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Jodie R

Jodie R

I'm a published writer; I wrote for parenting magazines before turning to fiction several years ago. Right now I'm looking for a BNYA (Big New York Agent) for my first novel, NO SALT IN AUGUST, and I've started writing my second.

I love reading John Irving, Barbara Kingsolver, Anna Quindlen, and Chris Bohjalian. I love trying out new...more »
  • Elk Township, NJ, USA
  • member since Monday, March 10 2008

Profile: Public Notes

 
  • Mark S

    mark s says

    Well, hiya... sorry to be so detached, but summer's been a whirlwind. The month of July was full of nonsense like sickness, back problems, people visiting and staying with me, so I didn't get anything done. But as of the last week in July until now I've been writing nearly everyday, reading, and have been enjoying a great writing rhythm. It's been bliss to say the least. So now the short story collection has expanded from six stories to fourteen, and still climbing. When I'm fortunate enough to have this much of a chunk of time to write and sparsely work, it's a great time as a writer. Let's just hope this lasts the duration of the month. . .

    How are things with you?

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • AJ

    aj says

    Really? That's great! I'm happy to find people who share the same passion. I hope I could get to read your works soon, too.

    Take care!

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • Mark S

    mark s says

    I'll be off for summer come the 17th next week. Thank goodness.

    I think - even with your heavy load of editing - that perhaps you should take a smidgen of time here and there and write something short and for fun. Just let your mind free; sometimes it's not so much about writing to be "productive," but instead to "vent," if you will. I feel I'm speaking from experience because after a while, I'll just become an ogre if I don't feel I'm not letting my imagination go free. And yes, sometimes we get caught up in life. It's normal. But since you say you've been feeling it lately, hey, I don't see any bigger sign than that for you to jot down a few notes. If it's an incomplete piece, who cares? These days, I find that I roll through dozens of characters and concepts before I find one that sticks. My mindset is that all writing is good for a writer.

    So it sounds like you indeed should start something new. Just don't go into it with too many expectations or you may feel a cloud of pressure hovering over your head. And we both know you don't want or need that. :)

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Kate F

    kate f says

    I'd love to be friends! Thanks so much. We seem to share a lot of books and interests. I hope your writing goes well and that the muse is kind to you. all my best, Kate

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Mark S

    mark s says

    That is FANTASTIC new. Bravo. It's another step in the progression that eventually leads to your goal. I hope the best for you with this one. But even if it gets passed on, remember this positive news and let it spur you on with oodles of motivation.

    My summer plans are to write daily (short story collection) and sleep a bit more. It will allow me to work only 2-3 nights a week. Presently I'm working on rewrites for the seventh in my collection of (20?) linking stories. This story has given me a writing high as it's (I think but not sure) probably my strongest work to date. I'm on the third rewrite and it's going well.

    Keep me posted on any news that comes in. Hope you're doing well (you should be!)

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • David C

    david c says

    Jodie, that is so terrific that an agent is requesting your novel after seeing part of it -- I guess that's like going to Hollywood in American Idol -- cool. Yes, I would say that means that whatever you are doing is working. If one person likes it, others will too. Terrific -- now I'm even more excited to read it.

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • David C

    david c says

    OK, a swap is officially on. The time zone of several weeks out is good for me -- it will give me the incentive to finish the current revising that I have been doing. Thanks -- this is exciting. I am looking forward to reading your novel.

