Guest blogger Gigi Morrissett Pandian’s work-in-progress ARTIFACT was awarded a Malice Domestic Grant for unpublished traditional mystery writers in May. Her 1st of 2 guest posts about her experiences as an aspiring mystery author part way down the path to publication appeared November 7th.

Editing your work can be frustrating for many reasons. First, it’s time-consuming when we all have more than writing going on in our lives. It’s also difficult, because creating your characters and story was a labor of love but now you have to make sure you’re telling their story eloquently and with no typos or factual errors. And lastly, the most frustrating part might be the desire to feel that you have completed a book, to feel that you’re *done* more quickly than the process actually takes.

I told Diana that I’d write this blog post about what’s happened to me since receiving a Malice Domestic Grant 6 months ago. As you can guess from the intro paragraph of this posting, I’ve been editing.

The reason I’ve been spending so much time editing is because I now realize that I can do something with this book. It’s no longer just a hobby. No longer a fantasy that perhaps one day I’ll get published. People are now taking me seriously as a writer, and I’m in turn taking my writing seriously. Authors are generous with their time guiding me towards publication, as are experts who I’ve asked for help in getting my facts right so that I’m not embarrassed after I’m published. I’ve gotten more involved in mystery writers groups, and have been asked to run for the Board of my local Sisters in Crime chapter.

And I’ve realized something important: This change was primarily in ME, not because of something external.

The Malice Grant is an incredible recognition that I cherish, and a validation that I’m onto something with this book, but I can see now that treating myself as a professional writer is what people are responding to. The wonderful writers I have met since getting more involved would have been just as open to me regardless; the experts I have contacted would have been just as thrilled to talk with me about their expertise. It was only me who was hesitant to make these connections before.

Once I’m done editing my manuscript and start querying agents, I expect that mentioning the grant will make some of them take a second look. But it’s not going to lead to representation or a book deal if the book isn’t ready yet. And my book is only getting there because of the amazing readers, experts, and support that I’ve come across since I started treating myself as a professional.

I resisted temptation from well-meaning friends and family to send my book out into the world as soon as I received the recognition. My gut told me my mystery wasn’t ready yet, and so far my gut has served me well so I’m sticking with it ;).

Gigi Pandian is a graphic designer by day, and can be found at www.g2graphicdesign.com/about.