I Write with Cats.

{End of the Weekend}

§57 · June 28, 2009 · Uncategorized · (No comments)

I would normally blog about something useful or something I learned etc. Tonight I’m just sad that I have to go back to a real job in the morning. How did I ever become a writer? It came completely out of left field and now it has a clamp on me and won’t let go.

That’s okay, because I love it. The only bad part is I want to spend everyday researching and planning, then bringing scenes to life. I want to see my name on the cover of a real book on a real bookstore display. I’m good and hooked.

Don’t get me wrong, I still say it will happen one way or the other. I just wish it would happen between now and 6:30 am!

Okay, enough whining, but that’s where I am right now. I’ll leave all the interesting notes I’ve gathered tonight and dream about them instead.

With love and murder,

Suza

{Cat in My Lap and a Bug in My Ear}

§52 · June 24, 2009 · Cats, Ups n Downs · 3 comments

The lucky cat of the day is Daisy. (See as my bodyguard in pics on myspace/suzakates or facebook/suzakates) Hey!…Bodyguard just bit my arm, since the typing’s disturbing her. I know it’s her day of, but come on.

Another side bar(One word or two? Have to look that up since I’m not a lawyer)..so the other sidebar is, for those who may be offended that their comments have to be approved, believe me, I just saved your eyeballs from a scorching. How do these pervs find us?

We’ve covered the cat in my lap, so what’s this bug in my ear? As a new writer, and I say new because I’ve just recently started looking for an agent and getting my name out there,so, as a new writer, I am like a sponge when it comes to the publishing industry. I read whatever I can to improve my knowledge and my chances, then share some of that with you. I read an intriguing blog today, and sorry, I forgot to save the link, but it was about self-publishing. Many supporters and critics, but it all seemed to boil down to this.

The paper book is here to stay, but I believe the e-versions are, too. Right now, I could self-publish my 2 completed books, but that would not be wise at this juncture. Here’s why.

1) I’ve only been networking for 3 1/2 months, and you HAVE to have a large fanbase to make any money at self-publishing.

2) It is still seen as something anybody can do, so no prestige. It IS something anybody can do, but the cream rises to the top as there are critiques and reviews available.

3) Even though I know the odds, especially in the current market, of becoming published AND making money, I still, in my writer’s heart, have to give the tried and true route a go.

Make no mistake…I will be published, whether by a publishing house or my own little self. Then…let the readers decide. If a person wading through hundreds of query letters turns me down, or if 1,000 of them do, then okay…but the battle’s not over. If readers of my books don’t recommend me to others, that will send me a loud and clear message…WRITE BETTER!!!

And from readers…I will take that message to heart, because they will have actually tried the product.

So, I’m off to network, because if things aren’t going where I want them too after a sufficient atempt on my part, them welcome to Suza Kates-Public Relations and Marketing Specialist! Ha ha ha!

(But I’m not giving up on the dream)

With love and murder,

Suza

{At Both Ends and in the Middle}

§50 · June 17, 2009 · Ups n Downs · 1 comment

Burning the candle, that is.

I’ve been really excited about working on the follow up book to She Who is Hidden…more romance, bad guys, and exotic locales. Plus, more of one of my favorite characters.

However, I’ve also been working on a book that’s straight suspense, and will probably do so under another name, since it’s not a romance. Therein lies the exhaustion.

I’m still getting Suza Kates up and running…website, social sites, newsletter, etc. Will the other pseudonym have as good of a web page since the book’s not even done? Should I make a clear connection between that name and Suza? Will self-publishing under that name (if I do) have any affect, good or bad on Suza Kates?

These are the questions I’m pondering today, but only for so long, because a new short story and newsletter are due out soon.

With love and murder in mind,

Suza

{Rejection}

§48 · June 12, 2009 · Ups n Downs · 2 comments

It’s been a roller coaster ride for the last 2 months, and few words have been written…well, that were part of a story or book, that is. Many have been written in the pursuit of perfecting my querry letter and synopsis. After several re-writes, I’m still not sure they’re good enough.

The querry letter is how one introduces themselves and their manuscript to an agent, praying that agent will like the letter enough to read a little of the manuscript (book.) Yes, it all rests in your ability to make an impression with one letter. Forget all those months and thousands of words that went into the book.

A synopsis is a very short and sweet summary of what happens in your book. Some say it should showcase your writing ability, while others say keep it simple. Huh? Then hope you did the style that the agent you sent it to prefers.

As to the rejection part…I knew it would happen. It was expected. I’m a brand new writer on the scene and the economy affects everything. Some of the most successful authors out there were rejected early on.

It still stinks and scares me to death. I’ve only sent out a few query letters, and only one has been a definite no. The others I’m waiting to hear from. According to books I’ve read, I should actually send out a few more letters, because some agents take months to respond.

So, lately I’ve been in a little bit of a funk. I’m going to keep at it, though, and the RWA convention should be a gold mine of networking. I’ve already made a few contacts via social websites. Only those who kept going through the dark days ever came out on the other side, right?

Okay, before I get to maudlin…off to work, to write, to dream…

Suza

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I Write with Cats.

Unique writer’s trivia with some humor thrown in the mix.

{End of the Weekend}

{Cat in My Lap and a Bug in My Ear}

{At Both Ends and in the Middle}

{Rejection}

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