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Faith Hunter
Yes, I forgot it was Wednesday. Sorry I am so late posting. And I have no excuse really. Okay – I pulled a third shift at the lab and my brain is screwy, but still. It *is* my day to post…. Continuing on the Writer’s Life theme, here are a few of the ups and downs of my professional (writer, not lab) life, viewed from three perspectives that every writer deals with daily: state of mind, state of publication, and state of my writing.
First, as pertains to my state of mind:
Monday and Tuesday were my crises-of-faith days, (giggle, giggle) and the members of this list offered some really good pointers on how to deal with a young writer. Thank you all. I remember the desperate need to be published. I understand when a young person says, “I’m ready. I am!” But isn’t. For a teenager, every need is so much sharper, so much more intense. When I was a teen, I wanted to be published and had chosen an arbitrary deadline. No, I won’t tell you what it was, but I will say that I didn’t make it. My work wasn’t good enough. It was amateurish, and childlike. *I* wasn’t mature enough to see all that, and I collected a *huge* number of rejections, despite the fact that I had done such intense and prolonged research into the publishing world and the life of writer. I was still writing, mind you, but as I look back, I now understand that I was growing in maturity both personally and as a writer. It hurt, but I wasn’t ready to be published.
Years after my arbitrary deadline for publication, I finally found it. It hasn’t been an easy ride. More like a mechanical bull with some of its gears missing—a wild rodeo ride for a while, followed by times of just moseying along, and once or twice, just plain stopping dead. It hasn’t been easy, but I persevered, and I really can’t tell anyone why I didn’t just call it quits and do something easier.
I’ve made good money most years, but the money and the market are, neither one, dependable enough to make it a sensible career choice. I’ve made great fans, better friends, and written some books I am intensely proud of. I’ve been published with a co-writer and alone, under three pennames, in two genres and many subgenres, been orphaned, remaindered, dumped several times, and, still, the joy of a sale is the end-all and be-all of my life. I rather think that I have stuck with it all because of the youthful desperation to be published. Therefore, I honor that need and that drive and that hopeless, helpless yearning for publication in myself and in others.
Second, my state of publication:
Bad news first. The AKA has been dumped again. Mira Books is not picking up any more Gwen Hunter books and has returned the rights to six of the eight I wrote for them. It was a bad fit, as there is nothing about romance in my books and they were always shelved in the romance section. Still, it hurts. It is a door closed. Okay — slammed — in my face.
Now the good news. I’m not bragging here. I’ve been tossed off the rampaging bull of the publishing life too many times for that. I’m…ruminating. Sharing. And I’ve had great news these last few weeks.
Charlaine Harris reviewed my book on her blog at the end of October. It was a *very nice* review. My numbers are still good. Skinwalker was released in July, and now, nearly four months later, it is still being ordered and sold and no stripped covers have returned. You have no idea how wonderful that is! I’m going on twenty years as a published writer and seldom has that happened. My numbers on Amazon are still very low for a four-month-old book. And Blood Cross has been street dated, meaning that no bookstore can release it for sale before the release date of Jan. 5, 2010. That also means promo money (have no idea how much or where it will go) and pub-expectations of good things to come. I don’t know what the sell-ins are, but I expect them to be good. Skinwalker sold to Russia (a new country for me!) and ROC picked me up for another contract which I signed and returned in October. It wasn’t for bigger money, but I have fingers crossed for a bonus. My friend Kim read Skinwalker and loved it. (It is always nice when someone important–other than mom–likes your work.) All positive things in my life. But even better is the improving health of my family. (Sooo many crises averted there!) And the new rescue dogs the hubby and I adopted. I write better with dogs under my feet.
Which brings me, lastly, to the state of my writing:
The rewrites of the proposal went fast. The rewrite of the hundred page manuscript (so far) to reflect the proposal changes have taken a week longer than I wanted, so I’ll have to bust it to get the book done on time. I am staring at my usual nose-to-the-grindstone lifestyle through the holiday season. But I can do it. I hope! You see, I have this desperate desire to be published….
