The Writer's Workshop Persistence pays off. That’s the lesson former student Diana Noble learned in trying to place her latest novel, Not That Kind of Call Girl, under the pen name Nova Garcia. Diana pitched some 200 agents on the mystery novel before landing a contract with Wild Rose Press after pitching the book at a conference.
“Is it worth the time, uncertainty and hassle?” she asked while speaking at my summer class for The Writer’s Workshop, Writing for Story. “For me, yes!”
Persistence. It’s got to be the most under-rated ingredient in every writer’s success. Talent? Sure? Stamina? Definitely. Imagination? Certainly. But none of these other qualities would result in writing or publishing success if the writer lacked persistence.
Diana demonstrated persistence not just in pitching but in writing the book. It took her seven years to complete the manuscript. Along the way, she learned the following tips:
1. There’s so much to learn—get out there and don’t stop
2. Networking matters
3. Be humble, your writing can always improve
4. Put on your big girl pants; it’s a bumpy ride
5. Pantser vs plotter, I’ve made peace with my style
6. Grammar, you may think you’re perfect, but…
7. The art of querying agents—make an
impression; it’s got to be personalized and perfect
8. Active writing
9. Show, don’t tell
10. Hooks & tension— make ’em hungry
“A Simple Way to Create
Suspense,” Lee Child, 2012
11. Beware information dumps
12. Step away from the computer
13. Read for inspiration
14. It doesn’t end with a published book
15. Give yourself some grace—this is hard stuff
16. Write with a purpose
17. Persevere
Diana is hosting a book signing on October 3rd, 2024, 5-9 pm at Brigid’s Bottle Shop 188 Sunset Ave S Edmonds, WA 98020. Guitarist Jerry Battista will perform from 7-9 pm. : www.novagarcia.net.
