The joy of having more and more literary agents request chapters, and the full MS, of, Driving the Birds, Africa, Land of my Birth, Jabonkah Sackey's Story, is one of the most fulfilling feelings.
A sixth agent has responded to my email query campaign and has requested the first 20 pages of DTB!
Many who are close to me, my aunt, mother, and girl friend, have read DTB and have raved about it. I am grateful for their kind comments, however, no review hit me like the one I received from my sister. Here are the BlackBerry messages we exchanged: "Just finished your book. It was a great read. :)" I being a doubting writer and her being family replied: "Really?" She replied: "Really, Couldn't put it down." I responded: "Music to my writer's heart."
My sister's review was and still is the greatest one yet! Besides being a HS principle here in OC, she reads extensively, with book markers! Plus, she is not prone to exaggeration or platitudes.
My point beyond sharing my joy with you is this: My goal has been to dedicate myself to daily writing for ten years in order to realize my dream of walking into Barnes and Nobles and finding my book(s) on the shelf. I'm only half way there. I am five years into my ten year time frame. Yes, attracting the interests six agents is a long ways from one of my books being on the shelf in B&N, but, it could be the beginning of the start of my dream. Jinks? I don't believe that or knocking on wood. Yet this is not my point!
Here it is: I was in the right place at the write time to be able to write DTB, not only being in a special place and time, but also, IMHO, I was prepared to write DTB, having spent the last five years writing everyday. (four completed novels MS and now the DTB MS) If DTB ultimately gets published, it would be due to luck, being blessed with a "great story concept," and preparation, five years of daily writing.
Here comes a new year, dieting, worrying about credit card bills, taking out the Christmas tree or taking down Hanukkah lights, and dedicating or rededicating yourself to daily writing.
As always, my wish and hope for you this start of a new year is for you to enjoy and nurture your joy of writing, publishing is optional.
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3 comments:
Well, I did not know that you had a blog! Fun. I'm bummed I didn't get to read Driving the Birds when in CA. Someday. Hope it goes well.
Hey, thought I lost you! I told Nathan last night that was worried about this.
Yes, DTB has had some great luck from interested agents, but one I'm hoping to please above all others. She had some great ideas to make the book more marketable, so I am working on this!
But the big question is how is O? I care much for him and, of course, you.
Hah! What like lost in space? Maybe I haven't been checking emails or going on facebook much, but I'm not really lost. . .
As for O, he's doing very well! He's walking on crutches and came home last weekend. Very cool. He may even be off the crutches soon, it all depends on what the doctor says this week. He just has to work on his arm and build up his strength after 3 months of not walking. . . Hope you guys are well. I'll try to be in better touch over email and facebook.
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