So. What is your current state of mind, state of publication, and/or state of writing? Anyone want to share?
Faith Hunter
FaithHunter.Net
GwenHunter.Com
State of mind:
Frazzled – Feel like I’ve got too much to do and no time to do it all. Half a dozen writing projects that I have to get worked up ASAP. Got a 3 minute or so short film script I have to finalize so we can possibly film it the weekend of the 20th. Got a 26 page script handed to me that I have to look over and polish, so that we can hopefully start filming that one by the Spring. Got a feature length script I’m working on that I need to get done so that we can film it or farm it as well sometime Spring or early Summer. Got one more feature length script that a guy wants me to polish and make his characters more than just cardboard cutout victims for his killers.
Still haven’t heard from any of my proofers on my first draft, which is mildly nerve-wracking. Scratch that, I have at least heard from a couple who have said that it’s awesome, but they don’t wanna give any feedback till they’re done reading it. I was hoping to get it finished by the end of the year and start looking around for possible agents, but don’t look like that’s gonna happen. I was actually hoping to start looking this year. Oh well. I feel like I’m losing momentum on it while I wait.
I’m working again on a dark urban fantasy novel that my wife says I should finish and want to get that one worked up as well.
Plus, Christmas is coming up fast, which means gift making time has to be carved out of writing and cleaning time.
State of Publication:
Not…published, that is. The game company that I wrote for still hasn’t brought anything new out and it’s been close to two years now. I know they’re being hit just like everyone by the economy, but it doesn’t bode well for the future of the supplement book I wrote. Especially if they end up losing their fan base because they’re not bringing any new product out.
Still in a minor, yet nerve-wracking, holding pattern, as I mentioned above over my first draft of the space opera sci-fi romance. Bout all I can do with it as of now is work on anything I can find on my own, try to tighten up the prose, etc. I really kind of wanted the feedback first before I moved full force on it, but I’m getting antsy. I don’t want to start looking for agents to approach until it’s as finished as I feel I can make it, or at least to my personal satisfaction.
The script I did finish rewriting for a guy this year hasn’t been picked up by a company yet, so that’s still in a holding pattern as well until we either get investors for it or a major motion picture company picks it up. HBO Films has offered distribution should it get made, but we need investors first.
State of Writing:
I’m starting to slip, due to having too many things to do that need done ASAP. Not that I don’t still love it, I just have no focus because I need to focus on them all. If I devote all my time to one the other suffers, if I devote my time to housework the writing suffers, if I devote my time to the gifts everything else suffers till they’re done. So, as a result, I’m all over the place and some days I just zone out and not do anything. Calgon! Take me away!
So much good news for you! I’m so happy about that!
Me? Well, book two is coming along nicely. Not much more to report than that really.
Daniel, you *do* sound frazzled. Take a break and have a cuppa! Kristen, when does the first urban fantasy come out? I’m panting!
My work wasn’t good enough. It was amateurish, and childlike.
Sometimes when I’m feeling that nothing I write is fit for lining a bird cage, I pull out the four-page Wild Wild West short story I wrote when I was nine. And suddenly whatever I’m working on looks much better!
What is your current state of mind…
I’m already counting the days until school lets out. 122, not counting weekends or holidays.
Sorry about the Gwen Hunter titles. And I’m glad that the numbers for SKINWALKER are good. Keep it up!
I love Jane Yellowrock!
I’m working on my Nano Wrimo novel and I love where this story is going. And after this WIP is rewritten, revised, and polished, I hoep that it is the one that sells. I really have faith in this story.
Misty you are brave. I am *afraid* to look at my early work!
Thanks, Tyhitia. I may find another pub or I may pick another name to write under. Or I may write no more thrillers/mysteries. In this biz, who knows? Good luck on the new work!
