2019-10-01_Writer_s_Digest

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Lisa A. Sturm

Echoed in My Bones

(Fiction, Aug., Twisted

Road Publications)

“When bi-racial twin sis-

ters are given up for adoption and

raised in neighboring towns worlds

apart, they wrestle with loss, hidden

truths, and the mistakes and injuries

only love can heal.”

WRITES FROM: Maplewood, N.J. PRE-

BONES: Th is novel was inspired

by my psychotherapy work with

inner-city girls and women. I was

moved by their stories, poetry, faith,

and resilience. Before this book, I’d

had essays, short stories, and novel

excerpts published in newspapers,

literary journals, and anthologies.

TIME FRAME: I spent four years on the

fi rst draft because I kept question-

ing my abilities. Th ree years into this

process, I submitted a novel excerpt

and short story to a contest run by

Writer’s Relief and won three months

of submission services. Th at gave

me confi dence to plow forward and

helped me get several pieces pub-

lished. ENTER THE AGENT: I don’t have

an agent, but querying proved use-

ful. One agent referred me to a great

editor. Another sent me a revise and

resubmit letter that off ered wonder-

ful suggestions. I found lists of indie

publishers and once I queried them

directly, quickly secured a home for

my book. An attorney at Th e Authors

Guild reviewed my contract. WHAT I

DID RIGHT: I kept polishing my manu-

script and continued to query, even

aft er rejections. I saved the support-

ive responses and reread them when

I felt discouraged. WHAT I WOULD HAVE

DONE DIFFERENTLY: I would have writ-

ten a detailed outline before tapping

out the fi rst chapter, and I would

have gift ed myself at least one writ-

ing retreat to meet other authors

and strengthen my practice. ADVICE

FOR WRITERS: Create characters you

love deeply, a protagonist for whom

you’ll endure every heartbreak during

the writing and publishing process.

NEXT UP: I’m working on another

novel inspired by my work. WEBSITE:

LisaASturm.com. WD

STURM PHOTO ©

MATT PEYTON

ARTISTICINTEGRITY

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Cassandra Lipp is associate managing

editor of WD. Follow her on Twitter

@Cassie000000.