July 14, 2025

I recently had a fan of The Center ask me about my writing and publishing process.

My answer… I have absolutely no idea! There’s a process???

The Center started as an idea / concept, that woke me up in the middle of the night. I have no idea where it came from. As a matter of fact, it was nothing like anything I had ever imagined writing. But it just wouldn’t go away.

The story started building in my head. And I was actually hearing the dialogue, in my mind, as I did normal, everyday things.  Washing my hair, doing the dishes, driving to work, watching tv

As the story kept growing, I started thinking, “This is something I’d read! It’s something I could get into, and these characters are people I’d enjoy getting to know!”

So, I grabbed my laptop and started writing what was playing in my mind, that day.  I think it was a scene that took place in Philadelphia, and it was with Hank and Ben. They were talking about Gaia. Each day after, I would do the same. Just write what came into my head.

The trick was putting all those disconnected chapters together in a way that made sense.

I would call my mom, every night and read what I had written that day. Her feedback was always great, and she would ask questions, like, “well how did this or that happen.” My answer, “I have no idea. I haven’t written it yet.”

The night I finished the book, I walked downstairs in a bit of a daze and found Traci in the family room watching TV. I must have had a weird look on my face because she immediately went on alert. “What’s wrong?” she asked.  I just shook my head. “It’s done.” I told her. “I finished The Center!” Then burst into tears. She gave me a hug, then handed me the phone so I could call my mom. Then she and I cried together. My mom, not Traci. lol

The next step was to try to get it published. I started researching and every publisher I looked at said they did not accept unsolicited manuscripts. I had to have an agent for them to even look at it. So, I guess I need an agent.

The next couple of weeks were spent researching, getting names of agents that were accepting new clients, and sending out query letters. Between my mom and I, we came up with three pages of names and agencies. I sent a letter and a sample of my work to each and every one of them. And waited… And waited…

Most, I never even got a response from, but others I got very polite rejection letters… Great concept, interesting story… But… That’s when the doubt started creeping in. Maybe it’s really not that good, maybe it’s just not a marketable story… But I really didn’t want to give up on it. And my mom, who is not just my mother, but an avid reader, kept telling me it was really good, and I needed to get it out!!! So, I started exploring self-publishing. And WOW!!!! I started getting emails from “vanity publishers” offering me the world for a price. Some as “little” as $5000.00 and others around $14,000. I could do it myself on Amazon for around $500.00. So, ding, ding, looks like that’s the way I’ll go. I mean, I work full time, have a mortgage, a car payment, credit card debt, and a serious health condition, so medical bills always coming in… and practically no savings.

First step, get a copyright. Check. I sent in my electronic manuscript, and sent it off with the payment, and got an email saying it could take up to six months to receive the certificate. Imagine my surprise when less than three weeks later, I opened the mail and found my copyright!!! For the first time, I felt like a “real” writer!!! I had documentation of my work! Registered, and official! It literally took my breath away, holding that piece of paper in my hands! I found a frame and put it on the wall, right next to my desk, where I do all my writing!

 Next step, find an editor to help me get it formatted and checked for errors… And that, is a whole new story… For another day, and another blog…

Stay tuned!