La-Tessa Montgomery

Without a strong rhyme to step to”

I had to borrow from Eric B. and Rakim to properly set the tone for this post. I’ve been past swamped the past month or so, and I’ve not updated my blog here, or at my personal blog since then.  I’m not upset with myself though, mainly because I made a promise to myself to properly balance all of my writing related activities with those of my personal and professional lives.

But that said, I really want to update my blog at least once a week.  So I’ve decided to commit to updating my blog more often.  While I don’t think have much going on right now that’s really exciting, I have a couple ideas I want to run with.  Namely, doing a series of editorials and some craft related articles.  I’ve not nailed anything down 100%, but I will continue to  brainstorm on it.

I do have a bit of news (not good or bad) to share.  I was asked to re-submit my submission package to an editor that requested it at the Moonlight & Magnolias conference I attended in 2009.  The good news is that I’ve made some major changes in the heroine’s GMC.  While this means quite a significant amount of revisions to the 40,000+ words I’ve already written, I believe the story flows better and I know longer feel like I am trapped with a plot element I just don’t like and connect with.

Anywho, I sent the editor my submission package (which consists of a totally rewritten first 3 chapters).  I’m nervous about her reaction/decision, but I feel MUCH better about the content I sent.

Okay, off to produce some words, I’m out–but it will not be as long in between my posts again.

I came across the Life After Agent, Part 1 article by Dean Wesley Smith via the message boards on the FF&P site.  Now I’m a newbie to this industry, but I found this article very interesting and conversation starting.  (To read it, click on the blue hyperlinked text above.)   

Mr. Smith’s article takes a look at what life would be like if the role of agent just dissappeared one day.  He provides bits of history on the publishing industry and speaks to the roles & responsibilities of agents  in relation to those of the writer and the editor.

It’s a very though provoking article, to say the least.  And it did challenge some of my beliefs about agents and their role in the grand scheme of things.  All in all, it’s given me a bit of perspective, which we all need from time to time.  My main take away is this quote : “YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN CAREER.”

Great advice.

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