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • David C

    david c says

    Yes, I would be happy to read your novel even though I am a man and an ex lawyer! I don't like lawyers much even though I was one. And hey, every good story needs a villain. As for being a man, don't like Hemingway much. I do understand about women being the audience. Interesting about that, how you imagine a perfect reader -- I do anyway. With my own novel, I imagine women more than men as readers, and I really don't know why. Thanks for offering to read mine. I will take you up on that, but after I finish the current revision I am working through -- probably just a few more weeks. I'm just tightening the prose at this point, not working through any major structural revisions like adding scenes or characters. I actually have mine bound for print on demand (like self published) even though it is not on the market and I am planning to find an agent. Wouldn't send one like that (bound) to an agent obviously, but it does make it easier for normal readers to read (not editors). And it's actually cheaper for me to produce it that way than to print it out or copy it. You know the world is changing when it's cheaper to produce a bound copy of your book than to copy it at Kinkos. I would be fine working with an electronic copy of yours or whatever is easiest for you. Scary but fun to have people read what you wrote, isn't it? I actually take solace in all the bad reviews of work that I like on Shelfari -- it shows that a work has to find its audience. I know I read stuff that other people like and sometimes I hate it. And I have the reverse experience also -- so you have to consider the source. Of course if everyone hates it, then you know it's time to go back to the desk (I guess).

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Mark S

    mark s says

    Unfortunately my schedule right now doesn't allot me lots of free time. I've had a day job (in addition to the night jobs) but that lets out next month; a school job. And I doubt I'll return to it.

    On the positive side, I have finally come to a point where any time I sit down with the intention of writing, I can do it. Now, it comes naturally. But there were years when I felt that I wasn't that guy. Focus and discipline were what I needed. Mix that with burning desire to write and you've got the end result - me today.

    And yes, I have a couple of people I send everything worthy to. The first is my writing friend and mentor who lives in Weehawken, it's just across the water from NYC on the tip of Jersey. The other friend lives in LA, another writer (this one unpublished) with a great mind.

    A sigh that I would/will have made it is one of a few things: (1) a book contract and subsequent book tour, (2) a sparkling review from the New York Times Book Review, (3) or a Harper Lee situation where I write one great novel and it's taught in high schools for the rest of our days, while I live on the residuals....heh-heh.

    But for now I'd take a nationally published book (carried in all the typical bookstores) and a sparkling review or two.

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Mark S

    mark s says

    I tend to have trouble with the beginnings of long projects.

    Hmm. Not sure. I think maybe, for me, it's backwards; real people have made me understand my writing better. Make any sense?

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • David C

    david c says

    Very interesting to hear you describe your writing process. I had a similar experience with mine. I had toyed with idea of writing a novel for many years, but had never attempted it. I had this moment of inspiration last August and started writing and was finished the first draft in three months – wrote it on weekends, late at night, and when I could squeeze in time slots during the day. It was a very intense experience – thrilling really. It just poured out of me on to the pages. Never mind about whether it’s any good, it was just a really intense creative experience and very satisfying. I immediately wanted to start another project and I actually have several ideas but I haven’t moved on any because I am afraid that I won’t finish what I started first. Hence, I am working through revisions – mostly tightening up my prose, getting people to read it, and listening to their feedback. I find myself very satisfied with most of it – maybe like 10 percent of it I am worried about. I did completely revise the ending about a month after I finished the first draft and I am much more satisfied with my new ending. Now I am trying to find readers to give me feedback and getting generally positive responses – I have had some positive responses from readers who don’t know me, but I am cautious to draw too much from this. I have realized that it is very, very hard to be objective about your own work. Like you (it sounds that way, anyhow) I have a lot to juggle with work and children, but I would be happy to read your novel if it’s of interest to you to have another reader. I wouldn’t comment on the writing etc, but I’d be happy to give you my sense of the plot, characters, etc. for what it’s worth. This is the problem with feedback – how to evaluate what people tell you. I have dismissed some feedback I got and really focused on other feedback. I hope your agent loves your novel and finds you a publisher. My own fantasy would be to take like two years of life off (I think that would be enough) and just write all the time but I don’t have the luxury to do that right now – too many bills to pay and my organization is actually experiencing some rapid growth. However, I can dream about scenarios that could make a writing sabbatical happen. I do dream about it!

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • David C

    david c says

    Hey -- I know what you mean about a house full of children! I like your hook. It captures a lot in one sentence. Have you gotten much feedback on the novel? Is this the one that the agent just asked for your synopsis? Would love to hear more about it and about your process -- have you worked with a writers group or do you have trusted readers? Yes -- I went to Penn law school in the 80s. Practiced law for about 10 years and then started a nonprofit org -- not as good for the bank account but better for the soul.

