Saturday, September 2, 2017

So I Talked to an Agent (and what that means)

I talked to an agent!!! While at OCW, Ivy and I decided that we should pitch. Just do it. It'd be good practice, and we would expect nothing. So that's what we did. (Crazy best friend pressure. XP) The question is, how did it go and how did it change my writing life?


I really, really did not want to talk to an agent. I was stuck in Portland with limited internet, no pictures, no handouts. I had nothing that they recommended having in order to pitch to an agent. Not even a manuscript I'd begun. Why? Because I'd decided I was happy working on the Martin Series and didn't want to begin anything else. (HA!)

Then Bill Jensen of Willam K. Jensen Literary Agency said there were a lot of openings for agent appointments, and we should sign up even if all we had were ideas. Well then. That shot down every reason I had for not pitching.

After a little bit of research and are-we-really-doing-this?! nerves, Ivy convinced me to snag the last spot with Jensen. After all, he fit my overall genre the best. And she was right: I'd regret it if I didn't just go for it.

He was several minutes late to the appointment, which at first made me so nervous. I could have dashed out the door before he ever showed up and scratched my name off the list. But I didn't. So when he did show up, it put me at ease, because is there any other proof that someone prestigious is human, than them being late?? Not really.

Having never done this before, I really have no idea how the appointment went. He kept me from rambling and reassured me that he had taken on young authors (Rachel Coker!) before, and he had signed people from just an idea. I didn't say everything I think I should have said, but the ending to the conversation kind of stunned me.

Mr. Jensen asked to see the first three chapters once I was ready, and then he'd let me know.

For all I know, they could say that to everyone. I don't know what I was expecting. But I was not expecting that. 

So that brings me to the obvious change that now must take place in my writing. Since I have an agent expecting three chapters of a manuscript that at the time wasn't even fully plotted ... I can't keep plugging away at Martin Crossroads at the speed of a turtle.

I feel so awful setting the sequel aside and leaving all of my wonderful, expectant readers hanging!! But I have never been so excited about shaking up my writing life. :D So now that little story, Matinee Regulars, that I shared with you in this post, is being brought to life. Although several things in the description I gave you have already changed :P

I had brainstormed a little with my sister a few weeks before the conference, and that's the only reason I was able to pitch the story. Then Ivy and I brainstormed for several hours at her house, and the pieces just started falling into place. Let me tell you, that has not happened since writing Martin Hospitality last year. 
And that made me realize something. Writing Martin Crossroads next was my idea. Not God's. Did it make the most logical sense? Yes. But I have spent months on it and gotten literally nowhere. And now this little Pinterest-board-of-a-story idea flies out of my mouth in front of an agent, and guess what I'm writing?

I haven't enjoyed writing this much in over a year. So it feels so amazing to finally be writing a story that is working with me, not against me. And my only explanation for that is because God is working with me and my story as well.

So it's a little bit of good news and bad news. Despite how things continue to go with Mr. Jensen, I've taken the first step to becoming a hybrid author. The sequel to Martin Hospitality will be delayed. But the story you all demanded several weeks ago is under construction!
Now is that a crazy God thing or what?!

46 comments:

  1. Abi!!!!! THAT IS AMAZING!!!! I'm so proud of you for pitching this amazing idea, despite the crazy insane nerves. You are an incredible author and I'm so happy that you talked with an agent. I wish you the best of luck and encouragement while tackling this new adventure! Can't wait to read Matinee Regulars once it's published!!! ;D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!! It's been really fun to write so far. I can't wait for you to be able to read it, either

      Delete
  2. AH THAT'S SO COOL. I loooove that you're pursuing this new idea and that you're seeking God's Will in your writing. :D Now I can't wait to read this new book... HURRY UP WE'RE ALL WAITING. NO PRESSURE. XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! AH I know x) It's sailing right along, though so YAY :D

      Delete
  3. OKAY SO THIS SOUNDS LIKE EPIC NEWS. I kid you not, I haven't been able to get Matinee Regulars off my brain since you mentioned it xD. I need that story so BAD! Best of luck with writing it, my friend! <3

    ~ Savannah | Scattered Scribblings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I KNOW RIGHT?! Awww really??? That makes me so happy! xD Writing it has been a dream thus far, so fingers crossed!

