Monday, May 21, 2012

If At First You Don't Succeed...Guest Post by Jessica Nelson




This is not a post recommending we writers never put a manuscript under the bed. Rather, it’s to encourage writers to objectively look at their work, and if it has promise, to never give up on it.

Last month I became a debut published author. Love On The Range was released by Harlequin’s Love Inspired Historical line. So exciting! This story was my first finished manuscript. I penned it in 2007. I submitted it to Love Inspired Historical in 2007.

And it was rejected.

Publisher rejection is the point where a writer decides if he will continue submitting a particular manuscript, or hide it away for good. I considered hiding mine simply because the word count didn’t make it viable for any other publishers (at the time), and I was in the midst of writing my second manuscript.

After the rejection, I sent the story to Harlequin’s critique service and continued writing new works. When the critique came back, there was a seed in it that planted in my heart. At the end of the story, the critiquer wrote, “…you have written a beautiful and intriguing novel.”

How could I not explore that in my manuscript? Three years and many revisions later, I resubmitted to LIH, and you know the rest of the story.

What seeds are planted in your heart today? Was there ever something you didn’t feel you could give up on?




In keeping with her romantic inclinations, Jessica Nelson married two days after she graduated high school.

She believes romance happens every day, and thinks the greatest, most intense romance comes from a God who woos people to himself with passionate tenderness.

When Jessica is not chasing her three beautiful, wild little boys around the living room, she can be found staring into space as she plots her next story. Or she might be daydreaming about a raspberry mocha from Starbucks. Or thinking about what kind of chocolate she should have for dinner that night. She could be thinking of any number of things, really. One thing is for certain, she is blessed with a wonderful family and a lovely life.

Jessica loves to talk books and writing and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads and her blog, BookingIt.

http://www.jessicanelson.net
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJessicaNelson.com/























26 comments:

enthusiastically, dawn said...

Very Inspiring and so glad you shared. Persistence, patience and dedication to your dream - make a happy ending. God has a plan and we just need to not second guess or think not now does not mean no, never- if it is a dream that won't go away. Susan I am following you, in case you do not know and Jessica I am off to your place ...

Jessica Nelson said...

Hi Modern Day, so nice to meet you! :-) God def. has a plan, even when we can't see it. I do believe our dreams play into His plans though. Thank you for the comment!

Christa said...

Congratulations on being published! There are a couple of things that I've felt incline to pursue, in spite of feeling a good bit of hopelessness. One is to homeschool my daughter and the other is my blog. Still unsure of what the significance of either is, I'm plugging along because I feel God has good reason for laying them both on my heart.
Thanks for sharing your story...it's very encouraging!
Christa

Loree Huebner said...

Hi Susan! Hi Jessica!

Thanks for sharing that story, Jess.

I believe that God puts things on our heart. We get those nudges from Him that we can't ignore or move on from...no matter how hard we try. I believe he put several stories on my heart to write.

There was several years of wanting to throw a novel under the bed for good.

Some of my stories are in a "difficult sell" market. I became inspired when I discovered that even though they may take place nearly two centuries ago, they are timeless in subject.

You have inspired me this morning. Thank you.

Congrats again on your novel. I loved it. I second the critiquer - “…you have written a beautiful and intriguing novel.” Bravo!

Marja Verschoor-Meijers said...

Congratulations Jessica, I am sure your book was worth the wait :)

Rachna Chhabria said...

Thanks, Jessica for sharing this inspiring story. Wishing you good luck with the book.

Terri Tiffany said...

I didn't know that about your book Jessica! Thank you for the encouraging words!

Diane said...

So encouraging and definitely God inspired to continue on with the dream He gave you. :O)

Melanie N. Brasher said...

That's an encouraging story, Jessica! Thanks for sharing. :)

Carol Garvin said...

Those God-nudges we can't ignore, as Loree mentions, are what keep me working on certain mss and not others. I'm not sure what He has in mind for them, but firmly believe my task is not to question but to keep learning and writing.

Congratulations on your debut release. Your story inspires me to persevere.

Karen Lange said...

Thanks to both of you lovely ladies for sharing this today! I am encouraged and inspired by your story, Jessica! :)
Blessings,
Karen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

I Modern Day Disciple - Thanks for following. I'll visit your place in a bit. :)

Hi Christa - I've discovered that God gives us the first step. When we move forward, He gives us the next, and the next.

Hi Loree - So good to see you. Jess also inspired me. We would have missed a lovely story if it was still under her bed.

Hi Marja - Great to see you.

Hi Rachna - Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I'm so glad Jess had the time to do this guest post.

Hi Terri - Always great to see you!

Hi Diane - Jess chose a great subject. I think a lot of writers give up on a story too soon.

Hi Melanie - I love Jessica's upbeat attitude, don't you?

Hi Carol - I'm also at that stage. Her message was timely.

Hi Jess - Thanks for a wonderful post. You rekindled hope in a lot of people. :)

Blessings,
Susan

JD said...

This is the kind of story from which we can all benefit reading and remembering. Good for you, Jessica, for sticking by your manuscript!

Thank you both, Susan and Jessica, for this post.

Be well,
Janette

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Karen - Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

Hi Janette - Yes, Jess wrote an inspiring piece. I think we sometimes toss aside perfectly good manuscripts when all they need is a little TLC.

Blessings,
Susan

Sarah Forgrave said...

What a neat story, Jessica! I didn't realize you'd submitted to them so long ago. It gives me hope. :)

DenaNetherton said...

This post has inspired me. I've worked and re-worked a certain manuscript so many times I've lost count. And now it's a Genesis semifinalist. You never know!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sarah - I'm glad Jess shared her story. It encouraged a lot of people, including me.

Hi Dena - Hmm, we'll have to talk about an interview. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Nancy said...

I'm glad Jessica didn't give up. Her book was a joy to read.

Janet Smart said...

thanks for the inspiring words. I wrote a MG manuscript quite a few years ago. I've been revising it ever since. It has become much better as I have grown as a writer. I don't think we should ever discard our earlier writings.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Nancy - I agree. Jessica's story had lots of twists and turns.

Hi Janet - Welcome! Your experience is similar to mine. I learned fiction writing basics working on my first manuscript.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Jessica Nelson said...

Hi ladies! Thank you for the sweet comments. Christa, good for you. If you feel like God put them on your heart, then forge ahead. You never know who your writing is touching, or maybe God is using it to benefit you? ;-)

Hey Loree! I'm glad the post inspired you. :-) Keep at it! You have an incredible agent and I've no doubt your books will sell.

Jessica Nelson said...

Thanks Marjia and Rachna!

You're welcome, Terri. :-)

Diane, or it was stubborness. *grin*

Thanks for commenting, Melanie!

Jessica Nelson said...

Hi Carol, so glad it inspires you! :-) I agree that it's not always our job to know, just to do.

Thanks Karen and Janette!

Sarah, lol, it's funny how things work out.

Yay, congrats Dena!!!

Jessica Nelson said...

Thanks Nancy. :-)

Hi Janet! Well, the way I look at it is that our earlier writings can either be improved or they're not worth the time (meaning I could write a better one instead of working on the old one). It doesn't hurt to try to sell our work but it is out of our control so there's only so much we can do, you know? Best wishes to you and your MG!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jess -

Thanks so much for doing this guest post! You shared your heart and encouraged ours.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Jessica Nelson said...

And thank you for having me, Susan. :-)