of advice from a gal who has published nearly 60 books: A meteor didn't take the dinosaurs. The inability to adapt did.



If you don't believe me visit the Museum of Natural History in NYC.

Let me give you a brief Ruthy history: I wrote for eight years before getting a contract with Love Inspired. I was approached by Theresa Park (Nicholas Sparks' agent) in year five but she didn't want to talk further if I didn't pull my work from Harlequin/Love Inspired. Ouch! I made mistakes... and stayed writing through them. The publishing climate changed. I stayed writing. Christian publishing houses began to close. I kept writing. I examined markets, tried to mentally predict what would happen next (hahahahaha! Good luck with that, LOL!). I saw that romance was going to a much higher degree of sensuality than I was comfortable with and with that I left RWA (Romance Writers of America). I kept writing. Entering contests. Going to conferences and meeting people when financially possible, and I learned to watch quietly because what gets put on the Internet stays forever on the Internet... Oops! Publishing contracts from Love Inspired kicked off my career: in 2009 they offered three separate contracts and a new page was turned.

I love working with Love Inspired. I love that women with short purse strings can afford these books, and that they're available in Walmarts and pharmacies and grocery stores... where women tend to shop, right? No brainer. But I also like writing bigger, broader books.

I kept writing.

I had 14 novels complete when I was contracted.  My first post-contract agent didn't see them making it anywhere... they didn't fit.

I kept writing.

My next agent echoed those words. They weren't typical Christian fiction, they didn't fit in the box, and because I was so good at category, maybe that's where God intended me to be.

I figured God wanted me to do exactly what I was doing... honing my craft, and working on my mission to give women the strength and grace and tenacity to see how faith builds us up in times of trouble... and I knew those stories might not fit the prescribed CBA "box"... but I knew they were good.

I went indie with those books, hit Amazon bestselling charts and began my hybrid career, not as an "in your face" move because I respect these women. They were right. PUBLISHING RARELY BENDS TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW STUFF. That's their prerogative, right? Ours is to make our own choices to build our careers. Who knew??? 

And you know what? Rather than fuss and whine (which I've watched happen countless times) about what publishing wants, or the (gasp!) ignominy of writing to market... (shocked face and gasps again!) a strong writer examines the business side of the market, their time, their choices, their goals, and goes from there because, my friends, in case you've forgotten or never knew this, writing is a business.

It is not a hobby if you want it to pay the bills.

You do not have limitless choices when you are under contract.

They are paying you to produce a product, the product they bought... the product they're standing behind, the product they plan to market, the product they hope to sell to a targeted audience/readership just like Fruity Pebbles are normally targeted toward really smart kids because they're delicious!!!! AND.... Kashi Go flakes are marketed toward adults who don't run off an extra 500 calories while sitting at a desk.

As an author, you don't just write the book unless you're going indie.

You may be asked to re-write the book.

You will have revisions. Some of them may not sit right. When this happens, you do the revisions because they bought the book... you're the author, but it is now their book.

You will have edits. Multiple edits. And you don't necessarily get to ignore them although there is some compromise available, especially once you have a track record. But establishing that track record, building a readership, now that's up to you. 

Back to choices, because no matter how many fingers get pointed at the tyranny of publishers, here are the facts: This isn't about them. It comes down to you.

1. You may have to jump through hoops. In day jobs we call that "having a boss".

2. You will have to compromise. 

3. You will have to take advice and adjust your time frames, schedules, focus and deliver the goods in a timely fashion. 

4. You may have to write to market. That means that you may be asked to write books that sell to a prescribed audience/readership. Before you think of this as an insult, consider this: the publisher is paying. That gives them a really firm leg to stand on. If you don't want to write to market, that's okay, too! But it's not an insult to be asked to produce a book that fits a niche. I do both. Category romance and cozy mysteries are great examples of writing to market... and paying the bills! I love being a small business woman who has built a career that pays the bills... But as mentioned above, writing other stories takes a different path.

5. Don't shrink back from proving yourself. Women have been doing that forever. Now is no different. When my indie books took off, I was offered contracts for bigger books from publishers. Yay! But my work and effort came first, and it's often like that. This is not offensive. It's how things go sometimes. The old adage rings true: The harder you work, the luckier you get.

6. Publishing isn't easy and you will make hard choices. One publisher asked one final question before deciding on a contract: Will I still write for Love Inspired? I said yes... and they did not offer the contract. It is a personal decision how much power you're willing to concede and I assess each offer, contract on its own merit and my faith.

