Melissa West

Dear Future Self, First, let me apologize for making this journey hard on you. I’ve made all the mistakes. Writing the first book and thinking it rocked. Querying that book to hell, when I should have realized the next idea was better. Doubting myself to no end. But then I learned a few things about writing, checked my ego, and cranked out the next manuscript. What a good move, huh? But all of that hard work taught me something that I hope you haven’t forgotten—writing is forever learning, forever striving to become better. Never think you’re “good enough,” be great. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone, test other genres, and experience change. Enjoy the ride. You’ve earned it. Lots of love to you, Melissa P.S. Can you respond? It would be a great relief to know when this dream finally comes true. No need for a specific date. The year will do just fine. _____________________ Want to participate in this awesome blogfest? Check it out here .

So somehow the stars aligned and the awesome Katy Perry wrote a song that has become my theme song for TWISTED ROOT. Check it out: M.B.

EW released their cover and insider scoop into Jennifer Lawrence and her role as Katniss. What do you think? She's prettier than I imagine Katniss to be, more feminine, etc. But overall I'm stoked. I can't wait for this movie to release! M.B.

I have always considered my writing to be commercial verses literary. I write plot-driven stories and then try to infuse a more character-driven narrative to keep the reader sympathetic to my MC. I’m good with that. I never suggested or expected to be on the same planet as literary writers. Yet… A few of the agents reading my current MS prefer literary or literary bent. Does that mean my writing style has a slight literary bent? Or is it simply that they are requesting something outside their norm? Who knows, but it did get me thinking—do we know our style? I think it's a more important element to our writing than we may guess. Agents definitely have preferences. Querying a sci-fi agent with a romance is almost certainly going to result in a form rejection. Why waste your time and theirs? But the same goes for querying a plot-driven story to an agent that hates plot-driven books. Analyzing your writing style beyond the genre may help focus in on the best agents for your work. Many

It always amazes me how many things we writers can juggle--day jobs, families, other hobbies, whatever. Then add querying onto the list and craziness ensues. I find querying to be a perfect mixture of over-the-top stress and over-the-top exhilaration. Rejections are going to happen. I would say most writers see 7-8 rejections for every 1 request. So is the business. But this post is to encourage you to keep going. Even if you have yet to get a request. Even if others are getting request upon request upon request. There is no magic formula to snagging an agent. I’m convinced it takes mastery of craft and a little bit of prayer. So keep writing, keep perfecting, and pray—often. And just so you all know, I am in the thick of the query game again. So far so good, but I know from experience to keep going. So, I began my newest project. I'm a writer, after all, and writers write. M.B.