2019-10-01_Writer_s_Digest

(Nancy Kaufman) #1
WritersDigest.com I 21

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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
KiraJaneBuxtontalksmoreabout
learningtotakebigriskswithyour
writing.bit.ly/WDBreakingIn.

Cassandra Lipp is associate managing
editor of WD. Follow her on Twitter
@Cassie000000.
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