Chasing chances

Two years ago I pitched one of my novels to an editor for the first time at a writing conference. It was...harrowing. As it turned out, the conference organizers muffed things, so I had to pitch to someone who didn't even work with adult fiction, but I decided to do it anyway for the practice. You might think I wouldn't even be nervous knowing that there was no chance it could go anywhere.

Nope. Still terrifying.

But before I left for the conference, a good friend of mine gave me the book, "What Do You Do With a Chance?" by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom (illustrator). It's a beautiful picture book about someone who lets fear keep them from pursuing opportunities until finally learning that the possibilities that open up when we seize chances are worth the risk of failure. That message -- and knowing that my friend cared for me enough to share it -- got me through that first pitching experience.

I wish I could say that from that moment on, I banished fear and moved courageously through the world. But if you read my post, Why I'm licking the restroom floor this NaNoWriMo, you know that's not true. However, I'm proud to announce that I've been querying agents for my novel, What Comes After, and although I haven't yet found a match, I've gotten some encouraging responses that make me think I'm on the right track. At the same time, I'm also researching self-publishing options and seriously considering going that route if I get weary of pursuing the traditional approach.

What does that mean for you? It may mean you have to wait a little longer before seeing any of my novels in print. Sorry about that. But in the meantime, I'll be sharing more of my short fiction just for fun. These are quick, easy-to-digest stories in response to a writing prompt. Usually written in a day with little or no revision, and frequently for the purpose of stretching outside of my comfort zone. So, this is no great literature, but I hope you'll have as much fun reading them as I did writing them!