Comments on: Climbing Uphill Both Ways

By: Kaycee James

Kaycee James — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:42:07 +0000

I’m not sure what impresses me more…getting published or leveling a priest to 60 in 3 weeks. It took nearly a year for me to level my mage.

By: Becky

Becky — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:44:15 +0000

I just read all three of the Kate books this weekend. They are fantastic, and I’m really glad you stuck in there! I love that you were playing WoW when you got the call from your agent. My escapism is a pendulum between WoW and books. Books are on the upswing at the moment. Good luck and I’m really looking forward to your next book!

By: Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:53:27 +0000

*nods* It’s good to have that sense of smell for when you need to ignore the advice of people who know what they’re talking about!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:19:21 +0000

Interesting!

I was never very good at the squishy sciences, I’m afraid. I have to say, though, that one of the best lab experiences I had as an undergrad was taking the required biology lab with a room full of astrophysicists. That poor lab tech!

By: Ilona

Ilona — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:40:27 +0000

Biochemist. Back then it was all about genetics and I worked in the University lab as a lab assistant to two professors specializing in recombinant DNA technology. Cured me for a lifetime. Funniest thing – when I went back to school in hopes of becoming a chemist, I aced all of my labs with flying colors. I guess once you get a hold of micropipet, you never forget it.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:43:13 +0000

thanks for posting that. I really enjoy reading ‘how I got here’ stories from authors I respect.

By the way, Ilona, what kind of scientist were you aiming for? I’m curious as a physics grad student, myself.

By: JubanMama

JubanMama — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:05:14 +0000

Wow, what an incredible journey. I’m glad you stuck it out, and glad that you had people who kept you going the whole way so that we could all benefit from the awesome Kate Daniels stories. This is a definite lesson in perseverance and team work.

I’ve had a series of novels in my head for, oh, 9 years now? And have had many starts and stops since then. It’s always one thing or another: a job that kept me so busy that it killed my creativity, a new baby, whatever. Right now I’m trying to ease back into the writing world by trying to sell two short stories I’ve written recently. But this blog entry has, I think, finally re-lit the fire under my butt to get back to work on my series of novels. Thank you, Ilona!!! You are, quite literally, an inspiration!

By: Jana Oliver

Jana Oliver — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:19:55 +0000

One other thing – those blistering critiques definitely honed your style, which is razor sharp. There is rarely a spare word or phrase in your books, which makes them SUCH a joy to read (unlike others who shall remain unnamed). Sometimes the hardest path makes for the best results. At least, that’s what I tell myself whenever things go south.

By: CheeseBK

CheeseBK — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:04:53 +0000

ahhh, I remember reading this a while ago. thanks for the re-post it always makes for an interesting read. glad all your struggling finally lead to the wonderful stories we now get to read. we’re thankful for you not giving up.

By: Jana Oliver

Jana Oliver — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:29:59 +0000

Thanks for sharing your story! I always wondered how it played out for you and Gordon. Few new writers realize that your tangled journey toward publication is more the norm than an exception. It is the rare new writer who is plucked from an agency slush pile and offered a three-quarter of a million dollar advance (Stephanie Meyer). However, along the way you have earned those calluses, developed that thick shell that allows you handle the ups and down of this crazy a** business. Those who haven’t had that long climb are easily bruised and quick to fold.