I always need to be writing something creative. If I’m not, I feel antsy or that something is missing. I’m still querying my book ”Does Love Always Win?” but I’ve been trying to work on other projects in the meantime. That’s actually been helpful in receiving rejections, because I start to think "Well, maybe one … Continue reading Write What You Love
Author: dianebillas
Aspiring author, musician, travel junkie, and avid reader.
Small Wins
Photo by Min An from Pexels The other day I opened up my Gmail account and began skimming to see what I had missed. I had been on the road all day for work and hadn't even checked my personal email since 6 a.m., probably a record. As I began sorting through the junk, the subject line of … Continue reading Small Wins
If At First You Don’t Succeed…
It's been four months since I restarted my querying journey after a year of deep edits, and I still haven't found success. I've received lots of form rejection emails from agents and small publishing houses, so much so I've started becoming numb to reading the words, "I wasn't pulled into the opening pages as much … Continue reading If At First You Don’t Succeed…
Summer Reading Recommends
It's that time of year! I've been getting requests for book recommendations as people are getting ready to go on their vacations or to read by the pool. I've pulled a list together of some of my favorite books I've recently read in case you are on the search for a new book to read. … Continue reading Summer Reading Recommends
My Ode to Rejection
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
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
