My Opinion Is...

Everyone has their opinions. About everything: religion, politics, music, movies, books, how to raise children. I'm the first one to put my hand in the air and say, "listen to what I think!" Some people like this about me. Some people not so much. Too bad, I say. (Hey, that sounds like an opinion!)

Agents in the publishing industry are no different. If a writer queries an agent that agent has an opinion about the novel. I sent out two queries last week for my suspense novel Don't Play With Fire. One agent gave me her opinion, which wasn't I love it, and then told me to take her opinion with a grain of salt. What do you suppose that means?

I'll tell you what it means. Opinions are not facts. So, she didn't like my novel, big deal. Another agent will have a different opinion. If I look around long enough I'll find the agent whose opinion is the same as mine.

Should we refrain from giving our opinions? No. If I'm asked for an opinion then brace yourself because I'm going to give it. Do we offer our unsolicitied opinions? Well, the PC answer is "no," but I admit there are times when my opinion is out there for the whole world to hear before I can stop it. Oops!

I love people with an opinion. Tell me what you think, don't hold back. I want to hear your views on religion, politics, music, movies, books and even tips on how to parent. Then guess what I'm going to do. Take it with a grain of salt!

Talk to you later...

Anything is possible...

How many of you have seen the movie Julie & Julia with the amazing Meryl Streep? You may remember a scene near the end where Julia is about to send out her cookbook manuscript for the second time. She turns to her husband wanting to savor the moment and says this is the time when anything's possible. (I paraphrased. Forgive me Ms. Streep!)

I just sent out a query of Don't Play With Fire to an agent and I totally get what Julia Childs meant in that moment. Right now I can dream Ms. agent loves my manuscript and wants to take me on as a client. This time is like floating in the air shrouded in a bubble.

Now let's hope no one bursts it!!

The Road Filled With Hard Work

Let's start with a quote from my favorite author, Stephen King. "Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work."

I began my journey to seriously become a professional writer six years ago. It's been a road filled with pot holes of self-doubt and wrong turns. It's also been a road of clear straight aways and green lights. (Like meeting and loving my indispensable critique partners!!)

On Saturday I attended the Liberty State Fiction Writer's first annual conference. I pitched my suspense novel to an agent. She liked what she heard and asked to see pages! I'll be getting that out to her this week. Hopefully, she'll ask to see the full manuscript next. (More hard work.)

I was also blessed with meeting and connecting with two New York Times Bestselling authors! Jonathan Maberry and Virginia Kantra. They were kind enough to share fantastic information to help me on this journey. Talking with them was as comfortable as taking a long ride with an old friend.

Even though I can't see where the road ahead leads, though I hope I know where it makes a stop, my hard work drives me closer to my goals. And when I land face down in a pot hole I will remember making connections, learning something new about my craft, and hearing the support of the spectators on the side. I'll brush myself off and let hard work lead the way.

Talk to you later...

Friendships - Keep Them or Toss them?

Hi! It's great to see you again! The topic of friendship has come up a lot lately and I thought this might be a good place to start up a lively discussion.

How long do you keep a friendship before you need to end it? I like to think of it as cleaning out the crazy people from your friendship closet. Some people refer to it as weeding a garden. You pick the metaphor you like best, but any way you slice it when do you say enough is enough?

I've been told I drop the hatchet a little too quickly and some times that's true. (Sorry to all of those under my knife!) I have a low threshold for drama so once someone starts playing games See Ya. If someone isn't being honest See Ya. And if anyone is living "Life In The Key of Me" SEE YA!! Which unfortunately is a lot of people. So, maybe I do clean the closet out too often.

Maybe that crazy friend (and I say crazy with loving kindness) tucked on the top shelf doesn't need to be tossed, but taken down and dusted off. Maybe they just need to be placed in the sun and given kind words from you so they can bloom. Until all of your attention is focused on their needs and they've managed to suck the life from you. See Ya!

I'm just kidding. Not everyone is a life sucker. I've been blessed with knowing some wonderful people. And even the challenging ones have taught me a lesson or two. Tell me what you think. Talk to you later...

Conference Coming

On Saturday, I'm attending a writer's conference hosted by the fabulous group: Liberty State Fiction Writers! I'm very excited to spend the day with fellow writers, learn more about my craft, and pitch my new book to an agent. That's right! I've got an appointment to knock the socks off of a fantastic lady who can change my world with one simple word: YES! Cross your fingers for me and I'll let you know how I made out. Thanks for your support. It really means the world to me. Talk to you later...

Here Goes...

Welcome to my blog! I'm so excited to be on this journey and to have you with me. What fun is a good ride if you don't have a few friends along, right?

I'm a writer. I've completed two manuscripts. The first one is in a file titled "Do Not Touch" and the second has gotten some good feedback from agents. I'm currently working on a third. I thought whipping together a blog post should be no big deal. How wrong I was!

For those of you who already know me, you know I like to talk. A blog should be right up my alley. A place where I can talk to my heart's content and no one can say, "Hey, Stacey, shut it!" So how come I'm so nervous about writing a blog?

I think it's because I shy away from all the new technology. (Okay, shy isn't a good word to describe me, but go with it for a minute.) I like interpersonal communication. I actually want to see a person's face when I talk to them. Well, most people's faces, but that's a blog for another time.

So here I am sticking my toe in the ocean of technology and I'm dragging you out to sea with me. I'll keep you posted on my books, the thrill ride of life, and maybe I'll tell a ghost story or two. Don't be afraid to tell me what you're thinking. I'm certainly not afraid to speak my mind.

I'll talk to you later...