Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
Welcome Guest Author Bettye Griffin!
The Story That Stuck
My obsession began quite innocently, by simply watching an obscure 60-year-old movie on TV. It had a wonderful premise, and my mind started to play the What If game that is in all writers’ blood.
Thus was the beginning of The Idea That Wouldn’t Go Away.
I sat down and fairly quickly created a synopsis of exactly how I imagined the story would unfold, followed by three chapters. I entered it into a contest that didn’t have the usual unpublished-authors-only rule. Two unpublished judges pronounced it just fair because of the slightly different structure (I dismissed this; they hadn’t been published and I had). The published judge said it showed originality and promise.
I polished it up and sent it to my agent. An associate editor said she loved my voice and the story as well, but unfortunately for me, her boss, who did the acquiring, did not share her enthusiasm and declined, citing reasons that after all these years I can’t exactly remember, but which boiled down to not traditional enough.
And so began years worth of revisions and submitting to editors, editors, and more editors, all within the same house. A Big Shakeup occurred after sales started to slip, with a call for stories told from fresh viewpoints. I re-submitted, again without success. Over the years new imprints were created, with new editors. Then old editors were replaced with new editors, and still my agent and I kept trying. Of interest was that out of all the rejections I received, no two reasons were the same. (Talk about things that make you go, Hmmm…)
Eventually I put the story on submission hiatus, but I never stopped thinking about it. During last year’s presidential campaign, the talks about the issue of immigration made me think about it again (yes, there is a connection). I kept thinking about it when the troubled world economy pushed this issue to the back burner. Finally, I decided this story was too damn good to sit in my closet and gather dust. I couldn’t stop thinking about the damn thing, even when I should have been working on the projects I had under contract.
So what did this author of 15 published novels do in the end? I published it myself, with assistance of a skilled freelance editor and cover designer. I reasoned that if my readership wanted to read a new romance by me, they can, because it’s out there (on-line). And, best of all, that burning need to get this story in print would go away for good. After all, I have a women’s fiction story that’s due to my editor in September.
I’m proud to announce that Save The Best For Last was published last month, and so far reader feedback has been quite favorable. I can’t tell you how proud I am of this book.
So that’s what this writer did when a story idea just wouldn’t quit. The irony is that by the time I finished work on it, it was too long for a category romance. I easily could have submitted it to houses who publish longer contemporary romance with broader guidelines, but after all these years I just didn’t feel like waiting another damn minute to hold my brainchild in printed form.
If you’d like to read this story that obsessed me for so many years, leave a comment on this blog for a chance to win one (sorry, this prize will only be sent to addresses within the US or APO). Note that you must be registered here at loveisanexplodingcigar.com to comment; a guide on how to do this can be found on the panel on the left of your screen.
Now that my thoughts are once again my own, tell me, has a story idea ever nagged at you incessantly until you just sat down and wrote it?
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Love it!
Welcome, Bettye, and kudos to you for not letting your dream project die -- and I LOVE the cover!
I find your story so inspiring. It's wonderful to sell books to traditional publishers, and we value that, but I think there's a different kind of pride associated with not quitting on these stories that we love that don't let go.
I have three -- one that my agent actually did love, and editors liked it to, but it didn't sell, and in retrospect I know why. So I am revising it as I have time, on my own, and plan to have it up on Kindle by the end of the year, hopefully.
Another, I wrote three years ago, and it really was awful -- though it led me to my agent. I thought I had let it go, and then returned to the idea, if not the book, again this Spring -- it wouldn't let go. But now I knew how to do it -- my agent is just getting ready to shop that proposal now.
And a third, another project that was rejected, and I put it in the "attic" (so to speak -- can you tell I have been watching Dollhouse? LOL), but I pulled it out yesterday, sudddenly inspired by a blog I saw, to revise and send it back to my agent for another publisher. I liked the characters just as much and I can't let them go without one more try.
Other books I leave behind without even thinking twice, and never go back to them. Funny how that happens, and which ones don't let go of us.
But good for you, and I really appreciate you sharing your story with us. :)
Sam
from Bettye
Sam, thank you for so promptly agreeing to let me post and for not making me feel like a) an unwelcome relative - the type where you pretend you're not in when they come around, haha, and b) a looney tunes!
I'm so glad to see I'm not the only writer whose ideas grip me and don't let go! Incidentally, my latest mainstream, A New Kind of Bliss, is a story that I first conceived in 2000 after attending a high school reunion and had difficulty selling, but I didn't give up!
I wish you success with your project. I made Save The Best For Last available for the Kindle as well. Author Sean D. Young designed the cover. By coincidence, she, like my heroine, is a graphic artist.
Bettye
We'd never make anyone feel like that here at Cigars, least of all a favorite author, but I assume you mean the ingrained attitudes against self-pub? I don't buy into that (obviously) -- I think more and more authors are exploring these options with their work. I'm on lists where many, many established authors are considering self-pubbing out of print work, etc and books that they couldn't sell -- why not? There's a reader for every book, I think.
What a good idea to get quotes or signatures for the Kindle books -- I may try that, too.
Sam
from Bettye
Nah, I was just trying to be funny, i.e., "Her again? And she wants to write about obsession? Is she nuts???" No sensitivities here about being self-published. (BTW, the negative attitudes about self-published works stems from poor writing and editing, neither of which is in my book!) Although, now that you mention it, my requests to have my book reviewed by a major African-American romance site did go pointedly ignored . . .
And how'd you know that reprints are coming up next (smile)?
Inspiration
Bettye,
I loved this post as someone who has always published her own work and has never submitted anything, your story inspired me...I cant wait to read your newest...be BLESSED!
angelia
Inspiring!
