The main reason

[davidbeall]

A mix of both published and unpublished writers make up my LJ friends. I think it would be interesting, and helpful, if any of you who are published novelists would share the main reason you think your first publshed book got published. I'm sure there were so many reasons, but in your opinion, what was the main reason?

Comments

[quiller77]

Interesting premise. Good writing.

[davidbeall]

Lots of good writers are unable to come up with an interesting premise. It can definitely "set the hook" as a fisherman might say. The good writing keeps them hooked. Thanks Karen, I can't wait to read your book.

[quiller77]

Hmm. But one person's interesting is another person's boring. How do you judge? I think that any premise can be interesting in the right writer's hands. But if it's been done a hundred times already, you aren't going to get anyone to look at it.

I think of urban fantasy. It's so hot right now for YA, and I'm so glad I don't have and ideas for an urban fantasy because I expect that the tide will turn.

Mind you, that's no way to write books. If it's a story you're passionate about, that passion comes through in the writing (and the opposite if you're merely writing for the market). Oops. Blathering. Signing off now.

[davidbeall]

I have to believe that some writers with multiple books develop a good feel for what might be interesting. And I also think there is some credence to there being only two real stories (a stranger comes to town and a heroe's journey). So maybe it's the fresh perspective and voice that provide the basis for the "interesting" factor.

[dlgarfinkle]

I kept revising every time an editor gave a reason for rejecting my manuscript, so that the manuscript (STORKY) kept improving.

[davidbeall]

1.) Listen to valid critique
2.) Take what you can glean from that, and then put in the necessary work needed to make your MS better

Revision, revision, revison... the writer's version of the real estate credo.

Thanks Deb.

[anonymous]

The main reason my first book got published. . . Great question.

I wrote The Frozen Lady when I was working in Anchorage in television. (Yes, I was an anchor in Anchorage. . .:) I used to hide in the middle of the day; I had a friend with a real office who only worked half-days, and she gave me the key to her office. I'd go in there for my 15 minute lunch break and . . . well, work. I'd bring my notebook of ideas, and before long, I had a couple of chapters I liked, and I just kept pushing myself to visualize my end goal: having that book sold, on the shelf, looking good. So the main reason my book got sold?

Because I wouldn't allow myself to quit. I just kept doing the work, knowing that if I showed up every day, even for a brief period of time, that eventually I'd have a book. And that once I had a book, anything was possible.

Hope that helps, David!

Susan Arnout Smith
The Timer Game
St. Martin's Minotaur 2008
www.susanarnoutsmith.com

[davidbeall]

Perseverance. I knew that had to be a reason for somebody.
Thanks Susan.

P.S. I can't wait for The Timer Game to come out!