tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post7866429476780872856..comments2024-01-12T00:48:48.031-06:00Comments on Go Teen Writers: Purple Manuscripts, Genre Ignorance, and Other Pieces of Stephanie Morrill's Journey Of Getting PublishedStephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-50862034539232984302017-04-14T12:44:21.069-05:002017-04-14T12:44:21.069-05:00Melanie, I absolutely love this question! I had pl...Melanie, I absolutely love this question! I had planned to kinda, sorta talk about that on Monday, but I had been struggling with my post. You asking this helped me clarify what I was trying to talk about. Thank you! I'll answer in detail on Monday.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-81782430756733736422017-04-14T11:32:09.043-05:002017-04-14T11:32:09.043-05:00"I had spent all these years learning how to ..."I had spent all these years learning how to get published, but I didn't know a thing about how to be an author." Is something I can relate to :) Maybe not the purple manuscript, but something similar to the statement here. Any advice on how to be an author?Melanie Kilsbyhttp://www.realitywriter.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-40846108051580040432017-04-12T21:24:49.068-05:002017-04-12T21:24:49.068-05:00Just realized I spelled the word "turned"...Just realized I spelled the word "turned" wrong *smacks forehead* 😅Caitlin Lamberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306441132984296633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-14114785135639563142017-04-12T20:05:00.063-05:002017-04-12T20:05:00.063-05:00What a fantastic story, Steph! I don't think I...What a fantastic story, Steph! I don't think I realized how far behind you guys I really am.Shannon Dittemorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07757781231485815876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-91302161321183332222017-04-12T16:56:03.465-05:002017-04-12T16:56:03.465-05:00This blog post hit home for me. I started my first...This blog post hit home for me. I started my first novel when I was 12, queried when I was 14, and was POSITIVE that it would be published. I had agents say it was great for my age, and to keep writing. One agent sent me three emails full of tips and resources, and that agent has since read my second novel, requested an R&R, ultimately tutned it down, but requested my third book, which is currently in the works. I got incredibly discouraged after my first book was unsuccessful, and didn't write for almost two years in high school. Then in my senior year, I started my second book, finished a year later, researched how to query the right way, and sent out over 50 pitches for WHAT LIES ABOVE. Aside from the R&R, another agent has the full now, but no offers.<br /><br />Long story short, my journey as a young teen writer shaped the writer I am today. Your journey is so inspiring, and it is another reminder to me to keep persevering. Thank you!<br /><br />-Caitlin @ Quills & Coffee<br />www.caitlinlambert.com/blogCaitlin Lamberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306441132984296633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-55205629692902766142017-04-12T11:00:47.206-05:002017-04-12T11:00:47.206-05:00I love hearing about different writers' journe...I love hearing about different writers' journeys! This was so encouraging to read--a reminder that everyone starts somewhere, that everyone's path looks a little different, and that I'm so blessed to have a treasure trove of advice on blogs like this one. :)Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-86063754052228236882017-04-11T18:02:06.320-05:002017-04-11T18:02:06.320-05:00I'm glad. :) Thank you.I'm glad. :) Thank you.Olivianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-55874449771782985692017-04-11T12:00:32.443-05:002017-04-11T12:00:32.443-05:00Thank you, Olivia! You made my day. :)
Maybe if I ...Thank you, Olivia! You made my day. :)<br />Maybe if I see how special it is to me, I'll keep on working and giving it my all. You really encourage me. :DLHEnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-1941503011726774722017-04-11T11:50:49.820-05:002017-04-11T11:50:49.820-05:00:( Well, that's depressing. I feel that way so...:( Well, that's depressing. I feel that way sometimes, LHE, but I think if you go back to why you started a particular story or how exiting it was to finally write that one special scene, I think you'll see hope. Memory is a good tool. :) Keep writing, LHE! I'll root for you.Olivianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-74288174318991776382017-04-11T10:19:51.199-05:002017-04-11T10:19:51.199-05:00I feel like my work will never be good enough to b...I feel like my work will never be good enough to be published. :\LHEnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-72822388964461807172017-04-11T09:55:29.683-05:002017-04-11T09:55:29.683-05:00I'm so glad, Hannah. That was our goal!I'm so glad, Hannah. That was our goal!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-41450481319955419102017-04-11T09:55:07.647-05:002017-04-11T09:55:07.647-05:00I'm so touched that you've hung around all...I'm so touched that you've hung around all these years, Meaghan! What a huge impact that makes on our community.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-91505761553504037332017-04-11T09:54:24.341-05:002017-04-11T09:54:24.341-05:00I love hearing that Josie! Thank you!I love hearing that Josie! Thank you!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-2155940184082365042017-04-11T09:54:10.395-05:002017-04-11T09:54:10.395-05:00Sarah, I'm so glad you found Go Teen Writers!
