This is Not a Title

by Cheri Chesley

That's probably the extent of my joke-pulling for the day: announcing my title as not being one. Seriously, I'm not a huge fan of April Fools. I'd prefer to treat it like any other day. That, unfortunately, makes me a prime target. :)

Late last night, as I'd finished watching my movies and was ready to go to bed, I checked my emails one last time. I'd been contacted on Goodreads by a young woman who wants to interview me for an English assignment. Her message bubbled with enthusiasm, and she said I was "one of" her favorite authors and that she can't wait for the sequel to my first book. Thrilled, and humbled, I texted my hubby, announced it on my FB author page, and went to bed.

Then I started thinking. Is this a prank? Some people would love to "get" a poor, unsuspecting first-published author with something like this. After cutting my panic attack off at the pass, I decided the absolute worst case scenario is still livable: If this is someone's idea of a joke, my only fault is in being too trusting; too ready to believe that a young person would enjoy my book that much. This is not a bad thing. It shows I have confidence in my work. More confidence than I feel most times. :) I can live with that.

Prank or not, I'm good. I'd love for it to be true, and it likely is, but if it's not--that's okay, too.

I had an epiphany last Saturday. After a week of either WAY GOOD or WAY BAD reviews of my book, I decided to reaffirm I'm not writing for the masses. I am writing for myself. This journey is between me and God, although it is a public journey, the purposes and meaning are deeply personal. I spent the rest of that day completing my second book for submission, and mailed it off Monday morning, right on schedule.

I can only be the best ME I can be. That's true for all of us. I plan to grow as a writer with each book, not start out perfect and work my way down. And, when I believe I've put out the best work I can, I am sending the book to the publisher to say yes or no. With my ebooks, I will offer them to the most trusted of my beta readers to love or shred before putting them up for sale.

That doesn't mean I haven't spent the week (figuratively) biting my nails, certain my publisher will say no thanks to The Tyrant King. I'm still human. :)

Inspiration in the form of 7 year olds!

Not too long ago, my 7 yr old daughter attended a mini book club after school with her teacher and some of her classmates.  Her and I made sure she read the whole book of "The Littles" prior to the meeting.  This really was a wonderful turning point in my daughter's reading, as it was the first time she wanted to read something.  She went happily to her book club and I felt a bit left out but I knew it was something she needed to do.  When I picked her up after wards her teacher came up to the car and asked me if I was a writer.  I was a little taken aback but replied that I was.  She explained that my daughter had told everyone that her mom was a writer like one of the characters in the book.  I smiled and felt my heart swell.  Then the teacher asked if I had anything I could read to the class.  Lucky for me I'm an eclectic writer and have a picture book on my hard drive.  We set up a day and a time and that's how I found myself standing in front of a whole class of second graders reading my unpublished and unillustrated book.  I must tell you it was the most fun ever.  They loved the story and I even passed out pages of the story for them to illustrate.  As I walked around the classroom I met aspiring writers and even aspiring illustrators.  I left them with a copy of my book that they illustrated for their classroom.  Later that day when I picked my daughter up from school, a little boy walked up to me and showed me some of his handmade books he'd written that day.  As I looked at his carefully crafted construction paper covers and folded papers I couldn't help but beam.  This is what I want to do.  I want to write and inspire others to read and write.  Reading to my daughter's class lit a new fire for my love of writing and I definitely recommend it to anyone who has forgotten why they write.  What events have inspired you to keep writing?

POD (and what that means)

"POD" could mean the alien mothership has laid thousands of egg pods with her nestlings waiting to take over your life. Or....it could mean Print On Demand. (Phew.)

Print On Demand rose in the 2000s as technology made printing individual books as they were ordered more affordable than the old traditional way of paying for a print run and then having the books sit somewhere, either in a warehouse or your garage. There were several small companies at the beginning, but consolidation has brought several names that still operate under one umbrella, AuthorHouse. Names like iUniverse and Xlibris might be familiar to you that are now AuthorHouse.

AuthorHouse and others like it offer "full-service" POD, which typically included various package options that can include everything including editing. All you do is show up with your book and checkbook. This option can cost hundreds or even thousands, but could be a viable option if traditional publishers aren't for you.

Here are the key factors to consider:

1. This is the highest priced option. It will include solid customer service, as well as as many options as you would like to pay for.

2. Other than writing the book, there's very nothing you have to do other than pay for it.

3. You have very little control over pricing. All that is determined by the house. (The most common complaint is that it rarely coincides with where current paperback prices are).

4.You have to do all the marketing yourself, though there is a marketing package you can pay for.

