It's been another couple weeks of constant rejection from agents. This news can be disheartening to say the least. But instead of giving up or wallowing in my own self-pity, I find writing about the experience helps me process my emotions. I thought I would share a recent piece I wrote after a particularly difficult … Continue reading My Ode to Rejection
Author: dianebillas
Aspiring author, musician, travel junkie, and avid reader.
What’s Next?
Photo by MESSALA CIULLA from Pexels I've written two books; one I put aside and one I'm actively querying, but a thought keeps looming over my head, "What's next?" I'm stuck trying to start my third book. I've written snippets, but that's it to this point. Every time I go to work on it, I seem to distract … Continue reading What’s Next?
The Querying Coaster
Photo by Angie from Pexels After a yearlong break and many, many revisions, I'm back in the querying trenches, trying to find an agent to represent my young adult manuscript. I honestly forgot the highs and lows associated with this process; that some days I'm whooping with joy because an agent asked to read more pages contrasted with … Continue reading The Querying Coaster
Editing, and More Editing
Since March 2020, I actively decided to stop querying my book and take a break to make some very deep edits. I hired an amazing editor, (thank you Brianna!) and with her guidance, added a lot of depth to my story. I was invigorated and excited by everything I included until I looked at my … Continue reading Editing, and More Editing
What to Read Next (Winter Edition)
Since the pandemic began more and more people have asked me for book recommendations. I’ve always considered myself a bit nerdy for being a book worm, but now reading is becoming the “it” thing to do. I read an article today that book sales are skyrocketing more than ever. If you’ve also jumped on the … Continue reading What to Read Next (Winter Edition)
Finding Inspiration in Unlikely Places
I've been putting off writing a blog post, not because I don't want to, no, but because I've been having trouble figuring out what to write about. In the past, I used to get a glimmer of a blog idea when I was traveling or even on my commute to work. Now that I've been … Continue reading Finding Inspiration in Unlikely Places
And Now…For Something Completely Different
It's been a bit since I've posted a blog, but it isn't because I'm not writing. Quite the contrary, I'm writing way more than before! Let me back up a little. My husband and I listen to the Office Ladies podcast and on one of their episodes, they featured Brent Forrester, a writer from the … Continue reading And Now…For Something Completely Different
A New Routine in this New World
Photo by Aphiwat chuangchoem from Pexels Like the rest of the world, my normal routine was completely upended in March 2020. Before the pandemic, I’d be commuting to and from work on various forms of transportation totaling over two hours a day. I used that time in the morning to write/edit my work in progress and then read … Continue reading A New Routine in this New World
Book Picks: My Favorite Summer Reads of 2020
Recently on social media one of my friends asked what people are doing when they are overcome by pandemic stress. My response: I read. That's always been my MO when life becomes too much. Honestly, I read all the time because it's my favorite hobby and the reason I became a writer. I've been an … Continue reading Book Picks: My Favorite Summer Reads of 2020
Improving My Writing
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels It's been awhile since I've posted, but all for good reasons. In the beginning of 2020 I had been really stuck on my current book in progress, and I wrote a blog post about that exact topic. I had no idea what to do next and was trying to figure it all … Continue reading Improving My Writing
