writing...

So what's up with all that writing you were talking about, Brigetta?

Well, let me tell you. The publishing world is a deep ocean with query sharks and rejection letters and agents who blog and writers who blog and agents who Twitter and writers who Twitter and editors who blog and twitter and writing websites with endless information and contests I need to enter and magazines I need to submit to and I am in a Bermuda Triangle of trying to get published in social networking storm.

And I know that was a run on sentence. Do I sound overwhelmed?

If you are not in the writing, publishing world, you are probably thinking—what does all that have to do with writing?

Well, the deal is that it's like trying to get a job that requires experience, but not being able to get a job to get the experience. Basically, my bio is weak. I have to start with the small fish. So, while I write my second novel—this one geared toward middle grade boys which I am having an absolute blast writing—I am entering writing contests (passed the first round of judging on one and waiting to hear) and submitting essays to magazines and networking to learn the best way to navigate that ocean I described above.

Regardless, I have discovered that I CAN'T not write.  I have to write. Stories are all around me. They narrate themselves in my head, characters pop out of nowhere and plot lines develop while I wait in the car to pick up my kids. I LOVE it.

And if you are wondering what in the world a query shark is, go here. A query is a brief one page letter  you write to agents, to tell them a little bit about your book and yourself asking if they would be interested in looking at your manuscript and then possibly representing you. One agent has a website with a Jaws like looking cartoon shark where you can send in your letter and have her tear it apart in public. Doesn't that sound like fun? It's actually helpful.

I am still writing like it's my job, balancing a family life, praying for wisdom and being grateful for the ability to learn.

Whew! Is there anything new you're learning about?

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