This week’s interview is with my tweep, Jess. I think everyone will want to start following her, because her current project sounds AMAZING and I just know she’ll land an agent soon. ;)
AG: Tell us about your current project.
JN: My current project is Coalition of Women Against Forced Motherhood (a VERY working title):
The United States has passed a bill redefining the meaning of life and made all forms of birth control and abortion illegal. When Leah Farris finds out she is pregnant, she decides to fight against the institution forcing her into an ill-prepared motherhood by reaching out to women in her situation all over the country and organizing an act of protest that cannot be ignored: mass abandonment of their newborn children. Bogged down with the stresses of pregnancy, social rejection, and the law breathing down her neck, she realizes that choosing NOT to be a mother comes with its own set of consequences.
AG: Is it your first book?
JN: I’ve written one before, a science fiction piece entitled Number Blue. Coalition is how I’ve kept myself busy during the query process for Number Blue. It’s been a great project for passing the time, as the issue at the heart of the story is one I hold dear.
So, no, it isn’t my first book, but it is the first I’ve started on purpose! Number Blue just sort of...happened.
AG: How did you tackle the revision process before you queried? Did you use CP’s?
JN: It was so stressful! Nowadays I try my hardest to be one of those “write first, revise later” writers. It was not so with Number Blue, which is why it took me half a decade to finish. I had the support of very close friends, some of which are writers, who stood by my side chapter by chapter and tore my writing to pieces. After the book was completed, we worked together to tear it apart again. I’m still tearing it to pieces, even though I’ve begun the querying process. I’m a firm believer in that quote by Paul Valery (I think): “Poems are never finished - just abandoned.” Just replace “poems” with “novels!”
AG: What was the querying process like for you? Any tips?
JN: It’s less stressful than I thought it would be. The process takes forever; agents are very busy and might take months to get back to me. These long stretches of time are actually soothing. I’m not constantly checking my e-mail because a response might come ANY MINUTE. I know it will take a while, so I focus my energies on other things--like writing more!
AG: Do you blog? Where can we find you on Twitter and the internet?
JN: Everyone is welcome to read my ramblings at jessnegron.blogspot.com and connect with me on Twitter @loladeee
AG: What online resources have you used to help your writing and querying and revision process?
JN: AgentQuery.com is an amazing resource for getting started in the query process. I’ve also used QueryTracker, which is very helpful. I’ve tried to join a few online writing communities, but none ever panned out for me. I’m pretty new to this whole process so this question is one I’m asking OTHER people, because I certainly don’t have good answers yet!
JN: My current project is Coalition of Women Against Forced Motherhood (a VERY working title):
The United States has passed a bill redefining the meaning of life and made all forms of birth control and abortion illegal. When Leah Farris finds out she is pregnant, she decides to fight against the institution forcing her into an ill-prepared motherhood by reaching out to women in her situation all over the country and organizing an act of protest that cannot be ignored: mass abandonment of their newborn children. Bogged down with the stresses of pregnancy, social rejection, and the law breathing down her neck, she realizes that choosing NOT to be a mother comes with its own set of consequences.
AG: Is it your first book?
JN: I’ve written one before, a science fiction piece entitled Number Blue. Coalition is how I’ve kept myself busy during the query process for Number Blue. It’s been a great project for passing the time, as the issue at the heart of the story is one I hold dear.
So, no, it isn’t my first book, but it is the first I’ve started on purpose! Number Blue just sort of...happened.
AG: How did you tackle the revision process before you queried? Did you use CP’s?
JN: It was so stressful! Nowadays I try my hardest to be one of those “write first, revise later” writers. It was not so with Number Blue, which is why it took me half a decade to finish. I had the support of very close friends, some of which are writers, who stood by my side chapter by chapter and tore my writing to pieces. After the book was completed, we worked together to tear it apart again. I’m still tearing it to pieces, even though I’ve begun the querying process. I’m a firm believer in that quote by Paul Valery (I think): “Poems are never finished - just abandoned.” Just replace “poems” with “novels!”
AG: What was the querying process like for you? Any tips?
JN: It’s less stressful than I thought it would be. The process takes forever; agents are very busy and might take months to get back to me. These long stretches of time are actually soothing. I’m not constantly checking my e-mail because a response might come ANY MINUTE. I know it will take a while, so I focus my energies on other things--like writing more!
AG: Do you blog? Where can we find you on Twitter and the internet?
JN: Everyone is welcome to read my ramblings at jessnegron.blogspot.com and connect with me on Twitter @loladeee
AG: What online resources have you used to help your writing and querying and revision process?
JN: AgentQuery.com is an amazing resource for getting started in the query process. I’ve also used QueryTracker, which is very helpful. I’ve tried to join a few online writing communities, but none ever panned out for me. I’m pretty new to this whole process so this question is one I’m asking OTHER people, because I certainly don’t have good answers yet!
I hope everyone enjoyed this week’s interview! If you have any followup questions for Jess, please leave them in the comments section. Also, don’t forget to follow her on Twitter and her blog! J
Ah, Jess, I'm also trying to turn myself into a "write first, revise later" writer--not always as easy as it sounds, but I'm also hoping it'll speed up my overall process. Good luck with your querying and with the new book, which sounds fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThings definitely go faster and I feel the overall story benefits from being pumped out without breaking creative flow to self-edit. It's a hard habit to get into, though. Thanks for the luck and I wish you some too!
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