Have you ever suffered from writer's block? What seems to work for unleashing your creativity?
As I begin a book, I look ahead to the due date and figure out how many pages I will need to write each week in order to hand it in on time. I build in time for trips and family and time for my writers group to read and critique, and then time for me to rewrite. Then I have a page goal for each week. I write until I've hit the goal, sometimes even getting a little ahead. For practical purposes, I do write most days. And mostly in the morning, saving the promotion and other "easier" work for when I'm less alert!
If I really get stuck on a plot point, I find it most helpful to brainstorm — either with my husband or one of a couple of trusted writing buddies.
How was your experience in looking for a publisher? What words of advice would you offer those novice authors who are in search of one?
When I started writing and then trying to get published, I knew no one in the business. So I studied books about finding an agent and began sending out cold queries to those I thought had similar interests. It took me about 18 months to find someone to represent me. It would have been a lot easier if I'd had a network of writers in place first. These days, it's also easier and faster to be able to research agents and query them online than it was even eight years ago. I have listed a lot of advice and writing/publishing links on my website.
This year I'm serving as president of Sisters in Crime international, a wonderful organization founded by Sara Paretsky to support women mystery writers. So check it out if you write in that genre.
Other advice: hone your craft first and foremost. The business is so competitive that you shoot yourself in the foot if you're not sending out polished work. Hire an editor, join a writing group, make your book the best it can be before trying to sell it.
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