Author Interview: Sherri Sand, Author of Leave It To Chance--Win a Copy!

**WIN A COPY OF LEAVE IT TO CHANCE BY SHERRI SAND**

Sherri Sand's first novel, Leave It To Chance, is a humorous tale of a romance between two stubborn people and the antics of a horse named Chance.

Sherri is a wife and mother of four young children who keep her scrambling to stay ahead of the spilled milk. She is a member of The Writer’s View and American Christian Fiction Writers. Sherri finds the most joy in writing when the characters take on a life of their own and she becomes the recorder of their stories. She holds a degree in psychology from the University of Oregon.

Here's Part 1 of a two-part interview with Sherri. Come back Thursday for Part 2.


What got you started along the Writing Road?
I felt pretty powerless as a child and escaped into a world of fantasy. At bedtime, I would lay awake for hours concocting stories in which I was the heroine and could say or do things that made me feel empowered. Sometimes that world was more real to me than my own. I think I’ve always known that I would write. About ten years ago, when I was pregnant with twins and on doctor mandated bed rest, I had the time to start. So the passion to write started to bloom, but it was five years before I had the confidence to pursue publication.


What are any obstacles that you've experienced along the Writing Road?
I tend toward perfectionism, and for a lot of years my value and worth were tied up in performance. So it was a bit scary tossing my manuscript out there to get chewed up by critiques and rejections. It was easy to withdraw into my cave when I didn’t feel that my writing was strong enough. A couple years ago, God did a tremendous transformation in my life and walked me through the process of putting my value where it truly belongs—in Him. Though it’s something I have to remind myself of often.

What's next for you along the Writing Road?
I’m involved in a collaboration project that I’m jazzed about, but we’re still in the outlining process.


**Leave a comment to be entered to win a copy of Leave It To Chance.**

Visit Sherri's Web site.

Thanks for stopping by Sherri Sand’s Leave it to Chance blog tour!
Here are the blogs featuring Sherri during our May 19-23 tour.
Amber Miller: http://www.ambermiller.com
Blog Tour Spot: http://blogtourspot.wordpress.com
Camy’s Loft: http://camys-loft.blogspot.com
Chatter Matters: http://jenndoucette.blog-city.com
A Christian Romance Writer’s Journey: http://www.eileenastels.blogspot.com
Cliffy’s Mom’s Blog: http://nancyjbailey.blogspot.com/
Fictionary: http://cballan.wordpress.com
Flying Changes: http://flyingchanges.wordpress.com/
The Friendly Book Nook: http://thefriendlybooknook.com
Horse Book Reviews: http://horsebookreviews.blogspot.com/
I Don’t Wanna Blog: http://elizardbreath8.blogspot.com
In the Dailies: http://www.tanyadennisbooks.com
Leap of Faith: http://marriageleap.com
lighthouse-academy: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com
A Little Bit of Sunshine: http://footprintsinthesand.us/blog
Margaret Daley: http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com
Ma Space: http://grammaspace.blogspot.com
Musings on This, That & The Other Thing: http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com
Mystery, Suspense and God, Oh My!: http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com
Net’s Notes: http://www.annetteirby.blogspot.com
Novel Journey: http://noveljourney.blogspot.com
Penning Prose: http://www.audrasilva.com/blog
Portrait of a Writer . . . Interrupted: http://www.ginaconroy.com/ginablog/wordpress
Readin N Writing with Patricia: http://readinnwritin.blogspot.com
Real Women Scrap: http://realwomenscrap.typepad.com/
Relevant Blog: http://relevantblog.blogspot.com
Sharon Hinck: http://www.sharonswriting.blogspot.com/
Sips ‘n Cups Cafeteria: http://peggyblannphifer.blogspot.com
Smells Horsey: http://www.smellshorsey.com/
Toni V Lee: http://www.tonivlee.blogspot.com
Writing by Faith: http://writebyfaith.blogspot.com

Write an “It’s Great” Query Letter

“An art whose medium is language will always show a high degree of critical creativeness, for speech is itself a critique of life: it names, it characterizes, it passes judgment, in that it creates.”—Thomas Mann

Top Six “How to Kill” An Editor or Agent's Interest

The old adage, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” applies to writing a query letter. It’s like a first date. It may be your only chance to receive an editor or agent’s call.

Rachelle Gardner, an agent with WordServe, gave Springs Writers a few tips that put an editor or agent on guard or kill their interest.

“This article or book is great.”
“Your reader’s will love it.”
“My revolutionary work…”
“There are no books written about this.”
“This is perfect for your publishing house.”
“This breathless story…”

An agent or editor wants to read a letter that makes them say, “This is great!” For more writing tips, check out Rachelle’s blog.

Online Author Video--What Will They Think of Next?

