The reason for my absence...

I haven't been blogging much lately and there is a very good reason for that:

We're moving!

My family and I will be moving in August and while that is a ways away, we still have a ton of preparation. Not to mention purging our household down to a manageable amount of "stuff."

I wanted to say that I love all of my followers (both official and unofficial) and can't thank you enough for the support you are all showing me.

Just a quick update on the status of my book: I am awaiting a response from the query critiquing agent to see if she chooses mine to review. I recently checked her blog to find that she had somehow managed to delete all the emails she had received since April 20th and was unable to recover them, so I resent it about a week ago. Meanwhile, I am expecting a reply to a snail mail query any day now. Other than that, I haven't been doing much. Writing is entirely too life consuming for me to resume my current project. It will have to wait until after the move.

But, thanks to all of you for believing in me. I hope I don't let you down.

Lastly, I would like to turn-on any new writers out there to a new-ish blog I found that always puts a smile on my face. A self-proclaimed "grumpy" agent comments on lines from some of the worst queries he/she has gotten. I wish I knew who this agent was...

http://slushpilehell.tumblr.com/

Enjoy!

Let an expert explain...

Some people look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them that characters direct my writing more than I do at times. It's true though! The characters decide something's going to happen and there's no arguing with them. I can see why some people would find this a hard concept to grasp.

I recently read one of Dean Kootnz's newer novels, Relentless, and his main character (being a writer) explained this vary phenomena. He worded it beautifully. And, maybe you'll still think the concept is crazy after you read this, but at least I'll be in the same crazy category as Dean Koontz.


Relentless pg. 79:

This happens often when writing fiction. Outlines are a waste of time. If you give your characters free will, they will grow in ways you never anticipated, and they will take the story places you could not have predicted, raising themes you might or might not have intended to explore. Characters shape events; events illuminate the characters. The people in a story begin as seeds, become buds, and blossom in ways that surprise the author...

I love when famous authors slip stuff about writing into a book. In this case, it was easy because the main character is a writer, but still. These words might as well have come straight from Dean Koontz's mouth, and it's nice to know it's not just me who feels this way when a character grabs the reins and takes me for a ride.

How I found the time...

Many people have asked me how I was able to write a novel and raise a child at the same time. I figured now would be a good time to explain.

Being a stay at home mom is a full time job, no doubt about it. Writing a complete novel in three months is arguably a full time job as well. How did I do both? My simple answer is that I wrote during nap time.

I had many people tell me that, in order to combat sleep deprivation, I should take a nap when my baby takes a nap. I did at first, but as soon as he was sleeping through the night I stopped. The naps seemed to make me more sluggish and less focused.

When I finally decided I was going to write a book, I made myself a schedule. My husband works five days a week, so I decided I would give myself days off only when he was also off. There were plenty of days when I told my hubby, "Oh, I just want to finish this scene while it's fresh in my mind," though. He is an amazingly supporting and understanding guy.

My son takes a three hour nap in the middle of the day, thanks to our parental diligence. The instant he started crying for attention at nap time (as in he didn't need food, clean diaper, or burping) we ignored him. Sounds harsh, but we only had to endure it for three days and thirty minutes at the most. Then he realized his attempts to gain our attention were futile and stopped.

I do my writing during his nap and for three hours after he goes to bed. That's six hours a day, five days a week. I am blessed to have a wonderfully easy son who sticks to a schedule so well and hardly ever fights me about going to bed when it's time.

I must confess, though, that the housework does often get overlooked. The dishes may pile up from time to time, as well as the laundry, but luckily, our family isn't as bothered by this as much as others may be.

So, that's how I did it. Doesn't seem all that complex. I'd like to encourage anyone who has something they've been wanting to do, but think they just don't have the time, to give it a shot. It helps keep stress down when you do something you enjoy. Even if you only do it an hour a day or week.

