A New (incredibly simple) Discovery

Big events in life change you. That's a no-brainer. But is writing a book a big event? One that isn't yet published? I would say getting published would be a big event for sure. Regardless of whether or not simply writing a whole novel is a big event, it has tweaked the way I view books so it's definitely changed me.

When I read books in the past I was SUPER picky. I could spot a problem in every novel. Not so much with the punctuation or grammar, but the story-telling. And in a way that's a good thing. I saw what not to do. However in some cases I realize now I was picking at another writer's writing style. And no book is going to be absolutely perfect in every way.

I know this all sounds very obvious but I only truly realized this recently. I was reading a book and although I liked most of the story-telling, I found faults with it's description of things in the story. I wondered to myself why, if I thought this was a great story, would I find fault? And the answer hit me. Different writing style. DUH! This author by no means gave too much description (because lets face it, there is such a thing) but merely more description that I would give. Does that make it wrong? No. Does it make that story any less fun to read? No. It only makes it different than mine and isn't that great? We WANT different writing styles. If every book was written the same, who would want to read anymore?

So I say MORE POWER TO THE DIFFERENT WRITING STYLES! The more the merrier!

Here's the question: When you read a book that isn't your own do you sit back and enjoy the story or find yourself critiquing it?

Published

Months ago, when I was in the middle of writing my book, I wrote an article on marketing and sent it to C.A.P.P.A. (Childbirth and Postpartum Association) for their quarterly magazine. They emailed me back thanking me for my submission and assuring me that when they publish it, they will let me know. Then, nothing.

Yesterday the news came. My article will be in their next quarterly!

So exciting! I can add it to my bio on my query. But here's what's even cooler-

When I wrote my last query there was something about it that I didn't like. I think I mentioned this fact in another post. After prayer and waiting on the Lord, an amazing query for my book was written. So why not send it? It wasn't time. My dream agent suggests sending the first five pages of the manuscript with the query and I am triple checking the manuscript so that she see's my best work.

However as I waited and tweaked the manuscript, a very important piece of the bio made itself available; I am published. God's timing is perfect. I didn't rush this time, and it paid off. Now I have a much better shot at landing my dream agent. I'll keep you posted!

Here's the question: In regards to writing, what was the first piece you had published?