I'm lucky (or cunning) enough to have lured yet another successful writer over to my blog for an SAT - Successful Author Talk. SAT authors have conquered the query, slain the synopsis and attained the pinnacle of published. How'd they do it? Let's ask 'em!
Today’s guest for the SAT is Lani Forbes, a middle school math teacher and proud science nerd. Her debut novel The Seventh Sun releases February 18, 2020.
Are you a Planner or Pantser?
I’m a plantster haha! I am definitely one of those writers that has a foot planted firmly in both camps. There are certain aspects I plan. For example, I usually have general character arcs in mind as well as major plot points I want to hit. I always have my emotional climax planned. As a fantasy writer, I always have my magic system and my world as detailed as possible beforehand too. But sometimes as I am writing, the story takes a different direction. I always try to follow where the emotional thread is leading because to me, that’s where the heart of the story is. After I finish, I always go back with my Save the Cat beat sheet and make sure I hit the appropriate beats at the right times and adjust the structure as necessary.
How long does it typically take you to write a novel, start to finish?
My first novel took me about two months to draft and then several months after to edit. Now, I find that I edit as I go, so it can take me three or four months to finish my first draft, but it is a lot cleaner. I have definitely found that the more I learn, the slower I write. I also don’t feel like I ever really “finish” because I’m constantly tweaking it until my publisher tells me I can’t anymore!
Do you work on one project at a time, or are you a multi-tasker?
I am definitely a multi-tasker. I have several projects I’m working on right now. I get so excited about so many different ideas that I tend to flit from one project to the next like a honeybee in spring. I’m also a very emotional writer, having to be in a certain mood to write certain stories. If I have a deadline though, I can buckle down and get the job done. Once I get deep enough into one story, I have to keep going until it’s finished.
Did you have to overcome any fears that first time you sat down to write?
Imposter syndrome is such a powerful and terrifying thing. So is mom guilt. I am a mom of two young children, and I felt so guilty taking any time for myself to sit down and write. I had to learn to balance the needs of the family with my own needs, but sometimes that guilt creeps back in. I always remind myself that I have to be the healthiest version of myself to be the best mom I can be, and writing is essential for my mental health.
How many trunked books (if any) did you have before you were agented?
I am actually one of those rare writers where my first book published is actually the first book I finished. But don’t get me wrong, I started probably four other projects and got a few chapters in before I realized they weren’t going anywhere. I used those false starts to learn and grown, and when I finally finished my first book, I polished it until it shined before I took it out on submission to agents.
Have you ever quit on an ms, and how did you know it was time?
I had so many story ideas that I would keep notes on, but I seriously started writing two different manuscripts that never made it past the first few chapters. Both of them I gave up on because industry professionals told me they wouldn’t sell. The first was a dystopian YA novel and the second was a different YA fantasy that didn’t have a high concept. I was so disappointed at first, but I picked myself up and kept writing. I know you are never supposed to write to the market, but I also think being aware of what is and what isn’t selling is just being smart.
Who is your agent and how did you get that "Yes!" out of them?
My agent is the wonderful Samantha Wekstein at Thompson Literary. I signed up to do a “Ten Minutes with an Expert” through Manuscript Academy and picked Samantha because she said that she loved epic fantasies like Leigh Bardugo and Sarah J Mass, which are two of my favorite authors. She critiqued my query letter over the phone and asked me to send her a standard query. She was working for Writers House at the time, so I submitted a traditional query to her there, and she requested the full manuscript! I had eight other full requests out when I got my first agent offer, so I notified the other agents. That is when Samantha offered too. I knew I wanted to work with her immediately because I could tell how much she loved my story and I knew we had similar tastes!
How long did you query before landing your agent?
I started querying in January of 2017 by sending out about ten queries. I didn’t get a single bite. Every time I got a rejection, I would alter my query letter and send out five more queries. I kept a list of agents I wanted to query, and which ones had responded. I continued to study the art of writing a query (including paying for several professional query critiques). I started getting partial requests and knew I was getting closer. All in all, I sent out about 30-40 different queries and had ten full requests by the summer of 2017, about six months after I started. I ended up signing with Samantha in July of 2017.
Any advice to aspiring writers out there on conquering query hell?
Cold queries DO work. If your query is good enough, it will get an agent’s attention, but PLEASE study how to write a good query letter. Tension and emotional stakes are huge. I read books and articles, attended workshops, studied successful query letters, etc. I also studied the agents themselves. Make sure you know what they are looking for and what they aren’t. I made so many mistakes at the beginning, not knowing etiquette especially (goodness I have some embarrassing stories), but every time I got a rejection, I promised myself to send out five more queries. I would make changes and learn every single time. I remember reading a fantastic article that talked about how as soon as you start getting requests and personalized feedback, you’re getting closer. Don’t give up, keeping learning and growing and using whatever resources you have at your fingertips. There are SO many out there!
How did that feel, the first time you saw your book for sale?
I haven’t gotten there yet as my book comes out next month, but holding my first ARC in my hands was the most surreal experience. You dream about seeing your words in print for so long and to finally see it in person…there really aren’t words. It’s just so fulfilling and emotional! I will probably drop dead when I see my book in a bookstore for the first time (which is okay because I already have book two written haha!).
How much input do you have on cover art?
I actually had a lot of input. The cover artist, Kathryn English, was incredible. She invited me to private Pinterest board for brainstorming and invited me to pin ideas of styles or images. I knew I wanted a black background with a golden sun, but she added the obsidian dagger with the intricate gold and jade details, and it turned out more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.
What's something you learned from the process that surprised you?
The biggest thing that surprised me was how LOOOOOOONG everything in publishing takes. I had read about it and knew that things took a while, but I was definitely surprised to find out that it wasn’t exaggerated! Patience is definitely a virtue to have in publishing, and it is so worth it! My biggest advice for putting up with the waiting is to keep working. I never stopped working on my next project and it definitely helps.
How much of your own marketing do you?
I have an amazing marketing team at Blackstone Publishing, but I also try to help out as much as I can. I think it’s important to work as hard as they do. I know visibility is so important with marketing, so I am always trying to share and interact as much as I can on social media or local events. I have my own website and I do try to keep it updated with fun information, blog posts, and exciting news to share. You can also sign up for my newsletter there. I also have Twitter and Instagram and a Facebook page.
When do you build your platform? After an agent? Or should you be working before?
If you are trying to publish non-fiction, I think a platform is more important, but with fiction especially, there is nothing more important than WRITING A GOOD BOOK. That is first and foremost what writers should focus on. A platform can always be built, but you can’t build a platform around something that doesn’t exist.
Do you think social media helps build your readership?
This is such a tricky question. Everyone I have asked says that it doesn’t build your readership, but I know I have found many of my favorite books based on recommendations of others on social media. I love bookstagram, and if I keep seeing a book pop up on my feed, it definitely makes me curious to check it out. I think visibility and exposure is important and social media can definitely be a tool to help, but it doesn’t have to be the only tool.