      Delete
  4. Oh wow! You inspired me! May God bless your writing!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's amazing!!! I haven't read your Martin Hospitality yet, but its on my list of to read. I look forward to seeing where God takes you next. Good luck and enjoy yourself! <3 <3

    ~Ivie
    iveiwrites.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. READ MARTIN HOSPITALITY ITS THE BEST CONTEMPORARY NOVEL EVER (plus fluffy romance helps immensely.)

      Delete
    2. I will have to look into it. I'm saving up a book fund right now. :P

      Delete
    3. Thanks, Ivie :) I promise Martin Hospitality doesn't have a cliffhanger, so you'll be all right even if you do read it soon. I can't wait to hear what you think! (Thanks for the high recommendation, Musicgirl xP) So far I've enjoyed myself while writing quite a bit which is a bit of a novelty for me after trying the sequel. So nice!!

      Delete
    4. Haha, you're welcome. I've literally been flailing about it to all of my friends lol.

      Delete
    5. Ahhh thank you! That's the best marketing strategy to be honest x)

      Delete
  6. MATINEE REGULARS??!!!? *squeaks* SO looking forward to this one!! Isn't it amazing how God works sometimes? I love how He cares about all the little details. ;)
    Good luck on your newest writing venture! You know we all support you 100%! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YES, MA'AM! I know, it's so reassuring <3 Thanks so much! It's lovely to have so many friends who get excited about my changes of plan x)

      Delete
  7. AHHH THIS IS SO SO SO EXCITING. *flails* I just read over your post with the story ideas and I can't stop grinning for you. THIS IS AMAZING! Keep us all updated, okay? Can't wait for this new adventure. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Katie!! :DD I certainly will. Presently: how fast I can produce a solid draft of this thing? xP It's been quite an adventure already

      Delete
  8. That's so exciting!!! Congratulations :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!! It's been great to have a new direction. :)

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. Thanks!! I've written several chapters and am still excited about it, so this is a good sign ;)

      Delete
  10. Is it ready yet????? No----- sigh. I'm hooked. Can't wait to read this. Your cover is amazingly beautiful. I will need to buy the book just because of the cover and not just read it on Kindle. Blessings as you continue to seek God first. Ya-Yah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, you're so sweet! I was really pleased with how the cover turned out, although that will probably not be the final one. That was just me messing around. I think I'm pretty much sold on that color scheme, though! Ask Ivy--I'm getting this one written pretty quickly for me ... so far! Thank you so much :)

      Delete
  11. OH MY GOODNESS THIS IS SO EXCITING!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! :D Wow. That is just ... so amazing. Buckets of blessings in all of your writing endeavors! And man, working with God--that's the way to write. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank yooouu! I am definitely pumped :D Right? It's been going really well so far. Imagine that xP

      Delete
  12. AHHH OH MY WORD THAT IS SO SO COOOOOL. *screams excitedly*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahahaha thanks. Not gonna lie, it's been a pretty spectacular process so far! :D

      Delete
  13. WHAAA, so exciting!!! :D The new story idea sounds epic, and God's plan is always best. <3

    ReplyDelete
  14. *flails* AHH I CAN"T BELIEVE IT *insert crying emoji* Matinee Regulars is like the best story idea ever. God is good and He really knows the best doesn't He? <3 Here's to more incredible writing adventures ahead Abbi!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right?! I can't really either xD It's so reassuring to know that this is how I'm supposed to write. I was getting worried there for a minute that Martin Hospitality was a fluke xP But yes! God knows best :)

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. THANK YOU!! I'm enjoying being excited, but seeing all of you get excited too is literally the best. Why I blog, tbh ;)

      Delete
  16. THE EXCITEMENT IS REAL. I'm so happy for you - God works in such amazing ways. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, thanks! He really does. I never could have planned this out hehe ... ;)

      Delete
  17. I'm so happy for you, Abi!!!! I'm glad that you found what God wants you to work on!

    ReplyDelete
  18. AGENTS! I have never gotten close to querying (or even polishing my drafts) yet but this is exciting news! I'm happy for you and I hope you celebrated :D

    - andrea at a surge of thunder

    ReplyDelete
  19. Abi!! That is so exciting! Can't wait to see where God will take you on this journey. <33

    ReplyDelete

Comments are how I know you've been here! I try hard to reply to all the comments in a timely fashion, but regardless, know that if you leave a comment, I will read it and it will make me smile. :) Please no profanity or soliciting.