My third novel (the first that I’ve ever revised) is out to betas. It looks like I’ll have to do another round of heavy revisions and then go back to betas before I can even think about querying.
It frustrates me enormously that the product of so much time and effort is still not up to standard. Honestly, I’m losing faith. I have no idea if *any* of my work will *ever* be ready to even query. I feel like just giving up – going back when I used to write only for pleasure and not care about anything else.
But I won’t give up. (I’ll just whine a lot.) I have wonderful friends, and they’ll hold my hand while I get through this emo stage.
Uncertain!
First post here, I’ve been working on a fantasy series since middle school and am now 32. The first book is done, but needs editing. Second book is in the works, and so is a second project that I’m excited about but have no idea where it’s headed.
So, unpublished, writing for the sheer fun of it right now, and hoping that it will get picked up in the future. I have friends reading it for me and I’ve gotten a great deal of positive feedback from them, which is very encouraging.
I greatly enjoy all the posts here. It’s one of my favorite blogs. Thanks everyone.
Congrats, Faith, on all that good news. Very exciting. I’m especially glad to hear that you’ve been picked up for another book and that the Jane books are doing well. Sorry about Gwen, but she’s a survivor and will wind up somewhere.
After months of languishing and having a truly rough time of it, things are definitely looking up for me, I’m happy to say. Sold the thief taker books to Tor under the the new ‘nym. My contemporary urban fantasy, the one I love and haven’t been able to resell after the Meisha Merlin debacle, the one I tore apart and put back together this summer, is with an editor. A friend of mine read it and loved it. My agent, who really didn’t ever want to look at that book again, read it and loved it. I hope to have news about it fairly soon. And my Tor editor called me the other night with an intriguing possibility. Can’t discuss it in detail yet, but hope to be able to soon. Even without that last (which might not come through) things are looking up for the first time in 7 months. I’m researching now rather than writing, and that’s making me a little grumpy. But mostly my state of mind is good. I get to keep doing this, which makes me very happy. My family is well [knocks wood], and while I haven’t been writing, I have taken some awesome photos over the past few weeks.
Sirayn: I do understand. We all have the emo stage where we need hand-holding. My AKA had one novel that was revised and reprinted so many times that I used 2,000 sheets of printer paper. To this day I can’t stand the thought of reading it again. It was a good novel, I’m told. And I used technical devices better in it than in any other novel. But it was *not* fun in any way shape or memory. Hugs.
Yea, Paul! Welcome. I know people who say that their childhoods (or high school or single life or whatever) were so wonderful, free, yada yada, but I never felt that. What I do remember as wildly adventurous and freeing and satisfying was the pre-published joy of writing. Writing for the sheer fun of it was the most exciting, liberating, creatively satisfying time in my life. Enjoy it and bundle up memories of this time. When you get pub’ed, it will help through deadlines or other trying times.
And David… You deserve your own reply….
I’m excited today, giddy with anticipation, and I only get this way once or twice a year. I _finally_ finished my prep work, and I’m starting to write rough draft today. I’m about two weeks behind my self-imposed goal, but with all that I’ve been rolling with in RL, I am content to let those two weeks go and just enjoy the comming ride. Giddy. I’m giddy with possibilities and ignoring that _I’m_ the one that has to make this all work.
Soooo. David….
>>My agent, who really didn’t ever want to look at that book again, read it and loved it. I hope to have news about it fairly soon. And my Tor editor called me the other night with an intriguing possibility. Can’t discuss it in detail yet, but hope to be able to soon.>>
Things are looking up. Whooowhoo! (Stamps feet and cheers)
And…
Now I am guessing all sorts of exciting possibilities. You are a horrible man for leaving us all dangling over the cliff this way. Totally horrible. (Okay. Really? I can’t wait to hear more good news!)
Kim — that’s Kim Harrison for the newbies here. Yes, *the* Kim Harrison — I totally get the *I (alone) have to make it happen* aspect. It has to be triple-y hard for a bestseller like you, with so much resting on slender shoulders. The responsibility and stress are hard for a mid-lister like me to fathom.
