Guest Post: My Writing Journey, by Lisa Orchard

Guest Post
/ 12 COMMENTS

Hello Everyone! I hope all is well with you! My name is Lisa Orchard and I’m a Young Adult Writer. I’m guest blogging today here at Graeme’s site. I would like to take a second to thank Graeme for allowing me to visit today. Thanks Graeme!

He asked me here to share my journey to publication with all of you wonderful people. So here we go!

When I was younger, I knew that I wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t pursue this dream until after I had my kids. I started reading to my kids when they were babies, and one day while reading a book to my son, I said to myself, “I could do this.” So I wrote a children’s picture book and sent it off to a publisher. Of course, it was rejected but this publisher gave me some great advice. She told me to join a writing group. So, I started my novel, and with a thudding heart, I took my very rough draft each week to my new writing group. And boy, did they let me have it! LOL! That’s okay because some of their advice was actually pretty good.

Before I knew it my manuscript was ready to go, so I started sending query letters out just to see what kind of response I would get. I didn’t believe I would get published but I wanted to see what agents had to say. To my surprise, I received some requests to see my full manuscript. I was so excited. Then inevitably came the rejection letters that everyone told me I would receive. Instead of being crushed, I asked a few of the agents what they didn’t like about my story. Of course, quite a few ignored my questions and didn’t respond. But the one who did gave me some excellent advice. She told me that she thought my book would be better if it were written in third person. I had originally written it in first person.

Yep! You guessed it I rewrote the book! And the first publisher I sent it to, accepted it!

So if I can be so bold as to offer some advice to aspiring writers it’s this. Don’t get bogged down by the rejection letters. I looked at them as a learning tool that got me one step closer to that “yes” I was looking for. And don’t be afraid to ask an agent why they didn’t like your book. They could offer you that golden nugget you need to reach your goal.

Now, I’ve got two books available for your teens reading pleasure. Below are the covers and the blurbs. The first one is “The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer”, and the second is “The Super Spies and the High School Bomber”. They're both available now.

Graeme: Thanks very much for popping by and sharing, Lisa. Some great advice there. I won't say anymore, because I'm sure everyone is dying to check out your books… (and I absolutely love the covers!)

Click on the image for more info.

Buy now from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Click on the image for more info.

Buy now from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

How to contact Lisa: www.lisaorchard.com — Facebook — Twitter: @lisaorchard1

Lisa Orchard says August 1, 2012

Thanks Graeme for allowing me to share my experience with you! I appreciate you letting me guest post today! 🙂

Heather Day Gilbert says August 1, 2012

Very cute covers! Yes, I think that’s a great way to look at rejections–one step closer to making your book EXCELLENT and finding the right agent/publisher for it!

Thanks for stopping by Heather! I’m glad that you agree with my philosphy, it certainly helps in handling those rejections. Are you an aspiring writer? I’m glad you like the covers! My cover artist does a great job! 🙂

Yes, I’m an author and I’m actually out on submission right now! Aghh–long process!

Lisa Orchard says August 2, 2012

That’s awesome! Yes the submission process is long and it’s hard to wait! 🙂 Good luck to you! I’d love to hear about your book, keep me posted on your progress! 🙂

Elaine Cantrell says August 2, 2012

We should compare rejection letters. I got a few myself!

Lisa Orchard says August 3, 2012

LOL! That’s not a bad idea Elaine! In fact, it would be kind of fun!! 🙂

Graeme says August 3, 2012

It would! I’ll volunteer to do a post with snippets from all our rejection letters if you are interested?

That would be fun! I’ll have to dig around and see if I can find them! 🙂

Graeme says August 2, 2012

Mine have all been standard, polite, obviously form. I almost wish something had been personalized after all the time I spent writing my query. Even if it was “this book is crap”, lol

Have you got any interesting ones, Elaine?

My Inspiration for “Ocean of Dust” | Graeme Ing, Writer says September 3, 2012

[…] a short while ago, she guest posted here about her Writing Journey. Go read it if you missed it, and check out her Super Spies books. Tweet lisa orchard, […]

Kim says May 23, 2013

When I worked in publishing, we had a standard letter and would try to flesh it out with comments. But editorial assistants, who actually are the ones who read submissions, are super busy and rarely have time! They toss notes and interns who usually send them out.

We interviewed Lisa recently too, so be sure to stop by and check it out!

Guest Post: My Writing Journey, by Lisa Orchard

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