Cover Ideas

This may seem preemptive, but anyone who knows me well, probably saw it coming. I am a creative, artistic kind of person, and I've been trying to think up a cover for MIND'S EYE ever since I finished writing it (a year ago). I fiddled around with it yesterday and drew up a rough sketch. This is what I came up with: Cypress trees framing a view of the New Orleans skyline over the gulf. The eye pretty much speaks for itself. In the teardrop bellow the eye is a gun.

I'd like for you to vote on which cover you like more.

I know that for people who have never read the book, this might be a hard decision, but I'm only asking you which cover you find ascetically pleasing. Like I said, it's a little rough around the edges and not at a professional level in any way. In fact, the pictures were taken with my phone because I'm having computer issues that are making picture downloading take like a year. I am just curious to see what people think.

I should also clarify that when I get the book published, the publisher will probably not use this design, but will hire a professional artist to do the cover art. That being said, if I were to try to self-publish the book, then I am one step ahead by having a cover ready. I want to do this the old fashioned way: get my book published by a publishing house, but I'm not going to rule out any options this early in the game.

I know there is a way to set up a poll on this blog, but I haven't figured it out yet, so just leave your vote in the form of a comment below this blog entry. Thanks for your opinion!
We'll call this one: Cover Idea 1

Cover Idea 2

Cover Idea 3

Cover Idea 4


Just a little side note: I have begun writing the sequel to MIND'S EYE and have already written 50 pages in the last week. Does this mean I can finish writing it in 8 weeks? Nope. The reason it is going so smoothly is because the plot-line for this book (still untitled) has been running through my head since I finished MIND'S EYE. I'm sure I'll run into kinks and writers block, not to mention the personal life stuff that has a tendency to interrupt the writing process, but so far, so good!

The waiting game

The game authors play more than any other. It starts with beta readers then agents then editors then publishers, etc. The best way to play the game? Keep yourself occupied.

I've been waiting to see if the agent with the query critique blog will select mine or not. I'm hoping she does, of course, but I'll be forced to move on if she doesn't. In the meantime, I went ahead and edited my book again. It's amazing how much I've learned since the last time I edited. Now that I'm happy with it, I have *pause for dramatic affect* started writing the next installment in the series. Yesterday, I started out strong writing 11 pages in 3 hours. I'm already developing my own voice in my writing and it's exciting to see how far I've come since I started my first book.

So, I'm keeping this blog short so I can get back to the writing. If you have any questions, comments or suggests for blogs, please leave a comment below, on my facebook fan page or facebook group page.

Taking the plunge...

Some of you may be wondering why I haven't said anything about sending out my next query letter. Well, I haven't sent it out yet. Besides having personal events that required my time and attention for a while, I've been researching the next agent on my list. Turns out she has a blog dedicated solely to critiquing query letters.

Here's how it works:
1. You read every single letter she's critiqued and learn as much as you can from them. There are over 150 people who have sent letters in and many of them have been critiqued 3 or 4 times.
2. You read the rules for how to submit your query letter. Very important because if you don't follow the rules, your letter gets deleted without being read.
4. You write your query letter.
5. A week later, you re-read your letter and make any changes you think need to be made.
6. You submit your letter... and wait.
7. She emails you when your letter is critiqued.
8. You read the notes she's made, make any changes that need to be made, and repeat steps 7 and 8 however many times you like.

There has been 1 letter that was perfect from the first draft and she asked for pages. There have been 7 more letter that went through revision a few times, but ended up perfect in the end... and she asked for pages. So, there's a lot of reading and studying on my part and even then, my chances of being asked for pages is like 1 in 19.

But, it is so worth it! I have no idea what I'm doing here. I've never done this before. This agent is basically giving people a chance to try again until they get it right. Of course, she expects the book to be as well written (if not better) than the query letter, so you need to apply what you've learned from her blog to your novel as well. But, I don't know of any other agent that gives you this kind of opportunity.

So, I've decided to send my query letter to her blog instead of straight to her. I wrote it about 10 days ago and have read over it again. Do I think it's good enough not to get a rejection letter? Probably not. But I have read and learned from every single query letter she has critiqued, and I've done the best I can. It won't hurt to try, right?