I mentioned on an earlier post that New York Times bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins joined the ranks of bloggers.
His book, Riven, hits bookstores this July. Tyndale House is publishing Riven. If you want to learn more about the book, you can hear Jenkins talk about it in an online video posted on Tyndale's Web site.
The book's plot is intriguing.
But, I've got to tell you I was also intrigued by the fact that I was watching an author interview online.
How cool is that?
Talk about thinking outside the box when it comes to marketing! Talk about using technology to your advantage! There was a list of other author interviews on the Web site--and I'll definitely be checking out Susan May Warren's video. And Kevin Leman's. And Francine River's.
Check it out. You'll probably find some of your favorite authors on the list!

Is There a Rejection Letter Vaccination?

“You've got to love this business. You have to be able to take rejection.”— Jessica Biel

Dear Writer,

We appreciate the time you took to send our publishing house your manuscript that God told you to write. We may never again have the opportunity to read anything equaling your heavenly masterpiece.

We have carefully considered your manuscript. However, your sensational story of how God told you that we must publish your book just did not grab our editorial or marketing teams’ interest. If we were to publish your book, how could we publish anything of lesser supernatural creativity? Something compels us to encourage you to send your divine composition elsewhere.

Our publishing house receives thousands of book proposals each year. Since we don’t have the time to personally critique everyone’s work, we hope our suggestions from our Top Ten Reasons Why We Reject a Manuscript are helpful (check all that apply.):

X The audience is too small.
X It doesn’t fit our publishing needs.
X This type of book doesn’t sell.
X It’s too narrowly focused.
X It’s already been done.
X It’s an article, not a book.
X It’s too risky not worth the financial outlay to publish it.
X The acceptance dart didn’t hit your book proposal.
X This is the worst book we have ever read. You are functionally illiterate.
X You aren’t famous nor are you an expert in your field.

Best wishes…
Editor

P.S. We strongly recommend that you obtain professional help to address your problems and neurochemical disorder.

Stinger Zinger Rejection Letters
Ouch! Even wannabees, who later became bestselling authors, were judged as crazy, boring, uneducated, or out-of-touch with reader interests.

1. “The author of this book is beyond psychiatric help.” Crash, J.G. Ballard. Rejected by many publishing houses. Crash was adapted for the screen by David Cronenberg.

2. “The girl doesn’t, it seems to me, have a special perception or feeling which would lift that book above the “curiosity” level. A dreary record of typical family bickering, petty annoyances and adolescent emotions.” The Diary of Anne Frank, Anne Frank. Rejected 16 times. More than 30 million copies are currently in print, making it one of the best-selling books in history.

3. “A long, dull novel about an artist.” Lust for Life, Irving Stone. Rejected 16. Sold around 25 million copies.

4. “We are not interested in science fiction which deals with negative utopias. They do not sell.” Carrie, Stephen King. Rejected more than 30 times. In the spring of 1973, Doubleday & Co. accepted Carrie for publication. On Mother's Day of that year, Stephen learned that a major paperback sale gave him the financial means to write full-time. The movie Carrie received two Oscar nominations and one Golden Globe nomination. The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA nominated it for a Golden Scroll as the Best Horror Film. The Edgar Allan Poe Awards nominated it for Best Motion Picture. The Hugo Awards nominated it for the Best Dramatic Presentation.

5. “I haven’t really the foggiest idea about what the man is trying to say… Apparently the author intends it to be funny—possibly even satire—but it is really not funny on any intellectual level … From your long publishing experience you will know that it is less disastrous to turn down a work of genius than to turn down talented mediocrities.” Catch—22, Joseph Heller. Rejected over 20 times.

6. “It is impossible to sell animal stories in the USA.” Animal Farm, George Orwell. Rejected 23 times.

7. “These stories have trees in them.” A River Runs Through It, Norman MacLean. Rejected by every New York publishing house. It became a hit movie.

8. “Too different from other juveniles on the market to warrant its selling.” To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, Dr. Seuss. Rejected 24 times.

9. “My dear fellow, I may be dead from the neck up, but rack my brains as I may, I can't see why a chap should need thirty pages to describe how he turns over in bed before going to sleep.” Remembrance of Things Past, Marcel Proust.

Antidote for Crazy Rejection Letters

An editor from the San Francisco Examiner sent Rudyard Kipling this rejection letter: “I am sorry, Mr. Kipling, but you just do not know how to use the English language.”

If editors jab bestselling authors with rejection, I'm not immune either. The antidote to overcome rejection? Keep writing, believe in your personal brand of writing insanity, hone your skills, and pursue publication.

Check It Out: Advanced Fiction Writing Blog

We've got a great local writer's group. Last night, Rachelle Gardner talked to the group about query letters and book proposals. Rachelle is a literary agent. with lots of experience in the publishing world and a great blog: CBA Ramblings.
Rachelle emphasized the importance of writing an eye-catching summary of your book for your book proposal. She mentioned that author Randy Ingermanson, of SNOWFLAKE fame, had recently blogged about one-sentence summaries. So, I wandered over to Randy's blog and found the starting post. You can follow the rest of the posts by clicking on the Craft link at the end of the post.
Just for fun, you might want to read all the one-sentence summaries that other folks posted for Randy to critique. Along the way, you'll see what other folks are writing about--and learn the ins and outs of crafting a good one-sentence summary of your book.
Enjoy wandering the blogosphere. I'm off to edit!!

