"Sometimes Things
Don’t Go as Planned"
For close to 20
years I worked on creative teams in churches helping to write full-length
dramas as well as 5-minute sketches. That process led to a nagging question
that just wouldn’t go away; “I wonder if I could write a novel?” After doubts
and procrastination, I finally decided to give it a go in January 2015. I
worked full time during the day, so writing would be late in the evening and on
weekends. I found writing difficult but rewarding. I was surprised to find that
after two months I had written 75 pages.
In late February
2015 a death in the family put the writing on pause for a couple of months, but
I resumed the process in May. Another 75 pages seemed to come more smoothly. I
was feeling encouraged. The story was starting to take shape. But then my own
personal story took an unexpected turn. I got to hear the three words no one
wants to hear; “You have cancer.”
The cancer would
involve surgery, a six-week recovery, and six months of chemo. After the usual
range of emotions that a cancer diagnosis brings, I thought, at least this
would give me more time to write. I was wrong. Cancer and chemo are physically
and emotionally draining. I was surprised to find how much energy and focus it
takes to write. As many times as I tried to sit in front of the keyboard, the
words just would not come.
For those dealing
with a cancer diagnosis or who have a loved one dealing with cancer, I wrote
occasional Facebook posts to friends and family while I was going through the
process. If you are interested in reading those posts they are here.
Surgery and chemo
filled in the time from June 2015 to January 2016. After a few months of
regaining my strength, my wife and I took a trip in April of 2016 to our usual
spring destination, Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Although I hadn’t written in
close to a year, my unfinished manuscript was always in the back of my mind. I
had almost concluded that I was going to put aside what I had written and start
something different. During the trip I asked my wife to read the 150 pages just
to make sure I wasn’t making a mistake by starting something new. I can always
count on my wife for honest feedback. After reading the partial draft she was
insistent that I resume this book and finish it. Not only did she think it was
a fun read, she wanted to know how it would end. Frankly, so did I. Her
encouragement lit the spark to get busy writing again.
I dusted off my
manuscript and starting the writing process again in May 2016. Long nights and
weekends led to progress, doubt, more progress, and more doubt. I was motivated
by a handful of friends who I had asked to read as I was writing. Once a week
I’d send out the latest chapters I had finished. I still recall getting a text
from a friend after a less-than-productive week. The text simply read “Finish
your dang book!” On August 13, 2016 I e-mailed my friends with the subject “The
End”. It contained the last few chapters of the book. Although it was the end
of the book, it would be far from the end of the process.
I spent the next
few weeks re-reading the manuscript and making many edits. I then sent the
finished work to professional editors to perform their magic. Wow, did they
ever make me wish I had listened more intently in high school and college
English classes. When their work was done I could start the process of trying
to find a publisher.
For those
unfamiliar with the publishing process (I was) here’s a very quick primer. To
approach a publisher an author must go through a literary agent. Literary
agents screen manuscripts through a process called a query. Queries typically
involve a short cover letter and the first one to three chapters of the
manuscript. The odds of an unpublished author who’s not already well-known (e.g.
an actor, musician, sports star) are lottery-esque. Nevertheless, I would try.
In October 2016 I
sent out around 20 queries. I got nothing back…I mean literally NOTHING. Most
agents have a response protocol something like, “If you haven’t heard back from
us in eight weeks, assume we’re not interested.”
There are many
stories about well-known authors who have dealt with literary rejections. A
google search of “famous author literary rejections” will turn up names like J.
K. Rowling, Ernest Hemmingway, George Orwell, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Stephen
King, Dr. Seuss, and John Grisham. Rejections are part of every writer's
publishing journey.
After getting no
feedback on my initial queries I was faced with three options; 1) give up, 2)
try self-publishing, 3) try another round of queries. All three options were
given very serious consideration. In early 2017 option 3 won out. In April-May
2017 I sent out around 25 more queries. I actually got two responses, both
“no’s”. I was back to the three options again.
Our family moved in
the summer of 2017, so several months were spent packing and unpacking. In
September 2017 after we were (somewhat) settled into the new home, I decided to
give self-publishing a try. After researching several options, self-publishing
through CreateSpace, an Amazon company, won out. With the self-publish option
the success of the book comes down to the author/reader relationship. It is up
to me to write, market and connect with you, the readers. I look forward to
developing that relationship and to hearing your feedback.
About the Author:
John Ford Clayton lives in Harriman, Tennessee with his wife Kara, and canine companions Lucy, Ginger and Clyde. He has two grown sons, Ben and Eli, and a daughter-in-law, Christina. He earned a BS in Finance from Murray State University and an MBA from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He is active in his East Tennessee community having served on the local boards of the Boys and Girls Club and a federal credit union, on church leadership and creative teams, and on a parks and recreation advisory committee. When he’s not writing he works as a project management consultant supporting Federal project teams. John is a huge fan of Disney parks and University of Kentucky basketball.
Connect with John Ford Clayton on the web:
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