7. Your covers aren't always your dream covers... but when readers fall in love with your work, you'll realize that readers don't care as much about covers as they do about authors who touch their hearts.

8. You will have to relinquish a measure of control. Not everyone can do this. Think it over carefully.

9. You will have to deliver manuscripts on a deadline, edits on a deadline, background and art work on a deadline... and take advice from editors, copy editors, sales teams and marketers and follow the rules.

10. Working with other authors isn't always easy. Word to the wise: We are a diverse group, even when we are considered a "stable" of writers. Like horses, we are of many colors and temperaments. We have different talents and goals, but you would be wise not to burn the bridges because it may be a big industry but it is a Very Small Pond. Be nice. Play nice. Or mind your tongue. What you put in print on social media gets seen by many.... take it from one who made some early mistakes and think, think, think before splashing your current angst all over Twitter or Facebook or Instagram. 

I've been honored to help and mentor and advise a lot of aspiring and now published writers... We've been doing Seekerville for fifteen years, so I've watched promising authors crash and burn numerous times because the work and expectation involved isn't a piece of cake. 

I hope that's not you.

But then-- dear author-- that's entirely up to you. 

Indie publishing has opened so many doors and options that didn't exist as a viable option even ten years ago.

Ten years!!!!

To quote Nora Roberts on writers and success: Successful authors aren't always the most talented. They're the ones who didn't quit.

And that bit of truth holds true today, too.

And a double giveaway of this new mystery today!!!!! "A Fallen Petal", book 2 of "Savannah Secrets" from Guideposts Publishing! 

When an acclaimed author announces his next book will be a deep dive into the predecessors of Savannah’s oldest citizen, 104-year-old Harlowe Green becomes very nervous. Harlowe fears that a long-buried family secret might not just tarnish his reputation, but it might also expose his family as criminals. Years ago—almost a century now—he went on a trip north with his parents and little brother, Lawrence. Only three of them returned home, and everyone around Harlowe refused to acknowledge that Lawrence had ever existed. Concerned that time is running out to understand what happened, Harlowe implores Meredith and Julia—fresh off their first case—to help him find the truth. But will their discoveries bring him peace or confirm his worst fears and destroy his family’s good name?

Multi-published, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne is thrilled to be doing exactly what she loves doing, writing beautiful stories with unforgettable and wonderfully relatable characters while helping to run a pumpkin farm, enjoy a big family, and balance a cake on a plate like Seuss's "Cat in the Hat". :) Her newest mystery has just been released by Guideposts, and she's thrilled to share it with folks today! 

You can email Ruthy at loganherne@gmail.com, friend her on Facebook, visit her website ruthloganherne.com or hang out with the many varied authors here in Seekerville or Yankee Belle Cafe. 

58 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Lucy, don't we all???? Sending hearts right back to you!

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  2. Ruthy, this is a crash course in growing up as a writer. I've got a ways to go in some areas, thanks for reminding me. But it's such a privilege, wouldn't want to be doing anything else.
    I can relate to the "burning bridges" concept. I've said some things, out of frustration, that I can never take back.
    I've been fortunate with editors that there's been nothing so far that I needed to "go to the wall" over. But that day is coming, it comes for all of us.
    BTW, reading one of your books right now on my Kindle. "Refuge of the Heart," and am enjoying it.
    Much to do, probably back later.
    Kathy Bailey
    Your Kaybee

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    1. Kathy, thank you for reading "Refuge of the Heart".... I love Lena's story! A Cinderella story that grabs heart and soul.... and no singing birds. :)

      And Kaybee, we've all tripped ourselves up, but it seems to be getting more prevalent now with the advent of social media... My big mistakes were in closed loops.... but it was dumb!

      As a writer I am a storyteller first... but the good Lord gave me the mathematical skills and common sense to realize I was running a business, and I'm blessed to do it.

      Back in the day folks ridiculed a whole lot of writing, including romance... Which is, of course, the biggest writing genre in existence, so when folks criticize "writing for market" I'm always puzzled.

      Do they NOT want people to read their books? Are only certain hearts to be touched? And only specific editors allowed to critique and require changes?

      Because if that's what folks are looking for, the idea of creating publishing houses isn't new! Folks are doing it all over the place, right?

      For those who have the time and energy to put that together, I say go for it. Everything begins somewhere, but it takes hard work and ingenuity and a lot of sweat equity to get something like that off the ground.

