Close your eyes. Relax. Think back to the day you decided to write a book. Think hard. Can you remember that day? If so, you’ve probably realized that, no matter how long ago that day was, you have learned a heck of a lot about this business.
With that in mind, we thought it would be fun to follow a new writer on her journey to publication. Plus, the wonderful response to Laurie London’s posts didn’t hurt!
Let’s give a big RU welcome to Sally Bayless.
Hi! A big thank you to Kelsey, Adrienne, Tracey and Carrie for inviting me to Romance University and to Amy Atwell over at WritingGIAM for introducing me to Adrienne. I have to admit when Amy first sent me an e-mail to ask if I might be interested in writing a blog, I deleted it after reading the subject line, thinking she sent it to me by mistake. I could not imagine what I was doing that someone else might find interesting. (Let’s see, today I had Celestial Seasonings Wild Berry Zinger mid-morning and waited until after lunch to break out the diet Pepsi.) Perhaps, though, reading about my experiences will help someone who needs to see how far they’ve come or someone who needs to know they’re not alone in facing an uphill struggle. If that’s you, read on, because, boy, do I struggle!
For several years I had the idea I wanted to write a book. In January 2009, I read a motivational book, This Year I Will … by M.J. Ryan. Four months later, I’d finished my first draft, begun reading books on the craft of fiction writing, and joined a few online writing groups. I sent my first chapter to a critique group and was showered with glowing comments. This was going to be easy! Then I sent in chapter two and learned that I could only fake it so long. “Writing it so it sounded like a book” wasn’t enough. I actually had to understand what I was doing. The critiques of chapter two and beyond pointed out that I wandered through various characters’ points of view; I (a former copy editor) used passive voice; I had a tendency to excessively, repeatedly, annoyingly use adverbs; and most of my scenes had no goals and little conflict. Oh, and I tended to describe things only visually. My characters lived in a silent, flavorless world, and apparently my allergies were so bad that I had forgotten the sense of smell.
So I began rewriting. Just last month, after twelve months of putting in about twenty hours a week, I finished that rewrite. Along the way, I kept submitting chapters to be critiqued. I’d send in a chapter, let’s call it chapter 6, and everyone who read it would politely mention that I had an awful lot of adverbs and sentences that began “She was.” So, before I sent in chapter 7, I’d take out every adverb and reword every sentence with the word “was” in it. Chapter 7 would come back with comments about the fact that I needed to use the five senses in my descriptions and watch my POV. I’d rework chapter 8 to include enough description to choke a horse and I’d double-check my POV, only to find that those adverbs had crept in again! I just couldn’t use all those new skills at once! Coordinating them was harder than dancing, and if you’d ever seen me dance … well, let’s just say that in my big-haired college sorority girl days I had to go to remedial practice for the box step.
But my writing is getting better. Some of it comes naturally now. I can stay in POV without effort. I’ve redirected most of the adverbs in my life to the e-mails I write. I’ve gotten expert at using search and replace (format highlight) to find “that” and “was.” I understand the concept of goal, conflict, disaster in a scene. But now I find that my inspirational romantic suspense has plot problems. Especially in the inspirational and romantic parts. And about a month ago I learned that my suspense isn’t really a suspense, it’s a mystery. But some of the books I’ve read that are most similar to my story are marketed as romantic suspense. Is that confusing to anyone else besides me?
So, here I am, seventeen months into being a writer. I’ve finished a manuscript of 55,000 words and rewritten 54,000 of them. I’ve got the beginnings of three other stories. I’ve taken four online classes, gone to a small conference, spent hundreds of hours doing critiques and revising my MS based on the critiques of others.
The hardest things so far?
- Figuring out which books to read on the craft of fiction writing and then reading them with no background in the subject. (Really, you’d think somewhere in my high school or college English classes we would have covered the basics of the three-act structure.)
- Not knowing the terminology. Once, I spent an hour looking for the term “dialogue tag.” I knew how to punctuate them, but I didn’t know what to call them. Another time, a critique said my dialogue needed beats. I thought that meant scene beats, which I’d recently read about in Story, by Robert McKee, but finally (after many hours) I figured out it meant action beats.
