I've been scheming.

I had the most wonderful weekend full of discussion...

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laughter...




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writing...

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thinking...




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and scheming.

Yes, scheming. See, I want to be a published author. In order for that to happen, I have to be ready! Sitting in the shadows, and waiting for luck to fall in my lap has never been my style.

So, while at DFWcon, I spent time rubbing my mitts together, and planning how I could make my opening page just a little sharper. How I could make my characters just a little richer. How I could make my main character just a little deeper.

I went to some amazing panels and learned from some wonderful writers and agents. I sat in the lobby and chatted with new friends, and EVEN NEWER FRIENDS, and learned from them just as much.

I pitched for the first time, and got requests.

I talked with a couple of agents for hours... just socially. Not a pitch in sight.

'Cause sometimes, you just need to talk to a person... and share a common moment without trying to get something in return.

I came home on Monday and watched on baited breath as 8 agents (plus a couple rogues) read my first page and query and STAMPED me as either a 'yes' or a 'no'.

I wrote my first real query letters, and sent out my first submissions.

I'm so excited to find the right agent to represent me, and my book(s). Because it's not just about ANY agent. It's about the right one.

I hope to find someone who wants to help me tell the story of a young person with an Emotional Disturbance. Not someone who's blue, or bummed, but who is clinically, chronically depressed.

I want to find an agent who wants to tell the story of a girl who looks in the mirror and doesn't see what's really there. Who listens when people tell her she's a joke.

I want to find an agent who wants to tell the story of a girl who is so freaking funny. She makes all of the people around her laugh out loud, but sometimes, she uses her humor as a shield to keep others from getting too close.

I want to find an agent who wants to tell the story of a girl who grows, morphs, and claws her way to the truth about how hard we have to work sometimes to see the good in ourselves. That sometimes blaming the bully is just a cop-out, and sometimes, we have to take responsibility for the way we respond to the crap-fest we're given.

Finding that person takes scheming... and planning... and perserverance.

So, I'm happy to be on query submission right now, and I'm honored that so many talented people are reading my book. I know the journey may be long and arduous, but I've never been one to sit back and wait.

I throw myself and my work out there, and see what sticks.