Don't Fear the Draft(s)

For several years I had been writing scenes that I hoped someday would result in a finished memoir. During those earlier years, the scenes were numbered and each scene was its own document -- kind of like a bunch of short stories. When I decided it was time to write the book, I combined all of the scenes into one document and named it DRAFT #1. I smiled; sure, it was extremely rough and filled with typos and misplaced punctuation marks, but I was pleased with this milestone and a word count of 55,000 +/-.

I eagerly took the first chapter of the first draft to a writer's group I had recently joined. The group quickly pointed out the many flaws. Several commented 'you might have something here.' I wasn't discouraged.

I headed home and created a desktop folder called BOOK and dragged the first draft into it. Then I made a copy to work with ("they" -- whoever they are -- say never work on the original piece). I diligently attended the weekly in-person critique group, shared scenes from the book, and returned home after each meeting with stacks of papers covered in inked cursive comments. I set to work moving scenes around, word-smithing, and correcting "tells" into "shows."

Before long, papers stacked haphazardly around my desk, and digital drafts multiplied like rabbits in the springtime. I was in trouble and no longer smiling. Chronologically, it was a story; albeit, a story lacking several components. Fellow writers reminded me to 'keep writing.' So I did. I continued with the critique group, and slowly, almost a year later, I realized where I wanted the book to take its readers. By that time, I was well into the digital document creatively named DRAFT # 9 on my desktop.

The Spring of 2020 had people barricading against COVID and all activities, including the in-person critique groups, halted. New concerns were stocking up on canned goods, bagged rice, bottled water, and toilet paper. Yikes---we were in a pandemic!

To keep from stressing about the virus, I researched author sites, attended online workshops, and eventually dived into ZOOM meetings with others in the craft. I never stopped working on the most recent draft of the book.

By the end of 2020, it was possible to see a story taking shape; and I decided to name the book, Calico Lane. Soon began the arduous task of "killing my darlings" (any character or event that didn't move the story forward was eliminated). In addition, my word count now exceeded 100K. At least 25K words had to be shaved from the most recent version (DRAFT #12). The scenes that were cut weren't deleted; I was cautioned to SAVE those scenes because they might be useful in the future. I began numbering the scenes in another folder labeled "Edited Out." I entered excerpts of Calico Lane in contests and reconfigured my website. An endless collection of drafts and unused scenes accompanied my WIP (work in process).

Finally, Calico Lane was in the hands of Beta Readers; during those months I took online workshops learning how to "Land an Agent" and followed through with preparing a 53-page book proposal. From that, came researching which agents to query and which documents each agent required (no two queries were the same). Another folder labeled "Agent Quest" now appeared on my desktop.

COVID numbers were lessening and people began peering from their doorways like crocus popping from the soil. I needed to get away from the computer! It had been a long haul. And, I was tired. So when the 74th agent's "no thank you" appeared in my inbox, I began researching through Amazon how to get my story out as an Indie Author.

Calico Lane was launched in January 2022. You can purchase your copy through my website (www.judykiehart.com) or Amazon (www.amazon.com/dp/0578340836)

Recently, I handed my stack of papers titled "Agent Quest" to a friend who is completing her memoir and beginning her search for a literary agent.

This winter, when the rains come, I will not be afraid! I will decide what will become of those 14 drafts and forty-three scenes that were edited out!

Don't Fear the Drafts! Oh, and Happy Halloween!

Try to Remember the Kind of September...

I've lost the desire to be in the sun for long periods of time and the winters in Northeastern Pennsylvania were brutal. Flowers blooming and lawns greening with the spring rains are wonderful sights, but it's always been the crisp autumn air that put joy in my step.

Autumn has been my favorite season for as long as I can remember.

In September, I loved going back to school. It was more than the new shoes and a bookbag stuffed with tablets and number two pencils; it was more than a different homeroom with a new teacher. Sure, I enjoyed learning but there was something about reconnecting with classmates after the three-month separation.

In grade school, my summers were spent with the friends in my neighborhood and as I progressed from elementary school to high school, friends from nearby towns kept me busy. Once school was in session, it was always a treat to see classmates who lived further away.

Last week, the children in my neighborhood returned to their classrooms. The week before Labor Day, I asked one ten-year-old if she was looking forward to school. She twirled around excitedly and chirped, "Yes! I'll be with my friends."

I won't tell her that as the years pass she will lose track of those childhood friends. I won't tell her that eventually, we go our separate ways. I'll allow her to enjoy her September to reconnect with friends because grownups allowed me that pleasure when I was a child.

