Ink Stains
by Lara Zielin
Published by Lara Zielin
First Smashwords Edition: July 2011
Copyright 2011 Lara Zielin
Cover art by Patricia Claydon
License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction by Lara Zielin
Three Weeks, My Ass by Lara Zielin
Is There Ever a Good Time to Write a Novel? by Kelly O’Connor McNees
There's Nothing Else Out There Like This by Jim Ottaviani
But I Don't Feel Like a Writer by Rachael Herron
Winning the Battle Against Writer's Block by Rhonda Stapleton
Taking a Break From Your Book by Sarah Quigley
My Manuscript is Trying to Kill Me! by Josh Berk
The Luddite Lives a Digital Life by Helen Ellis
More. Better. Bigger. Greater. Right? by Eileen Cook
But Wait, There's More by Lara Zeilin
Ink Stains
Nine authors with more than 25 published books between them offer countless insights to help your writing leave a mark.
Contributors
Lara Zielin
Kelly O’Connor McNees
Jim Ottaviani
Rachael Herron
Rhonda Stapleton
Sarah Quigley
Josh Berk
Helen Ellis
Eileen Cook
Introduction
I’m usually asked the same questions over and over regarding my publishing journey. How long did it take for you to get published? How many rejection letters did you get? How big was your advance?
In the process of fielding some of these questions, I’ve come to realize that, yes, writers want specific information about the logistics of publishing, but underneath all those questions, what writers are really asking for is encouragement. They’re saying, “Tell me about your obstacles so I know I can do it, too.” And possibly thinking, “If it wasn’t easy for you, then I know my journey isn’t so out-of-the-ordinary either.”
That’s a large part of what inspired INK STAINS. In this book, eight other writers and I not only talk about our journeys, but what we’ve learned along the way. INK STAINS doesn’t gloss over our failures, learning curves, or struggles. At the same time, the interviews highlight major successes, too. These interviews are meant to encourage because, baby, if we can do it, so can you.
I hope you’ll close the book knowing you absolutely can do this. Your ink stain—your literary mark—is more visible than you think.
—Lara Zielin
Three Weeks, My Ass
By Lara Zielin
Writing and editing a book takes longer than Kerouac let on.