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November 15, 2007 11:32 AM

GUEST BLOG: Lola Jaye

One of the (many) things I love about Trashionista is how many of our readers are also writers. It gives us a great opportunity to learn more about the publishing process or, as we called it when Claire Allan guest blogged for us, the road to publication...

So may I introduce Lola, whose novel, By The Time You Read This, is out August 2008, with the first of her monthly updates.   

By The Time I Write This…

….I’ll be another step closer to becoming a published author.

Okay, in and around August 2008, but who’s counting? Well me, actually. The months, the weeks, minutes and hours. Because contrary to those "I got published within an hour of starting the novel!" stories, it can be a long process. In my case, it took years for an agent to actually usher me in for a meeting, then another wait (a book or so later in fact) to get a Yess! from a publisher and will take a year from that yes to actually getting it published!

But unlike previous waits, I just love this one. The tiniest of developments thrill me these days (like, seeing the pre-order on Amazon for the first time). Another little nugget in the mulberry bush was being asked to write a monthly blog for Trashionista! How cool is that? So here I am, letting you in on my road to publication. [Ha! Told you! - Keris]

So how did I arrive here?

Aged eleven, I wrote a series of short serials and created an array of adulterous, shoulder padded characters for my "radio soap opera" The Wilsons– which ironically stopped me from being labelled "quite weird" whilst keeping me out of mischief.

After my degrees (I did two) I put finger to keyboard once again, but instead of a debate on Psychoanalysis Vs Person Centred Therapy, I wrote a story. A novel about a girl not looking for love. Great! I’ll be published within a week! (see above). So, here I am, older, wiser and with better shaped eyebrows (thanks to threading).

Friends, family and imaginary friends ask: “So how does it feel to be a writer?”

And after explaining the vast differences between mine and JK Rowling’s bank balances, I then become mute as I internally ask myself the same question.

"How does it feel…?" 

I’m first to admit the next statement’s ultra dodgy considering I’m soon to be a published writer, but I am unable to describe the feeling of knowing my book will soon be on the bookshelves and possibly in my local library. Elation? Jubilance? Butterflies salsering around my guts? All of the above. But to look at me, you’d never quite notice. For example, when I got THAT CALL from my agent, there were no leaps for joy, no partying, just quiet acceptance and baked sea bream for dinner. Very low key, one would say. But I’ll hold onto the threat of champagne, balloons and victory dances – because they will happen. Praps when I see the first book proof in a few weeks; or the first cover design; or the first review; or someone reading it on the train, shaking their head and wondering just HOW this managed to get into print.

Having signed the publishing contract about five months ago, things are now moving at a steady pace. I’ve just finished the edits and the manuscript’s now with a copy editor, I hope will understand my sarf London twang and references to '90s London. And whilst participating in my usual life that includes a full time job and a bag fetish, I’m also supposed to be starting a new novel…

For now, I remain as happy as anything but without the hoopla. I suppose, having already been through such a rollercoaster of emotions over the past few years, I feel a bit used up on that front … oh okay, a few days after the call, I let out an excitable, loonyfied YESS!!!! On the platform of the Bakerloo line, punching the air like a total moron as a couple of commuters ignored me. And to totally obliterate any ounce of remaining street cred, I’ll now end this piece on an ultra luvvie, cringe worthy, but true note:

Being a writer’s not just what I do – it’s who I am.

If you don’t want to wait for next month’s instalment, log onto www.upadiary.blogspot.com for more silly comments and exclamation marks!

Came straight to this page? Visit www.trashionista.com for more female fiction news, reviews and interviews.

Posted by Keris on November 15, 2007 in Guest blogs | Permalink

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