Monday 3 December 2012

I have been successful...

I have been successful probably because I have always realised that I knew nothing about writing and have merely tried to tell an interesting story entertainingly.
- Edgar Rice Burroughs

It has been a while. I hope you enjoyed the Next Big Writer Blog tour and have found some new and interesting up and coming authors. It has been a busy couple of months for me...and now I have an agent!

Yes it has all happened so fast. I wont bore you with the details but the gist of it is this: I got a response for my submissions, sent off  the manuscript after a sleepless week trying to get my spelling and punctuation right (that's to H for helping there) - I sent it off on a Friday feeling all happy until I found out it had track changes on which my old version of word didn't pick up- anyway I apologised and set it again. A couple of weeks later I received a lovely review of my book (it is an amazing feeling when someone you don't know says its a good book)- the review was good it picked up bits that I was unsure about and the reviewer highlighted areas that could be improved. It also highlighted just how bad my grammar and spelling is - I'm trying. I really am! I then spoke to the agent and received an offer. Now if you know me you'll know I don't often ask that many questions. I don't know what happened to me but I sent the agent an overload of questions - thus showing I am a complete nutter. Of course you have to ask questions and you have to be sure but - and I blame the stress here- I went a little over the top- Even H agrees. But anyway - I got responses and I was happy with them. So I accepted (cue fireworks and champagne).  I will let you know which agent it is as soon as I have the signed contract back in my hand. The agent agency seems very business focused which appeals to me - as you know juts how impatient I am.  I have a good feeling about 2013.

Also as a little end note of grammar and spelling - it matters- it really does- to publishers and agents. I always made submissions based on the fact that the agent/publisher is going to make changes no matter what. However, I have come to realise. You have to give them something tat is going to be so good - they wont want to make changes and your spelling and grammar have to be good as well. The oxford Style Manual sits at the bottom of the stairs. It is huge I don't know where to begin.

Also I have to get cracking with Chupplejeep!!!! I am currently reading books by Indian authors to give me a flavour of Indian life. Its not hard writing about Goa because its so deeply etched in my mind but sometimes you forget how people talk etc. If you want to read about life in India - read one of Chetan Bhagats books. They are excellent for this type of thing. I am also ploughing through The Complete Handbook of Novel writing. Most of the tips I have read before through research on line but it is very comprehensive and gives some good pointers. Its a good lunch time read.

So things are on the up for me but I find myself wondering when I am going to fit everything in?!

Will keep you posted... Also small 40p increase in Goa Traffic has resulted in highest sales ever this month! what's that about? the experiment continues but my break-even point is now in sight!!!