Turning Writing Rejection into Triumph: Talking Middle-Grade Horror Novels with Wendy Parris
There’s a new episode up on the podcast!
Imagine…you’re heartbeat away from getting a phone call from your dream agent only you don’t know it and right before that can happen you decide to hang it up, put your story ideas and writing dreams away.
You decide to quit.
Does that make you cringe?
It should.
That almost happened to my next podcast guest, Wendy Parris.
After ten years of no love from the publishing industry, she was almost ready to “give up the ghost.” Hey, we’re talking middle-grade horror today, so I can’t help myself!
Good thing she didn’t because Wendy writes novels that will knock your socks off in the best way!
On Episode 14 of the Write It Scared Podcast, I talk with Wendy about her writing journey–from zero background in writing to learning all the things, to publishing a novel that now sits in over 300 libraries, with another one due out in September of 2024!
It's hard to believe she almost gave up, and the thing that saved her is so freaking sweet and heartwarming! Talk about serendipity wrapped up in a funny graphic sent from her son. It reminds me that we need to listen to the people who believe in us and that it’s okay to feel like giving up, so long as we don’t let our feelings run the show and drive our actions. Our desires need to do that, not our fears.
Wendy shares how her background in theater informs her writing process and helps her with visualization and dialogue, but she really struggles with plot and character motivation. She’s had to learn to lean into writing a messy first draft so she can fix it later—advice most of us need to hear on repeat. I know that’s true for me.
It took twelve years from the time she had the idea for her debut novel, Field of Screams until it was published.
So yes, this process takes a while. Patience and perseverance are clearly the keys to the kingdom!
From losing agents and editors to finding new ones and writing books no one wants, her journey will teach you to stick with it and be stubborn about your passion, even in the low moments.
She also opens up about how she works through self-doubt, which for her looks like perfectionism, finding accountability with community through organizations like SCBWI (The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators), and her approach to writing despite life's interruptions.
“You have to learn to write on the back of an envelope when you get an idea... Just be open to it any time.”
Wendy Parris on the Write It Scared Podcast.
Her insights on dealing with unhelpful internal narratives and embracing imperfections during drafting are invaluable for any aspiring writer.
I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I did chatting with her!
And if you are listening and enjoying the show (especially if you’re on Apple or Spotify) please leave a review so more writers can find the inspiration, hope, and fire to keep doing the damn thing til it happens—just like Wendy did.