Tea with friends is always available, you know! We can talk dogs and forget the world for an hour.
Congrats to both Faith and David. I don’t think people realize how hard it is to CONTINUE BEING successful in the current market. Before I published my first book I assumed that once you got your foot in the door it was all roses from there. How brutally, tragically, ludicrously wrong I was. Continued success takes immense work, craft, inspiration and–yes–luck (though some of that you can make yourself with work craft and inspiration). Kudos, guys.
Thank you AJ. Staying productive and published in this market is sorta like walking on coals. You can get to the other end, but it takes sweat, fast feet, determination, and a willingness get burned with every single step.
Mmm. Nothing like both inflating the head with praise, then popping it with the mention of stress and work! (grin) You keep me grounded, Faith. Tea sounds fab. Next week? I’m hibernating the rest of this one unless you’ve got something to hash over.
(ducks head, smiles) Sorry! Mea culpa. Tea next Monday? I’m paddling with the dolphins after Tuesday.
Let’s see. I am absurdly happy, despite the specter of the holidays looming- family obligations, work obligations, expectations that the gingerbread house I make with my kids each year will be a castle (their idea, not mine). I am optimistic about my project, happy to be writing. Because writing is necessary for me. I ‘ve tried quitting, I’ve tried it in moderation, as a hobby, as a distraction from the day job. And I came away after all this with the certainty that even if I never get published, I will always write. I am thankful I can sit and write a story that at least a few friends will read. Thanks! You know who you are *grin*
My writing is still childish. My face, unfortunately, is not.
I’ve been trying to hone my craft with short stories of late. It takes me forever and a day to write, revise and submit a novel. (Gotta get me new hammer and chisel) But I can write a short and get my rejection and, when lucky, editor’s comments back in a decent time-frame. I’m hoping this strategy speeds the learning curve.
State of mind: Happy!
Hello Ms. Faith Hunter! Ms. Kim recommended your book “Skinwalker”. I read it and found it extremely wonderful. I liked the relationship of Jane and the beast, I hope to see more of the New Orleans city and to hear more of the Cherokee culture. The surprise at the end, about who was the criminal, was great. I bought the book “Strange Brew” to read your story and found others great stories there. I’m waiting for the second Jane book. Also, I like a lot what you write in this site (also recommended by Kim). Thank you (and all the writers) for all the “classes” in writing for free I get here. Be Happy! A.N.
Tiff, I am so happy to see/hear/read your happiness. That kind of creative joy often gets lost in the process of fulfilling contracts. Excellent!
Deb, it will speed the curve tremdously! Carolyne Haines, mystery writer and writign teacher at an Alabama school of higher ed, says, and I quote, “I use Sol Stein’s “On Writing.” It’s the clearest, best book on modern story telling I’ve found. It just lays it out there in easy to understand language. For grammar, probably STunk and White? Is that the spelling? Been around for years and years.”
A.N., it is our pleasure, and you *made my day!* Thank you!
I’m a day late and a dollor short, but here goes…
State of Mind: Exhausted, really. The trials and tribulations of this year have taken their toll on me mentally and physically. Things are looking up, though, so I’m trying to regroup on where I stand with my writing. I’m also trying to finish up some gaming projects to free up my plate for new endeavors.
State of Publication: Well, I had an ebook published, but sales haven’t been good at all. So, that was a failure. I’ve published a few small gaming pieces in The Crusader, and I’m happy with those. At least its kept my name out there.
State of Writing: Writing mostly gaming things now, but the mind is percolating. I’ll be getting back to some fiction soon. I’m still going to be writing games, though, too; it’s my passion, and I love the way those stories get built upon by others. It’s just a great medium for other types of storytelling.
Christina, sometimes it hits us that way, life throwing too much, too soon, and all hard. I’ll send up a prayer and good vibes your way. Success is going to be wonderful when it happens!
Hugs!