Tips for Coping with Rejection

“The drama is a great revealer of life.” —George P. Baker

Has a life trauma drama ever left you emotionally drained? If anyone is qualified to write passionate fiction, a trauma momma drama queen could write a New York Times blockbuster in the fantasy or horror category. Their ability to exaggerate or create a nonexistent plot line is beyond rational thinking. Recently, a discussion ended with a surprise twist.

Back Story
An organization proposed a plan that may consume twenty hours of my week for the next nine months. Did I mention—without consulting me or considering my writing commitments or schedule? I honestly expressed my surprise to the person requesting this program: I would appreciate being included in any decision processes affecting my life.

The response? It will only take four, maybe five hours a day—Monday through Saturday. That’s all. No big deal.

Excuse Me!
What kind of person thinks it’s okay to hijack someone’s life without consulting them? I have a right to say, “How can we work together to accomplish everyone’s goals?”

A simple request for consideration turned ugly. The trauma drama ratcheted up on the other end of the phone line. Crying. Manipulation. Accusations. Exaggerations. Name calling. This person “heard” words I never said or even thought. Slam! The phone line went dead.

Ten minutes later, I am still sobbing. Ring. A calm, demanding voice says, “Will you do this or not? Yes or no. That’s all I want to know.” How did this person process all that trauma drama in such a short period?

Again, I attempt to calmly state that to participate in this program, a conversation that includes me needs to take place that respects my commitments.

The conversation ended. My chest felt heavy, painful hives popped out, and I did not sleep. As this person retreated to a spouse’s arms, I felt emotionally desperate. I’m single. My body ached to be held, affirmed, comforted.

I didn’t want to dump my emotional heaviness on anyone. I longed for understanding. I journaled and then decided shopping therapy might relieve the pain.

It didn’t. I just felt lonelier cruising up and down store aisles alongside strangers.

That night an intense dream merged and surged the heart-not-to-heart conversation, my fears, past maltreatment, and the topic of my current book proposal. I reunited with my X who was unfaithful, only to be rejected again. Processing the last couple of days reminded me of the facts of life on the writing road.

Life Interruptus
Life interrupts my writing. Drama enriches it. People try to entrap and distract me in their conflicts. I have enough issues of my own to deal with. So what have I learned?
Guard your writing life.
Stay focused.
When distracted, refocus.
When emotionally trampled, journal.
Fight to pursue your passion.
Keep your commitments.
Pursue reconciliation.

Not Everyone Values Your Heart
Rejection smarts. You will receive Simon Cowell stinger zingers. If you write—
some people will not respect the time you set aside to write.
not every manuscript achieves acceptance.
not everyone values your point of view or writing style.
expect rejection letters, they’re proof—you’re a professional writer!

To Be or Not To Be a Writer
How do I face rejection? Laugh. Cry. Learn. Be fearless. Choose joy. Embrace peace. Keep giving, living, loving, and writing. Temporary rejection or life interruptions cannot hijack a writer’s dreams. It may slow them down. Giving up, quitting or bowing to other's unrealistic demands halts the pursuit. Always remember: publication is forever.

8 1/2 Steps to Writing Better, Faster

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know I love Visual Thesaurus. It's an online, mind-mapping thesaurus. Plug in a word you want a synonym for, and you get a muticolored "map" of different words.
The Web site is packed with other must-haves for writers too, like a word of the day and word lists and columns and blogs.

One of the columnists, Daphne Gray-Grant, is a writing and editing coach and the author of 8 1/2 Steps to Writing Better, Faster.

1. In 8½ Steps to Writing Faster, Better you will learn:
   1. Why you should never, ever, ever write an outline to plan your writing (and what you should do instead).
   2. Five methods for turning off the voice in your head that says “I’m a crummy writer."
   3. How to budget your preparing, writing and self-editing time (the numbers will surprise you).
   4. Why walking away from your work is one of the single most important steps in writing.
   5. Nine different ledes (journalists call the beginning of their stories "ledes") to help grab your readers right from the first word.
   6. The exact sentence length you should write for maximum reader appeal.
   7. How to “automate” your editing so your computer does half of the work for you.
   8. Why you should consider turning off monitor when you write. (Yes, you read that correctly!).
   9. 10 tips for writing a book.
   And what’s the deal with the half step? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out.

Go here for an interview with Gray-Grant on Visual Thesaurus. In the interview, she says she recommends that writers turn off their computer monitors when they're writing.

Huh?!

Gray-Grant says the goal of the exercise is to get you to stop reading what you've just written. She explains why:

"One of the metaphors I use in the book is that writing is a bit like driving a car. Everybody knows that only one person can drive at a time. And if your editing brain is driving, then your writing brain is in the backseat. And, conversely, if the writing brain is driving, you don't want the editing brain to be sitting there, too, trying to grab the steering wheel -- that's the way to get into an accident."

Interesting writing exercise. I just may try it. My only concern? I know there will be lots of typos on the screen when I turn my monitor back on!!

Anybody else game to turn off the monitor while they're writing?