May 15^th:  

Critique Partners are worth their weight in gold. Early on in my writing career, I was fortunate to get involved with four ladies who laid down some rules (or rather we followed rules laid down FOR us) that set in motion a plan to have a fellow writer (or four) look over your work and give honest feed-back. Key word: honest. Having someone read garbage and report back “it’s fabulous” is worth only the paper on which it’s written. I try to remember that every time I critique someone’s work. On the other hand, valuable advice when the plot/scene doesn’t work is probably your best opportunity to perfect your work prior to sending to a publisher. Having a fresh pair of eyes, a different viewpoint, or alternative phrasing can make or break your chance of acceptance.

I don’t necessarily use every suggestion and my critique partner doesn’t always use all of mine. After all, my stories belong to me. Her stories belong to her. That trust is critical for the partnership to work. So if you get your feelings easily hurt, you’re not ready for a full-blown critique partner. You’re looking more for someone who will pat you on your back and insist you are the next J.K. Rowling. Another word for that is ‘family.’

May 8^th:

Your Social Media is showing.  I now have business cards. I ordered 500 to give away. I only have 491 to go−all a part of my new social media brand. But as an observer at a recent book signing, I gathered a few business cards−one lady had a full-blown color pamphlet−and I studied those examples. One card was too busy. I quickly tossed it aside. Another declared the author was ready for Hollywood Hall of Fame. I negated that one, as well. One was simple: a picture and contact info. I chose this format and added “author” under my name. I didn’t want someone looking at the card months later asking, “Now why do I have this card, again?” You have the card in case you are interested in my books. Side Note: I noticed Bruce Jenner (as Caitlyn) is also promoting a book. I doubt we’ll ever be at any joint book signings, but just in case, I have first dibs on the bathroom facilities. Just saying.

So now, my checklist of 'what to do' while waiting on my book is dwindling - I only have a few more festivals to scope out. I'm trying to stay in the 'writer' mode - I've moved furniture around in my office in order to be more efficient. Heck, I'm even practicing my autograph. Note to self: quit stalling. Write! Remember: BIC / winners don't quit-quitters don't win. Oh, and submit.

With that thought in mind, I've decided to schedule my writing time just like I schedule everything else I do. If I didn't keep a day timer, I would forget 1/2 of my responsibilities at work, but where to start? Here's what I have so far:

Monday evening:  write (2 hours) 

Thursday evening: write (2 hours)

Saturday: proofing and writing (1/2 day)

Sunday afternoon: market research and submissions

Sounds like a plan.

May 1, 2017:

How to write a back cover blurb: In researching this topic, I learned nothing is more important than the one hundred or so words on the back cover. According to my research, there should be three main parts: backstory to set up the plot, introduction to characters--keep it simple and only one or two sentences, and the “leave them wanting more” ending--the gist of the story without solving the mystery. If you’re like me, you might spend time mentally designing the cover picture (even though that’s not my job), but the blurb on the back cover, sells the book. That short paragraph should be mysterious, it should grab the reader’s attention, and it should introduce your main character(s) while telling just enough of the plot to pique their interest. The trick is to write a great teaser without giving away secrets. Three takeaways: it’s important to focus more on the characters and less on the setting; write the blurb before you write the story--it can serve as an outline; and lastly, read lots of back covers. If you find one that makes you want to read the book, you found the perfect example!

Blurb:

            For neighbors Erin and Elwood, danger lurks at every turn. Elwood sees secret codes everywhere he looks. Elwood picked up the stinks-like-something-dead coat and crammed his hand into a pocket. “I found something!” he whispered loudly. Inside his hand lay a crumpled piece of paper. “Might be a secret code.” Erin, however, only sees Elwood as a pain in the butt.

            When the unlikely duo stumbles upon a bank robbery, the only escape is through a scary tunnel where pythons lurk and a vicious dog races in hot pursuit. Crawling through a tiny ventilation shaft, Erin hopes to alert the police before the bank robbers overtake the others trapped inside the vault. With limited oxygen and cobwebs licking at her face, Erin pushes aside her own fears, knowing she has one chance for survival; she finally reaches the door to freedom only to find it locked!

