In the Beginning
Posted by Jamie Sobrato in Jamie Sobrato, tags: first novels, first sales, writing
Twelve years ago, I began writing my first novel. I was fresh out of college, having studied to be an English teacher. I still had my teaching internship to do in the fall, and I was terrified. I knew student teaching was going to be difficult, especially for a shy, awkward girl with a monotone voice and the stage presence of a cucumber. 
I thought I should do something easy in the meantime to distract myself, something like, you know, write and sell a 300-page novel. I was sure I could do it. After all, I had a bunch of college essays under my belt. 
I wrote a book in about six weeks, and I was thrilled when I held in my hands that hefty manuscript (a bit of trivia: the title of the book was Desert Rose). I packed it up and sent it off to a publisher. The same day, I also went to the library, thinking, hmm, well, while I’m waiting for the publisher to send me my first check, I should study up on writing a bit so that my second novel will be even better than the first.
I checked out a stack of how-to-write-fiction books, and I hadn’t made it through chapter one of the first book before I was overcome with dismay. In the author’s description of all the glaring mistakes first-time novelists make, I saw my own beloved novel. I’d made every beginner’s mistake, and I suspected I’d even invented a few new ones. 
I didn’t have to wait long for my belief to be confirmed by a second opinion. Less than a week after I’d mailed the manuscript, it came winging back to me with a form rejection letter attached.
I wasn’t shocked at the speed of the rejection. By that point, I’d read all the how-to-write-fiction books, and I could tell by re-reading the first page of my novel—the first paragraph even—that it sucked. I knew the editor was right. I had to start over from scratch.
Which I did. Many, many times.
I went on to do my teaching internship, but afterward my then-husband’s job transferred us to a rural town in Germany for the next five years. I couldn’t find work there as a teacher, so I had lots of time to write.
After four years of frustration, rejection, and self-doubt, I got my first hint that I might not completely suck as a writer—I was a finalist in the Golden Heart contest. Then I got my first agent. And five years from the time I started writing Desert Rose, I made my first sale to Harlequin Temptation and my second sale to Blaze. 
The moral of the story? I’m not sure. The stupidity of youth can pay off? Writing leads to lots of frustration and angst? It’s important to read the how-to manual before you write the 300-page novel?
What did you do when you were young and stupid that you’re most glad you did, because you might not have had the guts to try it once you knew better? I’ll send copies of my first two published novels, Some Like It Sizzling and Pleasure for Pleasure (or winner’s choice of any other two), to the person who posts my favorite answer to this question. 
Entries (RSS)
Hello Jamie,
I would have to say rappelling. I took a course in college to learn how to rappel. Now that I’m way older, I’m not quit sure I would do it again. Would love to win one of your books. Count me in.
Have a great day.
Hi Jamie!
I suspect young and stupid, in respect to writing “rules”, can be a Godsend. That first book should always be the book of your heart, and damn the wants and needs of the market. Then when the rules fall into play as they must, you can remember what it felt like to be gloriously in love with your story and characters. When you can combine the two, you’re almost there!
The name of my first under-the-bed manuscript, btw, was Desert Dreams.
OMG Jamie, I did the exact same thing. After reading about 20 Nora Roberts novels, I said to myself, “I could SO do this.” Mostly, what struck me was that lots of her early stuff was set in fictional towns. I read the “Born In” series and thought, “Okay, so I only have to research something like how to blow glass, and even that’s optional.” I wouldn’t have to be an expert in espionage or police procedure or homicide investigating. I could just make a bunch of stuff up and sell a book.
I was so stupid! I knew nothing about POV or conflict or setting, description, tension, black moments, cliff hangers, or–here’s a biggy–making sure every scene has a point. LOL!
But like you, I’m kinda glad I was ignorant at the time or I probably wouldn’t have tried it. I’m also glad I’m a Taurus because once I realized there was way, way more to it than I thought, my stubborn side kicked in and I wasn’t going to stop until I’d figured it out. (I’ll let you know when I do) LOL
The name of my first book, which I’d written without the benefit of research as well, was THE LOVERS CANDLE. It came back with a rejection letter that said, “Marketing tells us that books with voodoo elements don’t sell well.”
Roberta, I’d love to try rapelling. But like you, I’m not so sure I have the guts to try it nowadays.
Gillian, you are so right. I know that if I’d read all the how-to books first, I’d have gotten overwhelmed by how much I didn’t know and might not have been able to finish that first book. In fact, I had many false starts after I started studying the “rules.” Many times I despaired that I’d never be able to complete another novel, because I so often got bogged down or realized part-way through a story that I’d done something really stupid like forgot to include a plot.
And how funny about our similar desert titles!
