Getting Back to Basics

"Things That Should Never Be Eaten"
Photo by Denny S. Bryce

My recent vacation has given me a lot of new energy - more relaxed yes, but more confident, too. But I surely don't know why that's the case. After two weeks in Orlando (first week at RWA Nationals), I got a chance to meet and interact once again with a fabulous group of writers, women, and in general people who are doing the same thing I'm doing, trying to fit all of the things they enjoy doing into those snippets of life called 24 hour days. Which we know ain't really the case - we only get something like 18 hours of that day to really work with, the rest is sleep (and yes, six hours is really all you need:)...or at least that's what I've put into my head).

So what are the big plans? I got two agents interested in my manuscript - one requested the whole damn thing. That's a first. So, I guess the year of polishing has been worth it. I'll let you know when and if I get an actual contract with either one. I also had a request for a partial and a synopsis from an editor from a publishing house I'd love to work with. But after the excitement of last year this time - I'm guarded. I had an agent and an editor request the first three chapters - and to this date, I haven't heard a word. I hoped for at least a rejection email, but nothing. So I've let it go.

Next a published writer I admire gave me some encouraging words about my book, my process and my writing. That was a real boost, believe me.

But you know, it gets me how confident I am in my 'career' but when it comes to writing fiction, I really struggle with seeing every word I write as about as close to 'not very good' as you can get.

Some tips for writers - stop thinking and just write. Yes, simplistic, but it's amazing how much energy we put into the process and not into the actual writing. General, but I know it's true.

And by the way, I'm still looking for a focus for my blog, but just like everything else on my plate - it will come to me sooner or later.

No Photos Today - Just the Facts!

A quick update. The holidays were great - a tad intense now and then, but mostly fabulous. I got a few more words revised in the manuscript - but the major accomplishment was getting through the long synopsis and editing it down for the contest submission. I also found some new pages with info on agents. I'm almost done with the 'query' - so we're on target.

What's next?

New Year's resolutions will be all about the writer me. First quarter is agents and completed manuscripts and my new class on feature article writing. Why? It's a two-fer. It gives me a leg up on the job paying the bills and insight into a style of writing that I can use to help further 'brand' Denny S. Bryce and those best sellers I'm revising (lol!).

The Long Synopsis - 75% Done! Snow or no Snow.

Photo this morning off the balcony. Pretty skies and snow.

Well, I've been a good girl today. I've almost finished my synopsis for the manuscript and have re-organized the first 30 chapters, and made a major decision about where and when my hero and heroine connect, and how long they stay connected. I believe all are good choices.

Not much more to say yet, but I certainly wanted to drop a line about the steps being taken to get this puppy submitted to agents and to a contest with a mid-January deadline.

The Search Begins: Denny and the Literary Agent

This is the Darioush Winery in Napa. Yes. I was there. I drank. It was good.

The search is on. As we move into 2010, I'm on the look out for my first literary agent (and if I'm lucky, my first, last and always). With this quest, there are a lot of things that are confusing right off the bat. And I'm not a novice to the world of pitching or business or query letters. But let me say, the Internet, blogs and authors, published and unpublished, equate the dreaded query letter to bouts of shingles, killer bee attacks and a really bad blind date. So what can I do to make this process less painful for me?

Stop reading those blogs and author 'fear' columns. Okay, I know that's not being fair. The fact is there are tips, insights, and good counsel to be found in a lot of places. But what I need to do - like I need to do so often - is narrow the playing field.

So here goes. First, I'm using the masterful website (IMHO) of The Knight Agency as a resource. They have some great links, easy-to-follow tips, and just lots of information on the website about submitting manuscripts, queries, synopsis, you name it. So check it out, and visit, spend an hour or so the "Writing a Solid Query Letter".

I was going to also write about the two agents I've found so far that I want to submit to, but I should leave something for my next post. Also, I've got to decide which of my two manuscripts I'll pitch...vampire tale one, or vampire tale two...

In the meantime, found a great blog post by this agent - and don't go sending her a bunch of queries - she may end up on my list:)!

Yeah - that's right. I'm just claiming agents as I go. Mine, mine, mine...