As Luck Would Have It

When I look back at my writing career thus far, I'm amazed at how many fortunate circumstances I encountered. Some of these events are so improbable they make my jaw drop in retrospect.

For example, several years ago when I was new to writing, I decided to attend the Moonlight & Magnolia conference because I'd finaled in the Maggies. I signed up for an appointment with an editor. There was just one big problem: I didn't have a clue how to pitch a manuscript. This was a group appointment with 12 authors. When the first author finished her perfectly short pitch, I knew I was in trouble. I looked down at my legal pad (you're allowed to guffaw now) and started rattling non-stop. My face heated. I knew I was botching the pitch. I came within inches of standing up, announcing I was a fraud, and telling the editor I wouldn't waste her time.

Then the editor said, "Wait a minute. I know this book."

Here is the improbable part. She'd read three chapters and a synopsis in The Orange Rose contest. Keep in mind this contest did not announce the editor judges in advance, so I had no way of knowing who judged it. I'd been writing for six months and got my first full request with the worst pitch on the planet. Are you thinking it was pure dumb luck?

I've always thought so until I read an article in The Telegraph by Richard Wiseman entitled Be lucky - it's an easy skill to learn. The article reported experiments designed to discover why some people are luckier than others. Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/cOJaNj.

The research results found that lucky people notice chance opportunities, make decisions based on hunches rather than just logic, expect good things to happen, and see the positive side of bad fortune.

Let's return to that incredible lucky circumstance at the M&M conference. When I got the call telling me I was a finalist, the coordinator urged me to attend and said editors would pay attention to me. I really couldn't afford it. If I'd listened to Logic, I would have passed up the opportunity. Instead, I listened to my intuition. Not only did I get that request, I won first place in the historical category.

Fast forward to the day I finished polishing my second manuscript. I announced on a loop that I'd written the end. Now keep in mind, I'd not found time to research agents because of my travel schedule, but I planned to do so after I returned from a two-week business trip to Europe. While waiting for a flight to London, I checked my email. A published author who had read my first three chapters said she'd told her agent about my manuscript. The agent wanted me to query her immediately. I wrote the query in the airport, emailed it, and ten jet-lagged hours later, I found a request for the full in my email box.

Sure, it was a lucky break, but I'd volunteered many months earlier to review this published author's books. I didn't expect anything in return; I just liked her books. But the author kindly extended a helping hand to me.

I took advantage of other opportunities. I entered a contest because the grand prize was a check for the RWA conference in San Francisco. In truth, I knew it was an outside chance, but I figured it couldn't hurt to enter 5 pages. Not only did I get a request for the full, but I also got the overall highest score, netting me that conference fee. It never would have happened if I'd not entered.

I also entered an online contest on an agent's website just for grins. The competition was stiff, but again, I figured it couldn't hurt to try. Not only did I win first runner up, but I got yet another request for the full manuscript.

In a previous post, I blogged about how I met my agent by accident twice at conferences. I didn't even know about that first conference until friends asked if I wanted to go with them. Once again, I acted on a hunch and decided to attend. If I'd not gone, I would never have met Lucienne Diver. The second time we met was yet another chance encounter at the San Francisco RWA conference.

Was it all hearts and flowers? Of course not. That first agent who requested my full manuscript asked me to revise and resubmit. There was a big problem, however. She wanted me to change the premise of the book. Keep in mind she's a great agent. I have the utmost respect for her. She's done great things for my friend's career and for many other authors. She answered all my questions promptly, but we couldn't agree on the premise. Regretfully, I declined her offer, but I see it as a positive experience. Because I turned down that first offer, I met my dream agent only a few weeks later. :-)

Did I ever get rejections? Of course I did with my first and second manuscript. Some were tough to take, but the tough times made me appreciate that first sale all the more.

Luck played a role, but I also worked very, very hard on that second manuscript. I didn't send out a first draft. I ruthlessly rewrote the manuscript twice. And that hard work coupled with taking advantage of opportunities eventually culminated in my first sale.

Even with that first manuscript, I worked very hard despite being so green I glowed in the dark. I took 2 writing classes simultaneously. I wrote, rewrote, and polished that manuscript. Then I dared to enter 5 regional contests. I won 4 out of 5 and finaled in the Golden Heart. Eventually, I rewrote that manuscript for that editor I met at the M&M conference, and I got a heartbreaking rejection. But shortly afterwards, my personal life underwent some drastic, unexpected changes. If I'd sold that book, I'm convinced it would have been a disaster. What seemed unlucky turned out to be in my best interests in the long run.

Work hard, be open to possibilities, and most of all, keep a positive attitude. You can make luck happen.

Tell me your lucky writing stories!

Bunnies Rock!

Check out this awesome video of a cat adopting a baby bunny. Thanks to Katie Babs for posting the link on Twitter.

