LOOKING BACK....

I was asked what I would change if I could go back to the beginning of my career. To answer that question, I have to look back a bit. I started writing when I was in my forties. I spent a year reading books, listening to other writers, and taking classes to prepare myself for the dream I had in my heart. The beginning of my journey was a little rough. So many things are different now. For example, I had to print copies of my entire manuscript and mail them to the agents I wanted to represent me. I spent five years getting the dreaded “I’m sorry, but we’re going to have to pass” letters. Strangely enough, I got my first agent through a writers’ website. None of the other things I did brought me the result I needed. Now, when I advise newbie writers, I tell them to join writers’ groups and get to know successful authors. Those connections help. Doors can open in ways you can’t accomplish on your own.

I also learned, later in the process, that reading books being released by publishers that you’re interested in will help you to understand the kind of stories they want to buy. You also need to decide on a genre (or two). Your agent will query publishers that are interested in that genre. My journey started out with mystery, then went to cozy mystery, then changed to suspense with Old Order Mennonites. This isn’t the path I would have chosen, but I still enjoyed writing those books. As time progressed, I began to write the books I always wanted to write. But first I had to earn the trust of my publishers. Building a career takes time and dedication. It’s hard work.

So, would I change the past? Would I make decisions that might speed up my ability to get contracts? This may surprise you, but the answer is no. Maybe I took the long way around, but I learned so much. And now, I have the ability to help others. I believe I took the path God had for me. Sometimes we think things are taking too long. We might even want to give up. But if you believe God called you to write, you need to trust the journey. Never give up. And never stop trying to improve yourself.

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