Sometimes, one receives a letter or an email that just plain makes their day. I received such a letter this ayem that did precisely that. She's given me permission to reprint it here and I think you'll see why I was so stoked when I read it. Doesn't really need much amplification. Just to note that it's one of the chief reasons I write and is worth more than money to me. Without further ado...
Dear Les Edgerton,
I am re-reading Hooked, and it occurred to me that I owe you a big thank you. I have been writing for years, went to grad school and several writing conferences. I wrote three novels, but I never felt that anything I wrote was ready to send to an agent. I knew that was true, but I didn't know why.
At one point, I decided that it was time to go back to basics. To actually learn the tools, which it turned out I had never learned! Which is kind of shocking, but there it is. I don't actually remember where I heard of Hooked. I may have just seen it at the library. Now of course, I own a copy.
I realized quickly that the novel I was working on would never sell. There was no inciting incident, no story worthy problem--just people doing things and acting generally grumpy. I rewrote it, found an agent, and my first novel will be released in February. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22010134-when-my-heart-was-wicked)
I hope to give lots of author talks, and I will probably tell every aspiring writer I meet to buy your book. But before I tell others about how your book taught me how to write, I felt that I should tell you.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Tricia Stirling
Ain't that somethin'! I've just had a glow on all day. Thank you, Tricia!
Blue skies,
Les
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