Wish me luck!

P.S. For any aspiring authors who want to know who this agent is and where to find her blog, please email me at odell.courtney@yahoo.com. For friends and family, sorry. I'd like to keep the humiliation to myself until she finally asks me for pages. I'm sure you understand. The blog redacts all personal information including my name, but you know enough from Dan's teaser to be able to figure out which letter is mine, being chopped to pieces for all to see. I'll be glad to post the finished product once pages have been requested.

Pictures as Promised:

Here are some pictures from my acting experience. Enjoy!

Here I am driving. My "movie son" Trey is in the back seat pretending to sleep. It was important for us to make it clear to Trey that he just needed to pretend to sleep. He thought we really wanted him to sleep and he wasn't okay with that.


Here I am with the camera in my face. Talk about a close-up!


Kal and Tyler carefully operating this big pole (I should really know the name of).


Suzanne: couldn't have done it without her!


Here's a scene at an old abandoned gas station. Kal is walking away from me laughing because of a practical joke Michael had played on me. Kal couldn't keep a straight face and almost blew it... yeah right... I'm the most gullible person on the face of the planet. I totally fell for it!


Michael directing Trey through a very complicated scene. They both did a great job!


My beautiful cousin Teri keeping Trey company while the adults get their act together.


An emotional scene for me, hence the pursed lips and hint of a tear in my eye.

Dear Val...

I have plenty of ideas on things to blog about, but I want to write about things that interest you, my readers, so I figure until I am completely consumed by writing and such, I can take the time to answer individual questions from people personally. If you have a question or something you would like me to write about, feel free to leave a comment here, or on my Facebook fan and group pages, and I will be glad to answer them.

My awesome cousin Val wrote: Blog about your inspiration to write- the people that you've met in life that have influenced you.

Dear Val,

I'd have to say that my #1 inspiration has been my husband. Besides the fact that he reads a book a week, is very intelligent, and supports me to no end, he also turned me on to reading again when I had stopped completely. When we met, I wasn't much of a reader... felt like I had better things to do. He encouraged me through example, not words, which is more than I can say about anyone in my life who has ever tried to get me to read something. I love him even more for that because when you are a writer, reading is just as important as writing.

My second inspiration comes from reading a book. While I'm in a book, I feel like I'm really there. Like I know the characters and places. Like I can relate to them in some way or another. Like I care about them. That all-too-real feeling of having stepped into another world and having somehow gone through the trials the characters face is all consuming... to the point that when I finish reading a story, I feel sad about saying goodbye to the characters and places. I think that's how it is for most people. You develop a personal connection to the entire story and it's like you've left a part of yourself there when it's over. Which, I think, is why most people love series. Each installment brings you back to that part of yourself that you once left behind. It's a great feeling, and I will never stop reading again because of it. I want to give that feeling to people. Let them walk around in my imagined world and feel like they belong.

As far as influential people I've met, my husband is at the front of the line again, but there are many more. I've always known that my mother has a gift with words. She is a poet among other things and her talent has impressed me many times. There are also writers on my Dad's side of the family, Teri Robinson (one of the screenwriters of the film I was just in) is one, and very talented as well. Friends and family influence me more than I can say. The support that they provide, and even the ones who want to keep me firmly planted in reality by pointing out just how difficult it is to get published, in one way or another, you all play an important role in my writing.

I also think that the authors of the books I read influence me. Although I've never met most of them, I still feel like I have met them while reading their books... because I know from experience how much of yourself you put in the written words on the page. I was fortunate enough to meet one of my favorite authors, Richelle Mead. The experience was short, but nice.

I'd have to say everyone I've ever known, know, and will know, have the ability to influence my writing. Corny as it may sound, I am a student of life, always learning, growing, and most importantly, living. It would be impossible for me not to write a book without including life lessons I've learned. Everyone around has played a role in those lessons in some way or another. And, I'm happy to say, most people in my life have been positive.

... and action!