- How s-l-o-w-l-y I work.
- Getting used to people criticizing not just my writing skills, but also my plot. Journalism taught me how to have my sentences ripped apart without blinking. But you don’t really get plot wrong in a news story. Although I know I need to hear it, it’s harder to learn that your ideas are bad than to be told you split your infinitives. Mostly because I don’t know how to fix those ideas. Staring out the window hasn’t helped a bit.
The best things so far?
- The patience, kindness, and skill of people in the writing community. I cannot get over how incredibly generous people are with their time and their knowledge.
- An excellent online class on POV taught by Jess Granger and Angie Fox that left me feeling like a POV pro and, because they encouraged us to play with ideas, prompted a great new idea for a book. (Well, I think it’s great.)
- Knowing that, even though I’ve only scratched the surface, I’ve made a lot of progress.
On my desk is a little sign that says “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” I’m still building the rocket. But I’ll get there.
***
RU Crew, is there something you wish you had known the day you decided to pursue a writing career? We’d love to hear from you.
As a special treat, we are going to have Sally pick the comment/advice that smacks her upside the head, and the winner will receive a leather RU pocket jotter.
Thank you to Sally for sharing her journey with us. Be sure to join us on Monday when author L.A. Banks and Kimani Press Executive Editor Glenda Howard discuss the multi-cultural sub-genre.
Bio: Sally Bayless is learning to write inspirational romantic suspense and cozy mysteries. Before realizing that ordinary people were allowed to write fiction, she edited corporate publications and technical reports. In January 2010, she was a finalist in the first contest she entered, SVRWA’s Gotcha. A member of ACFW, RWA, MWA, and several online groups, Sally lives in rural Ohio with her husband and two children.
Kelsey's serving up bite-sized morsels for your noggin on her new 
Sally -
First, welcome to RU! We’re delighted to have you kick off this fantastic new series for us.
When I first began writing, I would have loved to read a post like this to show me I wasn’t alone in my confusion about so many of the big (and little) things! I think the great news is that you recognize many of your challenges. And like they say in AA, that’s more than half the battle
. After three years, I’m still learning my weaknesses with every manuscript, every contest entry and every critique.
However, I think I’m glad I didn’t know just how hard writing would be. That little detail might’ve stopped me in my tracks. Now, I’ve gone too far to turn back. Plus, I’ve invested in too darn many writing books!
I’ve come to believe we learn along the way as we develop the capacity to learn those new concepts. The idea of “subtext” might have exploded my head three years ago. Now I can read about it without popping migraine meds.
Sally, we expect to hear wonderful things from you in the future!
Kelsey
Posted by KelseyBrowning | May 14, 2010, 12:05 amThanks, Kelsey!
You nailed it when you said we learn as we develop the capacity for new concepts. I think at times I’ve tried to rush the process, which only made it harder. I need to read something like Dwight Swain, practice it, let it sit for a while and learn other things, then read Swain again, and practice it again.
Teaching myself to write is so different from my college and grad school experience of being taught. There’s no one to tell me where to start or which skills I should be able to master this semester. It’s all just out there and I want to learn it all. Good thing there’s Romance University to give some direction.
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 9:04 amSally -
Interesting that you mention college. I was just thinking a couple days ago that if college took four years (and grad school another year and a half), perhaps I should expect learning to write to take at least that long, if not longer!
K-
Posted by KelseyBrowning | May 14, 2010, 9:18 amMorning Sally!
Subtext, foreshadowing and that darn plot thing keep getting in my way! Who knew plot was so hard? Just write the darn story! Well, boy did I learn differently…lol….people really expect you to have a plot and not just 50K words rambling with no direction. Darnit.
I too have come too far and spent too much in online classes and books to give up now – forward ho!!!
Thanks for the great post Sally!
carrie
Posted by Carrie | May 14, 2010, 8:24 amThanks, Carrie!
If only all it took was that 50K words rambling with no direction. . .
