Beth Watson's Blog

When I first noticed my muse had gone missing, I figured she’d been working hard, she needed a vacation, give her a break. When she hadn’t returned a week later, I wondered if she was delayed somewhere due to bad weather or a flight cancellation, which often happened to me. Two weeks later, I sat in front of my computer staring at a blank page, in total panic mode. I needed to start a new book. Where was she? Granted, she’d been complaining about needing a better work environment—more vacation days, weekends off, shorter writing days, etc., but she’d have given me a chance to provide her with some benefits before quitting. She wouldn’t desert me after 10 years and 11 books. No way.

So what had happened to her? Had she been abducted? Who would have done such a thing? A writer friend playing a sick joke? My cats, because I’d been working too hard and ignoring them? Frantic, I did everything I could to find her. I started reading like a maniac. Reading inspires me to write and helps fill my well. But no matter how much I read, no muse. So, I conducted research for a new book idea I was throwing around. There wasn’t anything I couldn’t Google out. Except my muse.

Unable to start a new book without her, I rewrote books, I entered contests, I queried agents, and I found a teen group to critique my young adult book. Yet, I still wasn’t motivated to start writing a new book. I finally had to face the fact that someone may have killed my muse. She might never return. Disheartened, I needed a diversion from my writing, so I started tracing my Irish ancestry.

Two years went by, then one day my muse returned, speaking Irish slang, bubbling with enthusiasm over a new idea for a women’s fiction book set in Ireland. She’d been off in Ireland visiting her rellies and friends. Her ideas were flowing faster than Guinness in an Irish pub. I filled an entire journal with ideas and wrote the first three chapters of a new book. I was still upset she’d ditched me without a word, yet I couldn’t blame her entirely, and I was so happy she was back, I never mentioned it again.

Moral of the story: you can’t force your muse. She’s a very fragile and moody thing. I had written 11 books in 10 years without publishing and I was burnt-out. I promise to take better care of her and myself. Now that we’ve sold, she promises to stick around and not leave me high and dry again.

Recently, an author friend wrote a guest post at Dear Teen Me, a blog where authors write letters of advice to their teenage selves. I commented on what advice I’d give to myself as a teen. This later had me thinking about what advice I’d give to myself as a newbie author 12 years ago. If I knew then what I know now, my road to publication would likely have been much easier and quicker. So here are my words of wisdom.

Dear Newbie Author Me:

Congratulations! You just finished polishing your first book. Celebrate! Call everyone you know to share the news. After all, this was the hard part on your road to publication, right? Wrong. Reality check. Writing the book is the easy part, well not easy, but easier than finding an agent or editor who thinks it’s as good as you and your mom do. So, here are a few words of advice that might just help you get published sooner.

Don’t take no for an answer. Don’t stop querying agents after only 20 rejections. This is a drop in the agent bucket. There are hundreds of agents out there. One of these 20 agents will request your full manuscript, which is a HUGE deal, even though she ultimately rejects it. Don’t let this dishearten you and make you think your first book isn’t ready for submission, it is. Don’t give up on a book until you have queried a minimum of a hundred agents and editors. Seriously. If I told you how many agents and editors you’ll have to query before you sell, you might freak out and quit right now. So that’ll be my little secret.

Get feedback on your book. Yeah, you travel a lot for your job, so it’s hard to meet with a critique group on a weekly basis. You’ll make a lot of writer friends through online groups and at conferences. See if one of them is interested in being an online critique partner. A lot of contest judges will click with your book. Ask them if they’re interested in reading it and giving you feedback. You have nothing to lose. (FYI, you’ll be a two-time Golden Heart finalist, which will be really cool.) If you can’t find a critique partner, ask a local book club or a library’s advisory board if they’ll read it. A library’s teen ad board will prove very helpful with one of your young adult books. However you do it, get feedback.

Make sure your book has a strong hook. Write the query letter before you write the book so you know you can pitch it to an agent or editor. With all the thousands of books out there, having a strong hook is critical so that your book stands out. Believe me, it’ll be much easier to have a hook on the front end than to try to add one once the book is done. Been there, done that.

Learn to be patient and consider taking up yoga or meditation. I know you can’t ride an escalator without walking up or down it, but you’ll learn to. Be patient. This applies to numerous areas of your writing. Don’t submit a book until it’s ready. Let the book sit for a few weeks or a month and start a new project. Then go back to it and read it with fresh eyes. I know I told you to query a minimum of 100 agents, but don’t query them all at once. Query 10-20 agents and get feedback before querying more. Be patient. This industry is a waiting game.

Good news is you’re going to be a published author! Yay! Even though it might take a while, you won’t give up because you have perseverance. Luck and timing, not so much. But as with so many things in life, your perseverance will get you there. If you take my words of wisdom, I’m confident your road to publication won’t be as long, and you won’t need to take a few years off along the way to feed your disheartened muse.

So hang in there future published author and don’t ever give up!

What would your advice be to yourself five, ten, or twenty years ago?

Whenever people ask me what to do when visiting Paris, I recommend the cemeteries. The Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral are probably already at the top of their sightseeing lists, but they likely haven’t thought about visiting what I consider the most fascinating attractions in Paris—its cemeteries. Here’s why I’m obsessed with Paris’s cemeteries.

1) Cemeteries are some of Paris’s best art museums, filled with intriguing statues and sculptures, and are not nearly as busy as the Louvre. Many sculptures are by the same artists exhibited in famous museums. Even if the sculptures aren’t by renowned artists, I find them just as fascinating, and often times they evoke more emotion than the artwork in museums.