Quite a few people have been asking me about my acting experience this past weekend, and while I had intended this blog to be used only for my writing, I don't see any reason I can't deviate this one time. I was hoping to have pictures to post with this blog, but I didn't take any. However, other people who were on the set did, and I will add a few to the blog as soon as I have access to them.

About a month ago, my cousin Teri Robinson asked me if I had any acting experience. The answer, of course, was no. She and her writing partner, Michael Farrell, wrote a short screenplay called "Priceless" for a contest and they wanted to make it into a film. I told her I'd try anything once. After I received the script, my husband and BFF helped me make an audition tape to send to them. Teri and Michael liked it and hired me.

I can't say much about the film as it is entered in a film festival and could be disqualified if it received any publicity before its premiere date. I have been given permission to say that I play the lead role; a mother down on her luck. It is going to take a few months to edit, and I've been told the premiere date is in July, so you'll have to wait a while to learn any more about the film. On the up side, I think the film can be aired on Youtube once it has been shown at all of the film festivals it has been entered in, so there will be easy access.

They also mentioned that the film would be put on IMDB.com (internet movie database), and that I would have my own actor page. I know a few months is far away and most of you will forget all about it by then, but I will post as many links as I can on my blog, Facebook fan page, and personal Facebook page when the time comes.

The film is approximately 12 minutes long. That is why it could be filmed in 3 days. All the same, we still worked our hind ends off. All 3 days were 12 hours "shifts." The hair and make-up person flaked on us everyday, so Suzanne Manthei (location/casting director) and I did my own make-up. Since I played the mom of a young child, we kept it pretty natural and I basically looked like I always do expect with thicker foundation.

Teri produced the film and Michael directed. They make a great team! Our DP (director of photography) was Kal Toth. He is so good at what he does! He is also a musician and his music is worth checking out: www.hearKAL.com (sorry, can't get the hyperlink to work)

I know I made mistakes and probably some ignorant comments too, but everyone was extremely patient with me. In my opinion, my first day was a little rough (being that I had no experience and didn't know what to expect), but that day of filming had no dialogue and was mostly scenery, driving, and time lapses, so I think it worked out. I settled into my role a little more each day and by the last day I was ready for most of the dialogue sequences.

The little boy who played my son, also did a great job, but much patience was required by all. It was his first acting gig as well... and he's only 4.

Without giving too much away, there were a few emotional scenes for my character and tears were encouraged. That part came pretty easily though, since the story hit kind of close to home and just thinking about what my character was going through makes me want to ball my eyes out.

I really have a new found respect for actors though. They are expected to act out the same scene over and over with the same (if not higher) level of emotion and feeling. I had to redo an emotional scene many times, not because I messed up, but because we had to shoot it from a few different angles as well. Grueling is a good word to describe it, but I still loved every second of it.

I should also say that the point behind the film is to inform people about a charity. And, that's all I can say about that.

Overall, the experience was amazing... almost surreal. In fact, if I didn't have a few new friends on Facebook who were there, I'd be totally convinced that it was all a dream. I really stepped out of my box and now I have this awesome experience and incredible new friends.

Mind's Eye Teaser

Hi everyone!

I find myself very busy this week, working on a project that has nothing to do with my book, or writing, so I won't have much time to blog, but I know some of you want to know what my book is about. My husband wrote this teaser and I think it is a good place to start describing my book. Enjoy!

Mind's Eye

Contessa Vasser hoped that moving to New Orleans would be a fresh start. As a recent college graduate, she relished the idea of leaving behind her mundane student life, reconnecting with a long time friend, and enjoying big city freedom and excitement. How was she to know her relocation to the Crescent City would ignite a chain of events that forever alter her life and the lives of those around her?

As her new life unfolds, Tessa assimilates easily to the city and its culture. Securing a job at a popular local nightclub, she finds herself magnetically drawn to her mysterious manager as well as the enigmatic owner, if in different ways. As the pull increases, Tessa is immersed in a world she believed to exist only in Cajun folklore and movies. She must reconsider her view of reality as dreams take on real meaning, superstitions remembered from childhood are proven true, and preconceived notions are shattered.

