How your "First" agent decision sets the stage for so much more . . .

litgal

This is a FABULOUS blog from a NY TIMES BEST SELLING AUTHOR about how first decisions (on agents, on publishers, etc) shape careers. IT IS A MUST READ, REALLY. All about making decisions based on your GOALS rather than desperation.

Hope everyone enjoys it -- it has certainly made me think about my next step

http://apparentlyaprilynne.blogspot.com/2009/10/firsts.html

bigblackcat97

This is an interesting point - I like the idea that if what you were first attempting doesn't work, perhaps you should try a new path, a different genre. My first ms was / is a mainstream fiction that was dark and brooding. My current finished project is YA with a light voice - sometimes I wonder if I were to ever get published with one or the other, would the next one sell to the same audience? Can you write with different facets of your personality and continue to attract the same crowd? Would your agent even let you try? Or would you just take a pen name for one?

thrownbones

Wow, that was a very good post. I think she's spot on. I've been there, with my screenwriting. I settled for not really good reps, who really had no juice to get my career going.

I decided at that juncture, to never settle again. And luckily, I didn't have to. And, after my last book went nowhere, I ended up writing one in a genre I'm way more comfortable in, one I can write in over the long haul.

CherylD

Thanks for the link, Litgal. Makes you stop and think.

thrownbones

Yeah, it's VERY hard not to be desperate, I know. That's why I went with bad managers when I was writing scripts. I was too desperate.

litgal

As discussed in the chat last night -- I think impatience is right behind desperation on the "enemies of debut writers" list. There were times that impatience absolutely made me jump the gun on things. That is one of the biggest lessons I have learned in this process

thrownbones

Yeah, me too. I will probably always find it hard to relax and take my finger off the trigger, but at least now I CAN, and do.