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Mark S

    mark s says

    Words of advice when you do read Joyce; be very patient. I think the reason people say he's a difficult read is because of the time involved. I might get through four pages in 30-60 minutes, no joke, but I tend to be a slow (sometimes very slow) reader when it's something important.

    On the other hand, when I'm done with that and read something breezier, I'll put down a page a minute.

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Mark S

    mark s says

    A romance novel and bon bons, yes! We must go with the flow. And it's important, no matter how diligent we hope to be, there has to be room for fun and pure enjoyment. So I say, good for you.

    Where in Jersey do you live? Many moons ago I once dated a woman who lived in Brigantine. And I have a close friend in Weehawken.

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • David C

    david c says

    OK Jodie, thanks for being a friend, and again, thanks for the thoughts on the query and synopsis -- I will look carefully and let you know what I think. Yes, we are near, I always imagine that the person I am talking to is on the other side of the planet. Very interested to hear more about you novel and your process of revising it. I have only been experimenting with fiction lately. I have written all my life for work and as a lawyer, but I have not been "published" so that's a strike against me in getting publishers interested. But hey, it's all good fun, right?

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Mark S

    mark s says

    My current project takes place in a suburban neighborhood in San Diego, a block away from Mission Bay. There's an area in between Pacific Beach & Mission Beach where you have the beach on one side and the bay on the other. I was fortunate enough to live right in the middle of the two for a nice chunk of time. The bay is very tranquil and therapeutic. I used to walk there (40 yards) and sit and think. Now, I'm farther away but not by too much. ;)

    I'm fairly easily swayed from my own long projects. I rewrote the most recent three times and gave it a solid effort getting it out there for people to see. But in the months afterward I got involved with the linking short story project (as well as various other shorts), and well, I've already moved past that novel. Maybe it's not the best approach, but I simply feel I have a novel in me that borderlines more on "brilliance" rather than just being "good" or "great." And that is where I feel my writing was before.

    My thought process is: I'd rather have the first published novel be an amazing (and hopefully) reputable piece of work rather than an average or sub-par one that doesn't garner either sales or critical acclaim. Ambitious, I know. But you and I aren't messing around, right?

    There is a viable possibility I will go back to the novel rather than starting a new one. But then again, I might not. I have ideas for a new project; have been taking notes. But time will tell whether it will develop into anything.

    Meanwhile, life goes on. (I'm not usually this long winded!).

    And yes, that is my Boston Terrier pup. His name is Spanky. He's about 3 1/2 months old. A fun one to have around.

    What are you reading now? I've been a big classics reader for the past, say, five years(?) I haven't included much contemporary fiction, but I'm planning to expand my reading after I finish Joyce (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man). I've read it before, but it was in college and I have to say the effort wasn't exactly thorough. I'm getting much more out of it this time.

    M

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Mark S

    mark s says

    Glad to hear you're on task. Let's hope for the best with your current project. Most of my writing is slice of life writing, lately more suspenseful, about people finding themselves, or coming to terms in various ways.

    My current project (off and on for 1 1/2 years, is a short story compilation where the stories all link; the setting is a street block and the story at first introduces each household and its situation. There is a death, an affair, a separation, neighbors spying on one another, and all leading to one focal character stalking (and killing?) another, as well as a temporary neighbor become unwillingly involved. The stories also touch on human curiosity, and our sometimes uncontrollable tendency to be nosy.

    My most recent novel was read and passed on. But I never lose faith. I have such an intense will to write that when I don't, I feel I cease to exist in many ways. I'm sure you can relate.

    It's nice to have another peer (you) to associate with now as we writers need to stick together and keep each other going.

    Stay well, and keep writing!

    Mark

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Mark S

    mark s says

    You like Dostoevsky AND Alice Munro?! You are awesome.

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Mark S

    mark s says

    Hi Jodie! Good to add you. Keep in touch with books. ;)

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )


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