Under the guidance of her manager, known only as Mick, with the support of her newfound friends and coworkers, and under the ever watchful eye of the bar’s owner Barron, Tessa will learn the true depth of friendship, loyalty, and love—as well as supernatural abilities she and others around her possess. There is a fine line between good and evil, and for good to prevail, she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

To friends and family:

Have you ever asked me, "Hey, how's the book going?" Did you know I wrote a book?

Well, if you didn't, you do now. I have written a 420 page paranormal fiction novel and am in the process of trying to get it published. I will be posting more information about the novel soon for anyone who is interested. Also, in a few weeks, I will be asking my "beta" readers to comment on it here. Beta readers are the people writers ask to read their book before they send it to anyone.

At the moment, I am trying to find a literary agent to represent me and help me sell my book to publishers. It's a long, drawn out, tedious process, and nothing helps you do something tedious like support from friends and family.

You can help by becoming a follower of my blog, becoming a fan on Facebook, and joining my Support Courtney Odell's Literature group on Facebook. After you've done that, feel free to leave questions or comments on any of these 3 pages and I will answer them as they come in.

Thanks so much!

Courtney Odell

*A very special thank you to Peter, my awesome brother in law, for setting up the group and fan pages on facebook. You're really helping get the ball rolling!

If at first you don't succeed...

Try again as many times as it takes!

Ok, so not a lot has happened since I last blogged. I got the green light from a couple of friends to send my query letter out. I sent it out on March 1st and received my very first rejection letter March 11th.

At first, the feeling of rejection was hard to swallow. Then reality came back to me and I realized that the chances of actually being accepted upon sending out my very first query letter were slimmer than slim. Then a friend pointed out that the first rejection letter is like initiation into the writing world. Something to be celebrated! Now I know what it feels like, I know how to handle it and I know how to move forward.

The agent I had queried is very reputable and successful. He’s a busy guy and more than likely, there is no room on his client list for someone new. I’m not saying that my letter was perfect and impossible to resist—I’m sure it wasn’t—but that I wrote it expressly for the agent I sent it to, and he was probably too busy to read it. So, more than likely, a secretary or assistant read it and sent the rejection form letter.

Moving along… I am going to completely revise my query package to the requirements of the next agent on my list. She is just as reputable and successful. I will take my time and do it right. More to come…

Meanwhile, I have begun working on the next installment of the series I am writing. This is my favorite step in the writing process. I sit back and watch a story flow out of my imagination through unbridled creativity and the use of my right brain. Literally anything can happen!

I am a visual person and as much as I may try, I am unable to operate off a written outline while writing. I prefer a large corkboard divided into 35 sections. Each section is a chapter and can hold up to 4 mini index cards. Each card has a plotline, or just an event I don’t want to leave out. The use of a corkboard allows me to move events/plotlines around if they don’t fit somewhere or work better somewhere else. Here is what it looks like:

A thing of beauty, I know! At least that’s what I see when I look at it. So, I’ll keep you updated as soon as something else happens.

Maintaining Balance

I don't know if everyone realizes how equally-brained a writer has to be. I should rephrase that. A writer doesn't necessarily have to be equally-brained, but one who intends on (or does) sell their work needs to have both left brain and right brain working together. This is not easily achieved for some people. Here let me give you a visual aid.

See that left brain working away? Being logical, serious and business-like? Then there's the right brain playing, relaxing, being creative. Writing uses both sides, but mostly the right. Sure the left side has to remind you that the comma goes before the conjunction, and the period goes inside the quotation marks, but for the most part that side goes into autopilot and lets the right side do its thing. At least that's how it works for this writer. But, there comes a time when you have to allow only the left side to work on your book, and that's where I've been for the last few days.

But this has been great! My left brain found things my right brain missed. For instance, upon re-reading the submission requirements for my target agent, I found that he doesn't actually specify a 1-2 page synopsis. The exact word he uses is "brief." Well my synopsis comes out at just over 3 pages (double spaced) and I think that is brief.

