We often talk about the fun—yet challenging—road
to publication. While it’s not the same for everyone, there are many
similar experiences shared. Today, author Cheryl Linn Martin shares her
personal journey. See if you can relate! ~ Dawn
Do You Like Riding Roller Coasters?
Then you should be a writer!
Perhaps you and I have been riding the same
roller coaster (known as writer)
for quite some time. We’ve enjoyed the highs of a requested book proposal,
becoming a contest finalist (or maybe even a winner!), and connecting with
encouraging critique partners. But there have also been the lows of rejection,
harsh critiques, rejection, waiting
for months, rejection, information
overload, rejection, lack of creative
new ideas, and . . . rejection.
Be encouraged as you scale the ups, plummet to
the lows, soar through the straight-aways, and bullet around the upside-down
curves. It’s not all about spiraling through an uncontrollable track. It’s
about gaining momentum, surviving the drops, and remaining secure in your
seatbelt as you dare to reach the highest point and eventually coast into the
station.
My first four years on this mega-monster-coaster
were loaded with writing and learning. I attended conferences, took workshops,
and found a critique group. The next four years were packed with setbacks (but
not failure!) as God showed me exactly what I needed to be writing—and how to
do it. I started with writing for adults, then tried YA, and eventually found
the perfect match for me with Middle Readers (ages 8-12.)
The next year took me to some high points in my
writing, and by the end of that time, I had an agent, Terry Burns, of Hartline Literary.
He worked faithfully to get my work out to just the right editor, and after a
little over a year (in September of 2011,) I was actually offered two, three-book contracts for my Middle
Reader mystery series, The Hawaiian Island Detective Club. I had
to consider each publishing house and choose one of the offers. It was a
difficult task, as each one had attractive qualities. While in St. Louis for
the ACFW national conference, I was able to look at the contracts, make a
decision, and let Terry know at Saturday morning’s breakfast!
Now, another year later, Pineapples in Peril, book
one in the series, has released, and book two, Menehunes Missing, is
scheduled to release on February 5, 2013.
I’m now off that original coaster, but I won’t be heading to the peaceful,
relaxing merry-go-round! I’ve boarded another roller coaster (known as author.) It’s even larger, steeper, and
faster. The frightening views surround me and loom ahead. The world of
publishing, major editing and rewrites, marketing, sales, and reviews are some
of the quick turns and scary plummets tossing me from side to side as I take
this wild ride.
I hope you’ll find encouragement to keep
fighting your way through that first scary, challenging roller coaster (writer) and join me on the second one (author.) I know it’s going to be a GREAT
ride!
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| Click to reach Amazon. |
Cheryl Linn Martin
The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One, Pineapples
in Peril, available now
Book Two, Menehunes Missing, releases February
5, 2013
Comfort Publishing