5. This usually has the lowest royalties, but it's still more than traditional publishers pay.

This is not the only option, however. Next week I'll cover free service POD. I'm really enjoying exploring the possibilities out there. I hope you'll enjoy the journey with me!

Rejection, Voice and Ten Thousand Years

by Tamara Passey

I received  rejection letter for a short story. It did NOT look like this:

Most honorable Sir,

We perused your MS,

with boundless delight. And

we hurry to swear by our ancestors

we have never read any other

that equals its mastery.

Were we to publish your work,

we could never presume again on

our public and name

to print books of a standard

not up to yours.

For we cannot imagine

that the next ten thousand years

will offer its ectype.

We must therefore refuse

your work that shines as it were in the sky

and beg you a thousand times

to pardon fault

which impairs but our own offices.

–Publishers

Rejection letter from Chinese publisher, from Louis Zukofsky’s “A”

Ah, they just don’t write ‘em like they used to.

I submitted a short story to an unnamed publisher and the letter I received, (well it was an email) started with “Dear Author” (–which I thought was really cool until I came across the “Most honorable” bit.)

I won’t quote the whole letter here, just the one line that cut to the chase:  “Although we did not offer to publish your manuscript, we encourage you in your endeavors to get it published. . .”

See how they quickly followed their rejection with encouragement? Nice, hunh?

I was feeling pretty good and then read near the bottom of the page:

“This is an automated message. Please do not reply to this email.”

There you have it. A punch line disguised as a rejection letter.

I had a good laugh. Hey, I’ll take all the encouragement I can get, generic or otherwise.

Which brings me to voice.

Have you heard the ad campaign, (don’t ask me which one because I really do not pay close enough attention to the tv when its on) “Find your voice and use it?” Don’t know what they are advertising, but I may be putting that with my other writing mottos –I can do that, right? Anyway, my point about voice is that when we find it, we can withstand the rejection. Have you seen the movie (or read the book) The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio? Based on a true story of a 1950’s housewife with an unhappy, alcoholic husband and lots of kids, she enters jingle contests and wins lots of prizes and *spoiler alert* ultimately enough money to pay the 2 mortgages on their house. Of course she finds a little contesting group who support each other in entering the contests. It’s been years since I’ve seen this movie, but somewhere in the beginning, the wife is narrating and says something to this effect – about her abusive husband, “don’t blame him, he lost his voice, but I found mine.” Finding her voice, writing and pursuing her dream, allowed her to withstand the difficulties she faced raising lots of kids with little resources or support from her husband. (At least in the movie version, we find out after he dies, he had put all his pension checks in an account for his wife.)

Whatever it is in your writing journey, rejection letters, brick walls, crashed computers, crying kids, you know, not enough chocolate: KEEP WRITING. Find your voice and use it. For your sake, and mine and all the lives you will touch with your writing.

You never know. Yours just might be the writing that “the next ten thousand years will not offer its ectype” And yes. I looked that up. It means: A copy from an original, an imitation or reproduction.  Happy writing!

Writer of Many Colors

Remember the sand art you made as a child when you would pour different colors of sand into a glass jar, creating swirls and layers--your very own rainbow? (Until you poured it all out to try again, but the sand just mixed into sort of a grayish color.)(Very much beside the point.)

As writers, I think we'd all agree that we have three colors filling our glass jars, although the amount and pattern differ between each of us: natural talent (sort of a greenish, earthy tone), love of writing (definitely purple and NOT pink), and drive (fiery, sunrise red).

I don't think that it's possible for a writer to have only one. You just can't have one without the other. Even if your jar is filled with earthy, enviable green, you need a mix of love and drive to bring your talent to life.

I feel like my jar is about three-fifths purple, one-fifth green, one-fifth red, and one-fifth chocolate-chip cookie dough (totally necessary for writing). (Wait a second, how many fifths make one whole?) What about yours?

Remotecontrol Parenting?

It's like sitting in front of the television.

Click!

Not another commercial.

Click!

Okay, I don't want to watch junkfood dance.

Click!

That's better now.

I'm guilty of doing that. With my kids. This happens mostly when I'm blogging *ahem* or writing. I don't want to get off my laptop. I'm on a role! The homework needs to be done, so I yell out, "Start your homework!" Later: "Are you done yet? Okay, clean your rooms now!" And still, a bit later, "Okay, did you hunt around the house for your junk?"

It makes me feel bad, because, when the day has wound down to pillows and PJs and whispers, I close my laptop and kiss them goodnight. It has come and gone and the only thing I did that day was write or blog and tell them what to do.


I've made it a point to NOT do this anymore. I only write on my own time: when they are at school or after I've tucked them into bed. That way I feel satisfied that I've given my kids the time they deserve with their mom.

