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| Janet Sketchley |
I only quit a few times in those two decades, plus taking a year off with a new baby. Writing opportunities were often brief and scattered. Working on short fiction would have been easier, but the idea behind the novel wouldn't let me go. That meant huge batches of rewriting each time I received feedback and learned new things. I didn't know how much I didn't know!
At times it was overwhelming, but I felt a responsibility to my characters – something only other writers understand. I made a commitment that as long as I could learn how to apply what I'd learned or been shown, I would do it. If and when I hit something I couldn't grasp, I'd stop work on these stories – at least until I learned how to do what they needed.
My motto was "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."
Novel One deals with the redemption of a serial killer and spends time in his head. I felt a strong need to know God's leading about publication. What if it caused more harm than good? Self-publishing wasn't an option, because how could I tell if it was my will or His?
I finished a second manuscript and struggled for motivation with the third. Perhaps I should switch genres. I loved stories too much to quit by this point, even if none would be published.
Choosing to write because it's a gift that needs to be used felt liberating. No more wondering if God had called me, or if I was wasting my time.
Ironically, shortly after that I signed with Choose NOW Publishing for that first, long-suffering manuscript. Three rounds of intensive editing meant more revisions, and I'm so pleased I didn't release the book on my own without professional help. The "before" and "after" are quite different.
My novel had been out for six or seven months, and I was tidying the next manuscript to send to the editor when the company closed its fiction line. I was devastated. At first. But working with a small press meant I'd learned many of the behind-the-scenes details. And I have friends who were in or investigating the world of self-publishing.
I set up as an indie publisher, regained my rights to book one, and have been learning yet more things. Now Heaven's Prey and Secrets and Lies are both in print, and I need to get back into writing Redemption's Edge #3. This time I don't have the luxury of 20 years to let it steep!
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| About the Author |
Janet Sketchley is the author of Heaven's Prey and Secrets and Lies, two novels of suspense and redemption. She also blogs about faith and books. Janet loves adventure stories, worship music, tea and Formula 1 racing. Like Carol in Secrets and Lies, she loves music and tea. Unlike Carol, Janet isn't related to a dangerous offender, has a happy home life, and has never been threatened by a drug lord. May those tidbits continue to hold true! You can find Janet online at janetsketchley.ca. Fans of Christian suspense are invited to join Janet's writing journey through her monthly newsletter: bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNews.
Secrets & Lies Sample Chapter: http://janetsketchley.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Secrets-and-Lies-Chapter-1.pdf
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| Secrets & Lies by Janet Sketchley |
A single mother must protect her teenage son—from organized crime and from himself.
Carol Daniels thinks she out-ran her enemies, until a detective arrives at her door with a warning from her convict brother. Minor incidents take on a sinister meaning. An anonymous phone call warns her not to hide again.
Now she must cooperate with a drug lord while the police work to trap him. Carol has always handled crisis alone, but this one might break her. Late-night deejay Joey Hill offers friendship and moral support. Can she trust him? One thing’s certain: she can’t risk prayer.
