I wrote a book, now what

The Hungry Writer's Guide to Tracking and Capturing a Literary Agent

Query.doc.1
query.doc.2, etc.

How am I doing?
Can anybody see me?

What do you think?
Is it good enough?

Why am I doing this?
Is it good?

Okay, my darlings, what I'm starting to figure out, is that it is the "early bird that gets the worm", it is "the squeaky wheel that gets the oil"......

What matters, is that you keep going and going and going. I thought I  had climbed Mount Everest when I reached 47,000 words. Nope, just the foothill, I came to find out. You need at least 65,000 for anyone to take you serious.

Writing is hard, hard work. But its fun work. You get to see everything in life as a story. You get to ask yourself, how would I write about that or that? Would anyone believe me about that?

It really is doing the background check. Right now, I'm scrolling through 100's of agents on Publishers Marketplace finding out who is doing what and what they are doing. I'm getting to know them by their genre's and by the authors they represent.

Oh yeah, I guess I could have gotten Merili self-published, I still might, but for about the same amount of money, I'm learning so much. What can I say, I'm having a terrifyingly good time.

Your Search is Over.

The publisher for you is just a few clicks away. Right?

NOT!!!!!!!

How many books do you have to buy before you know what God wants for you?

Who's that guy?  He looks mean, and I'm scared of him. Amara, you're regressing, stop it. Okay, but is he an agent?

This is my title page and it's all over my office and my house. It's the cover for my book, Merili's Wine.

I had lunch with a woman several months ago and she told me a story, well, not a story story, but something that had happened in her life. I must have stared at her with my mouth wide open. After she dropped this deeply moving "bomb" on me, she simply continued eating her lettuce as though nothing were wrong.

I came home after that lunch knowing that I had to write about it. Little did I know that it wasn't just going to be a short story. I think I started in July and it's now March. I'm working on the second draft and I've started an online class on "How to Find a Literary Agent." I don't know where all of this will go, but I feel committed to my book and to the story. They say if you don't do anything, time passes. Might as well do something, you have nothing to lose. This story literally fell out of me.

There were days when I would finish writing and I'd go to see Sam and I felt like I would be frothing in my mouth. I was so esconsed in the character. At that time I had a coach and he suggested that I make an outline. That helped to create some space for me. The story still felt like it was falling out of me faster than I could write it. It literally took over my life.

Some days, I think I must just be filling time. I read my work and think, "what a mess". Other days tears fall down my cheeks as I read how Merili succumbs to Dan's brutality. Although this started out as  my friend's story, it has become a story of so many women, so many people.

Addiction and abuse go hand in hand and yet, its rarely talked about. Merili didn't mean to become an alcoholic, Lisa didn't mean to hit the little boy with her car, Dan didn't mean to punch Sarah, but it all happened. In AA they say the disease is "cunning, baffling, and powerful.

Stay tuned for my next blog to keep you up to date.

             

Fun Day

Friday

artbydiana.com

Meet Diana Shepherd, one of my friends and one of the most phenomenal sculptresses on the scene today.  Diana has won several awards  for her work, all the way from Korea to St. Augustine, Florida where she is currently living.

Diana working on a piece in Albuquerque, New Mexico    

Awards

Jacksonville Coalition for the Visual Arts

Juried Fall Show Oct. 5-27, 2011

Gallery L, Wells Fargo Bldg.

Jacksonville, Florida

“Best in Show”

“Three Sisters, Happy, Joy and Free” Bronze sculpture

 

Juror Jason John, Asst. Prof. of Painting and Drawing, UNF

Juror’s statement:

“Throughout all the pieces of this particular exhibition, three pieces really stood out to me.  Diana Shepherd’s “Three sisters, Happy, Joy and Free” was remarkable for the piece’s depiction of individual expression when overcoming a difficult life obstacle.  I might not be able to articulate what the 3 sister’s were celebrating, but my mind contemplated the celebration of a true life victory.  I believe that all good art sends us into a direction without completely answering all the questions for the viewer.  As a viewer I wanted to know the reason for the celebration, but not knowing why the three sister’s were so ecstatic, made me content with the moment and enjoy this celebration for what it is.”

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10th annual Tactile Art Show

October 7th-30th

St. Augustine Art Association

“Best in Show Jean Wagner Troemel Award”

“Esmerelda and her Little dog Toto”

 

Juror, Nofa F Dixon, Assoc. Prof.

