- Joined
- Aug 18, 2010
- Messages
- 4,527
- Reaction score
- 1,811
- Location
- Southern California
- Website
- www.storyrhyme.com
I joined AW when I began the query process for Normalish two and a half years ago, back when I knew next to nothing. I lurked for about a year, learning and soaking up the knowledge. I learned about Query Shark and honed my query letter. (The first one was awful.) After lurking the first year, I joined in on the conversation and started making friends. Two really important things I’ve learned on AW:
1. Respect your fellow writer. I may not “get” or care for someone’s particular style of prose, but I won’t dismiss them or act rudely towards them. As writers, we sweat and really put so much of ourselves into our writing. I’ve taken this rule to heart. I think it’s helped me to be a better participant in a community of writers; it’s helped me to get my head in the right space.
And
2. While querying, keep writing. I did. My revision process with Normalish was lengthy. During that time, I wrote three more books. Writing something else helped me from going nuts while waiting to hear back on Normalish.
I found my publisher on Absolute Write; I’ve found new friends; I’ve learned so much and continue to do so. I’m a work in progress. Thank you all. And a big thank you to Mac and the mods.
So let’s party down! Bring whatever you’ve got: Twizzlers, gin, Twinkies, Pop Rocks. Bring it all.
(Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find a paper bag to breathe into for a while.)
Oh, my book is available here:
And you can read the excerpt here.
1. Respect your fellow writer. I may not “get” or care for someone’s particular style of prose, but I won’t dismiss them or act rudely towards them. As writers, we sweat and really put so much of ourselves into our writing. I’ve taken this rule to heart. I think it’s helped me to be a better participant in a community of writers; it’s helped me to get my head in the right space.
And
2. While querying, keep writing. I did. My revision process with Normalish was lengthy. During that time, I wrote three more books. Writing something else helped me from going nuts while waiting to hear back on Normalish.
I found my publisher on Absolute Write; I’ve found new friends; I’ve learned so much and continue to do so. I’m a work in progress. Thank you all. And a big thank you to Mac and the mods.
So let’s party down! Bring whatever you’ve got: Twizzlers, gin, Twinkies, Pop Rocks. Bring it all.
(Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find a paper bag to breathe into for a while.)
Oh, my book is available here:
And you can read the excerpt here.
Thank you, Phaeal, alleycat, and Sage! Snoopy dances!
s 
