Thursday, January 31, 2013

Falling Apart or Into Place

Writing and publishing, like life, can often be compared to a big box of jigsaw puzzle pieces.
It's easy to form the lower and upper edges along with the sides by finding the familiar, sticking to what's simpler to identify. With publishing, that often meant trying to follow the sage advice of others with more experience and knowledge, those who'd flourished at the time where only an agent got you where you wanted to be. When guidelines were followed and stuck to. Not so much nowadays. Forming the picture within, the final outcome, can take a lot of trial and error. This includes trying to fit pieces where they're not the best fit.

I tried that with Neverlove. I attempted to fit it into a pitch contest early last year. Seemed like the right thing to do, try and get the attention of a growing small press. It got no interest at all. None. No surprise since I have to admit it wasn't a 100% whole-hearted effort. Instead of being totally bombed about it, I took it as the beginning of a revival. I'd been considering self-publishing for a while. At the same time, I'd gotten back some AWESOME feedback on improving Neverlove and got into some great conversations with Gwen Gardner about self-publishing our novels and promoting them at the same time.

Brilliant!!

Far from falling apart, the puzzle pieces were falling into place, not forced or fitted into something someone else may have thought it would/should belong.

Have you ever experienced something where things seemed not to work but in actuality, they were setting the stepping stones for the path meant for you?
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12 comments:

  1. Alex J. CavanaughJanuary 31, 2013 at 4:34 AM

    Sometimes the puzzle comes together in ways we never planned!

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  2. Aurora SmithJanuary 31, 2013 at 7:38 AM

    I hate puzzles. lol :)

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    Replies
    1. Angela BrownJanuary 31, 2013 at 7:40 AM

      LOL! Yeah, they can be a lot of work, and a lot of enjoyment when things line up :-)

      Delete
  3. Christine RainsJanuary 31, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    I used to do a lot of puzzles when I was younger. I'm always trying to find ways for things to fit together, but sometimes a lot of the pieces seems like they might fit and then don't. It's tough.

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  4. Tyrean MartinsonJanuary 31, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    Yes, sometimes even when the puzzle pieces seem to fall apart, they fit back together in a new and awesome way when we finally get them together.
    (although there are moments when I still feel like I'm missing a few pieces)

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    1. Angela BrownJanuary 31, 2013 at 8:44 AM

      Oh yes, the puzzle pieces can be very interesting when it comes to putting them together or letting them fall into place.

      Delete
  5. Gwen GardnerJanuary 31, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    Little Godwinks along the way tell me when things are unfolding as they should. When I'm not on the right track, it just doesn't "feel" right. I wholeheartedly believe I'm on the right track now - I just wish I could get there faster, lol!

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    1. Angela BrownJanuary 31, 2013 at 6:48 PM

      Gwen, I'd have to say you and I experienced quite a bit in the way of Godwinks in getting PIP on its feet. :-)

      Delete
  6. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2013 at 6:35 PM

    "Have you ever experienced something where things seemed not to work but in actuality, they were setting the stepping stones for the path meant for you?"

    YES! ...and as Gwen has said, "Godwinks." I recently read it (God Winks) after Gwen recommended. ;)

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    Replies
    1. Angela BrownJanuary 31, 2013 at 6:51 PM

      It's wonderful when things do that, especially when you least expect it.

      Delete

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