Dept. of Art and Design, Univ. of North Florida

Juror’s Statement;

I always enjoy the process of evaluating artwork for exhibitions.  It is a task I take very seriously.  I take into consideration the skill level, good use of material, consistency, the overall aesthetic of the work and how well it fits into the theme of the exhibition.   Usually the element of texture can be real or implied.  However in this show, given the purpose of the exhibit, the texture is very real.  Although this exhibit was less complicated than most to judge, I found that assigning awards was somewhat challenging.  I considered the level of sophistication of the work, it’s presentation and overall presence, as well as the introduction of humor to be important factors in the selection process.  I personally enjoyed the award winning pieces and want to commend all of the artists for their innovation and outstanding work.

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CLAY, COLLAGE & CUTTING EDGE

March 4-27, 2011

St. Augustine Art Association

Second Place

“Red Hot Mama” Bathing Beauty

 

Juror, Alain Hentschel

Dean of Florida School of Arts Palatka, Florida

Newer Work

Interview with Diana Shepherd

   

Diana's pieces have always held a facination for me and when my blog started to take its direction towards discovering the "cool" factor in aging, I knew I wanted to present Diana to you.  She was excited to participate but I was really excited!.  

 I kept thinking of several of her pieces that depict women in a very unique way. I asked her what had inspired her to work with this particular theme. Here's what she told me.

I have always had a strong interest in the human form and how it communicates stories to us.  Through joy, contemplation, tragedy or an endless variety of human experiences, the figure, in it’s complexity, is a never ending source of fascination.  I find it intriguing how one can change a thought or emotion by the slightest manipulation of the clay.  Through sculpting the human figure I work to find a connection with the viewer.  My goal is to draw the viewer in, to relate their own stories through a shared emotion.  Sculpting the human form fills my imagination with possibilities and gives me a wonderful resource with which to communicate to the world.

About my work with the "Ladies"

“Best in Show” Jean Wagner Troemell Award

“Water Goddess’s”

These current pieces came about because I am dealing with becoming a woman "of a certain age".  I still feel vibrant and young, even though my body belies this certain fact, along with the mirror.  As my waistline expanded and my skin has become loose with extra lines, my bones creak and aches and pains have become part of my daily life, I notice that I have become"invisible" where I used to turn heads and attract attention on occasion.  Yet this is the point in life where I have done "it"...I have raised my children (and husband)...I have worked at a career to build a life...my obligations are diminished and I am able to relax at bit and enjoy the fruits of my labor.  I don't take things so seriously and have learned to deal with life on life's terms so much better.  Most aspects of life are without a doubt much more enjoyable...except for this age/body thing.  I look around at my peers and my future maturity and am finding an acceptance into this new phase of life.  This acceptance comes through my work...sculpting natural women that are full of joy, self acceptance and self esteem.  These sculptures are who I want to become.  There is a part of me in each of them as I struggle with my ego at not being a sweet young thing.  Reaching for the beauty of maturing in its entire.
In the Water Goddesses I have the Queen Bee, who is full of confidence and will be nobody's doormat!  She boldly jumps into life ready for new experiences not to be intimidated by anything.  Then there is the "Pampered Princess", (who of us doesn't want to be?!).  She has been there and done her part and now she has the expectation of being able to kick back and allow others to take care of things.  She will demand her due!  And then there is "Home Girl".  I am what I am is her motto.  She loves to laugh and tell dirty jokes.  Down to earth, with a live and let live attitude, she lives to love.  These are my hero's, who I strive to become, a vision of goals for myself.  I have been told to visualize what you want.  Through sculpting these particular figures I am seeking self acceptance and a direction to work toward.
With the "Bathing Beauties", once again I am working toward self acceptance, but in more of a sexual nature.  Along with this "maturity" comes a certain aspect of being both desirable with all the sags and rolls ("Red Hot Mama"), but also still has the ability to desire others ("Oh My...)!   We aren't dead yet girls!  There is beauty in aging that I am striving to grow in my own life.

-Diana Shepherd

As you can see, Diana is super talented and has converged with her muse to depict women in a new way.  I hope you enjoyed meeting my dear friend and that you'll visit her website. Until next time, Aloha.