Introducing Jean Ann Williams

The Beginning

In 1994, I began my dream to write. I borrowed a large stack of books from the library and began reading on the craft of writing. Before I finished the pile of books, I set up a small table in a vacant room to write. I dabbled in picture books but found it was not satisfying. The first longer piece I wrote was based on a true story about me growing up on land where my dad raised cotton and corn.

After months of writing, I decided I wanted to write a story about a girl who struggled with the relationship with her emotionally unstable mother. I didn’t know where I was going with this story. Just that I needed to make sense of my own personal failing relationship with my mom.

Rejection

I wrote and wrote and wrote. I read the manuscript at our critique group made up of other fledgling writers. After several years, and a few years reading it to my critique group, some of them suggested I trash my story. Literally. I was shocked and dismayed.

One writer, who sat next to me, when it was her turn to make suggestions, leaned in close and looked me square in the eye. “Jean, no one has a right to tell you to trash your story.” She leaned back in her chair waiting. I said nothing. The room grew silent. Then she said, “However, I do think you need to know where you are going with this story.”

I took her advice and not the others. How could I even imagine trashing my first and only novel? How could I trash my heart-felt words? I could not. So I kept working on it and later joined an online group who appreciated my work. They agreed it needed a lot of work but they were always encouraging.

Published Author

Seventeen years after the advice to trash my story, six freelance editors later, a small press, Clean Reads, decided to publish “Just Claire”.

I believe it was the last deeper edit by a well know author that tipped the scales and got a publishers attention. Did I pay more for her edits? Yes indeed. But it was worth every dollar.

I signed a three year contract and “Just Claire” receive a beautiful cover. After the three years, I received my rights back. I had already self-published two books by then and continued the journey with my Love Truth publishing. “Just Claire” has been edited two more times and has a new cover. .

I’d like to leave you with these two thoughts. Writing is a hard job and it can take years to see your first book published. The other thought is this: authorities in writing and publishing are saying now that it takes at least two professional edits and preferably three to whip a book in shape.

I agree!

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