      And I figure that Amazon already did that for me. :)

      We are blessed to be writing in such a time as this!

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    2. "The tongue is a relentless evil, full of deadly poison." Book of James. Stuff I've said that I wish I hadn't: a. Political views. Everyone else has said it better and anyway who cares what I think. b. Jealous snips at other writers. Most of them are where God wants them to be. As am I. c. Pointed snips at editors/houses who reject me. What I should have done, and do now, is go back and write the very best NEXT BOOK I can. d. This is the gold standard for stupidity: going over an acquisitions editor's head with a temper tantrum to his/her superior asking why he/she hasn't read my book already and gotten back to me. Ew, ew, ew. He/she is no longer with that publishing house, but then neither am I. Yeah, not doing any of that any more, no matter what. The advice "be yourself" is paramount, but we have to be our BEST selves.
      Anyway that's what I think.
      Kathy Bailey
      Aiming to be Kaybee to the world

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  3. I have a feeling I'll be coming back to the post time and again. Thank you for always speaking truth, whether we like to hear it or not. :)

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    1. Glynis, yeah, this one's a keeper, huh?

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    2. Hahahahaha...because it strikes truth in our funny hearts, doesn't it? I find it interesting and disturbing when authors blame publishers or circumstances or timing on what they perceive as success or failure. Success is how we measure ourselves and our pocketbooks.... but true success is taking God's gift and just using it like crazy and trusting Him that the rest will come. And it will, but generally commensurate with our efforts. :)

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  4. Wow Ruthy, what a journey you have had! Thank you for sharing and pulling the curtain back to see behind the scenes of the publication pathway. Lots to think about and another post to bookmark for future reference. Blessings!

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    1. Lee-Ann, hi! And yeah, it's been a journey, but a great one... and I wouldn't trade it. Gives me talking points, right? But I bet every successful author can tell similar stories.... the key in common, that The Nora so aptly pointed out, was that we didn't quit. We kept on. We smiled, nodded and didn't diss the publishing world on the internet.... we just kept working. Because if you're good and you keep writing, eventually that body of work becomes a bank deposit, right? But more than that is that it proves you've got the chutzpah to be a businessperson. And that's the flip side of the coin.

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  5. Re this:

    8. You will have to relinquish a measure of control. Not everyone can do this. Think it over carefully.

    I've decided my pseudonym is a great way to handle it. When I get a cover that scares me (just wait til you see it), I shrug and say, "That's Cate's problem. Mary doesn't need to stress it."

    :)

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    1. Hahahahahahaha! That's so true! My cabbage cover was one of those, and I could tell that my editor really didn't want to share it with me.... but it was worth a laugh and gosh... in the end, the book sold like crazy and that taught me two things about covers:
      1. They matter
      2. They don't matter nearly as much as we think they do! :)

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    2. Too funny, Cate! Although true, I'm sure! :)

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    3. Just remember this when you actually see the cover!

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  6. Great post, Ruthy! I love your kick in the pants posts. They always inspire me to work harder. To be more like you, the Energizer Bunny!

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    1. I keep thinking of that Erma Bombeck quote: When I stand before God at the end of my days I want to be able to say I used every bit of talent you gave me....

      So that's my driving force, Missy! :)

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  7. I have a lot of respect for authors. You work so hard! I could never do it. I have enough trouble writing fresh reviews. But I do enjoy your stories Ruthie! Blessings!

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  8. So much wisdom right here, Ruthie! You can say the hard things and bring the "tough love" because you've been there, done that. Much appreciated! I also appreciate that you don't sell out. You put your beliefs above money and turn down contracts. God has obviously blessed your obedience. We all want to be Ruthie when we grow up! <3

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    1. Oh, you are too kind.... and you know, we all make mistakes along the way. I was offered two contracts for Wishing Bridge.... on that one I prayed and it was at the time when everyone in CBA was dumping on Amazon but I looked at their reach and thought "these beautiful stories will touch so many hearts with them..." and they did/do! So that was a very smart decision.... and the other company folded.... So that dodged a bullet....

      But the mistakes are also great learning experiences about me, about the business, and about the realization that a Christian-labeled industry is not necessarily run by Christian values, even those that can co-mingle with capitalism and while I totally respect and use capitalism to make money, I believe that Christian values are more important.