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 10:00 amLOL Oh, did someone forget to tell you writing a book would be well…work? LOL That’s exactly what it is. What people don’t realize is that just because you’ve slapped 50K words in a document doesn’t mean it’s a book. There’s so much more to writing than well…writing
But the best advice I can come up with is just write. Nothing will help you learn better than just keep writing 
Best of luck!
Posted by Sandi Sookoo | May 14, 2010, 8:33 amHi Sandi,
Thanks for the advice.
I admit when I started I thought more about my name on the cover and answering the question, “And what do you do?” with “I’m an author” than I did about the W-O-R-K aspect.
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 10:04 amI think it’s wonderful of you to share your journey with us. I’m unpublished too, and have definitively been writing longer than seventeen months. I’m still learning new things every day.
I wished I’d known about RWA from day one. It’s such a supportive organization.
Posted by Gillian Layne | May 14, 2010, 8:42 amHi Gillian,
I was just thinking the other day that RWA costs, what, $100 a year? That is definitely the best money I’ve spent in this endeavor.
Good luck with your writing!
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 10:15 amGood morning, Sally! Thank you for a wonderful post. I have to admit, I laughed at some of your frustrations because it brought back all my own angst! I think we’ve all felt these same feelings at one time or another.
As far as the critiques of your wrok go, my only advice is go with your gut. It’s your work. You need to be happy with it. Find a critique partner you trust. I’ve been through a lot of critique partners and finally have three of them that I couldn’t do without. I know their critiques are for the good of the work and that they want me to succeed.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | May 14, 2010, 8:50 amHi Adrienne,
Thanks for the advice! And I’m so glad my post brought you a smile.
BTW, all this angst goes away after the first two years, right?
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 10:17 amMuhahahahahahah!
Posted by Tracey Devlyn | May 14, 2010, 9:52 pmHi, Sally.
As one of the people in one of your crit groups, let me just say that you have added many positive notes to my manuscript. This process is a two, or three or twenty-way street. We’re a community, and isn’t that a cool thing?
Lucie j.
Posted by Lucie J. Charles | May 14, 2010, 8:54 amThanks, Lucie! It’s hard to crit your work, though. I get so caught up in the story I forget what I’m doing.
And yes, the community is amazing. I feel I have more people supporting me than in any other endeavor I’ve ever pursued. And, because I’m out here, just south of nowhere, they’re all people online, that I’ve never even met. But the connection is so strong.
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 10:25 amSally, thanks for sharing your journey.
When I look back at my first manuscript, my goodness! Miss Kim Headhopping Queen! Of course when I first started writing, I had no idea what that meant.lol I still have dozens of writing books on my shelves–a reminder of how far I’ve come and how much more I need to learn.
Six years and two agents later, it’s a wonderful, sometimes frustrating, yet fun journey. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Posted by Kim Cresswell | May 14, 2010, 10:08 amHi Kim,
You give me hope!
Thanks,
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 10:34 amSally, I’m glad I was able to give you hope! As far as critique partners are concerned, I still haven’t found my perfect match. I’m grateful for the wonderful partners I have had in the past. They’ve helped me so much. If anyone is looking for a critique partner or has any ideas where I can find one. Bring it on! Lord knows I can use all the help I can get.
Posted by Kim Cresswell | May 14, 2010, 11:23 amHi Sally,
OMG, I think I was in that POV class with you! Yes, it was a fantastic class. I love Jess and Angie. A scene I worked on in that class just as a fun exercise turned out so well that I put that version into my 2nd book (which I’m getting ready to turn in). Also, it was while taking the class that I found out I’d sold. I was MIA after the first few lessons, because my brain had left my body.
So fun reading your experiences getting started as a writer. I felt/feel many of those same things.
That book sounds fantastic. I’ll have to check it out. It’s amazing how many people say they’ve always wanted to write a book, but so few of them ever do. You can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it.
Best of luck. Can’t wait to read more of your installments!
~Laurie
Posted by Laurie London | May 14, 2010, 11:14 amHi Laurie,
I can’t believe we were in the same class–too funny! Wouldn’t it be weird if several years from now someone noticed that the sentence “She stepped out onto the platform” kept showing up in books they read?
