No News Is Good News!

Okay, friends! Quick update: Still no word from the SUPER agents who have requested the complete manuscript and partial for Book #1. As the old saying goes, "No news is good news!" so their lack in response gives me great hope they are seriously considering my project.

Now, those of you who know me best, understand why these requests could not have come at a better time, so please keep me and my family in your prayers! I assure you, regardless the outcome I WILL continue pushing forward with a smile across my face. You see, the words "give-up" and "throw in the towel" simply have no meaning in my vocabulary.

Also, two wonderful blogger friends of mine, Lindsay Currie and Julie Loden, are biting nails like me as they anxiously wait for a response from the three agents who requested their co-authored YA novel, HARMONY. I encourage you to follow their blogs Tiptoe Kisses , Julie Loden. I just know something GRAND is coming down the pike for this remarkable duo!

Have a great evening, everyone! Tory

Excitement In The Air!

After an adventurous (and a bit stressful) week of shuttling the older children to and from school, helping w/ homework, entertaining Courtney at home, cooking, cleaning, yadda, yadda, yadda, I have some pretty exciting news to share with all of you.

Over the past few days, I've been extremely busy preparing email submissions for my first young adult novel because TWO remarkable agents have taken interest in the concept and have requested the full of my manuscript! *squeals loudly and does a happy dance in the kitchen* This now brings the total of requests to 5 partials, 4 fulls, and plenty of rejections and no responses in between. But as the old saying goes, "It only takes one YES to become a published author."

Take the story of Theodore Geisel for example (used from Adventures in Agentland). Theodore had written a picture book manuscript called THE HOUSE ON MULBURRY STREET. He shopped it around. He sent it to twenty-two editors and, after that twenty-second rejection, Theodore decided he would go home, shred his manuscript, and give up his dream.

On the way home, he ran into an old friend of his, who had become an editor. His editor friend convinced him to let him see his manuscript. The editor changed the name of the book to THE CAT IN THE HAT, and Dr. Seuss was born.

Once again, thanks for all your support! In more ways than one, your kind words and encouragement have kept me chasing the dream of becoming a published author. I promise to update as soon as I hear from either agent. Have a great weekend, everyone! Tory

Is "It" Really Worth It?

Now that I'm working on a new project, I find myself reflecting on the previous months as I birthed book #1, and must admit, the second time around seems a whole lot easier. Just as in raising children, perhaps it's because I know what's around the corner.

The advantage I have with book #2 is that I'm aware of the highs and lows where the ideas come and go quickly. As a result, I've placed a writing tablet and pencil in every room of my home. And then there's the inevitable cycle of self-doubt. For some odd reason, I'd be willing to bet my signing advance check that good ole Mr. Self-Doubt will do his best to whisper over my left shoulder, in hopes of convincing me to throw in the towel.

Some may ask, "Is it worth it?" I suppose the "it" in this question refers to the amount of time and energy a writer puts into each project.

My response to this question is, "Do I have a choice?" Those of you who write understand exactly what I'm talking about. There is no choice! Either you allow your imagination to roam freely, or chain it down and suffer through the consequences. I choose to go where my thoughts allow me and brace myself for the ride!

You see, this newfound gift/talent/curse (take your pick), is something I have not forced upon myself. I believe it's always been inside, but I've never gone out on a limb and tapped into it. Now that I have, I hope to never let go. And I assure you, when you're a stay-at-home mom to four children under the age of ten, you reach out and grab hold to anything that keeps you emotionally and physically charged.

So, YES! Writing YA fiction is totally, most undeniably worth it! Even when I'm old and gray, I hope to have a writing tablet and pencil hidden in every room of my home.

Have a great Tuesday, everyone! Tory

Fantasy vs. Realistic Fiction!

During the baby stages of Book #1, I visited countless bookstores and researched extensively online to learn that fantasy, paranormal, and futuristic novels are extremely popular genres amongst young adult readers. It was a no-brainer, I thought, to follow suit of these trendy styles and create an intriguing story that would capture the minds of high school students. But the more I tried to incorporate these elements (vampires, werewolves, fairies and hocus pocus) into my outline, the faster my story fell apart. I quickly became overwhelmed and even contemplated throwing in the towel.

After several hours of brainstorming, I thought of stories I enjoyed as a teenager: S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, Lois Lowry's Number the Stars, and Louisa May Alcott's Little Women , none of which had hocus pocus elements and eventually became bestsellers. These stories had one thing in common: they dealt with realistic issues that grabbed the reader's attention on the very first page.

It didn't take long for me to realize, however, if I was going to pour my heart and soul into writing a novel, then I needed to include elements that resonated with today's youth. Therefore, it seemed only natural to gear my project around the stories I enjoyed reading as a teenager: multilayered, realistic fiction.

So, when opportunity knocked, I was in the final weeks of a long-term maternity leave position at a school in Gilbertown, AL and knew there were no teaching units available for the remainder of the school year. I decided this was the perfect chance to get Book #1 in the best shape possible and begin querying agents. In other words, I didn't just quit my day job to pursue a career in writing. Unfortunately, it chose me!

You see, instead of allowing my circumstances to get me down, I remained persistent and took advantage of every spare minute of my day (usually during the children's naps and late at night) to finish Graduate School and seek representation for my first novel.

In the weeks, months, maybe years to come, I'm hopeful that young readers, librarians, teachers and YOU will have the opportunity to fall in love with my multilayered, realistic novel as much as I have. For all the support and encouragement you've given thus far, I appreciate it greatly and hope you continue to follow along as I write about this exciting journey in my life!

Have a wonderful Thursday, everyone! Tory

Answered Questions!

Today's post is dedicated to all the overworked, underappreciated, and stressed-out parent or caregiver who's doing their best to make a difference in the life of a child.

As I transported my kids to various places around our rural county (one went to school, one to preschool, one to dance, and the other for a check-up at the doctor's office), I seized the moment of Happy Feet entertaining them en route and thought about what I should write for today's post. Knowing the tranquil moment would only last a few minutes, my brain went in overdrive, conjuring up different topics for discussion. At first, I thought it would be informative to explain the infamous query letter (This is the one-page letter a writer sends to literary agents, summarizing their 400 page novel or other project into three flawless paragraphs.), yet after envisioning my precious query letter buried at the bottom of the slush pile in some renowned agents' office, I decided to stick with something pleasant and answer a few of my friend's questions instead.

1.) What's the title of your book? Just today, one of my dearest friends asked if Head in the Clouds was the title for my book. I was thrilled that she was interested (I'm sure she noticed by the huge grin on my face), yet something held me back; I just couldn't give away the title. Instead, I smiled sheepishly and explained, "No, I used this phrase for my blog title because my dad used to say when I was in grade school that I was too busy with my head in the clouds to notice where I was going." And looking back on my adolescent blunders, even breaking a thumb by running into a tree, I must admit I was very scatterbrained!

2.) What's the book about? This is the hardest question to avoid because for months I've dreamed of being able to share the plot of my book with those I'm closest. But for now, this is what I feel comfortable revealing: My story contains elements of young love, realism, mystery, and the magical bond that siblings share when faced with hardship and uncertainty.

3.) Who encouraged you to write the book? Easy answer: My husband, parents, and best friend, Dana Massey.

4.) How many query letters did you send out? Not enough! I hope to send out the next batch within the week.

5.) Do you plan to write more fiction? You betcha...I've already outlined the sequel for this project, but for now am focusing on acquiring an agent before absorbing myself any deeper.

And that's all I have for tonight. I hope you have a great Tuesday!