Writer’s Blog from Joyce’s client, bestselling author, Ace Collins (A condensed version of this blog was recently on the Christian Writer’s Guild website.)

WHO IS MY CAREER ROLE MODEL?

by Ace Collins

I was recently asked who was my career role model? I know the person who tossed that question my way certainly expected my answer to spotlight one of a few thousand bestselling, award-winning authors that I have followed and read over the years. Yet, my response likely created a bit of shock and surprise as I cited not a Twain, Hemmingway or Cussler, but rather a product of the famed Warner Bros. Studios and it wasn’t even a human. My role model was either born or created, that depends upon your viewpoint, on September 17, 1949. Much more than any writer I know, it is Wile E. Coyote who possesses the attributes needed by every author.

Wile E. is first and foremost inventive. He is constantly coming up fresh ideas to achieve his goals. He simply doesn’t stick to the same formula, but rather learns from his mistakes and moves forward with new approaches. He is not afraid of technology, but instead sees it as offering new and better ways of becoming more productive. He is therefore not stuck in the past but lives on the cutting edge.

Next Wile E. has such a strong desire to succeed that it allows him to overlook the obvious odds against him. Where others give up, he surges forward. He never takes his eye off the prize or allows a few failures to cause him to shift his career goals. He ultimately believes he will succeed.

Though Wile E. lives a fairly solitary existence that does not prevent him from consulting others as he looks to expand his knowledge and expertise. He not only seeks out the advice of the folks at Acme, but he had an extensive library that includes such works as How To Build a Burmese Tiger Trap, Hunting Birds, The History of Speed and How To Sail. In other words, he does his homework, he constantly studies and expands his mind and he is not afraid of teaming with others to reach his goals.

But maybe the most important thing I have learned from Wile E. is to never give up. He believes in his quest to the point where nothing will stop him. Therefore he will take risks that would seem completely illogical to a mathematical mind knowing that those risks often provide the greatest rewards and the best chance of finding true satisfaction. So he doesn’t see rejection as a sign of failure, but just another challenge to be addressed.

Anyone in the creative field is apt to experience far more failure than success. We crash and burn much more than those who stick to the normal routes through life. Yet if we truly believe in our message then we press forward because we feel our stories are worth all the pain experienced in trying to get them to the public. In other words, we are like that coyote who is constantly trying to capture the prize; even a lifetime of rejections can’t keep us from continuing to do what we feel called to do. And neither should a few rejections keep you from your calling either!

Guest Blog from Joyce Hart’s client, Ace Collins

One Person’s Idea Only Has Value Through Teamwork

As I contemplate the multitude of directions my words have taken me over my career, I have a bit of envy for those who stick to a single genre and solitary focus for their novels. There is a thread of continuality and stability in their work that I can’t claim. In the past year I have written a book, Reich of Passage, that combines action, adventure, political intrigue with a touch of medical science fiction, a novel, Darkness Before Dawn, that examines the rage of a woman whose husband is killed by a drunk driver, The Cutting Edge, a tale of model who is unknowingly being stalked by a man who slashed her face and ruined her life, a whodunit, The Yellow Packard, that has a car driving a plot of murder and kidnapping set in the Great Depression and, The Christmas Star, a book involving a sixteen-year-old boy dealing with the death of his Medal of Honor winning father in 1945. In a very real sense, each of these novels is vastly different from the others. These books are looking at life from completely different point of views, have vastly different settings and employ themes ranging from saving the world to seeking justice to simply finding a reason to live. And, as I study my next likely projects, this eclectic mix of subjects, settings, periods and themes continues. I’m even throwing in a devotional book into the mix. So, why am I all over the place when so many others stay on the same page? The answer is obvious.

I learned a long ago that I am wired much differently than most people. I seem to have an interest in everything. I want to know the story behind each person I meet. I can’t watch a classic movie without checking on the history of the actors, why the script was written and the locations used in filming. I do the same thing with sports, books and even the Bible. I have to know the backstories. That is really how Reich of Passage was born. I dug into the history of an actress after watching one of her films. After reading three biographies and seeing all her movies, I began to wonder, could someone like this deal with life in a modern world. How would she fit in if she had a “Rip Van Winkle” experience that transported her from 1937 to today? That idea grew in my mind to becoming a challenge for a book. To create the plot I had to find a way to take someone who had died at the age of twenty-six and bring them back to life in today’s world. That led me to exploring everything to do with her era including language and fashion. Then, as just having her come to life was not enough to create an interesting story, I had to dig into the past to find a plot that would give her life meaning in the future. What resulted is likely one of the best things I’ve ever written and maybe the most fun I’ve ever had at a keyboard. But is a finished book that is never published really a book? In my mind it isn’t and that is where the solitary nature of a writer is left behind and as give my work to someone else.

Considering all the different genres I like to use and all the different ideas that are constantly floating in my head leads me to the reveal the most important element in advancing my career.  I have an agent who encourages me to go in whatever direction I am going at that moment. She doesn’t limit me or force me to confirm to a specific mold. She lets me be me. And when I am finished with my work, I have to have faith in her ability to sell what I have created. Thus, I must trust her enough to let her be her.

