Down this road again...

I’m on the prowl again.  Things didn’t work out with my last agent, she left her company and things got fuzzy.  So here I am.  A free agent as they would say in sports.  Wouldn’t they say that?  Nevermind the analogy, I’ll have to ask my husband about that one.

Now I’m in the process of getting my manuscript as tight as I can so that I can begin submitting to agents and maybe even a few publishers.  The funny thing about this stage is that it’s exciting as much as it is anxiety inducing.  You begin to fret over the negative “what ifs” because you’ve been down this road before, but then you get so pumped about the potentially positive “what ifs” that you just feel is your destiny.  I’m super imaginative so I can so see myself accepting that publishing contract someday in the future.  I can see myself with a nice, long career in writing, totally giving up my science career.  Sadly, I am also a realist, and can see myself trying to reach the carrot that’s been dangling in front of my face, but never quite coming close enough to grab it.

I guess that’s why phrases like “Que sera sera” are clichés.  I specialize in clichés by the way.  If you  need one, hit me up.  I’ll be happy to lend you a few.

So, please keep me in your prayers and your thoughts!

And, here’s a few pics too, just to keep the tradition going!

Fourth of July 2011

 

Hair and Writing...not necessarily in that order

Okay, lots of new and exciting things happening!  Well, I have an agent now! Her name is Liz Jote’ of Objective Entertainment.  Things were actually finalized this past December and I’m overjoyed to be working with her—she truly ‘gets’ my writing and has really brought my novel to greater heights.  Typically, when it comes to stuff like this, I’m a realist.  My head is not usually in the clouds but I’ve got a feeling about things this time.  Keep your fingers crossed for me and if you’re not overtly opposed, whisper a few prayers on my behalf.   For more info on my writing, visit my official author website www.nicieconleymurphy.com.  Let me know what you think about it!

On another note…I’ve ditched my chemically processed hair for a new and improved version of my hair.   

Yes, I’ve cut it all off.  Not exactly Sinead O’Conner-esque, but darn close!  If you’ve ever known anyone with relaxed hair, or have it yourself, you might know that relaxed hair cannot be undone.  It’s not extremely versatile and it can be quite fragile.  I really wanted to embrace my hair the way it grows out of my head so I decided not to transition, but to just rid myself completely of the relaxed hair so that my true texture can shine through.  I’m thoroughly enjoying the feeling of wash and go hair, as well as getting to know my hair as God intended it to be.  I can’t wait until my twa (teeny weeny afro) has grown into the lioness’ mane that is sure to come.  Just this afternoon I ran out to get some Jojoba oil and other hair products.  (Shh! I’m a product junkie! Yikes)  It’s only been about a week and half and I’ve littered my bathroom sink with product after product after product trying to find my holy grail system.

And because I’m the Queen of snapshots, here are a few pics of my new ‘do!

More on hair later….

And this is the look I'm going for...that girl in the middle, she's my little sister.  Her hair rocks. 

The other women are (from left to right), my mom, Stephanie (my older sister),

Lori (younger sis), Kenya (my 12 year old niece), Angie (my other older sister), and Moi!

This is a picture of me, two of my sisters (my father's children), and my dad.  I was the only one left that had chemically processed hair.  Now, I've taken the plunge.  Conley girls unite!

Winter Happenings

Hi People!
It’s always so long between posts, but I aspire to do better in 2011! I have so much to blog about that I wonder if my fingers won’t be sore when I’m finally done! I suppose I’ll just highlight a few things and be done with it!

Life:It’s December now and the holidays are upon us! Luckily, even though I’ve had tons of birthday cake this Oct and Nov., and lots of Thanksgiving food, I haven’t put on any weight! What does this mean? It means I’m free to be a glutton this Christmas! Yaay!

Well, it does mean that, doesn’t it?

Writing Reflections

I don’t blog much about my writing. I guess because I know if I get started in that habit that I might never stop and then there’d be no boundaries left at all. I’ve read horror stories about writers who have crossed the line in the TMI category and I have been determined to avoid it. What I’ve done is essentially end up in the opposite camp. One who never blogs about writing. Aye de mi!

I’ve been doing a lot of editor/agent blog reading lately and have been filing away quite a few tidbits about the industry. It’s like a maze out there and I can say that I am feeling my way around in the dark. My agent definitely helps me out in that regard, but I am such a nerd that I find myself compelled to learn all there is to know about publishing.

I want to know about book deals, and clauses, and foreign rights, and everything….well, everything except rejections, of course. I find myself scouring the internet for any relevant piece of information.

