Welcome Femmes Emeritus Julie Wray Herman!

 

The Femmes welcome back our dear friend, the multi-talented JULIE WRAY HERMAN. She's the author of Agatha nominee THREE DIRTY WOMEN AND THE GARDEN OF DEATH. Novelist, master gardener, horse expert, volunteer extraordinaire. You name it, Julie can do it all.

Today she writes a great post for us, sharing experiences that will help new writers. And lots of us old writers too. :)

Take it away, Julie!

 

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Since my last book came out around the turn of the century (which is both fun and awkward to say) it’s kind of appropriate that Mary asked me about beginnings of a writing career. I am in the midst of embarking on a second or perhaps third writing career that will hit the public phase in 2017. Since the third Dirty Women Landscaping book came out in 2003, I’ve put two kids through college, begun a rewarding but time-consuming volunteer job as a horse management judge, and sold articles on gardening, horses, and theater (not all in the same article) to several local magazines. Written several books too, but didn’t do much submitting so those are still living in my bottom drawer.

 

 

You see, I suffer with the terrible affliction that so many writers have — lack of confidence. So when agents would ask for a whole manuscript, I’d put them off, certain that it wouldn’t be good enough. Or perhaps I was terrified that it was good enough, and that they’d take it and not be able to sell it. Or that they’d sell it to a publisher, and the book wouldn’t sell to readers. Or that the book would sell and get bad reviews. Or that it would get good reviews and then I wouldn’t ever live up to it with a subsequent book. It was easier, really, to tuck those books away and tell myself they needed time to rest until I could be objective about them. (Self-defeating, but easier.)

 

 

In one manuscript’s case this was certainly true. In others, perhaps, not so much. The interesting thing was that through all my waffling about how well the books had turned out, I kept writing. Couldn’t stop in fact, although I truly tried several times to give it up. (That counts as my advice to new writers, which is what Mary asked me to touch upon in this article. Keep writing. Go ahead and be afraid, cause that’s going to happen anyway. But velcro your butt to the chair and get it done. Be brave about your writing now. Get brave (or afraid but follow through anyway) about submitting after you’re done with the manuscript.)

 

One of the volunteer jobs I’ve enjoyed the most over the last decade is being part of the horse management judging team at the United States Pony Clubs, (PonyClub.org) first locally here in Texas, then nationally. Pony Club uses horses as the medium to teach all-round horsemanship skills and foster positive life-skills attributes the way that Scouting uses the outdoors.

 

 

Five years ago, I began tinkering with a Middle Grade novel about kids and horses. As is the nature of books, Sophie had to endure some pretty harsh problems and solve them all on her own. I got to the point where I felt so sorry for her that I didn’t know if I could finish the book. Then a light bulb went off in my brain. If Sophie belonged to Pony Club, she’d have a ready-made group of friends to support her through all the challenges I was throwing at her.

 

Suffice it to say, the negotiations to use a national group’s trademarks were interesting for us both, but at long last we’ve just inked the deal allowing me to use the fabulous world of Pony Club in my setting. BURNED will come out some time next year from Oconee Spirit Press, run by another Femme Emeritus, Deborah Adams.

 

I’m a little bit terrified, but also more excited than I can say about this book. It wouldn’t have happened if the quit had stuck or if I had allowed my fear to sabotage me completely.

 

Happy Reading and Writing!

Julie Herman
MysteryGarden.com

 

 

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Great advice, Julie. Plus a new series to look forward to. Thank you so much for sharing with us today!

 

 

Comments

[Mary Saums]

Julie, I'm so excited about the new series. It sounds perfect for young girls. And I can't wait to read them myself ! :)

Your cat looks like my cat's twin. Very regal. :)

[Dean James]

We're all looking forward to seeing a new book by you, Julie! You're talented at so many things, not the least of which is writing.

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

"If the quit had stuck" -what a great way to think of it! Shake it off!

Hurray...and xoxoo

[Elaine Viets]

So glad you're writing mysteries again, Julie. I loved your Three Dirty Women series (though I must say a male friend was deeply disappointed when he found out it was a gardening series). I'm learning through a horse-loving friend that horses have individual personalities, even a sense of humor. Good luck on your new book.

[Mark]

Congrats on the new series! I still enjoy MG books every so often - they're a lot of fun.

[julie herman]

Thanks all! It's been a wild ride getting back on the horse, so to speak. (Sorry, my husband's humor has rubbed off on me.)

[Lisa G.]

Just think, I knew you when! Will you still say hi to me? :)

[julie herman]

Lisa! You're hilarious. You taught me so much about horses. You're one of the best Pony Club mom's around.

[julie herman]

Lisa, a stray apostrophe
wandered by and got stuck in my reply. Please ignore it!

[krisneri]

Julie, welcome back to the Femmes! We've missed you. Can't wait to read the new book. I love reading kids' books, and one about a girl and a horse sounds ideal. Lots of luck with it.

[julie herman]

Thanks, Kris. It's so nice to be invited back for an official visit. You ladies (and gentleman) are always an inspiration!

[Donna Andrews]

Can't wait! It's been too long!