I attended the same school district from Kindergarten through twelfth grade. I doubt I'd recognize most of my classmates but I remember their names. I'll occasionally search Facebook for those names and every once in a while I will locate someone. We'll do a message exchange, most times, but eventually, communication drops off. The evidence of too many years and too many miles between us. I'm thankful for those who have chosen to keep in touch.

COVID-19 halted our 50th High School reunion in 2021 and 2022. Maybe there will be a 55th reunion for 2026--but today that seems so, so far away.

Till then, I'll remember the many wonderful Septembers of past years.

40th Lakeland High School Reunion - 2011 - Windsor Inn

I'm seated, wearing a light blue shirt.

Quite a Ride

During a recent phone conversation, my son asked, “How are sales?” He was referring to my memoir, Calico Lane, which I published in January as an Indie Author---an independent author.

Allow me to tell you a little about that journey:

First off, I was determined that Calico Lane would be traditionally published. I took weeks of classes on writing the perfect sixty-page book proposal. I studied countless samples of query letters and then followed through with a query writing seminar. I spent months carefully honing and sending queries to 75 agents. I remained hopeful. I researched which memoir genre agents were either ‘looking for the next NY Times Best Seller' or 'eager to represent debut authors.’ Lord knows I tried to achieve representation through an agent. I imagined a traditional publisher offering me a good deal. I daydreamed about finding a literary lawyer who would pour over my book contract and advise me accordingly.

Responses from the agents were, in so many words, “no thank you” and, “sorry, not a project I can get behind.” Sadly, more than half did not acknowledge my inquiry.

Discouraged and after a year of deadends and disappointment, I was truly exhausted. My work area was buried beneath research files and the background drafts of Calico Lane. I turned to Amazon, followed their guidelines, and uploaded my book. I became a published author in seconds.

During the first couple of months following the "launch," everyone who knew me knew my book was out and available for sale.

As the saying goes, "hindsight is 20-20." I learned plenty after-the-fact. For example, the marketing should have been going on while I wrote and revised my drafts. Also, a social media platform should have been built. The book release date/launch date should have been announced on every FB site possible, through ads, and with email blasts. But I am not of the 'should've, would've, could've' mindset.

The entire process is overwhelming, especially for first-time Indie Authors. We invest in online writing courses and workshops, attend conferences, and talk with everyone who’s ever traveled this road to publication.

Publishing is mostly on our own, and we pay for all the services, such as editing, cover design, and formatting, as we creatively manage our dollars to produce the end product: A book.

It is a dance, from one guaranteed method to another as we learn about the successes and failures of other Indie Authors through FB sites, blogs, workshops, conferences, and podcasts.

Finally, the book is out and we watch for readers’ reviews and gaze dreamingly at the number of books sold in the ‘reports’ section of our Amazon’s dashboard page.

We pay table fees to get our book in the face of event go-ers. We do book readings and signings. We visit bookshops where Indie Authors have a 'local author' shelf. We even purchase books from Amazon and give them away (there are no free books to authors when dealing with Amazon).

We keep our ‘swag’ (give-a-ways like magnets and bookmarks) in the car glove compartment and at least one copy of the book on the back seat – JUST IN CASE!

Eventually, sales drop off. Since my book, Calico Lane is a memoir, and because I’m a regular person with a social media presence likened to a drop in a bucket, sales were not significant.

However, I am pleased with the reviews Calico Lane has earned on Amazon. The earlier rankings were noteworthy for as much as I understand the mystery of algorithms.

I am humbled and appreciative of those who supported me along the way, and who continue to support me and tell their friends about my book. I am thankful for each and every reader who took the time to post a review on Amazon and GoodReads.

Still, an author aspires to reach thousands of readers, not merely a few hundred. Some yearn to receive a call from Netflix and news that Ron Howard wants to direct a movie based on their book.

That’s when I had the dream. It was a phone conversation with my son, and as always, he asked how the book was doing.

In the dream, I shared my ups and downs.

Then, the dream plot shifted to a scene at his house. In the scene, for some reason, I was looking inside his bedroom closet and dresser drawers. That’s when I found them! Boxes and boxes of my book with receipts…he’d been purchasing several a week since the book was launched!

In my dream state, I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over my entire being. When I woke, I vowed that future answers to book sales questions would be a simple, “Well, it continues to sell."

And, I continue to enjoy the ride!