24, 2017:

About Me: If you are fortunate enough to have an editor like mine, he will suggest things to work on while waiting for your book to work its way to the top of their list. In addition to a bio, he said work on your dedication, your acknowledgement and a blurb for the back cover. So clicking those items off in order, and after many attempts, I came up with a working bio:

Sandi Underwood was born a PK (Preacher’s Kid) in the beautiful East Tennessee Mountains, where family stories were passed down, generation-to-generation. Her love of writing was cultivated at an early age when family get-togethers and Church dinners-on-the-grounds provided an idyllic backdrop for memories that fuel her stories. Sandi’s early career included working with children in both the public and private sectors. Later in life, her path took a different direction, but her love of books was ever-present. Today, she shares a home with her rescue dog, Gus, and draws inspiration from her grandchildren as she continues to write for both children and adults. Learn more at www.sandiunderwood.net and track her writing journey at www.sandiu.blogspot.com, follow her on Twitter @SandiGCY, and like her Facebook page at Sandi Underwood/gcywriter or email her at sandiu@comcast.net.

The point of this post: always be willing to learn new things. Never sit idly by. While waiting on one manuscript, work on another. The nine months I stopped writing are lost to me. I cannot get them back. If writing is your passion, keep fine-tuning your skills. I literally learned so much from my editor about revising a manuscript—I have already been able to put some of those tips to good use in the new story. Above all, WRITE!

April 17, 2017:  

While waiting to hear back from my editor, I’ve discovered all kinds of things to keep me occupied. One of my favorites is watching paint dry-this took up a lot of time Saturday as I refreshed the door frame in the kitchen. Okay, surely there’s a more productive way to spend my time while I wait. Oh, I know! Start a sequel to SECRET…and that’s what I did. The working title of the next chapter in the life of Erin and Elwood is THE SECRET AT SUGAR AND STEAM-a mystery set in the town’s new coffee shop. In order to do research, I must visit lots of coffee shops and drink many caramel, cinnamony frothy cups of steaming coffee to make sure I can set the mood.

But one productive thing I did was to get my website up and running. You can find me at www.sandiunderwood.net. It’s definitely a work-in-progress. My editor suggested while I’m waiting, I work on my bio, dedication and acknowledgement, and the blurb on the back cover of the book. Yesterday, Easter Sunday was beautiful in East Tennessee and Gus and I enjoyed the afternoon sunshine while I worked on my bio. What I want people to know about me includes my experience working with children, my devotion to my grandchildren, and the fact I was born a PK-Preacher’s kid.  I’ll post the current version next week, but now I’m off to do more research at the coffee shop. 

April 10: Social Butterfly 

The journey continues: Someone asked me the question recently, “How much did you pay to have your book published?” I recognized the meaning right off: did I use a “Vanity Press” to self-publish my book?  No. I didn’t. But there’s nothing wrong in doing that – if you choose to do so. I have friends who went that route and are happy to have their books in print. Again, there’s nothing wrong in doing that – I just chose the traditional route. If you choose the traditional publishing route, be prepared to wait a while – it can take a long time to just get past the slush pile. Even a nod from a publisher to send the entire story is a win! But again, winners don’t quit and quitters don’t win.

So now I wait. My editor suggested while I wait I should get my social media up to speed. (What???? Oh, the irony in that statement!) I already had a Facebook account and just recently got on Twitter. Now, I have a blog. What more can I do? Well, let me tell you: my Editor suggested a new page on Facebook reserved for writing. I didn’t have a clue how to create it, but I persevered and Viola! I now have a page just for writing. The address is: Sandi Underwood/@gcywriter. I really thought I had it made until a friend tried to find me but found, instead, three other “gcywriter” accounts. She quickly ruled out the rap artist and the lady from another nationality. 

Now to design a website. I am also “developing a list of festivals and bazaars” where I can promote my book – if you are like me and thought you’d sign a contract and in a couple of months be flying off somewhere to visit the location of the new movie, think again. This is work, folks. Exciting work, but work.

Hello April (month, not the Giraffe)

Well, the first revision is done and the ball is back in their court (a little Final Four humor). Now what? I guess I wait. But what a whirlwind week I had. Work was crazy, but every night, I spent revising my manuscript. I’d wake up in the middle of the night and think of a new twist or struggle with a weak spot.  Now all I can do is wonder: Did I make every edit the editor requested? Was I able to provide the background he wanted? If not, do I get another chance to polish the story? Will there be more editors with even more revision? Since I’m a newbie at this, I really don’t know the next step and waiting is not my strong point. And so I wait…

I think back on this time a year ago and I wasn’t even submitting. Heck, I wasn’t even writing. If I’d stayed vigilant, would I be farther along? Probably. Would I be more successful? Maybe. Who knows? Two things I do know for sure:

1).          my success/failure is a direct result of my actions - if I don’t try, I’ll never succeed, and

2).          the first step is BIC