I'll no doubt be dedicating an entire blog (maybe 2) to the subject of synopses, but let me just say, "It ain't easy squeezing 420 pages into 3." And, "It's darn near impossible making those 3 pages sound interesting." Which is why I am so glad the agent I'm shooting for also asks for a sample chapter. In this case, I'll be giving him my Prologue. It's only five pages, but I feel like it is a great example of my writing style and one of the most interesting chapters in the book. I might be taking a chance by sending it to him because it doesn't reveal any of the plot, but the synopsis (however boring) should cover that.

So my query package includes the query letter, the BRIEF synopsis, and my prologue. Doesn't sound like much, but... I don't even feel the need to finish that sentence because this stage in the process has been harder than writing the novel itself. Anyway, I revised the prologue one more time while I had the left brain here and there were a few minor changes, but nothing huge or noticeable really.

One thing I've learned from all of this is that you can edit the book 100 times and when you pick it up for revision number 101, you're still going to find something to change. That's because of 2 main reasons. The first is that you are learning and growing in your writing everyday whether you realize it or not. Your subconscious is secretly picking up all kinds of great things which makes you a better writer.

The second reason is that you start playing the semantics game with yourself. You start to wonder if a better word could be used in this sentence, or if you should flip the order of that sentence. Usually your first instinct about words is the way to go, but sometimes this little game can be helpful. It can also be destructive though, so be careful. You might tear your book to pieces and end up worse off than you were before. You just have to find the right balance.

Think about this: if you spend all your time editing, when are you going to write the next book? Look at what we'd be missing out on if Anne Rice, Stephen King, and Dean Koontz were all still at their desks editing their first book. That's what editors are for. Revising is a very important step in the writing process, but it comes down to finding the right balance.

Hook: not just a Pirate's accessory!

Today, I'm working on my query letter (the letter you send to agents whom you'd like to represent you). I've been working on it for a few months now. I started out by researching query letters (always a good idea). Different agents ask for different stuff and you want to make sure you give them exactly what they ask for.

For instance, the agent I have in mind asks for a 1-2 page synopsis and the first 5-10 pages (or first chapter) of the manuscript along with the query letter. Some ask for outlines, some don't want any of the manuscript, some are okay with a longer synopsis, some only accept queries by snail-mail and some prefer email queries. The point is KNOW WHAT THE AGENT WANTS, AND GIVE IT TO THEM. If you have an agent in mind, read their company profile, query requirements, and blogs. Most of them have blogs that describe best and worst queries ever received (or something equivalent to that). Also, there are some "fake" agents out there who ask for money up front to read your manuscript, or have no qualms about stealing your work. If the agent is part of a reputable company and you've researched them, your chances of not getting screwed over are way better.

Now, I've had my agent picked out for a while. He represents one of my favorite writers, and she has great things to say about him. But, he's a busy guy (as 99.9% of agents are), so my biggest concern has become getting his attention from the hundreds of other writers who query him every week. This requires a hook. Basically, a few sentences that describe your book by emphasizing the parts of the plot that make your book stand out.

This is a daunting task to say the least. You've written a 400-ish page manuscript and edited it so much that it becomes this one entity in your mind. It's impossible to think of one part without touching on the rest. The result is a well thought out, but semi-boring paragraph that barely holds your own interest.

I wish I could put an example up for people to see. I'm someone who learns by example better than spoken directions, but I would hate to post a failed example. Instead, I'll give you the link that a good friend gave me: http://www.deadlinedames.com/?p=416

Also, if my query letter gets the attention of my desired agent, I'll be glad to post it then... but not until then.

Anyway, I think I have my hook written. The reason I say "I think" is because I need to send it to a friend or two to get their opinions. True friends will be totally forthcoming with you and won't sugar-coat their thoughts no matter how much it hurts your feelings. If you don't have any friends like that... get some! It's only because of those friends that I've gotten as far as I have (which might not seem far, but that's not the point). Without those friends, I wouldn't have made it past writer's-block, confidence depravation, or self-esteem plummet. Without those friends, I won't make it past my first rejection letter, and I certainly won't make it far enough to write another book.