      So we weigh things, right? We examine them. And strong-armed publishers who aren't willing to make you exclusive (Read: more money on the contract) but want you to give up other publishing gigs????? Well, that's just wrong. there are very few rich/wealthy authors.... and that's okay. I've never aspired to wealth, but if I can make my living just writing, I am so stinkin' happy!!!!!

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  9. Great post, Ruthy! As always! Love the blurb for your new mystery. I'm hooked. What happened to Lawrence?

    Love your writing and your stories! Love you, too!

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    1. I love you, too!

      And this mystery series is so much fun. I am having a ball, Deb!

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  10. Great post, Ruthy. I can always count on you to tell it like it is and give me some motivation. No need to put my name in the drawing. It was a good book. I really enjoy this series.

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    1. Sandy, I think that's my brand! :) Two brands, maybe...

      Don't sweat the small stuff. Life's going to hand you plenty of the other, so why waste time and energy?

      AND....

      A 24 hour limit on whining.... then we pull up our big girl panties and get on with it.

      Signed,

      Snark

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  11. Ruthy, I love it when you go all no-nonsense and just lay things out there. Writing is a job. And just like any other job, there are aspects we enjoy and those we'd rather avoid. To succeed, one has to put on their big-girl panties and push through the challenges. You, my friend, are an inspiration to us all. If you want it bad enough, you go for it. You recognize what it takes to get there, but never forget where you came from. You're good stock, Ruthykins.

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    1. Aw, thank you. Everyone needs a bossy friend or two, right? :)

      And big girl panties are a must. Absolutely.

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  12. After a writer's group meeting (where I was feeling quite snubbed and ended up being shouldered out a year or so later,) one of the members approached me in the parking lot and asked about being published by Love Inspired.

    Her biggest question was, "But don't they make you write the books their way?" My answer was, "Of course. They paid me for the book, and it needs to fit their publishing criteria and their style. It's part of traditional publishing." The look on her face told me she would never be published traditionally.

    That exchanged helped me understand why I was the only traditionally published author in the group. A few of the others were self-published. Most would never finish a book. They really didn't understand me or my priorities.

    Because I had learned here in Seekerville that writing for publication is a business. It's a job. It's the best job in the world, but like any job there is give and take. Days when I don't feel like working. Days when I don't want to do what my boss asks me to do.

    But at the end of the day, I get to do what I love: write stories. And sometimes I get paid for it.

    Thanks for telling it like it is, Ruthy!

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    1. *eyeroll* "Exchange" not "exchanged." I need an proof-reader.

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    2. I love this. I have learned that while there are some writers who welcome ideas and thought exchanges, there are a lot of preconceived notions out there... and some folks who just like the "get together" aspects of being in a writers' group. So that's okay.... To each their own. But my days run short on time so quickly and I can't waste time... so if folks are interested, that's super... but if I want to just do lunch, I'll meet you guys! :)

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  13. Thank you for the post, it was really helpful.

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  14. Ooo, you were talking right to me today, Ruthy! Diving back into the work! :)

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  15. Great post; you are such an inspiration...posts and your books. Love your books and always read them. Thanks for your giveaway of A Fallen Petal. Keep safe!

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    1. Will do and you, too... and Jackie, thank you. What a kind thing to say, all of it!

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  16. Ah Ruthy, sometimes I think you write your posts just for me! Today's is a good example of that. The push-pull of making the 'right' decision can be so stressful. You really do need to know what your own values are in this business. In any business, clearly. I love it when you shine a nice bright light on the murkier aspects of it all! :-)

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    1. Oh, I love the "murkier" light image! Yes!!!! You know when we started Seekerville a dozen or more years back, the whole idea was to open paths/doors for authors. To encourage, to teach, to guide, to share what we've learned and I think that mission is important to us.... but sometimes that means frank talk.

      And this isn't to put down the job I love.... because I wake up wanting to write. Wanting to tell stories!!!!

      But the reality isn't utopia or nirvana or paradise... it's a tuck your shirt in and get a move on kind of thing because those traditional publishers have a two year schedule.... (only interrupted by a big name Hollywood or political tell-all!!!! ALWAYS ROOM FOR THAT!) So seeing the inside edge and expectation levels the playing field.

      It isn't for everyone, but then? What job is?

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  17. Excellent post, Ruthy. Reminds of a lot of wisdom bestowed on me by my mom throughout childhood. ;)

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    1. I bet I'd like your mom. She sounds like my kind of people!