And that M.J. Ryan book really was an eye-opener for me. Helped me understand why I never had a chance of reaching some of my previous goals (especially those involving the gym). You have to engineer the goal properly in order to succeed.
Looking forward to your next installment too!
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 12:18 pmSally, I can’t believe you’ve only been writing (fiction) for 17 months! As one of your CP’s, I would’ve guessed you’d have been at this longer. You are a fast learner
And you always give me wonderful critiques, too.
I went through much of the same but didn’t join any writing groups until I’d been at it for about 2 years. Personally, I think joining ACFW has been the greatest thing for my writing career. That’s where I “met” you!
I think your story is a mystery/suspense. I heard a definition of the two once at a conference: a mystery is when the crime has already happened and the protags are trying to figure out who dunnit; a suspense is when a crime/incident is going to happen and the protag must try to prevent it. Fitting this to your story, the “mystery” happened in the past but Lucy is trying to figure it out while under the cloud of suspense because someone wants to prevent her from learning the truth. Make sense? I’d be interested in hearing from others here if I’m way off base.
Best wishes, my fellow Musketeer!
~ Tammy
Posted by Tammy Doherty | May 14, 2010, 12:46 pmHi Tammy,
Thank you for your kind words! And yes, ACFW is also a fabulous group. I just joined it later, so I haven’t had as long to benefit from it. And of course, finding you and Emily to be my CPs has been priceless–too big a gift to just be a benefit of an organization.
I think you are dead on with your analysis of my story. My question is: is it at all called a romance? From the little I’ve seen, it seems some publishers consider romantic suspense to only be stories with the woman in jeopardy from page one. My MC isn’t in danger until she starts trying to figure out the puzzle. But that certainly doesn’t seem to be the case for all publishers. And it sure seems like there’s more help and opportunity in the romantic suspense world than in the mystery world. And I have a HEA. (Got to show off all those great acronyms I’ve learned.) If anyone out there can explain when, if ever, a mystery (or mystery/suspense as Tammy says) with a romance is a romantic suspense, I’d love it.
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 1:11 pmSally,
I love how you say you wrote a 55,000 word story, then proceeded to rewrite 54,000 of those words. I know exactly what you mean!! I have a theory that in order to write a 100,000 word story, authors really write close to 1 million words. If I’d even suspected that when I first started out, I might have tried to tamp down my desire to be a writer.
Posted by Amy Atwell | May 14, 2010, 2:00 pmHi Amy,
I’m so glad you didn’t know about those million words! The world needs your stories and the writing community needs all the encouragement you give.
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 2:24 pmSally, I loved reading your post. I think it’s best we don’t know what we’re getting into, because we would definitely back away from it. LOL There IS so much to learn about writing, which is one reason it’s both exhilirating AND exasperating.
The best way to learn is to keep trying different things, just to see “what happens”. I am also partial to a couple of craft-type books that gave me concrete things that I actually used in my own work.
Donald Maass’ “Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook” suggested combining two secondary characters — I did that, and was AMAZED at the plot possibilities it provided.
Another book I like is “Break Into Fiction” — because you can’t break OUT until you break IN. LOL They show examples via movies, so it helps when you answer the questions about your own book.
Anyway, good luck to you! Sounds like you’re on a great path!
Posted by Donna Cummings | May 14, 2010, 2:00 pmHi Donna,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post!
I will definitely look for “Break Into Fiction.” I’ve read “Writing the Breakout Novel,” but not the workbook. Do you know if it’s different material? I really appreciate the recommendations. Sometimes I read things and wonder if it’s really good advice or if I’m just reading someone’s weird theories.
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 2:29 pmI don’t know if the Workbook has different info in it besides the questions. (I initially got it from the library — then decided I had to buy it!) So maybe you could “test drive” it before you decide.
And I saw the two authors of Break Into Fiction at a Writer’s Digest class last year, and really liked their common-sense approach to different aspects of genre fiction, so I bought their book and have referred to it many times on my WIPs.
Posted by Donna Cummings | May 14, 2010, 2:41 pmOh, I’d love something that specifically addresses genre fiction. Definitely have to get that one!
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 8:40 pm
Posted by Donnell | May 14, 2010, 2:04 pmThanks, Donnell!
