Also just some technical questions—did you get noticed from JABberwocky from a cold-query or did you have connections?
Originally, I queried. I got turned down. I then met Joshua at the Nebula awards and he told me to query again. That time, he liked the query and read sample chapters—then rejected those, but told me to submit to him what I wrote next. That happened a number of times, each book getting a rejection—but stronger encouragement that I was getting closer.
What was the journey like when you first sought publication?
Long, frustrating, and difficult. I wrote 13 novels before I sold Elantris , which was my sixth. The big change for me happened when I managed to figure out how to revise. I always had good ideas and got better and better at storytelling. But it was the power of revision that finally got me published.
How long did it take?
About eight years of dedicated writing and being rejected.
I’d wager not long, considering how well written Elantris is. =)
You’re too kind. But remember that it was my sixth book. The first ones were dreadful.
Are you comfortable working with editors and marketing people by now?
Yes, actually. I’ve always been very comfortable with that part of the job. I think that after working so long on my own, being ignored, I was just finally happy to HAVE editors and marketing people.
What is the best part about promoting your books? (in your opinion)
Easy. Meeting my readers and having the chance to thank them, in person, for supporting me in my writing addiction.
As a writer, what’s your favorite part of the process?
The first few chapters of a new book. When the world is exciting and new, and I get to do something different and challenging.
Do you have a “drawer-full” of ideas waiting to be put to paper?
More like a brain-full, but yes. It’s particularly bad now as I had to shelve a number of projects I was working on in order to do the WoT. I don’t regret it at all, but those stories keep pounding on the inside of my skull, yelling and begging for me to let them out.
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