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Linnette's novel. Don't you love the cover? |
“Writers must pay their dues.”
“If you’re serious about writing,
you’ll work hard to prove yourself. Eventually, people will sit up and take
notice.” As a new writer, these words needled me. While it sounds like an
excuse to ignore newbie writers, it rings of truth. However, I’ve since learned
a more comforting truth:
You aren’t a writer because you write. You
write because you are a writer.
Don’t let the need to prove
yourself discourage you. Even in seasons of life where you have to lay aside
the pen, know that if you’re truly a writer you will write. The delay is simply
part of your journey.
My own journey is rather abnormal,
but then what is normal in this age of publishing?
While I haven’t been writing
since I could hold a pencil and I wasn’t an avid reader in my early years, stories
have always swam in my head. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t a people
watcher - an observer of life. If you ever received letters from me in my
youth, you can attest to page after page of detailed accountings of my life. My
brother once teased, saying I couldn’t sign a card without writing a book. So in
my own way I’ve always been a story-teller.
I became chronically ill after
the birth of my third son. While my body was broken, my mind remained active. I
picked up the pen to preserve my sanity. I finished my first manuscript and
then realized I didn’t know what to do with it. Thus began my foray into the
world of search engines where I found an inexpensive on-line character building
class with DiAnn Mills. She gave me encouraging feedback throughout the class, and
guided me to Mark Littleton and HACWN where I officially became part of the
writing jungle!
Due to certain providences, however,
I set aside my manuscript. In an effort to continue honing my writing
skills I
started blogging a short serial story. After a year and a half, I realized
“Finding Beth” would be a full-blown novel! Three years of writing, rewriting,
and honing the book, I began searching for agents and publishers. The thought
of coping with my illness while landing a contract with a big publisher intimidated
me. I didn’t know if I could handle the pressure of their timelines, so I also
researched self-publishing.
December of 2011, Mark Littleton
mentioned that writer friend Pamela Sonnenmoser was somehow connected to a small
but growing traditional publisher. He encouraged me to contact her, so (still
agent-less) I emailed a request for information. She in turn requested information
about my novel. Little did I know she was the acquisitions editor! I sent her
the information she wanted and continued my self-publishing research. Months
passed and, forgetting about the publisher, I decided to self-publish.
One week in July 2012, I was preparing
to set up a Kickstarter to raise funds for my endeavor when I received an email
from CrossRiver Media Group. They wanted to see the full manuscript as well as
the rest of my book proposal.
“God, what are you doing?”
I thought he wanted me to self-publish,
yet I felt compelled to at least explore the CrossRiver option. So I sent them
my proposal and full manuscript. After many questions back and forth, and much
praying on both
our parts, CrossRiver offered me a contract which we signed in December
2013. After three years of searching for an agent and looking into different
publishing options,
God dropped my publisher in my lap –
incomplete book proposal and all.
It floored me! Getting a
publisher just doesn’t happen this way. Yet, as I reflect back I see how God guided
the publication of “Finding Beth”. The three years I spent searching, my
publisher was getting established and I was gaining necessary insight to make
“Finding Beth” exactly what God wanted it to be. As I still struggle with my
health, I remind myself that book two will also be completed and published in
God’s timing. That brings me such sweet comfort.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve6IPSehOVTsyCttOtV-l6NV_bntDwSBJNcEmeX9S-H3rfhuI4Qd67vCXd9HPpt-Vx87twX3nMljheexGRYD0Nb8Hue3YUZ-FhXf47_M1Oj4qyy-1-wYFEm8ASnagY2b_P_OjuJ33GDtS/s1600/LinnetteMullin-5x7.jpg)
Linnette would love to hear from you. For more information
about “Finding Beth”, Linnette or how to connect with her, please visit
LinnetteRMullin.com.
28 comments:
Good morning Casey and other fellow writers! I'm so excited to visit The Writer's Alley today. I've already heard from one reader who was encouraged by my post and I'd love to hear from more whether or not it encouraged you. I just love to visit! ;)
Thanks so much for stopping by. I pray you have a blessed Friday!
~Linnette
Linnette,
What a wonderful story of God's guidance and 'perfect timing'. Don't you love His surprise parties? :-)
I love the cover of your book. Absolutely beautiful!
I recognize those mountains. Smokies, right? My neck of the woods
And welcome to The Alley - we're so glad to have you here
Oh, I love this post for so many, many reasons.
I never knew that you and Finding Beth had such a great story! You may say it's not normal, but there is no established normal. Actually, I think yours is better than normal. It's inspiring!
Your healthy attitude and determination to get this done is what got you here, and God's help, of course. Thanks for being a light for the rest of us to look up to so we can be brave enough to take action!