What challenges do you face with your children and writing?




Photos found at Photobucket.com

Saturday Stories, Rebecca Talley

Today's guest for Saturday Stories is published author Rebecca Talley. Make sure to check out her self-titled blog Rebecca Cornish Talley for a treasure trove of wonderful writing resources.

And, if you live in the vicinity of Provo, Utah you're in for a treat. Rebecca is doing a book signing TODAY at Seagull Book, 2250 N. University Parkway (the one next to Shopko, behind Olive Garden) from 12:00-2:00 as part of the "Celebrating Sisterhood" event. Swing by if you can and tell her Mormon Mommy Writers sent you!

Before you hop in your car, be sure to check out the interview!

Q—Who are you?

I grew up in Santa Barbara, CA with my sister and maternal grandparents (my parents passed away when I was young). I attended, and graduated from, BYU where I met my husband. He was the "dad" of the FHE group and I was the "mom." We now live in rural CO with a dog, cats, a spoiled horse, and a herd of goats. We have 10 children who are all very creative. 

Besides writing, I love to date my husband, play with my kids, swim in the ocean, and dance to disco music while I clean the house. I doubt I'll ever tame the always-growing mountain of laundry and I'm the world's worst gardener. I also don't can or quilt (something I have in common with my main character in my new book). But, I do make pizza, lasagne, and bread pretty well. 

I am currently serving on the Board of Directors of LDStoyrmakers and am the co-chair for Boot Camp this year at the LDStorymakers conference. 

Q—Would you please tell us about your book The Upside of Down? 

It's a story about a woman raising a large family who thinks she's spiritually invincible. A series of events prompts her to begin questioning her faith, including giving birth to a child she didn't expect and that child's resulting diagnosis. It's an exploration of faith. I've included some humorous experiences from my own life raising so many kids. It was a fun book to write. 

Q—What other books have you published?

I've written children's stories for print and online magazines, including the "Friend." One of my articles was picked up for a state testing packet. My children's picture book, "Grasshopper Pie" was published by WindRiver in 2003. I have three novels published, "Heaven Scent" (2008), "Altared Plans" (2009) and "The Upside of Down" (2011) with Cedar Fort.

Q—Who is your agent/publisher and why did you choose them?

I don't have an agent. The LDS market doesn't require an agent. Cedar Fort is my publisher and I love working with CFI--the people are wonderful. CFI believed in my first book and gave me a voice and I will always be grateful for that. CFI has awesome covers, too. I like that CFI is committed to publishing new authors and helping its established authors. 

Q—I understand you’ve published an ebook titled Hook Me: What to Include in Your First Chapter. Would you tell us about it?

It's a short ebook with advice on what to include in your first chapter. It's for aspiring authors to help them prepare that very important first chapter so it will, hopefully, catch the eye of an editor or agent. It's based on my own experience as well as generally accepted writing advice. I haven't seen anything specifically for writing a first chapter so I'm hoping this ebook fills that void. My favorite part is the checklist at the end of the book because I'm such a "list person." It's available at Amazon and Smashwords.

Q—What is your favorite genre to read and your favorite genre to write?

I read, and write, all genres. My favorite genre to write is what I'm writing at the time. I do tend to like YA, but my last book was Women's Fiction and I really enjoyed that. I'm currently working on a YA paranormal (who isn't?). My favorite books to read, in any genre, are the ones that suck me into the story and then make me feel and think. I love to rethink something based on a book I've read. 

Q—What writing resources have you found the most helpful?

My critique group, my membership in LDStorymakers, and attending conferences have been the most helpful for me. I've also read a zillion writing books, but nothing can compare to real people reading and critiquing what I write. Conferences are invaluable for meeting other writers and networking. 

Q—On the road to publication...what was the hardest lesson you learned?

I've learned that not everyone will love, or even like, what I've written--I can't please everyone with my books. Hard lesson learned through some tears.

Q—What is something your friends would be surprised or shocked to learn about you?

I'm addicted to newborns--no, that's obvious. I used to play basketball in high school--again, obvious, since I'm so tall. Oh, I know, I'm OCD about vacuuming carpet--the pile has to all lay the same way--which is why we've ripped almost all of the carpet out of our house (that and I about went crazy trying to keep it clean with so many kids).

Q—There are a lot of people out there uncertain about Twitter but I see that you use it. Would you tell us why you tweet?

I Tweet because someone told me I should. :) I'd much prefer to spend my time writing, but the world is so tech-oriented these days that if I want to get the word out about my books I have to jump into it and Twitter is one of the best marketing tools. I admit, I don't understand all the ins and outs, I just kinda follow along using hashtags and such. I have no idea if Tweeting is beneficial or not. I actually prefer Facebook because that is more intuitive for me and it feels more social. 

