Path to publication
All I ever wanted to do was write a novel but, like many wannabe authors, I rarely got past the first few pages. The muse was a fickle wench who barely deigned to show up and my inner editor was too bossy, like that canteen lady we've all been on duty with, who insists that tomatoes only be sliced, never diced or pureed.
Then in 2009 I embarked on
and, woah, what a revelation! Write 50,000 words in a month, they said. Don't edit, not even one single little bit, they said. It'll be fun! they said. And in that month of writing 1667 words a day, I learned to completely let go and just WRITE. THE. WORDS.
So I wrote those 50,000 (that's half a novel people!) and then . . . ? Oh yes, that's right, I had one of those mid-life crises where women stop short in their active wear and sob I forgot to have another child. So I ran straight to the nearest IVF clinic and twelve months later I was a 42 year old with a newborn and half a novel in a drawer.
I didn't pick the novel up again until February 2014 when I also picked up a fabulous new friendship with Meredith Jaffé who took on the role of butt-kicking mentor.
I also started learning from other experts.
My mantras became . . .
"Write fast, edit slow"
"Done is better than good"
"Stop drinking cappuccinos and get back to the writing Mish!" (said in a bossy voice)
.
So here we are. Done with the word count. But not done with the novel. The editing has commenced and she is a slow ol' train. Another thing I've learned about this writing bizzo - nothing moves quickly.
You can follow the lottery that is my 'path to publication' right here on the website, as well as
,
and
. Be warned, it's a path that could lead to the heights of book deal heaven, or straight to the virtual $1.99 bin of the Kindle book barn. Let's see shall we?
So thanks for joining me on 'the path'. Either way, it'll be fun (except when I'm crying) and possibly educational for other would-be authors, readers and people who just like to watch train wrecks. Joking!! I have absolute faith in my abilities as a writer. No, really . . .