Writing might well be a solitary experience in its beginning stages but it is a team sport. Successful writers have to have an agent who believes in their ability to tell a story. That agent has to accept us for all our quirks. Then that agent has to find a publisher or publishers who recognize the potential of our work and that agent has to convince those publishers our books have value. Then come the editors who show us the holes in our manuscripts, put us back to work fixing our books and link us to some incredible folks who do everything from design covers to securing sellers who’ll caring our product. When you consider all the people it takes to produce the book it is overwhelming. Yet it is that team that brings one idea to life.  It is that team, beginning with the agent and ending with the readers, that allows my unique way of looking at the world actually go from curiosity to concept to book.  This past week at ICRS, I was able to meet some members of one of those teams and it was an exciting and humbling experience. I am still amazed that have faith in an eclectic person like me.

Interview with Joyce's Client Ace Collins

Tell us about the four books that are out and are coming out in 2009?

The year started off with our book “Sticks and Stones – How To Make Your Words A Powerful Force.” It’s a book that really embraces the way that I live and allows me to share what I have learned from the thousands of interviews I have done over the years. When you read this book you are pretty much reading my philosophy of life.

“Stories Behind Men Of Faith” is a companion book to one on women of faith that was released a year ago. It was a great learning experience researching the sixteen men who were placed in this book. There are some angles and stories in MOF that will surprise readers who thought they knew every facet of these men’s lives.

“Swope’s Ridge” is my second adventure novel in the Lije Evans Mystery Series. The reviews of this and the first book in this series, “Farraday Road,” have been super and I hope that this series finds a loyal audience because I want to continue to develop these characters. They are a joy to write.

“25 Days 26 Ways To Make This Year Best Christmas Ever” is my fourth book in our Christmas book series. Prepublication buzz has been very good on this and even though all the other books in this series have been bestsellers, I really think this one has the potential to bring the greatest joy to the holiday season and may ultimately have the biggest sales numbers too. It seems like a perfect book for the age we live in.

What do you have coming out in 2010?

We have a fifth Christmas book that comes out next year that centers of the stories behind the greatest hits of the season. This book will allow us to get the stories behind great sentimental favorites as well as some of the novelty songs Christmas. That book is due for a late fall release.

In the first quarter I have a neat book called “Gratitudes” that will be released by Zondervan. This book follows in the steps of “Sticks and Stones.” It presents life lessons and allows the reader to adapt a positive approach to every facet of life. This book is all about embracing the great gifts we are given that we often take for granted.

I have heard there is going to be a special coffee table edition of my “Stories Behind The Best Loved Songs Of Christmas” books that will include incredible art as well as sheet music to the carols.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

The inspiration comes from all around me. I take a good dose of it from my study of history, but I think most of it comes from observing people and visiting with them about their interests. If you know what folks want to read, if you know the kind of things they are curious about, then that knowledge allows you to merge ideas with practical direction. Thus it gives you a much better chance at ending up with a book that has a built in audience.

I also have a log book and if I see a story in the news, a quote, get an idea from a sermon or a speech, have someone tell me a story and even hear something in a song that sends me on a new direction, I write it down. In fact, I have book outlines in my files from twenty years ago that I am still anxious to develop and write.

How long does it take you to write a book?

That varies…if I am writing in a genre that I am very familiar with and working with an editor I know, then the process can go very quickly. The actually writing (and rewriting) time on my novel “Swope’s Ridge” was less than six weeks. Realize that does not include the prewriting time of outlining and putting together the story concept. Nonfiction books that require lots of research take much longer.

As I am usually working on a couple of different projects at the same time, and may be gathering research on one while I actually pen another, it is hard to say exactly how long each book takes. I do like to write four books a year. That keeps my in what I call “writing shape” and I stay focused that way.

What do you hope people will take away from your writing?

I would hope that what I write lifts people, makes them think, allows them to grow spiritually and mentally and, I can’t stress this enough, entertains them. I am a storyteller and good storytellers, even when they are delivering a message book, must entertain. So I never forget about that part of the project.

New projects?

Working on several different things including some new directions in novels as well as a book idea that ties in with “Sticks and Stones.” I also have a couple of novels I’ve written that I hope to place with publishers this year.

I am writing an ABA novel called “Words of The Father.” This is a mystery/adventure book I can only describe as “Indiana Jones meets the Di Vinci Code.” With a mix of ancient history, theology and faith tossed in with modern terrorism and commercialism, this is a very different book and a great challenge to write. Yet I really like it and I am hoping the lead character, Harlow Burke, is just beginning his literary appearances with “Words of the Father.”

Any advice you’d like to give new writers?

It is important to fight for what you believe in, but remember an agent and your editors will see holes in your work that you don’t see. Listen to them and adapt your work using the information that give you. Nine times out of ten your final product will be much better because you included the ideas of others.

Also, remember that you never write a book alone. It is a team project. So do all you can for that team, from your agent, to your editor, to marketing, sales and publicity. If you constantly assure these team members how important they are to you, your chances of finding success will be much better.

Finally, my very bestselling book was rejected more than two dozen times over a decade before it found a home at a publisher who originally didn’t want it. So if you have a good idea, don’t give up on it.

Where can the readers find information about you and your books?

A lot of spots have information on my work, but folks might want to start at http://www.acecollins.com/. There is a bio, as well as a chance to read sample chapters from my most recent books.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

The current book market it tough, therefore it is easy to get discouraged during these times. This testing period is one that can become the most important time in your career. This is when you find out how badly you want to pursue writing as a career.

I have many friends in the entertainment business who are very successful, yet they all talk about the time when they almost “starved out.” What separated them from those who quit was continuing to believe their work was their calling. During these tough periods they found themselves walking on water (faith). That faith in my calling has sustained me over the years and it can sustain you as well.

There will be a drawing from among those commenting on his interview for an autographed copy of a two book set of his books, Farraday Road and Swope's Ridge.