I am so not the expert here.

Did you see? I got interviewed!

It was a lot of fun, and Anne is a wonderful person. You really should check out her blog; I learn a lot from her write-ups about World War Two and a bunch of cultural stuff that happened around it.

But here’s the funny thing: I’m being interviewed like I have any idea what I’m doing.

Whoops!

It’s true that I may have more “writing credits” than Anne at this point, but I still have no idea what I’m doing. About two weeks ago, my first print appearance was released.

I’m excited about that! It is so cool to hold something with your name on it. A second book that my name will appear in will be released in June. Which means I get to start an ego shelf! That’s right. An entire shelf dedicated to li’l ol’ me.

But, again, I’m so new at this publication game. I am learning, and I’m grateful for that. I’m now submitting stories to markets that will actually pay, and more than the minimal rates. I have the confidence to do that now! I’m starting to learn the right questions to ask.

But man, I must have bothered my editor Lyn Worthen so much with my various questions.

“I can’t find it on the contract – how long did I give you exclusive rights for?”

“The book isn’t released yet. Do I have permission to read the story I wrote to my son’s class?”

“Lyn, do you know where I put my reading glasses?”

OK, that last one I didn’t ask her, but I would have if I wore reading glasses, I’m sure.

To her great credit, Lyn has always been patient and answered with exactly the information I wanted. She has been stunning, and I would gladly work with her again any day of the week. (I have no idea if she would say as much for me – I hope so!)

But me even having to ask those relatively simple questions shows that I’m new at this. I am grateful that I’ve landed with an editor that has shown I can trust her.

But… who knows? Maybe I’ll get some more publication credits under my belt soon, and I’ll learn more and be an old hand in a year’s time. (Writing ages a person! Maybe by this time next year I’ll have put on ten years! Oh, maybe that wouldn’t be a good idea…)

Then again, a story I thought was a guaranteed purchase was just returned to me…

Ah, well. I’ll keep plugging away. (Something else I’ve learned!) And as I learn more… I’ll plan to share it here, too!