Very inspiring, Bettye! I have to say I haven't felt like that about any story yet. Oh, I have under-the-bed books, but I know why they are there and I don't feel like working on them. A published friend and I were just talking about this very thing a couple of days ago: the book that won't let you go. I don't have one of those, not yet. She had an UtBB that she was able to drag out, give to her editor, and revise for the line. I've had very little trouble letting go of the books I wrote before I sold. I do think about one from time to time, but it has so much wrong that I'm not sure how I'd ever fix it. And with 3 books a year right now, I don't have time!
Congrats to you for believing in that book and going your own way with it. :)
Lynn Raye Harris
www.LynnRayeHarris.com
SPANISH MAGNATE, RED-HOT REVENGE, Harlequin Presents, Aug 09 (US/UK)
CAVELLI'S LOST HEIR, Dec 09 UK, January 2010 US
THE PRINCE'S ROYAL CONCUBINE, March 2010 UK
Hi Bettye! Glad you're
Hi Bettye! Glad you're having such success with your new book. Self-publishing takes courage, maybe more so after so many books with traditional publishers. Kudos to you.
PatriciaW
http://readinnwritin.blogspot.com
Angelia, Lynn, Patricia
Thanks for the encouraging words, Angelia!
Lynn, I've got projects that I don't feel like working on, either. Many a night as I stayed up until 2AM I would wish I felt the same about Save The Best For Last so I could get some sleep!
My girl Patricia, I'm not brave; I'm just ornery, haha!
Welcome, Bettye!
What a great story!! I have a book that I wrote about five years ago that actually led me to my current editor. This book has been looked at by several different editors at Harlequin and although the reactions were all positive, the story doesn't quite fit into any of their respective lines. But I can't bring myself to put it away and forget it. Of all the heroes I've written, this guy is my favorite and I'd love to see his story in print.
Thank you for sharing this!
from Bettye
Yes, Karen, that was my problem. My story didn't fit into very constricted guidelines. But that didn't mean it wasn't a good story. I actually think it works better in the longer format. I've known for some time now that I'm not a category romance writer - too long-winded, I guess.
Way to go, Bettye!
I think it is great that you stuck to your guns and did it for you. I've certainly done that with some ideas I've had for my women's group projects, or ideas for date nights for hubby and I. Sometimes an idea just sits there and percolates until you attempt it. Sometimes it sails, sometimes it bombs, LOL, but then it is out of your head. Sounds like yours is sailing. Way to go!
from Bettye
Cathy, it just goes to show . . . a good idea has no expiration date!
Hi Bettye
Thanks for sharing your story. I would love to read your book. I am not an author but I do understand about something you have to write down because it just won't let you go. Years ago I used to write poetry and occasionally a poem would come to mind and effect me that that way.
from Bettye
Cherie, I'll go out on a limb and say that if you do read Save The Best For Last you're sure to enjoy it. If you don't win the drawing, it is available on Amazon.com (for Kindle as well as in book format) and also at Target.com. The Amazon site allows you to get a sneak peek.
Save The Best For Last
Hi Ms. Bettye
I am here and I have to tell you that I love your journey to writing Save The Best For Last. I tell it is something about that title and when I first heard it thought about the singer Vanessa Williams. I am so glad that you self published this book and didn't give up on your reader who just love your romance. It has been a while and you know we have missed you although I have several of your main stream book but I am an avid reader or romance and I just love reading.
I rec'd my book yesterday and begin reading this morning on the train to work. My plan is to be through with the book by tomorrow.
You take care and continue to pump out those romance novel that we so love.
Smooches
Louise
from Bettye
Glad you liked the title, Louise. It becomes apparent fairly quickly after the hero is introduced why I chose that title (and why the cover shows desserts). I used to like that song, maybe the first couple of hundred times I heard it, and then it started to get on my nerves. But it did fit the story. I am working on a couple of proposals for larger, more layered romances for traditional publishing, and I promise you I'll keep on writing and publishing, one way or the other!
Very neat, Bettye!
You've got to follow your muse until you write that story!
I definitely enjoyed A New Kind of Bliss--that sounds like a completely different kind of story. Best wishes with all your stories yet to be written!
from Bettye
Hi, Fedora!
Thanks for the good wishes. Yes, A New Kind of Bliss and Save The Best For Last are two different types of stories, the former being women's fiction and the latter contemporary romance, but both are written in pure Bettye Griffin style! Glad to hear you enjoyed A New Kind of Bliss! I'm not sure what's gotten into me lately, but I've been writing like mad!
That's fantastic!
Glad you're in writing mode! Gotta get those stories down :) Best wishes, Bettye!
Save the best for last
Although I have not published anything myself, I have traveled the road with a very good friend of mine. Your story is an inspiration to anyone with a story in their heart. Keep up the good work.
from Bettye
Thanks, Ms. Granny! I'll do my best!
It's after 10PM here in the
It's after 10PM here in the Midwest, and I'll check back either later tonight or early tomorrow morning in case anyone else posts, but I wanted to take a moment to thank Sam for being so gracious in allowing me to do another guest blog (she rocks!) and to wish everyone luck in the drawing, which Sam will announce. Remember, the shipping address must be within the U.S. or APO/FPO!
In closing, I wish you good reading (preferably one of my titles . . . .)
Winner!
Cherierj! You've won a copy of Bettye's book -- congrats!
Email me at samhunter@samanthahunter.com, and I'll forward your mailing info to Bettye. :)
Thanks again, Bettye, for a great blog, and best of luck with Save the Best for Last
Wonderful! What a wonderful
Wonderful! What a wonderful surprise to return to after being out of town a few days. Thank you very much! I just sent my email with my mailing address.
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