When Change is Thrust Upon Us

First, for those of you who looked for my guest post yesterday, it went up around 5pm—sorry for anyone who looked earlier, but if you are interested, my Writer Space post on funny murders is HERE.


And Now, for the Insecure Writer's Network... Please see my sidebar to the right for the link to the OTHER Insecure participants.

You know... for someone who prides herself on being bendy, I really am not a huge fan of change. Okay, that's not quite true. I love change I initiate and dive into. But I don't like not being in the driver's seat...

And thus begins July's Insecure Journey Segment... A change is being... implemented? It's not thrust. It's gentler than that. But it was certainly unexpected from my end and leaves a whole bunch of things in the air as to how they will play out.

Will I survive? Even thrive?

Let me e'splain...


My contract with Berkley Prime Crime for my 3-books of Cozy Mystery came about because my EDITOR (the amazing Emily Rapoport) had a fantastic relationship with my AGENT (the fabulous Ellen Pepus). Emily had some parameters she wanted met in a new series and was seeking the right writer... and long-story-short, that turned out to be ME.

Emily has been wonderful and patient with me. This is my first PUBLISHING deal, so there are HEAPS of things I just didn't know. Mistakes I've made. Revisions required because I missed monumental POINTS (like you know... putting enough gardening in the second in my GARDENING series *shifty*). She's really been fabulous.

But you know what? She is moving on to her next life journey. I TOTALLY wish her the best.  But what about ME!? *cough*

I suppose resistance is POSSIBLE...

I will be working with a NEW (to me—she is actually as seasoned as Emily, just unfamiliar) Editor. I will no longer have the SAME editor as Elizabeth who has been my ROCK when I had stupid questions (and even un-stupid questions). Will my new editor like my style? Will she be gentle with me when I flub? Will she buy into my vision? Will she buy into the idea that I HAVE a vision?


But on the side of reassurance: She called me Friday: Michelle Vega is her name and she was former assistant to the Berkley Prime Crime Head Honcho. She is THRILLED to be getting some mystery authors—loves the genre. She was going on vacation this week but taking The Azalea Assault with her (has taken the time to look at the reviews that are posted and was excited people are responding well to it), so she will KNOW book one when she dives in to start EDITING Begonia Bribe (at least I think that still needs editing), and then will be primed to READ Chrysanthemum Campaign for big picture feedback. So in spite of being sad to lose Emily, I think this may be a fantastic experience for me.

Look what CAN happen if you give IN to it!

Overall this ought to be good. But it is change and change is scary.

Have you had times you resisted or gave in to change? In your writing life?

And a brief reminder to USians--the 4th of July is the day on which the MOST pets get lost or run away--keep them safely inside so they don't get so scared they do that.  Have a fun and safe holiday!