So, I'm off to email these friends the query letter I've composed. Once, I have their thoughts, I will edit accordingly and send the letter off. I'll let you know how it goes.

Introductions:

Hello Blogger, Reader, Writer, Agent, Editor and anyone else fortunate enough to stumble upon my blithering,

First, I would like to point out that this blog has nothing to do with either real estate, or real estate so wonderfully amazing it can only be referred to as unreal estate. The title of my blog was inspired by Stephen King. In his book On Writing, Mr. King refers to a manuscript as the "unreal estate that took up three hours of your every morning or afternoon for a period of three or five or seven months." (p. 213)

I would highly recommend this book to any and all authors, but especially anyone in the process of writing a novel. Just pick up a copy and you'll see why.

This blog is intended for people who share my situation... having written a novel and beginning the esteem-crushing process of trying to get it published.

Here, I plan to track my progress, or lack there of, and even go back and explain my writing experiences from the beginning.

There are a number of reasons for this progress report. First, I am someone who has done a large amount of research on this process, and most of my information either came from authors who have been through all of this, or agents and editors that blog about what they want to see from up-and-coming authors. Maybe I didn't google the right keywords, but there were very few sources of information that included other people in my "stage." Honestly, I can see why. I've heard people say that getting your foot in the door as a writer usually requires hell freezing over, farm animals other than pigs sprouting wings and flying, and all the planets and stars aligning. It stands to reason that someone would want to keep all of their successful aspects of this process to themselves until they're nice and secure in a three book contract with a prestigious publishing house. By then, they're too busy writing three books to help other people go through what they remember as the most excruciating stage of their career. So, I intend for this blog to be like a step by step guide. Simply find your corresponding stage of the process, and follow along. I apologize to anyone who may have to wait for me to catch up to them. Bear with me here.

And, here's my second reason for writing this Blog. What I lack in confidence, I make up for in optimism. I am convinced that I will get my foot in the door, that I will have a book published, that there will be many more books to follow, and that writing will be my career for the rest of my life. Therefore, I want to have this blog handy when I start making lists of Frequently Asked Questions and many of those questions are, "How do I write a novel?" or, "How do I write a query letter?" or "How do I write a synopsis?"

Disclaimer: Please don't think by my level of optimism that I'm not tough-skinned enough to handle the rejections that are undoubtedly on the way. Trust me, I can handle it. I don't see why I have to be negative while waiting for those letters, or even after receiving the first, tenth, or hundredth letter. It's not in my nature.

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Courtney Odell, I'm 27 and live in Central Louisiana with my husband and (nearly) 3 year old son. Before and after our son was born, my husband and I worked together. We ran a restaurant and made our own schedules so it was possible for one of us to always be home with our baby. Without getting into too much detail, the restaurant closed down when our son wasn't even a year. We were both out of a job. My husband had more experience, so we decided he would be the one to find a job and I would become a stay-at-home mom because child care would cost the same amount as any paycheck I could earn.

I've always been independent and have had a job since I was 16. While raising our son IS a job, I still felt useless. I wasn't providing any income and therefore felt like I wasn't contributing. It was hard, and just before I sank into depression, I turned to books for escapism. After reading 9 books within a month I decided I could write one. Writing was something I really enjoyed in school, but I never dreamed I would make a career out of it.

I started 2 different books that still remain unfinished to this day. The third book I started took me about three months to finish. It's almost been a year since I finished it. I waited a couple months before starting the editing process. Editing went slower than writing mainly because life interrupted more times than not. I also found myself waiting for other people to finish reading it and give me their opinion. It's not their fault, they all have lives and full-time jobs.

I'm sure I can (and most likely will) dedicate entire blogs to these issues. Therefore, I don't want to wear out my welcome with you, the nice soul reading this blog, so I'm going to stop here. I hope you'll leave comments and questions for me, and revisit my blog again soon.