How I Got My Agent: The Accidental Encounters

In the final edition of How I Got My Agent, here is my story. I met my agent by accident - twice. But first, a little background about my writing history.

Several years ago, my first book did very well in contests and racked up lots of requests, but it didn't sell. After a trip back to college and a few years establishing my marketing career, I started my second Regency historical romance. By now, I'd learned far more about craft and the business of writing, but I traveled 70% of the time in the US and Europe. The constant jet lag was a significant barrier to my writing goals. So I negotiated with my manager to cut out most of the travel. Then I took a vacation. Three weeks later, I finished my second book, which was then titled, THE DUCHESS COMPETITION.

My second book also did very well in contests. My goal was to get a great agent, so when friends invited me to tag along to a conference, I decided to go. I signed up for appointments, but was unable to get one with Lucienne Diver because her slots were filled. That night, the conference held a dinner at a local restaurant. My buddy Jo Anne Banker & I got lost. Needless to say, we arrived late. The keynote speaker met us and then realized she'd only saved one seat for Jo Anne. The speaker was horrified, but I told her not to worry. I don't know a stranger, so I strode off in search of new best friends.

There was only one vacant chair next to an agent. I'm an extrovert, but even I was a bit nervous when I approached Lucienne Diver. She gave me a warm welcome. To my surprise, Lucienne asked me what I wrote. I said Regency historical romance and shut my mouth. I believed she only asked to be polite. Then she asked me what my book was about. I gave her a sheepish look and said, "Oh, it's the bachelor in Regency England, minus the hot tub and camera crew." She whipped out her card and requested a partial. I couldn't believe my good fortune. Then we started chatting and hit it off. We’d traveled to some of the same places in Europe and swapped funny stories. After the conference, I sent her the partial and not long afterwards, she requested the complete.

Fast forward to another conference. While riding an escalator, I heard someone call out my name. I looked back and saw a familiar face. Yes, it was Lucienne. She asked about the manuscript, and I told her I was doing revisions. I'd found a flaw in the book. With my first book, I’d learned a lot because I’d done revisions for an editor without promise of contract. That first time, I was too inexperienced to do justice to the revisions (I’d only been writing for a little over a year). This time around, I was armed with far more knowledge, and I was determined to get it right. I believed too much in my story to send out anything but my very best work. Lucienne and I talked for a bit, and I wondered if this was some kind of sign (cue eerie music). What are the odds of meeting an agent accidentally - twice?

I returned home energized and finished those revisions. Then I sent the book off to requesting agents, including Lucienne. Soon afterwards, something unexpected happened. Three agents offered representation.

Of course, I was excited and flattered. It's a good problem to have, but it's also terrifying because you have to choose. I knew this was one of the most important career decisions I would ever make. How did I do it? I compared and contrasted each of them. I also did additional research. Here are some of the key points I investigated:

• Their styles of communication. I wanted an agent who replied in a timely manner and also someone who listened to my goals.
• How and to whom they envisioned submitting my manuscript.
• Their editorial feedback and whether or not it resonated with me immediately.
• The agency contracts, especially termination clauses.
• Their agent experience, including the number of years in business.
• Promotional efforts for their authors.
• Their deals on Publisher's Marketplace (# of deals, which publishers, etc.).
• Most importantly, I spoke to at least one of their authors.

In the case of the two other agents, I knew authors they represented. I didn't know any of Lucienne's authors. So I called published authors to find out if they knew any of Lucienne's clients. None of them did, but more than one admitted they were seriously considering querying her. Finally, I asked Lucienne if I could speak to one of her clients. She referred me to her wonderful author, Michele Lang. As it turns out, Michele had also gotten multiple offers of representation and understood what a difficult decision I had to make. She gave me a thorough and objective description of how Lucienne works with her authors.

So what differentiated Lucienne and why did I choose her? She has 16 years of experience as an agent. Lucienne has a stellar reputation in the business. Her move to The Knight Agency also swayed my decision because the agency is very well established and really promotes their authors. Plus, Lucienne promotes her authors on her blog. Speaking of promo, I'd learned from Michele that Lucienne went above and beyond at one conference by making a promotional opportunity available to her authors. And remember my one-sentence pitch to Lucienne? She got me at hello.

In addition to these tangible factors, I listened to my instincts. You see, I believe things happen for a reason.

Lucienne has exceeded my expectations over and over again. Working with her is a true partnership. She listens to my goals, provides guidance, and makes sure I'm involved/informed about all aspects of my career. I am so pleased with how quickly she responds. She emphasizes there is no such thing as too many questions. So I never hesitate to call or email. And she’s great at brainstorming ideas. In particular, I like that she's a creative thinker and makes opportunities happen. Not a day goes by that I don’t pinch myself at my good fortune. She’s the perfect agent for me.

Best of all, we sold that book in a three-book deal to Grand Central in June 2009!

Merci beaucoup, Agent Awesome Sauce!

May the magic romance fairies be with all of you!