Outside Looking In

Do you remember a time in your life when you were the new comer? You were in a new ward, going to a new school, starting a new job. How did you feel? Nervous? Scared? Excited? Anxious? Did your stomach do somersaults? Would your choice be all of the above?

Like you, I've been there. I'm there now. I'm new to the publishing world--LDS or otherwise. I've never before attempted to have anything published. I don't have a portfolio of written articles, or great stories. Oh sure I wrote papers in college, both creatively and for research, and got good grades. Ask me where any of those papers are now and I couldn't tell you. I got married while still in college and after graduating with a degree in Near Eastern Studies, reality set in. Unless I want to go to school for another ten years, which I don't, I'd better acquire some marketable skills--quickly. Such were my thoughts back then. I've been extremely blessed since then and have never lacked the means to take care of my family. However, on the path to that success, some things got thrown in the waiting pile--writing being one of them.

Now I'm at a stage in my life where writing is taking a more prominent role. Given what I've said above, however, you may be asking yourself, "Why would you start a blog for newcomers when you are complete newcomer yourself? What do you know about writing? What do you have to offer me? Why should I listen to anything you have to say--you're a novice?" I can understand those questions. However, my purpose in starting this blog is not to tout my expertise. I'm using it as a platform to share information gathered on the path to my becoming an expert -- something that is fully obtainable as I put the effort into it. I want to share my journey with you, and I invite you, if you will, to share your journey with me.

So, here I stand, on the outside looking in at a crowd of well-written, published LDS authors. I want to be part of that crowd, but it is going to take some time. Here's what I've done to take some initial steps. I've collected a small library of books about writing -- showing, telling, plot, structure, character, viewpoint, description, self-editing, punctuation, etc. I'll be posting the list in the next few days. I've joined the latterdayauthors.com forum and made a few posts. I've posted a few comments and asked questions at LDSpublisher.com. I've contacted an already published author, Rebecca Talley, and had her review a children's story I've written. I've polished and honed my story per her suggestions, as well as the suggestions of others, and am getting ready to submit it to several publishers. I should have all in order by about the third week in May. I'm still looking for a good LDS writer's group if anyone has any suggestions. I've joined The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. I've written down the titles for a series of children/YA books I've had in my head for a while and started outlining them. I've started this blog as well as others - to be listed in my links - as a means of practicing my writing. I plan to attend the LDStorymakers conference next year (still up in the air right now because I currently live in England and travel back to the states isn't cheap).

What have you done toward reaching your goal of becoming published? What has your experience been like? What insights do you have to share? I'm looking forward to hearing from you.