This is a test post. Please try to leave a comment.

Click on the "0 Comments" or "2 Comments" phrase below to bring up a comment box. Simply write "Testing" or as much as you like and follow the prompts to leave your comment.   If a message comes up asking you to sign on with your Google account, follow the prompts to tell Google your e-mail address -- the one you usually sign on with when you are e-mailing.  I designated my AOL address and it works fine.

Many people have trouble commenting on other Blog pages, so we are not unusual. Google and Blogspot have forums, but the "help" they give is sketchy and the steps they recommend don't follow what I see on the pages. I can't find a simple fix on this end, so I'm troubleshooting on my own. Your help is appreciated.

As a second test, try to leave a comment on my personal blog:   http://jeanne-lowery-meeks.blogspot.com
and tell me what happened.  If you can't get into either, please e-mail  me at jeannie200@aol.com with whatever observations you might have -- with details.

Thanks.
Jeanne

Writers Groups

I agree with my fellow authors that a GOOD writers group is essential to a finished manuscript. We, at the Southland Scibes, have helped one another for the past ten years. Many of us would not be published without the help of our peers.

DO YOU NEED A WRITING GROUP?

Since this is a new blog I'm not sure who will be reading this. This post is addressed to new writers. I'm sure you have heard that you should join a writers group so why haven't you joined one yet? Just because your mother said your book is great doesn't mean it is. What did you expect her to say?

If you want an honest opinion of your work, a writing group is the place to find it. My book BASIC BLACK never would have made it off the computer if it wasn't for this writing group. Before I joined I even had a person edit my manuscript. He was an editor, but of trade journals. He thought it was very good.

Then I joined this group. I found out at the very first meeting how awful my book was. It wasn't that the story was bad, it just wasn't set up as a readable novel. It was just a story. That's when I also found out more about point of view and past and present tense, setting, dialogue, etc. My manuscript was all over the place. One person in particular said it was so lousy I shouldn't be in the group and I should go take some writing courses. I was so upset I went home and deleted everything off my computer.

After giving it some more thought I decided I could figure out this writing thing with the help of the group. I pick up things quickly and after 3 meetings there were a lot less red marks on my copy and after 6 weeks I had the group asking me who was doing the writing for me. Needless to say the group thing must have worked because my book is now on Kindle and NOOK and paperback edition on Amazon and is doing very nicely - thank you very much. I've also received some wonderful reviews about it.

Lesson #1 - Yes, you need a writing group
Lesson #2 - Don't let anyone discourage you if you really want to write.

P.S. The rest of the group thought my first submission was lousy too, but they were just very polite about it.

Writer's Block

Right now I'm sitting at my desk, cup of coffee in hand, and a blank page in front of me. You see, I write my first draft long hand. Can't compose on a machine. I started this story a few weeks ago and only have three chapters written. Even though I know where I'm going, at least for now, my mind is in a blur.

I just learned yesterday that the neighbors next door with the three barking dogs have moved out. An answer to a three year long prayer. I guess God is busy. But, that certainly takes a burden off my mind.
So, shouldn't I be thrilled and full of momentum? Of course I should.

I just finished making a poster for the book launch of my third Emma Winberry Mystery, The Elusive Relation. This won't take place until October, but, I like to do things when the spirit moves my. Since the story takes place in London and environs, I have some neat pictures and history about the area. I'm getting excited about this.

I just realized what my problem is. We are still in the dog days of summer when my brain tends to shut down. As soon as the crisp fall weather hits me in the face, I become alive. Soon. For now, I'll have another cup of coffee and write a few more words.

How to get an agent?

I have been trying to get an  agent for years with no results. Even though I am published by two small presses, I cannot get my books considered by the bigger publishers without an agent. It's a real problem.
Talk about rejection. Hmmm ...
Does anyone have any suggestions? Any agents seeking cozy mysteries?

What to expect at a book signing

Helen, please tell us about your latest books signing.

rejections

Most of them come by e-mail these days so I simply delete. It's much less painful that way.

Rejection letters

They made me feel--rejected, at first. But, after twenty or thirty or more, I expected them. I do keep the few that have handwritten notes. The rest go in the recyling bin. Then, on to the next.
Helen Osterman

What do You do with Your Rejection Letters?

Rejection letters are a painful part of the writing process and not to be taken personally. It's just business. There are three different types of rejection letters.The most common is the form letter....
      "Dear Writer, Many thanks for contacting us about your work. We're very 
       sorry that we have to decline what you have been kind enough to offer, 
       because we can't help you achieve the success you want."  blah, blah, blah.

Not very helpful to the struggling author, but I don't blame the agents and publishers who resort to a form letter. There isn't enough time in the day to write personal notes to every writer who submits to them.

When I notice my own SASE among my pile of mail, my heart goes into my throat. I know my SASE brings bad news. I feel better though, when I see ink scrawled across the margins of the form letter––the second form of rejection–– a firm "NO" and a personal note.
     "Thanks so much, Jeanne, for sharing your novel with me. I'm afraid I don't
       want to spend that much time with your villain. There is too much empty talk
       and too much description. Keep at it!"

Okay, constructive criticism. She has given me a way forward. When I stop pouting, I comb through my novel again with her words in my mind. That agent or publisher thought enough of my work to spend time  reading at least a portion of the manuscript package and another few minutes scribbling out her response to my effort.  I immediately send an e-mail thanking her for her useful comments. Maybe that publisher will remember kindly when I submit another project.

I've had no experience with the third type of rejection letter.
        "Great story. I'm sorry I don't have room on my list right now, but I've
          mentioned your work to my good friend at XYZ publishing. Please
          submit to him ASAP."

We can all dream of such a letter.

Perhaps the most common rejection isn't a letter at all. It is silence. You send your work out into the world and get no response. That's the worst, so celebrate the rejection letters you receive. Each one gets that publisher out of the way and gives you the opportunity to get to the publisher who loves your novel.

So what do you do with your rejection letters? File them? Frame them? Burn them? How do you handle the disappointment?

Southland Scribes Blog

This is the initial blog of a group of writers located on the south side of Chicago.
My name is Helen Osterman and I am the first to post. I have a series of cozy mysteries, the Emma Winberry series published by Five Star. I also have a stand alone, Notes in a Mirror, paranormal/historical, published by Weaving Dreams Publishing.

I'm investigating the brave new world of ebooks. Not a simple venture. Even though I have two degrees, this new language is similar to someone speaking in tongues. I suppose, with enough coaching, I shall be able to master the art.

If anyone out there can give me advice, I would appreciate it.

Now, all I can think of is my coming vacation in the Virgin Islands on my son's sailboat.
I'll certainly have some interesting things to say about that.

Thanks for reading this.
Helen