Writing Craft

The End is Just the Beginning…

~ Donna Drew Sawyer ~ 3 Comments
© Andrew Hurley on Flickr
© Andrew Hurley on Flickr

THE END – I typed the final two words and six letters of my novel PROVENANCE and burst into tears—which I now realize was the appropriate response—but not for the obvious emotional reason. I thought, after seven long years of writing and rewriting, that I had reached my goal, I had a completed manuscript, a book, better yet, a best seller! All I had to do was hand it off to my publisher and they would get it to booksellers who would then supply clamoring readers. As the author, my work, was done.

Those of you who have already published a book can stop laughing now. What I’ve since learned is that The End, is just the beginning of being a published author. When the writing ends, the next phase of being an author begins, the publishing and promotion part.

Once upon a time, in a publishing era not so long ago, authors gladly relinquished all aspects of publishing and promotion to the publisher. They did the editing, proofreading, interior design, cover design, pre-launch promotion, publicity, post-launch promotion as well as whatever hand-holding was necessary to make an author’s book a success. They planned and paid for the launch party, they scheduled interviews, book signings and appearances at book festivals. They got the author on television, radio or whatever broadcast media was available. But that was then, this is now. Today—and it doesn’t matter whether you are traditionally, self- or hybrid published—if you what an audience to discover your book, YOU, the author, have to get involved in all of those previously outsourced publisher responsibilities. That is how you make your book a book a success. Now writing a book almost seems like the easier part.

I realized I can’t do all this publishing and promotion part alone – I need you to come along with me for advice, counsel and moral support. At least a couple of times a week I’ll write about what’s going on in this process of becoming a published author. I hope you’ll read, contribute, commiserate, celebrate and support me as I blog my way to publication and beyond. You can subscribe to my blog (see info on the right) or LIKE my author page on Facebook to see my linked posts there.

Seems THE END was not the finish line, it is just the beginning of the next chapter.

UPCOMING POST: What’s Your Book About? From story, to synopsis, to elevator speech.

Appreciating My Writing Community

~ Donna Drew Sawyer ~ Leave a comment
by woodleywonderworks on Flickr
by woodleywonderworks on Flickr

By the time I completed the final draft of my novel, Provenance, I had worn out my alpha readers. Specifically, my writing group, Janet, Kelly, Kristin and Molly, as well as my dear husband, Granville. They’d been with me through every word, page and chapter – revision after revision. They’d helped me work through plot points, story arcs, characters who were cut, revived, only to be cut again. They read through the 500+ pages that started out as one novel and then became two. I cannot thank them enough for their wisdom and patience, and they deserved a break from my writing.

I realized it was time to leave the safety of my writing family and let strangers read my novel. To help move my novel along to publication, I needed an unbiased reader – someone with fresh eyes, an open mind and no knowledge of me or what my book had been through. The best way to find out if I’d told my story in a credible and entertaining way was to test the book in the same way it will be tested when published – I needed a beta reader.

In the world of available beta readers there seems to be no dearth of readers and authors connecting over YA, fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers, paranormal and hardcore erotica manuscripts. Provenance is none of these. It is a work of literary/historical fiction that explores, through one man’s story, the role that race plays in the choices we make about who we are and what we lead others to believe about us. The novel begins in the early part of the Twentieth Century and spans four decades of the protagonist’s life, taking the reader from the segregated south, to Europe before World War II and ultimately to the New York in the early 1970s – more than 78,000 words or about 280 double-spaced pages.

I needed a beta reader with experience in life and in writing that was willing to make a commitment to read what I wrote and give me honest feedback in exchange for my promise to read their manuscript in the same way. After searching and not finding a good fit on Goodreads or LinkedIn writer groups,  I struck gold – literally California gold, on SheWrites.

A writer in Los Angeles that is in the perfect target group for my novel was  looking for exactly the same kind of beta reader that I was. Her story was similar in length to mine and also dealt with racial themes. She wanted a beta reader who would also commit to reading her manuscript and provide honest feedback. After a series of email introduction, we exchanged manuscripts and began, promising to return our respective manuscripts within two weeks. We both honored our commitments and I know my manuscript is the better for her input and, I did my best to give her the feedback she was looking for.

I’ve always been a little reluctant to put myself out there – I think writers by nature are a shy and solitary bunch. However, I learned through this process that powering through the discomfort can make me a better writer and a more valuable part of the writing community.

I believe that the Universe always conspires on our behalf and the only thing it asks in return is our gratitude. This post is a thank you for my Alfa and Beta readers and for the SheWrites community, with all three, the Universe outdid itself.

Four Drafts and Counting…

~ Donna Drew Sawyer ~ 2 Comments

Edited Manuscript - iStock_000008245569XSmallI am finalizing my fourth draft of my novel, Provenance. The first draft, of which I was extremely proud and actually sent out to agents, was atrocious. I wrote the second draft after a kind and knowledgeable literary agent gave me feedback on my first draft (thank you Miriam). I hired a developmental editor to read and comment on the second draft and while it was better I had more work to do.

The third draft was a slavish concession to every comment the developmental editor made on the second manuscript, including to turn my too-long novel into two novels. I tried, but the separation did not feel right for me or my characters.

I am currently working on the fourth draft. Trusting my writer instincts, I am putting the book back together with a much leaner profile. The exercise of having torn the tome asunder has actually made the book better. In addition to working on my manuscript I have faithfully attended my writers group and I’ve taken writing classes with authors like Barbara Esstman and Con Lehane, to better hone my craft. I have read more than 70 books – some on the craft of writing, some fiction, all an education and thank goodness for Goodreads otherwise I would have lost track by now. At four drafts and counting, I’m a better writer, writing a better book.

According to author Louis Sachar, I have two more drafts to go. In a recent talk at the 92Y in New York that was reported in GalleyCat, Sachar said that an author must “always be willing to rewrite.” He shared that each of his books typically required him to write six drafts – three or four for plot and character development and in the last two drafts he adds the artistry. It is nice to know that I am not unique in realm of revision. After craft comes art, one draft at a time.

Inspiration and Appreciation

~ Donna Drew Sawyer ~ Leave a comment

Author Barbara Esstman has been a steadfast inspiration and supporter since I took her Advanced Novel and Memoir class at the Writers Center in 2007. I just received this wonderful little video from the Writers Center featuring Barbara. In it she shares what inspired her to write. I am grateful to whomever gave her the inspiration to put words on paper, because they inspired her, she has inspired so many of us will-be authors. Thanks Barbara!