And thanks for opening up your story like this. That is never an easy thing to do.
Oh, I love this post for so many, many reasons.
I never knew that you and Finding Beth had such a great story! You may say it's not normal, but there is no established normal. Actually, I think yours is better than normal. It's inspiring!
Your healthy attitude and determination to get this done is what got you here, and God's help, of course. Thanks for being a light for the rest of us to look up to so we can be brave enough to take action!
And thanks for opening up your story like this. That is never an easy thing to do.
Hi, Pepper! Great to see your face! :D
Yes, that's the Smoky Mountains. I'm so glad you love the cover. That was one thing I was determined to have other than a great story - a great cover. Even when I was looking into self-publishing, I told my hubby that the one thing I MUST have is a great cover. The story behind the making of my cover could be a whole new post on how God works to answer your prayers and hearts desires. Totally amazing!
Thank you for the sweet welcome to The Writer's Alley. Casey is a sweetheart and was so patient about me getting the post in to her so late. Thanks again for the welcome! :D
~Linnette
Katie, you're such a sweetheart and quickly becoming one of my greatest cheerleaders. Thank you!!! I'm so glad the post encouraged you. Keep at it girl! Your day is just around the corner! :D
~Linnette
Linnette,
Your words are so inspirational. Working through hardship, researching options, God plopping in your lap the exciting gift of a contract. Wow.
I could read this post several times and walk away inspired.
Thank you so much for joining us on the Alley today. May you find healing and the strength to pursue your second book.
So happy for you, sweet friend! Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring journey. Much love!
Thanks, Mary Vee! You ladies are making my day! I might have to beg Casey to let me return. ;) Glad my post inspired you! :D
~ Linnette
Thank you, Cathy! You're such a treasure and encouragement to me!
(((Hugs)))
~Linnette
Love hearing your story! And what a gorgeous cover! So excited to have your debut here on the Alley! Praying for amazing success!
Thank you, Amy! It's great to be here! I'm so glad you love the cover! It was late in coming. I thought we'd never have it ready, but I wouldn't change the delay for all the world. Not with the way it turned out! :D
~Linnette
Linnette,
What an encouraging story! I so needed to read this today. My writing journey seems to be hovering in one place and not moving forward as I would've expected at this point in the process. But just recently, I decided the most important thing to do, was not write a killer novel, but write for the love of writing! It is so therapeutic, and the very reason I started this journey in the first place!!
Thanks for joining us on the Alley today!
Linnette,
What an encouraging story! I so needed to read this today. My writing journey seems to be hovering in one place and not moving forward as I would've expected at this point in the process. But just recently, I decided the most important thing to do, was not write a killer novel, but write for the love of writing! It is so therapeutic, and the very reason I started this journey in the first place!!
Thanks for joining us on the Alley today!
Thank you so much for being on the Alley today, Linnette! I love how God uses our individual stories to encourage and strengthen us and those around us :)
Hello Katie! Thank you so much for stopping by to say "hi" on the Alley today! Glad Linnette's story here was an encouragement to you. :)
*waving* to Cathy! Been a while since I saw you around social media!! :-)
So great to hear your story, Linnette. Congratulations on your debut. Sounds like a great story.
Cheers,
Sue
Sorry I'm just getting to the party! I took the day off, but had to have some holes poked into my right eye with a laser to relieve some pressure. Whew!
Thank you soooo much for sharing your experience. I love to see how God works in His ways and His timing. Gives me goosebumps to watch Him work! May God bring you success as you continue to follow His leading.
Oh my goodness, Sherrinda - that sounds painful!! :O
Linnette, congratulations on your debut! I can definitely relate to the delays and rejections you speak about. So thrilled for you that your writing journey has led you to the place of blessing you're in now!
That does sound painful! Goodness Sherrinda, not my idea of a great Friday. :(
Thank you, Casey! I loved being here! Thank you so much for having me! :D
Angie, thank you so much for sharing that with me! I'm glad my story was an encouragement to you! ~Linnette
Hi, Susan! Thanks so much for joining me and for the congrats, as well! Blessings, Linnette
Hi, Sherrinda! As you can see, I'm a little behind myself. :) Thanks so much for your encouraging words! And I pray things have gone well since the laser surgery and that your eyes are healing. Blessings, Linnette
Thanks, Karen! :D
Blessings, Linnette
Casey, so sorry for abandoning the comments. I can't even remember what happened. I had to go out for a while and I wasn't feeling well. Spent the evening curled up resting. Thanks so much for having me and I would love to do it again sometime! :D
Blessings, Linnette
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