There are a few blogs of anonymous editors that I particularly like (such as editorial anonymous and editorialass) as well as one authored by an anonymous intern. They are truly eye opening and not in the normal sense. Everything I read on publishing is devoured in seconds, but what is startling to me are the strange things some writers do to get noticed. I am at a loss for words at some of the things that writers will do to attract the attention of an agent and/or editor. I am no stranger to the feeling of desperation of wanting your work to be on display. I often get impatient with the process and find myself daydreaming about my moment of Glory (which is really God’s moment since he is the reason for my success, should I ever garner any), but good ole common sense will preclude me from ever acting on any of my non-sensical whims, if I ever had any that is.

I mean, if pregnancy can’t teach a gal to be patient then I suppose publishing can finish the job. Maybe it’s no coincidence they both begin with the letter P.

Maybe that could be my next novel….Publishing and Pregnancy: one’s a pain in the membrane, the other’s a pain in the ____.

Really, I’m joking and although you might not be laughing, I’m cracking myself up. Lol. Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t be writing comedy.

Two goals down….

Ninety eight more to go.

First goal:
I’ve recently acquired an agent to represent my middle grade fiction novel. She’s a wonderful woman who I feel very blessed and honored to have as the champion for my work. Her name is L. Spencer Humphrey and she has lots of experience in publishing and I am sure she will do an awesome job pitching my story.

Philippians 4:13

Second goal:
My new agent gave me some excellent editorial advice on how to make my story stronger and more compelling and I took her advice and capitalized on it. It took me about 5 weeks (I think), but I’ve recently handed her the revised copy of my completed middle grade novel. The book is intended to be a series and book 2 has been drafted, but still needs work.

So, now all that’s left is for her to take her time perusing it and then offer her opinion on it. I am truly hoping that she think it’s ready for submission to editors. If not, then I trust her explicitly and work my tail off to make sure the book lives up the premise (which is awesome, I might add).

So wish me luck!!!!!

*Writing Update*

I haven’t signed on the dotted line just yet, but I have an agent who has expressed interest in working with to get my story published!! I don’t usually blog much about my writing…I guess b/c writing the stories takes so much time out of my day that I don’t usually care to blog about the process, ya know? I don’t know. To each, his own, I guess.

But, I digress….This agent is the agent that I had great feelings about and really wanted to work with. I actually had one other agent express interest in my work, one who didn't want any major revisions. One full blown, unqualified offer and then this one, which was contingent upon a rewrite that I ended up agreeing wholeheartedly with. It really makes you feel validated!!

I am in the process of revising the manuscript now, it’s coming to an end soon, so hopefully, said agent will be pleased with my effort and want to shop it around soon to publishers. I am currently looking for beta readers (critiquers) who have a good eye for middle grade language and pacing. Also, someone who can easily connect with multicultural or urban dialect. My characters are funny, strong and innocent and you’ll fall in love with them, I promise.

Faith!

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen!
Hebrews 11:1

MY PROFESSION: Chemist
MY PROFESSION (at heart): Fiction Writer

I’ve always looked at my chosen profession as sort of a means to an end. As a young girl, I never had the courage to step out and do what I wanted to do, as opposed to what was smart for me to do.

My current journey/struggle in life is my ongoing search for an agent. I first began writing back in 2005/6 while I was in graduate school. It was my first crack at writing so I put my all into it, not knowing that it actually required more than putting your thoughts on paper in a haphazard kind of way. My novel had no story arc, the characters were all the same person (shaking my head at the memory), and it was just plain BAD. The queries I sent off to agents got lots of attention, but the fulls and partials I sent failed to impress. From there, I got discouraged and decided to push forward to finish school and get my head out of the clouds.

Fast forward, two years and I picked up a book by a girl I remembered on the blueboards. It inspired me to take another look at my first draft and all the rejections I received. I took the advice of the comments some of the agents made and I basically threw out the novel. I kept some of the names, but created a much better plot (as in I actually had a plot).
Now, I’m 30 and I’ve just plum decided that I am not wasting anymore time getting to what it is that I really want. I’am going for the whole nine, this time (yeah, I coulda been a rapper, but no use cryin’ over spilled milk).
What I want is to be a creator. I may not be a good writer, the jury is still out on that, but I’m okay with that. I don’t mind being mediocre at it. I will strive to do my absolute best and if that ends up as “You ah-ight” on the scale of “You suck” and “Dang, girl, you’re the next Nora Roberts!”, then it is what it is.

I have faith that whatever the Lord has for me is for me.

Wish me luck!

Writing is like chicken soup for the soul!

Working on a new manuscript right now which is a YA. Not so sure what the title with be yet as I am trying to avoid certain cliche's.

Manuscripts 1 and 2 are complete (the second is the sequel of the other) and I have the outline complete for the next book in the series, but I want to write something fresh and different.

I'll update later when I am more inspired...:)