SUPER MEGA EXCITING NEWS!

Drum roll please..........


I HAVE AN AGENT!

You read that right. I am now an agented author! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I am represented by the supremely awesome Mark McVeigh of the McVeigh Agency.

Everyone always wants to know the "How I got my agent" story.

So this is mine:

First off, I'd like to thank all of my amazing critique partners, but specifically Brenda Drake, who had enough faith in me and my writing to stick with me through everything. She's an awesome critique partner and I am so lucky to have found her. I would not be writing this post today were it not for Brenda. Love ya Brenda!!! :)

The writing community on Twitter is wonderful.  I've met so many amazing writers, editors, agents, readers and bloggers on Twitter. It is a source of valuable information. Agents and editors tweet their likes, dislikes, pet peeves, tips on how to stand out in the slush pile. It might be odd, but I almost see Twitter as one giant, 24/7 writing conference.  It's a chance to network, learn and grow, all from the comfort of your home (or phone, or coffee shop, etc. you get the idea).

So why am I blathering on about the value of Twitter? Well that is part one of my agent story. I met a fellow writer, Tracy, on Twitter. We chatted frequently, and discovered that we had a lot in common. (Although I'd still love to learn to fly, Tracy... Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. ;) ) Long story short, she referred me to Mark McVeigh, an agent who she was good friends with. I had already researched him and knew he'd be a perfect fit, so I sent off my polished query and first twenty pages to Mark and mentioned Tracy's referral. Within a few hours, Mark emailed back with a very encouraging request for the full. A few days later, Mark called to offer representation.

The details of the call are kind-of blurry beacuse I was in shock. Mark was wonderful, loved my book and was super enthusiastic about getting it out there. After I hung up, my kids stared at me like I was crazy(but joyously joined in), when I jumped up and down, laughing and crying at the same time. And I am still in shock that not only do I have an agent, but I have MARK.

So the moral of the story? Networking is so important for authors. Not just for referrals (please don't network just for referals!), but learning the business and sharing the journey with other writers. There is a whole community out there just waiting for you to join in.

Announcements and a New WIP!

Hello dear readers.

I know I am not the best about updating this blog. But know that when I'm not updating this blog, I'm writing! And you know that is what you want me to be doing - right? RIGHT?? :)

So stay tuned for some exciting announcements coming in the next few weeks.

But first off, I'm a contributor to a group writing blog - http://dnawriters.blogspot.com/ . Go check us out. Seven writers - all at different stages of the writing game. We've got great posts, great contest (HUGE one coming up soon - so go follow us!) and have a lot of fun doing it.

On the writing front, I've started a new project. I'm keeping this one tightly under wraps though - so no spoilers. It is YA though. I've decided that while adult romance was fun to write for Nano, I think YA is where my heart lies (and my muse apparently is a seventeen year old girl...) Anyway - I was laying in bed the other night and the idea just started flowing in my head. At midnight I hopped out of bed, grabbed my notebook and started writing notes. By 1am, I had not only a title, but a plot synopsis, an outline, beginning and ending chapters, and even character notes. It was amazing. Tonight was my first night writing the 'shiny new idea' and I got the whole first chapter written. I edit while I write, so it takes a little longer, but in the long run I don't have to do as many editing passes.

My goal is to write the novel in a month (like I did for National Novel Writing Month). It really isn't that hard. The word count to finish a 50k book in 30 days is a mere 1667 words per day, every day. Tonight was a 2227 wc night. Hopefully I can keep this up (because this beautiful story is flowing like water out of my head).

And as I said - stay tuned for some exciting news that I will be announcing in the next few weeks.

Entry for Brenda Drake's Blogfest

Here is my entry for Brenda Drake's Blogfest.

Name: Shelley Watters
Title: BLUE LOTUS
Genre: YA paranormal romance

First line:  The jagged rocks on the edge of the cliff sliced  into my bare feet like razor blades.


And, if you're interested - here's the rest of that paragraph:

The jagged rocks on the edge of the cliff sliced into my bare feet like razor blades. The roar from the water crashing on the rocks below drowned any other sound. Hot wind whipped my long, dark hair around my face, drying the tears that fell down my cheeks.

Good luck to all the other contestants!