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  18. Thank you so much for this list. As a person who "keeps writing," I've been faithful to follow the advice you've printed here, especially relating to being a team player unless it's absolutely necessary to say "no."
    I recently sold a short story, and the editor wanted several changes. I was happy (or unhappy) to comply with all suggestions but one and stated my reasons as to why I didn't think his editing suggestion would work there. He wrote back and agreed with me! I feel like I picked my one "hill to stand on," especially since it would have altered the meaning to the story, and he respected that.
    A Fallen Petal looks like just the kind of story I love to escape into! Please put my name in the hat.

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    1. Linda, I just tucked your name in and congrats on selling the short story! Go you!!!!! And I generally accept most edits because they're right... occasionally I don't, and if I just state why, they're fine with it. Sometimes something I have in one story is related to something in the series, and if they don't realize it, it seems extraneous. (I just wanted to use a big word)... :)

      I'm so happy for you!

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  19. Your story is always so encouraging to me!!! Thanks for sharing, Ruthy...and I'm so glad you 'kept writing'. I may not be flexible in physical form, but I sure am learning how to be flexible in writing :-)

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    1. I just had a conversation with another author this week about the importance of a 'team' mentality in the middle of writing. Yes, as we write it can be more solitary, but there's a whole lot of 'team think' that goes into the whole publishing/marketing process. The clash of covers or titles can be discouraging if we let it, but keeping the bigger picture in view really helps. Of course, there are some things we fight for as authors, but those are really rare, in my experience.

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    2. Pepper, I agree. If we have to take a hard stand over everything, then maybe the problem isn't them... it's us. And you and I know there's no "one way" to do this, any of it, and that's the beauty of it! We are individuals and now have options that no other authors have ever had.

      I'd much rather cheer that wide berth of options than decry having my wings clipped because a traditional publisher didn't like X, Y or Z. So I publish X, Y and Z and then give them what they want/need because I love telling stories!

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  20. .
    "A meteor didn't take the dinosaurs.
    The inability to adapt did."


    That's right: the inability to adapt to meteors. :)

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    1. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

      Oh my word, that's perfect!!!!!

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

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  21. I enjoy reading about what authors go through to put their heart in our hands. Blessings

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  22. Ruthy, I can't tell you how encouraging this post is. As someone who sometimes feels like she's made very little progress after ten years on this writing journey I needed your words, your frank assessments and you wisdom in this post. I haven't been able to visit Seekerville much this year, but when I do, the posts always encourage. You are a huge encourager! Thank you.

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    1. Jeanne!!!! I'm so glad that my frank scoldings are actually encouraging, LOL! :)

      We miss you... but we know that everyone is busy (working, right????) AND I blame Covid 19 for EVERYTHING. It's fair game.

      We gotta call 'em as we see them, Jeanne.... and we just keep writing.

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  23. Oh Ruthy!!! I love this so much! Thank you (and all the Seekers). You always give such good advice.

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  24. Ruthy, this is the best post ever! Thank you so much for all the tidbits of advice, tips, warning, inspiration, and encouragement! -104-year-old Harlowe Green becomes very nervous. Harlowe fears that a long-buried family secret might not just tarnish his reputation, but it might also expose his family as criminals-this sounds like an awesome book!!

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  25. Really good post, Ruthy--as always! ;-) I'd opened this in a new tab the other day, so just printed it then sent it to two of my sisters who are writing, and THEN I read it, haha.

    I have to tell you something: A couple weeks ago I moved a bookcase of TBR books out of our middle bedroom upstairs because I couldn't get to the books and I was *running out of books to read*. Can't have that! I discovered Books 2 and 3 of LI's Big Sky Centennial series from 2014, one of which was your contribution! I read them then asked my hubby if it was okay to find the other 4 books in the series because I needed to know what happened. LOL I do NOT usually do this, but he knows I've been getting desperate for reading material (after living on the blessings of others and workers' comp from mid-February to the end of May and then unemployment and some paychecks since then, "book budget" is not in our vocabulary). He told me to find them, so off to eBay I went, and I am currently reading Book 1. Just wanted you to know that I am still finding your older books in my TBR bookcase! ;-)

    Anyway, thanks, as per usual, for the welcome advice! :)

    Melanie

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  26. This is so good. Relinquishing control and allowing myself to to grow and learn from editors is the hardest part, for sure. But so far, my books are coming out better than they were to begin with and I am becoming better, too. At least, I like to think so. :-) Thanks for sharing your journey and encouraging us to be brave enough to continue on our own.

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