Q—If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be and why?

I'd be a horse running free through the waves along the seashore. I have always loved horses and when I was a girl, my favorite place to ride was through the ocean just as it lapped against the shore--it felt so free and exhilarating.

Q—What piece of advice (writing or life) do you wish you had taken seriously and heeded?

I wish I had grown a thick skin much earlier. My very first submission was to the "Ensign" and when it was rejected, it crushed me. I wish I'd learned early on that a rejection is about the work, not about me personally. Knowing that, and that everyone has his or her own reading preferences, has helped me to grow a thicker skin.

In life, I wished I'd learned to just enjoy my kids more and realize the cleaning could wait. I have since realized that. Kids grow so fast and time flies by. The cleaning can wait, the kids can't.

Q—Finish this sentence: "The strangest thing I ever..."

...saw was my first child actually coming out of my body.

Q—What's your favorite quote? Why is it your favorite?

"No other success can compensate for failure in the home" by David O. McKay. I love this quote because it reminds me that my eternal family is first and foremost. I need to keep my focus on raising my family because that is what really matters. Even if I wrote the most popular, greatest-selling book in the history of the world, but sacrificed my family to do so, it wouldn't matter in the end. My purpose is to raise children up unto God so that we can be together eternally. 

Q—Plain or Peanut M&Ms?

Definitely Peanut M&Ms.

Q—I know I've caught myself saying or doing something my mother did and thinking "I never thought I'd do that!" What is the one thing you never thought you'd say or do that you've caught yourself doing?

I grew up in a critical home and I've tried not to be critical to my kids but rather encourage them with positive words. Sometimes, though, I catch myself resorting to being critical and I don't like that. I didn't have very high self-esteem as a teen and I don't want that to happen to my kids. I want them to realize they each have a divine nature and they each have gifts and talents.

If anybody is interested in purchasing one of Rebecca's books I've put links below.

So Glad To Be Here

When I auditioned for this blog last year, little did I realize they'd be asking me back on a more permanent basis. What a wonderful place, and what a beautiful blog. (Thanks, in part, to the fabulous artwork of Elizabeth Mueller) I feel a little like I just won an important award. What was Liz Taylor's famous line when she won the Oscar? "Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

My name is Cheri Chesley, and my first novel, The Peasant Queen, was published by Cedar Fort December 2010. I recently (as in Monday) finished the second draft of the sequel, The Tyrant King. I'm spending this week fine tuning the manuscript and will submit it for (hopeful) publication next week. And, I've set aside the entire month of May to write the rough draft of the third and final novel in the series, The Lost Princess. That final novel has become dear to my heart, as during down time at my 11 book signings in December, I plotted out the entire book. I am so excited to get to know Jessenia better as a character--she's the titular "lost princess."

After I submit The Tyrant King to Cedar Fort, I'm going to treat myself in April to publishing a few short ebooks. I know it sounds like I'm blitzing the publishing world, but that's really not the case. Part of it is an effort to get my name out there, and part of it is testing the ebook waters. One of my favorite stories from The Peasant Queen series does not fit the standard mold for traditional publication. It can't be a romance because the two main characters are not together at the end of the book. It can't be a happy ending story because the bad guy wins, and gets away with it. He isn't even revealed to the characters by the end of the book. And, best part, the main character disappears 3/4 of the way through--although I may have sorted that out. I've spent three years trying to make this story fit into the traditional mold, and it won't. But, I know readers of the series will appreciate knowing that it's available somewhere, so I will put it out as an ebook.

But, I owe my kids a summer off. And, when their last bell rings at the end of May, I'm folding up my laptop (so to speak) and putting all my writing on hold. Which I guess is why I'm working so hard now, so I can justify taking that time off. Once they get back in school in August, though, I'm pulling out my rough draft of The Lost Princess and making it beautiful. I'm submitting it before the end of the year. :)

For more information on my series, ebooks, story ideas, signings, etc, you can check out my BLOG or my website HERE. I'm particularly proud of that website--my nephew helped me build it. Who am I kidding? My nephew did it for me. :)

They Know My Name!

When my oldest daughter was two years old, my husband and I took her to Disneyland.  I've never had so much fun in my life than when we got to experience the greatest place on earth with a two year old.  She was in love with each of the characters.  Every time she saw one her eyes lit up.  On our last day there, we bought her the much coveted mickey mouse ears with her name on the back and promptly went to frontier land and who should we see but Aladdin and Jasmin.  She was so excited because Aladdin is a little dreamy.  When he walked up from behind and called her by name her eyes got as wide as saucers and in her whispiest voice she said to me, "Aladdin knows my name!" 

