Life After The Call
This blog post was requested by the very lovely Joanne Pibworth, and it was a really good idea. She asked me what life in general was like after The Call. And there’s a lot to write about on the subject, lemme tell ya! So I’ll try to cover it all, and if you have any more questions, I will gladly answer them in the comments section.
As far as writing goes…well, remember those wait times? Yeah…what wait times?? Okay, so we still have to wait for things sometimes, but, and okay, my ed is possibly some kind of Highlander and this may not be normal, but she read and critiqued my last full MS in FOUR DAYS. Yeah.
There are deadlines. Yes, my friends, deadlines. And if you’re working off a multi-book contract, deadlines for the whole year, all mapped out for you. Proposal deadlines, full MS deadlines, revisions deadlines. Deadlines. I like a deadline personally, lights a fire under me, so this is all fine with me.
Another thing that changes is the relationship with your ed. You get to hear from them a lot more (sometimes more than once a day) and talk to them on the phone and bounce ideas off of them. I like that a lot.
For the first few days after getting The Call, every time I came home I had a hundred emails (granted my website, facebook and crit group all link to my email, but still) That was when I got a BlackBerry. (welcome to the modern era, Maisey!) I was suddenly getting messages from authors that made me want to scream like a fangirl. (Kate Walker! Sharon Kendrick! Helen Bianchin!)
And this is all wonderful…wonderful stuff.
But then, my dear friends, there’s…the people in real life. One of the most common responses I get when I say I have a book coming out is: Oh! Who printed it for you. Followed closely by: How much did that cost you? And my all time favorite: when you get your copies you should give me one! I’ll totally read it! ( :-/ <—- me.)
But, even if I wants to get shnappy about it, I don’t. It’s really not their fault they’re the fortieth person to say that to me this week. But I do get ranty about it in the privacy of my home…and now my website.
I did, and this was the coolest thing, end up having a really cool moment. I was buying some specialty pasta from our local mercantile and the woman working there asked me what it was for. I told her it was for a writer’s luncheon and that I was doing an Italian theme to go with my book. She asked about the book and I explained that I write romance for Harlequin. And she screamed. And said “OMG!! I’m meeting someone famous!!” I think I turned ten shades of bright red on that one. But THAT was pretty cool.
There’s also publicity, which I hadn’t ever really thought about. But I had an interview with The Guardian, then there’s the guest blogging, (seeing my post on ihearts was a very big moment for me. Made me feel very much like it was real) and recently, I got to do a written interview for the magazine that Harlequin sends out to UK book club members.
One great thing is being able to say “I’m a writer” and not have people look at me like…”yeah…you and everyone.” Well, okay, they still do that, but usually when I explain they start to believe me.
There’s pressure, how can there not be? You want things done and done right and on time, and that crunch can get to you sometimes. The One Book Wonder doubt was the hardest thing for me. I sold one book…but could I sell two? I feel better now that that hurdle’s out of the way. Although, the doubt crows and I still do coffee together every so often. More often than I would like.
One thing that always gets me is the fact that I get paid to do something I love. That people are going to pay to read my stories, stories that become so personal to you, which all you writers know. That’s really kind of humbling. It’s the thing that makes me want to write each book better than the last one.
For me, personally, this whole experience is like Christmas morning that never ends. And I mean that in a good way. I look forward to Mondays. I love hearing from my editor, even getting revisions. I love getting titles and release dates, and seeing my beautiful, first cover, was one of the most amazing feelings ever.
Yes, the work keeps on after you get published. It intensifies. But if you love it, it’s wonderful. And I love it.
Comments
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What a great post Maisey! Thanks Joanne for suggesting it :)I absolutely love that waitress!!!!
Can’t wait to follow your career…
x
Rach!
Yeah, I love her too. It was funny, she was pretty flustered but I think I was MORE flustered. Didn’t know what to do with it. I like the attention, it’s like being famous but on a manageable level, but it’s weird too.
So cool, Maisey! Enjoy the good feeling m’dear. You deserve every last bit of it.
Awww…thanks, Jackie. When your time comes you’ll have to give us your take.
fab post Maisey! I’d be highly tempted to go into that shop everyday….
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us Maisey. It’s stories like yours that keep the rest of us going during those long waits and rejections.
Thanks for sharing Maisey. This line: “How much did that cost you?” cracks me up.
Thank you Maisey, you rock!
Such an exciting read ( I knew it would be!) – you sound bubbling with it all. It’s a big encouragement to everyone who’s still waiting for their call.
Christmas morning every day huh? I love that it brings you so much joy.
x
Great post, Maisey. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Your love for what you do definitely shines through in your post.
Sri.
Susan, it’s tempting, make no mistake. In fact, after my next set of revisions arrives I might go lurk…
Romy, it’s tough, but so worth it. I’m having a blast with it.
Anne, yep. And that’s when I try to kindly (and not at all snappily) that it is my job, and they, in fact, pay me. 🙂
Joanne, glad you liked it. Great idea! And I am bubbling with excitement! One great thing is that I’m always kept very busy, and I thrive on that. While I’m getting covers for the first book, I can expect line edits fort the third and a letter about the proposal for the 4th book. There’s always something, which suits me well. I love all the action. Thanks for the suggestion!
Sri, that makes me feel really good. I hope to always show how much I love what I do. I’m truly blessed and I never want to forget that or convey otherwise. 🙂
Wow. Very cool. I think I may need to tweet this. 🙂
Oh! Thanks, Jennifer. I receive that! 🙂
Great post, Maisey. You sound like you’re having the time of your life.
I love the deadlines part. I’m a procrastinator extraordinaire, but deadlines. Deadlines will make me move. I’m crossing my fingers that day comes for me soon.
Jamie, I really am. I’m very well-suited to it, since I don’t do routine and I love life to be packed full! I love being busy.
I’m a procrastinator too. That’s why I love deadlines so much. I even give myself crazy deadlines to make myself go faster! LOL.
I love your picture! It’s fabulous! The number of emails you’re getting sound scary. I’m pretty sure if I can take down a computer I can take down a blackberry too 😛
Thank you. My dad did a little photo shoot with me the other day. 😉 Don’t worry, the emails have slowed down a lot. I’m guessing I might get barraged with emails again when the book comes out.
And I think I’ve just about killed teh CrackBerry. The thing is glitchy. I covet my husband’s Droid.
Ahh inspiration! Your story is lovely, and like Rach, love the pata place woman! Right off to see if I can pre order you on book depository…
Aw! Thanks, Janette! 🙂