One of the questions I am often asked when I’m giving a book talk or just out and about in my town and meet up with someone who knows I write books is “How many books have you written?”
A reasonable question. One I might be curious to know if I was talking to a writer. But I always tell the person who asks me that they should ask a different questions instead. I think this is usually the question they want answered. “How many books have you written and published?” The truth is, I don’t know how many books I’ve written. I know. I should have kept a list. And I do have a list of some of them since at one time I was conscientious about keeping a character list for each book so that I wouldn’t use the same names over and over in my books. I do tend to like “S” names for my female characters and “M” names for my male characters. I did steer away from those letters for my people in Along a Storied Trail. We have Tansy Calhoun and Perdita Sweet along with Eudenia and Coralee. Then my guys were named Caleb and Damien along with Preacher (Hiram) and Josh.
But back to the question without an answer. I have written several books that are on my reject shelf and have never found a publisher. Probably at least ten, maybe more, because as I said, I really don’t know. The truth is, I usually have to count up the books I’ve published to answer that question, but I think Along a Storied Trail was number 35. That include the books I published in the general market and my young adult books plus two books I independently published, one for middle readers (Freak of the Week) and one non-fiction story of a friend’s amazing story of redemption and second chances (Angels at the Crossroads).
And now I’ve found those magic words “the end” on yet another story. This one is a long way from being available for readers. Right now it’s in the hands of my editor who will let me know if she thinks the story works as written or if it needs more work. While I did have some struggles along the writing road, I thought the story worked when I found those two last words. But even if the editor agrees with me, the story will still have a journey on the way to publication with a title search, a cover design, editing several times with plenty of eyes seeing it to make sure the story is told as well as it can be told.
My working title is When the Meadow Blooms, but that is subject to change. A Forever Home might have been another title I could have picked. While I have to suggest titles to my publishers when my story is just in the idea stage for me, I really don’t like to title a book until I finish it. However, this working title wasn’t bad and did fit the story. But whatever title is finally decided on, the book won’t be out there for readers until next summer at the earliest. Still I have it written and I found those words I’d been looking for through many hours of writing. I always have to smile when I type “the end.”
The book is set on a farm along Salt River in the year 1925. That’s why you’re seeing a picture of the Salt River with this post. I’ll share more about the story farther along the publishing road, but right now I just had to celebrate with you about another story written that I can count when someone asks me “How many books have you written?”
Do you like knowing about an author’s writing and publishing journey?
Comments 17
I have been a fan since the first book I read of yours in the Shaker genre. It was exciting to have you come and talk to Pulaski Writers’ Alliance and hear first hand about your journey. It is always interesting to me, when you share any part of the process and clues on upcoming books. Congratulations on your much-deserved success and best wishes for all your books. You sure have a gift of imagination and ability to keep your readers always excited to hear about a new forthcoming book!
Congrats on writing “The End” again! I know it will be another great story from you. I think it is interesting to see an author’s journey from the start until present. I’m sure there are many ups and downs, frustrations, and joys.
Author
I’m glad you like to read about the publication process, Connie. Maybe I can let you all go along with me this year to see the steps that have to go into making a book from a manuscript to one on a shelf. Of course that first very necessary step is finished and that to get the story from idea to written.
Oh my goodness…another new book, to, try to wait, patiently for.
I definitely like all the wonderful bits of information you share about your writing and publishing journey.
Thank you for all the ways you keep in touch, and share information.
Author
I so appreciate having you read my stories, Marji. And when this new one goes through all the many steps on the way to publication, I’ll hope you like it too.
For sure! I’ve never had such close encounters with an author! It’s wonderful. It must be only a small percentage who actually succeed at getting books published. I am sure the process is much more involved than I could possibly imagine. I am so glad there are authors of your caliber out there. Love your work.
Author
Close encounters. That made me smile, Amy. But I do love my close encounters with readers. In this day of internet it’s not all that hard to publish a book independently, but traditional publishing is still harder to break into. I’ve had my hard years without publishing what I wrote, but I found a home with Revell Books and so far, we’ve had a good working relationship with getting my stories out there for readers.
I do very much appreciate you reading my stories.
Yay!!! Congratulations on getting to write” the end” again. I love hearing your journey through a new book.
One question, how long is your “in between” time from ” the end” of one book to the first typed word on the next book?
Author
Well, the last couple of years – too long. The older I get, the faster the months seem to speed by until I’m staring at a deadline that means I’m going to have to buckle down and really get to work. Of course, there will plenty more work to do on this one after my editor makes suggestions for improvement and then the project editor later will read through and make more suggestions. But that first time of getting to the end is always very important.
I intend to take a couple of months to catch up on all the things I had to put off while I was trying to meet my deadline. And summer means extra time with family. Also, I do want to narrate Love Comes Home. I love doing that narration. So, that will be fun but it does take time. I’ll be doing some research for the next story by reading some history, etc. I also plan to gift myself some pleasure reading time. I think a favorite vacation might be a week of nothing but reading for fun. Of course, I’ll still be doing publicity posts to try to get readers to give Along a Storied Trail a read. I’m beginning to think while I’m typing this that a writer’s job is never done. 🙂 Good thing I have readers like you who make it worth it. Besides, I love telling stories.
I definitely enjoy reading about your writing journeys. But I’m with Judi…..a whole year?! 😆
1925 is an interesting time period. Most historical fictions are set during war times, so it will be fun to read about the time between. I’m looking forward to it. And I’m hoping you’ll give us a few sneak peaks soon.
Author
That’s good to know, Lavon. Maybe I’ll share along the way some of the steps in getting this book along the publishing trail. This story is more a character story without a lot of history except in the setting background. But I do hope readers will still like it.
I love reading about your writing journey. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
Author
Great, Lucy. I so appreciate you being willing to follow along on my publishing road as well as my story road. You guys are the best.
Oh, my! Just a small “taste”! Another whole year?? I sure am looking forward to your new book, no matter what it’s titled! Thank you, Ann!
Author
You’re my kind of reader, Judi. One who loves a story for the story and not the outer trappings. But those outer trappings can be good for drawing in readers and the more readers the happier writers and publishers are.
Maybe next post I’ll talk titles. I know I’ve written posts about titles previously but I might find some new things to share.
Yes,Ann, I most definitely enjoy hearing about your writing and publishing journey as an author,my friend! 💜2 Cor. 4:7-18💜
Author
Thank you, Emily. It is so nice to have you as a friend and to see your comments here. It makes writing these posts more fun when I get to hear from friends and readers. I hope you have a wonderful summer.