LOL, Lori, I still struggle with that pesky every-scene-needs-to-have-a-point issue. Oh, and for me, I’d read a bunch of historical romances but couldn’t actually write one because I hated trying to figure out how people stored butter in 1852 or whatever.
Even now that I enjoy diving into research, I still don’t want to look up that butter question.
Rhonda, it’s so fun hearing these first book titles. The Lovers Candle. Hee.
I wish I had had the courage to do something stupid when I was young that I was glad I did. I was always too scared to try something daring or adventurous.
About the most daring thing I did was play sandlot baseball with the boys (which when I was young was not done). If I had been allowed to play Little League baseball I would have done that.
Once upon a time in my first year as a teacher, the school bus scheduled to take us to an orchestra festival in downtown Houston didn’t show up. Why? Because I was teaching in an iffy area of town and no students from my school had ever gone before. I was so mad, I crammed a bunch of kids and their violins and cellos in my ancient Chevy Impala and drove them (no a/c and the engine light was on) twenty miles into Houston myself.
Permission slips? I’LL show you permission slips!
That’s awesome Heather. Good for you not being defeated by some jerky bus driver.
Except, can you imagine some crazed teacher driving your kids all over now? Who knows how many rules I broke?
At the age of 18, I moved away to live with my grandparents, I was going to attend school where they lived. That was the best thing I ever did. I learned to do things for myself, be responsible for my own spending, take care of things for myself. My grandparents gave me the strength to be me. I feel like I grew as a person, I loved my time that I spent living with them… they were my happiest! I chose to move in with them, even though my parents did not care for the idea. It was the best plan I ever had!
That’s easy. I got married when I was just barely 22 to a man who had just barely turned 21. We’ve been married for 15 1/2 years now. Marrying him was and is, hands-down-no-questions-asked, the best thing I’ve ever done it my life but if I’d known then what I know now I never would have had the guts to do it!
That’s pretty much what I was going to say, Anne! I got pregnant by a bad boy and then tried to make it “right” by marrying him, too. Some twelve or so years later, he and my son are easily my best mistakes.
Why does that face look so angry? I meant to wink. LOL
I think the title of my first book was MIRROR OF FIRE and it had two heroines (one of which was Latina and the other was a throw-back Southern belle,) two heroes (one Latino and one British,) was set in Tampa in 1891 and had a plot that revolved around an ancient gunrunner. Ugh. It was so bad!
I’ve never done anything particularly interesting or exciting. If I could go back in time, I’d travel a lot more. Maybe go to another country and live there a while and learn the language. I have a dear friend doing that right now–she just up and moved to Florence and is studying Italian. She’s young and adventurous and I’m so envious!!
Jamie, great topic. I was on stage practically my entire childhood and young adulthood before it occured to me to get nervous. By the time I finished my graduate degree in vocal performance I was thinking about every imagined mistake and humiliation that could happen every time I got up to sing. Needless to say I figured out that as much as I loved peforming, I didn’t have the personality for it.
Happy spring everyone. It’s going to !@#$$%! snow in Wisconsin tonight and tomorrow. Can I come live with someone else?
Isabel
Love the post, Jamie. I have to admit, when I was younger, I was fearless. Which wasn’t really a good thing, because I was wild as well. As soon as I had kids, that fearless, can-handle-anything attitude went right out the window. I do wish I’d started writing much earlier, though. My first completed story was called Sweet Indulgence. I still get sentimental when I think about that one. Not sentimental enough to put myself through trying to read it, though
Its pretty here in California, Isabel
Hi Jamie,
When I was in high school I tried to juggle two boyfriends and learned my lesson. I’m glad I learned my lesson when I was young when there are less consequences.
Ellen, I’m totally in your camp as far as exciting acts goes. I’ve mostly been afraid to try everything. I wish I’d had the courage to sing or dance or play sports as a kid.
Heather, good point about the crazed teacher thing.
But I was picturing young, idealistic you, determined to get your students to their field trip against all odds. It’s so heroic!
Colleen, that’s so awesome that you got to have that time with your grandparents. it sounds ideal, allowing you to grow up while still getting to spend time with them.
Anne, such a long-lasting marriage is an accomplishment indeed.
Julie, I agree, I’d love to have had a more adventerous spirit when I was younger. And BTW your first book sounds WAY better than mine. Notice how I didn’t bother describing my plot? I think it involved the heroine getting a poisonous snake bite and getting nursed back to health by the hero. I believe there was also a jealous ex-girlfriend thrown in for good measure. Gag, gag.
Isabel, I think it’s fascinating that you weren’t really nervous as a child. Maybe you were on stage young enough that you really got used to it early? I remember having a chance to sing a solo on stage at the age of 10 and I just couldn’t imagine doing it–I was terrified. And I still would be.