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 2:30 pmWhat I wish I’d known: There are days when it’s going to feel like you’re being scraped to death with oyster shells. But it does get better. It will get better.
Posted by Cheri | May 14, 2010, 2:40 pmLOL — it HAS to get better! What a great description.
Posted by Donna Cummings | May 14, 2010, 2:42 pmOh, Cheri, what a description!
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 8:17 pmSally,
What a wonderful post. You’ve nailed it. The first time I read a story in a critique group (near my home), somebody asked if it was an outline. I was insulted. I thought it was perfect. Since then, I’ve struggled with many facets of writing and a still learning. My efforts right now are with using the five senses. Our crit group has been great and I don’t think I’d have gotten a contract without them. You’ve given me valuable help as well, and I enjoy reading your story. My motto is “never give up.”
Joan
Posted by Joan K. Maze | May 14, 2010, 2:47 pmHi Joan,
Thanks so much for your kind words and your many, many critiques over the past year. I think you have an excellent motto. Maybe if I adopt it too, then one day I’ll be published like you!
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 8:23 pmSally, welcome to RU! Sorry to chime in so late. Loved your post. Brought back a lot of memories. I’m so glad you’ve continued writing after some of the bumps you’ve experienced.
Passion, patience and persistence is a good mantra to adopt. I heard it somewhere and it’s stuck with me.
Good luck on your journey and thank you for sharing it with us!!
Posted by Tracey Devlyn | May 14, 2010, 2:51 pmOooh–another excellent motto! I see more Post-its stuck to the sides of my monitor! (My son says it will fly away one day with all its wings.)
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 8:25 pmHi All,
I have to run out for a couple hours, but I’ll be back later to chat more and keep looking for the best “whack to the head” comment!
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 2:56 pmHello Sally!
I was grinning as I read your post! I’ve encountered some of those same speed bumps. Sometimes, I think writing is like driving around lost with no map or GPS. You don’t know which direction is north or south; you just drive and hope you’re heading in the right direction.
I’ve learned that bad writing takes just as much effort as writing well.
I’d still be driving around in circles if I didn’t have my Comma Momma Patrol (my crit buddies- hi Carrie!) who patiently read my drivel and tell me things like “men don’t get wistful” and you’ve used “New York” three times in one paragraph.
Best of luck with your writing career and thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Jen
Posted by Jennifer Tanner | May 14, 2010, 5:55 pmlol….Hey Jen. And you DID use New York three times in one paragraph!
*thump* Another catch in the crit mitt for carrie! =)
Posted by Carrie | May 14, 2010, 10:40 pmHi Jen,
I’m so glad you enjoyed my post! And I like your driving analogy.
My favorite flub so far is the chapter where I made a huge deal about the main character losing her cell phone and then about three pages later had her use it. LOL!
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 8:33 pmWow! I had no idea how much fun this would be! Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and encouragement today. I really appreciate it.
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 14, 2010, 8:46 pmSally, I was t the WisRWA conference since Fri. morning, so I’m late commenting, but wanted to say that you write a great blogS!
Posted by Edie | May 16, 2010, 2:52 pmThanks, Edie!
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 17, 2010, 9:44 amI rate this a 10. You think that’s bad, I’ve wriiten at least 7 novels, someas many as 20 times . At least you got in a crtique group & had the nerve to submit — kudos to you. After reading this I have hope. I finally handed what I consider my best ( my girlfriends granndson is waiting for the movie — work to one of my rwa friends. Wish me luck — I’m scared , but excited at learning where I’m at as a writer . Lol thanks for this
Posted by Cindy Maday | May 18, 2010, 5:29 pmHi Cindy,
I’m glad you liked my post.
Wow–you’ve written 7 novels! I don’t want to think how long that might take me! And I’m proud of you for having someone look at your work. It IS scary. When I sent that first chapter into the critique group, I timed it so I hit “send,” then immediately went to my weekly lunch with my three best friends so I wouldn’t have to think about it. 
Best of luck with your manuscript!
Sally
Posted by Sally Bayless | May 18, 2010, 6:48 pm