Well that is how I felt at the ANWA conference last month.  People knew who I was and not just because I was wearing a name tag, but because of this blog. It was the Aladdin moment for me when Karen Hoover, author of the "Sapphire Flute", walked up and called me by name and asked how I was doing.  Yes I had met her twice before, but I never thought she would remember me, after all, it had been over a year!  But she did remember me, and why?  Because *gasp* she reads this blog!!   How awesome is that?  I also had other people admit that they stalk the blog.  (Did I mention that I love blog stalkers?  Stalk away!)  And I met Kaylee Baldwin, one of our Saturday Stories that Lisa interviewed.  It was so cool to meet her up close!  (Below I am shamelessly taking a picture with Karen Hoover)

 I also had support from my local ANWA chapter that meets once a month, above is the lovely Lisa D, and our wonderful chapter president DeAnn.  Below is Lisa again with our musically talented Kiera.

And last but definitely not least, I got to meet Tamara Passey (isn't she wonderful?)

And the Amazing Megan Oliphant!

 I was so excited to meet these girls in person finally!  They are just as amazing in person as they are on the blog!  I love this blog and the people I get to meet because of it! 
And because I like meeting new people, you get to meet new people as our blog invariable adds new writers.  You may have noticed that Jessie Oliveros has started writing for us in February.  We will be saying good bye to Amber Lynae as she has the important task of having a new baby soon.  Be sure to let her know how much she will be missed.  To take her Friday spot, we have our newest MMW blogger, Cheri Chesley!  Be sure to give her and Jessie a nice warm welcome to the family.  And, as always, leave lots of comments on the blog so I can learn your name and know who you are when I see YOU at a writing conference!

Amanda Hocking And Why We Should Care Who She Is

I first heard about Amanda Hocking by following former agent Nathan Bransford on twitter. He wrote a blog post about how even Amanda Hocking didn't consider herself a true example of e-book self publishing circumventing traditional publishing.

So a little back story. Amanda Hocking is a 26 year old writer who, through the process of multiple rejections and trying to find a home for her YA paranormal trilogy, decided to go through the self-publishing route on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com. In the link I provided earlier, she talks about how much work it is and how her lack of writing time is seriously curtailed because of the "everything else" she has to do to get her books up.

But that doesn't diminish the fact that Amanda, by pricing this ebook series between 99 cents and $2.99, sold over 450,000 copies of not only this trilogy, but another 4 book series about vampires that she self published.  In January of this year ALONE. That's right. 450,000 copies in ONE MONTH. 99% of those sales were ELECTRONIC. She keeps 70% of all revenue from books sold at the $2.99 price point, and 30% of all 99 cent sales. She's now a millionaire.

Now Amanda will be the first to say that she could never have predicted that they would be this popular. But she also said that she worked really, REALLY hard to get the books to the point where they could take off like this. She also said, and I quote:

Everybody seems really excited about what I'm doing and how I've been so successful, and from what I've been able to understand, it's because a lot of people think that they can replicate my success and what I've done. And while I do think I will not be the only one to do this - others will be as successful as I've been, some even more so - I don't think it will happen that often.


Traditional publishing and indie publishing aren't all that different, and I don't think people realize that. Some books and authors are best sellers, but most aren't. It may be easier to self-publish than it is to traditionally publish, but in all honesty, it's harder to be a best seller self-publishing than it is with a house.

I don't think people really grasp how much work I do. I think there is this very big misconception that I was like, "Hey, paranormal is pretty hot right now," and then I spent a weekend smashing out some words, threw it up online, and woke up the next day with a million dollars in my bank account.
This is literally years of work you're seeing. And hours and hours of work each day. The amount of time and energy I put into marketing is exhausting. I am continuously overwhelmed by the amount of work I have to do that isn't writing a book. I hardly have time to write anymore, which sucks and terrifies me.

So as we celebrate this for her, listen very carefully to what she has to say. Decide for yourself if that is what you're willing to give to get published. It's hard work, no matter how you slice it. And while e-books may be a solid part of the publishing future, and the ability of individual authors to self-publish not only their family history, but more mainstream novels that haven't found a publishing house, the amount of work involved is tremendous.

By the way, the writing still has to be good. I purchased her "Trylle Trilogy", and it's good. It's well-written AND edited. We have to do the same sorts of thing we would if we go a more traditional road. There are never any shortcuts to anything worthwhile.

Over the next few weeks I'm going to share the four main types of self-publishing out there. I hope you find it as fascinating as I have.