It’s 75 degrees and sunny here, BTW. Come for an extended visit!
Tawny, why am I not surprised you were a wild child???
I’ve become an even bigger stick in the mud since having kids. We went hiking yesterday and I had a total freak-out over my kids being too close to the ledge of a drop-off. If I could put them in little cages for safety, I’d be tempted.
Jane, I totally agree, the teen years are definitely the only time to attempt a boyfriend juggling act.
That’s so sweet, Sally.
What did you do when you were young and stupid that you’re most glad you did, because you might not have had the guts to try it once you knew better?
Let’s see. Joined the Army after a bad break-up with a man I’ve known since childhood and met my husband. I was 21 and he was 19. We’ve been married for 14 1/2 years now. I’ve also jumped out of an airplane which was totally awesome but I’m not sure if I’d be up to doing it again today.
I think that first novel is a universal experience for everyone.
I love this, and so relate. My very first book was 100 percent revised and revisioned and became The Demon King andI. I’ve learned a lot in six years. 
On the young and stupid question. Sigh. There are so many things, though when I look back I see a trend where they usually involved men.
Yo, Jamie! How goes it?! The thing I did when I was young and unencumbered by cynicism and too much experience was start up a new magazine from scratch. If I had known at the beginning what it would entail…the stress…the tears…the animal sounds of despair I would make while experiencing both the stress and the tears…well, I might have said no to it. And I would have missed out on a great experience, despite all of the above. Of course, I also wrote a first novel. It was a regency romance, about an unconventional girl who rode astride and never wanted to get married (!!!). I only hope the editor whose desk it weighed down didn’t injure herself laughing at all the cliches I’d managed to string together!
How nice to be blogging with you again!
I think everybody’s first book stinks doesnt it? i know mine did, i think the smell is still wafting out of the desk drawer it’s hiding in.
As for the most corageous thing i did when younger, was to join my local writers group and sign up for a conference two hours away. drive there with a woman i met the weekedn before and make my first journey into the writing profession.
It was a great weekend, she and i are still friends. I loved everything about that weekend, except for locking myself out of my room in my jammies. the guy at the desk got a good laugh when he had to give me a duplicate key. At least i was dressed-sort of!
Cool post.:-P
jody
i was a teaser and and did goofy things with family and when i went to visit relavitves they have stories and bring it up. peoplesay i was goofy and the stories make me ;aught and then i laugh about it and u can laugha t your self.
thanks for stopping by cool blog lvoe it .
You’ll probably think I’m insane for what I’m gonna say, but oh well. When I was 20 I checked myself into the psych ward. I had been struggling for the last 5 years with childhood abuse, depression and cutting, and I’d hit such a low that I didn’t think I had any choice. I spent 72 hrs on suicide watch. I wrote in my journal, slept and did art therapy the entire time. I talked to other people in there and actually figured I didn’t have it so bad. One of the guys there at the same time threw himself through a religious building’s windows. So I was actually quite sane compared to some of my fellow psych ward patients. But what I learned there will always be with me and will help me with my career path. I want to be a child psychologist. How can I help others when I couldn’t help myself? Because I took so much from the experience and dealt with everything I can actually teach others how to do it too. And I got some funny stories out of it!
Oy…young and stupid but it turned out okay?
Probably moving in with my dh when I was 19 and getting married at 21! Now, as the mother of an almost-21 year old, I look back at myself and scream WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!?
Fortunately for me, it worked out beautifully and the past (ahem) more than 15 years, have been verrrrry happy ones.
Hi, Jamie, fellow Northern CA resident.
I don’t think I was necessarily stupid when I decided to do this because I’d actually thought long and hard about it, but the summer before I started college, I bleached my naturally black hair and dyed it purple. My parents, especially my mom, were not pleased, but got over it. I thought I looked rather fetching with purple hair.
I haven’t bleached and dyed my hair since then, but think back fondly on those days.
Well you dont have to be young to feel stupid and not sure of yourself.. here I am at 44 and I want to write
I have finished the one story (Many other ideas writtend down) but here I am trying to fix the problems that I see. Terrified that if I ever have it polished enough will it be possible? Will I really be able to send it out.
I have never done anything like this ever I hated english in school and now it bites me in the arse. Now for some reason I feel this story and the characters make me wish I was them. lol So who knows the things I did 20 years ago seem so easy now even the mistakes.
So I finally know what I want to be when I grow up but I might be to scared to do anything about it… hmmmmm
Sharon, I was 40 when I sat down to write my first romance. 42 when I sold my first Blaze. So according to me, you’re right on time. LOL! Congrats on giving it a shot and I wish you good luck!
