Signed, sealed and delivered!

I’ve officially signed my first *of hopefully many* contract!  The road getting here has been dusty with a ton of curves, a lot of headaches, and mounds of frustration.  While I only recently started writing with the intent to publish, words on paper have been in my blood for some years.  I’ve had friends who are Editors and Literary Agents push and prod me into doing this for some time.

Now…I can say I have.  *winks*

There are two other pieces in the works for their own contracts currently, but I’d like to focus on the upcoming release.  High Scandal is a contemporary romance, set in modern times, placed in NYC.  The story involves a very successful CEO who can ease into a public setting without sweat.

He also has his perfect, perfect secretary who will soon turn his world – completely upside down. 

…. That’s all you get.

For now.

*laughs*  For aspiring authors out there who may have been in the game for years now or even for days, there are plenty opportunities to follow your dreams.  If I had to go back and start over, would I do things differently?  Yes.  Only because now, I’d know.

A few things if you are looking to *break* into the publishing world:

- Find a genre that really grabs your attention and focus on that.  Even if you love reading one thing, it may not be the same thing that you will be able to write about.  Dig deep and think on what intrigues you, be it mystery, romance, horror, or even history.  Then, once you find it, do research into that genre.

- Join a critique group.  These groups will help you uncover your weaknesses, help you build your confidence, and answer the many, many questions you will have.

- Write

- Write

- Write

You can’t write enough.  Then, once you finish that first draft, know that there will be many more rewrites of that piece to come.  And even then, it may not be ready just yet.

It takes time, yes.  So the most important thing you need to have next to dedication is patience.  I remember recently having a few of my friends as well as the better half of me, asking, “Have you published yet?” or “What happened to getting published? You were so excited months ago and now, nothing.” 

Did I want to scream in frustration and sit them down to explain the WHOLE process?  Yes.  But you can’t.  It’s not something everyone understands.  But it is something YOU must get.  And along with getting it, you must, must, MUST strive for patience.

Because in the end, it’ll come.

With the typical cliché, “Good things come to those who wait.”

Until next time…I’m off to write!  ;)