...Sarah, I'm so glad you found Go Teen Writers!<br /><br />When I story ends nicely (happily married or getting published or whatever it is) I think it's easy to forget that you felt nervous and unsure. Or that it seemed a little crazy at the time. It's definitely normal!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-35789608309653908962017-04-11T09:51:43.342-05:002017-04-11T09:51:43.342-05:00We moved a lot when I was a kid, but I can't i...We moved a lot when I was a kid, but I can't imagine moving 25 times! I bet you have loads of stories to tell now :) So glad you hang out with us, Cindy!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-87381723865543920262017-04-11T09:49:11.258-05:002017-04-11T09:49:11.258-05:00Balance is key with almost anything--especially pe...Balance is key with almost anything--especially perfectionism.<br /><br />-AnnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-15374698936781302702017-04-11T09:48:01.912-05:002017-04-11T09:48:01.912-05:00Thank you, Olivia! If I can do it, I'm sure yo...Thank you, Olivia! If I can do it, I'm sure you can send your work out there too, when you feel the time is right. :)<br /><br />-Ann<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-57213337522662589642017-04-10T21:33:23.015-05:002017-04-10T21:33:23.015-05:00Thanks so much for sharing! I often wish I could h...Thanks so much for sharing! I often wish I could hear 'success' stories from established authors, just the truth of how they did it, in their own words. It's encouraging that even you guys started out where we did. Gives me hope! ;-)Hannah Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01031092213110279579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-63987911336012629372017-04-10T16:28:43.240-05:002017-04-10T16:28:43.240-05:00I'm so you're doing this series! I've ...I'm so you're doing this series! I've been following this blog for awhile (almost since it first began), and it has really, really improved my writing. Meaghan Rutherfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17144939103660147492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-80537247169841215242017-04-10T15:46:08.700-05:002017-04-10T15:46:08.700-05:00This site has improved my writing so much--it'...This site has improved my writing so much--it's given me advice I've never thought about before. I'm so glad you didn't give up!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10492132913912177695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-66458699128151133402017-04-10T15:30:36.440-05:002017-04-10T15:30:36.440-05:00This website was the first one I stumbled across w...This website was the first one I stumbled across when I was first looking into writing about a couple years ago going, "What in the world do I do? I've never even *finished* a story before!" Thanks to you guys here I have actually finished several stories and have found my God given calling in writing. And thank you for saying you were nervous about the whole thing. I tend to think I'm the only one at times even though I know I'm not, and shows me that I did the right thing in seeking advice on the first five pages of my novel from another person. Now with her advice and my own nick picking I'll have a better story than before, worthy of being published one day. Thank you so much for sharing! This was truly inspiring. :)<br />*Sarah Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-76001615367287590592017-04-10T14:12:13.359-05:002017-04-10T14:12:13.359-05:00Wonderful story Stephanie! Thank you for sharing. ...Wonderful story Stephanie! Thank you for sharing. I put off my dreams of publishing to homeschool my children, (moving 25 times didn't help either). But I did start writing professionally and it's been a joyful journey. Now that I have an empty nest and I don't have to work as much as I did in the past, I hope to pick back up where I left off in my early 20's and pursue my dreams of publishing novels. This site is such an encouragement, even to us "older" folks. CM Windhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02287820202504620489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-16813568818612365032017-04-10T12:21:56.548-05:002017-04-10T12:21:56.548-05:00Yes it does, thank you. :)Yes it does, thank you. :)Olivianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-41077124574476721452017-04-10T11:36:09.724-05:002017-04-10T11:36:09.724-05:00That's because it's a very confusing topic...That's because it's a very confusing topic, Olivia :)<br /><br />If you want to be traditionally published with a good house that pays an advance, you really need an agent to make that happen. Are there exceptions? Yes. But most (maybe all, though I resist using that word!) editors at mid to large size publishing houses won't look at a submission without agents.<br /><br />Sometimes at a writers conference, you might meet an editor and they might request something from you even though you don't have an agent. That's happened to friends of mine. Like you saw in my story, sometimes even in that situation, they really only want to talk to you if you have an agent.<br /><br />Why is that? I'm not an editor, but my understanding is that to an extent, editors rely on agents for quality control. Agents will only represent writers who they think they can sell, because good agents only get paid when writers get paid. So if you have an agent, an editor knows that your writing is at least good enough for an agent to have taken you on as a client.<br /><br />Many indie authors have agents as well. I'm not entirely sure how that works, but there are a lot of businessy things that come along with being a writer, whether you're traditionally or independently published.<br /><br />Does that help clear things up at all, Olivia?Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-90495596998173969732017-04-10T11:30:29.626-05:002017-04-10T11:30:29.626-05:00I was the same way, Emily! I know all the other st...I was the same way, Emily! I know all the other stuff can feel overwhelming, but hopefully by hearing our stories this week you'll see that getting published really can be done if that's what you want and you work hard.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com