Thankyou for the words of encouragement!!
Probably the most stupid thing I did as a kid was climb a very tall tree, right when a huge thunderstorm was rolling in, and went to the very top of it, to see how it felt when the wind was blowing! It was fun for a little bit, swaying up there in the wind. Let me tell you when that first lightening bolt lit up the sky, I scampered down so fast, my butt was burning from tree branches swatting at it, as I slid and jumped down to the ground! Well, from being so fearless climbing that tree, I love a challenge! Especially going on scary rides! I have been on so many rollercoasters over the years that at 48 years old, I am still a kid at heart! The upside down rollercoasters are the best!
I obtained a BS in Construction from Purdue Calumet and worked at an architectural firm for 18 years. That was a challenge! It prepared me to be confident, to stand on my two feet, to speak up for myself, and know how to take charge. The last 10 years, I have had to take care of my elderly mother. She has had more surgeries, health problems, etc. and I have had to deal with all the financial aspects, her house, rehab centers, doctors, etc. without the help from my two very irresponsible brothers.
Life isn’t always easy but, heck, I know how to make it fun! Laugh! Ride rollercoasters! Look at the bright side of life and make some wonderful friends! One simple word of understanding from a friend makes all the difference in the world. I think to myself, I can make it through another day. Then, I wake up the next morning and I feel so much better knowing that there is a person who loves me, respects me, and understands what I am going through. Go and hug someone today. You will feel better and that person will too!
NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE (that buys these):
when I was young but of age I went into a drug store and bought a Playgirl magazine; I felt so guilty upon checking the magazine out that I phoned the drug store and asked if I could bring it back- told them I had bought it for a friend who declined the gift. Yikes, did I really do this!!! I had the receipt and they could see that I had just bought it.
*the knowing better for me is that I don’t need these magazines ever in my life so I’m glad I found this out at a young age.
LOL, RobynL, returning the magazine is hilarious.
Michele, thank you for the inspiring post. It does sound like you really know how to live life well. I think learning independence is such an important lesson. And I’m so glad you got the stormy tree climbing urge out of your early–and safely!
Sharon, Congratulations on writing your first book! That’s so exciting, to discover one of our passions and start living it. I think you will have the confidence to send your book out, because you have the confidence to talk to us about it. It’s important early on to state your intentions. And it has the side benefit of inspiring people around you too.
Diana, I SO understand the thrill of a drastically different hair color!
It’s a blast to reinvent one’s appearance like that. I’ve also recently discovered the rarely-spoken-of thrill of cutting my own hair. Also probably something as frowned upon (or more so) than dying one’s hair purple, but equally fun, I bet. there’s something incredibly liberating about going into the bathroom with a pair of scissors and cutting off a good 4 inches. It’s kind of a revelation to realize, hey, this is my hair and I can do whatever I want with it. 
Whew, I was away from my computer yesterday. Sorry I wasn’t able to pop in and participate in the discussion! I’m trying to catch up on comments backwards now.
Leslie, it’s sweet how many people list getting married young as their favorite “young and stupid” act.
Victoria W, that’s such an amazingly courageous act, to take that first step toward being a healthy, happy person. Having had some very rough times myself, I know how hard it is to make even one small, healthy choice, let alone such a profound one. And good for you, turning a difficult past into something positive by going into such an important helping profession! Thank you for sharing your story with us.
KH, it sounds like you brought lots of fun into your family.
Jody Lynn, I recall being completely terrified of attending my first writer’s conference. In fact, for years I avoided it. I wish i’d been as brave as you were.
Hi Sarah! Yes, it’s great to be blogging with you again! That’s amazing that you started your own magazine. I love hearing what everyone’s first novel was.
And Candace, I’m envious that you managed to revise your first novel into somethign publishable! Good for you!
Brandy, joining the army is a pretty original response to a bad break-up. Sounds like story-fodder if I’ve ever heard it.
How cool that it led you to your husband too.
And our contest winner is…
Victoria W! She wins a copy of each of my first two novels, Some Like It Sizzling and Pleasure for Pleasure (or her choice of any other two of my books).
Victoria, can you please email me (jamiesobrato AT yahoo DOT com) with your mailing address? Also, if you do a search on Amazon you can get a complete list of my books to see what you can choose from–just let me know which two books you’d like!
Congrats Victoria on your win!
Jamie, I’ve never read a “how I got published” story more similar to mine. I could tweak a few nouns and totally own this tale!! Thumbs up to youthful mistakes…
wtg winnner
thanks i am pretty funny lol
Joanne, how fun that our paths to publication are so similar! It doesn’t surprise me though.