So, you Wrote a Book...

..And yes, that does make me feel special. It's been awhile since I've been in the blog scene, but who from my generation hasn't had a blog? We were the first generation of teenage angst on the internet. For the sake of embarrassment, I'm not going to drudge up the first posts I've ever wrote. If I were to ask myself why I'm doing this the noble answer would be "So other people know what it's like to try to make it in the publishing industry". The truth? I'm a writer, I like to hear myself talk (and/or write). I want to put my woes, my accomplishments, my successes and my failures out there for people and I'm hoping to get some stories and advice back, as well. I decided to call this blog "The Process" for that very reason. Writing is a process, getting published is a process; my life is a never-ending, ever-changing process. I'm going to try to put the good, the bad and the ugly out there to the best of my ability not just about the publishing world and the agent searching process but also about writing the damn book! But before we can do all that, I'll try to do a brief introduction and answer some questions that I'm sure you're going to want to know.

Who the hell are you? Why Should I care?

My name is Kacey Ramones; I'm a Pisces, my favorite color is purple and I like long walks on the beach. Actually, I'm a married mother of two-fur children. I'm a Social Worker by trade; by day I work with children on the Autism Spectrum and by night I write books which kind of makes me the lamest super-hero ever. My husband is a Systems Administrator, and pretty much the smartest, coolest guy I know. I was born and raised in Michigan, and though I've relocated to different cities, and I've never left the state.

You should care because I'm a Social Worker, and someday you may need me and my skills if I don't make it in the writing industry. When you do, I'll be there.

What makes you qualified to write a book?

Not a damn thing, truthfully. I think anyone with a story to tell could and should write a book. I didn't study creative writing, I've never been published before. I live by the philosophy that people don't need a degree to be successful at this. I believe writing, like music, is something you're born with. You go to college and study the masters to put a flourish on your talent, but that doesn't guarantee you success. I just like to write and I like to read, and I have since I can remember. I was also a gifted "story-teller" as a child, which means I "fibbed" about things A LOT.

I was also blessed with a unique cast of characters in my life that made it very easy for me to use my imagination. My Dad is a retired Police Officer, and a Vietnam Veteran who has fantastic stories you wouldn't believe even if I told you. His stories inspired and impacted me, whether he likes it or not. I'm a people watcher, and this is a very helpful trait to have if you want to write.

So, what's it about?

I'm literally going to copy and past the summary I send to Literary agents, because it's hard for me to explain in everyday lingo; it turns into me stumbling over what to classify it as or what to say and it becomes like Seinfield... A book about everything and nothing.

"Katherine Kielholz was supposed to be dead, it may have been easier for everyone if she had been.

As a member of the United States Central Intelligence Agency she’d been working in Libya to help bring down a Terrorist cell called The New Islamic State, when she was captured and presumed dead by her agency and her family. Moments before her death she was rescued by one of the cells leaders, a man only known to the agency as Nasnas. This man is not at all what she assumed, he rescued her so she could help him return to England, where he claims to be part of the Royal Family gone astray. Skeptical, she agrees to help him get to the British embassy for one reason only; she needs him to survive. She can’t do this alone.

Against the odds, they reached the British Embassy and manage to kill the group’s leader; Abdul Azi. But her survival came at a price, her Agency now holds her responsible for the flight of a terrorist leader and she can never go home again. What was supposed to be the end of her story and the beginning of her retirement, is just the start of another chapter in her life. She is welcomed into the United Kingdom, made a member of the Queen’s Guard and knighted for her service to the family; but she must keep the Prince’s secrets and she must protect him from a threat that is still looming in the shadows. His secrets followed him to London, and now they are all at risk. All of London is at risk."

How long did it take you?

I've had the idea in my brain since my Junior year in college (circa 2009), and believe me when I say it's gone through MANY rewrites. I'm a perfectionist with the way I craft stories, which is both a blessing and a curse. I gave up on it for awhile after I didn't reach success with the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest, though I did make it into the top 100. I always wanted to be a writer, but lacked the confidence to start putting my writing out there. I live with a chronic illness and during an extended period of time off work I made the decision to start writing again as a way to take my mind off my misery. I made the decision after I finished it that it's now or never, and started researching the agency. I'm by no means an expert, but I swear by the bible (The Writer's Guide To...)

So, that's me. That's the basics. Any other questions? Ask them. I'll answer to the best of my ability.

So, as they say in one of my favorite series: May the odds be ever in your favor.