2) Cemeteries are romantic. Granted, if a guy took you to a cemetery on your first date, you’d probably find him a bit creepy. I’d think he was a stalker, since he appeared to know me quite well. However, picture this scene. You and your boyfriend are strolling down a narrow cobblestone path in a Paris cemetery, admiring the statues, when it begins to rain. He pulls out an umbrella (what a guy) and you two snuggle together under it. Everyone else scurries to leave and before long, you are the only two there. In, Getting a Life, Even If You’re Dead, Pierrot and Kendra prove just how romantic a cemetery can be.

3) Cemeteries are a quiet oasis nestled within a bustling city. I fell in love with Paris while spending a college semester at the Sorbonne. I spent many quiet afternoons studying at Montmartre cemetery while enjoying a picnic lunch on a college student’s budget.

4) Cemeteries are haunted. A few years ago, early in the morning, it was just me and the garbage collectors in a cemetery. I was walking down a remote path when I swore I heard someone following me but nobody was there. This went on for several minutes. I finally worked up the courage to peek behind a row of tombs to find nothing. This experience inspired my book’s opening scene.

5) Graves are inspirational. You’ve likely never heard of Louise Thouret, few people have, but her grave is hauntingly captivating and makes several appearances in my book. The first time I saw her grave, my mind was bombarded with questions. Who was she to have had such an elaborate statue erected in her memory? How had she died at the young age of sixteen? Who had recently placed fresh flowers on her grave when she’d been dead for over a hundred years? Every grave has a story to tell, both fictional and non-fictional.

Unlike great writers, such as Hemingway and Hugo, I don’t plan to pen my novels in the bustling Parisian cafés and bars. I envision myself in a quiet Paris cemetery, enjoying a picnic lunch before settling in on a bench to write my latest novel.

In my book, Getting a Life, Even If You’re Dead, Loic attempts to solve the mystery behind his death. The fact that he is dead makes it easy for him to access the crime scene and evidence. Of course if I were a ghost, I would secretly help the police solve crimes, along with other worthwhile endeavors. But like Loic, who copes with his death by playing pranks and haunting people, I’d also want to have a bit of fun. Hopefully I'm not a ghost for a long time, and it's under different circumstances, but here are the top five things I would do as a ghost living in Paris.

1) Research books. As a ghost, I would still be writing books. I would have carte blanche access to everything I would need to conduct research. If I wrote a book about a Parisian chef, voila, I could pop into the famous Maxim’s restaurant and shadow a chef for a week. For a book about haute couture in Paris, I could strut down a catwalk and hang out at photo shoots with super models. And I could get the scoop at police stations and pen the best crime novel ever.

2) Admire the Mona Lisa up close. The first time I saw the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris, I couldn’t believe how small the painting is for being the most famous painting in history. At that time, I was fortunate that I could walk right up to the painting and study every speck of paint and fine line. Now, she’s enclosed in bullet-proof glass and a wooden barrier prohibits you from getting within five feet of her.

3) Visit tourist attractions after closing time. Not only would I visit the Mona Lisa, but all the museums after they closed to avoid the overwhelming crowds. During the summer, the lines for the Eiffel Tower are daunting. You have to fight throngs of tourists to catch a glimpse of the city. I would stand at the top of the Eiffel Tower, gazing out at the boats along the Seine and Sacré Coeur Basilica in the distance, my only companion the faint sounds of the city below.

4) Sleep in a different bed every night. Even though as a ghost I probably wouldn’t need to sleep, I would stay somewhere different every night. After all, I could finally afford to live in Paris. I would spend one night in Marie Antoinette’s bedroom at the Palace of Versailles. Another night at the prestigious Hotel Ritz, where I would stay in the Hemingway Suite, named after the famous writer who resided there for years. And I would have no problem finding spots the other 363 days of the year.

5) Shop till I dropped. I would hit all the haute couture shops and try on Chanel gowns. Then I’d be off to Cartier for some jewels. Of course I would return them all in a timely manner, after I sashayed down the steps of the Louvre in a red gown, like Audrey Hepburn did in Funny Face.

When I finished writing, Getting a Life, Even If You’re Dead, I asked a group of teen girls belonging to a library’s advisory board committee to read the manuscript. They provided some insightful feedback. One girl noted, “Pierrot is every teen girl’s dream.” I hung this comment on my bulletin board. Why did she swoon over Pierrot, and what makes Kendra fall for him in the book? He’s totally cute, with dark brown eyes and hair, and has a quirky style. However, when Kendra meets him, he is depressed and could care less about his appearance. So what is that she finds so attractive about Pierrot?

1) Il parle français. He speaks French. Not only is a French-speaking guy sexy, but he’s also sexy when speaking English with a French accent. And he doesn’t look down on Kendra because her French is limited to ordering a Coca Light.

2) He’s not afraid to show his emotions. Yet at the same time, he’s mysterious. Although Kendra is never sure what Pierrot is thinking, she usually knows how he’s feeling. He doesn’t try to hide his emotions. He expresses everything from anger, to fear, sadness, remorse, and guilt. Who doesn’t love a guy who can cry in front of a girl?

3) He’s a musician. Not only does Pierrot play guitar and sing, he also writes song lyrics. After his brother Loic dies, he turns to song writing to lessen his pain. Maybe one day he’ll write a song about Kendra.

4) He’s an avid reader. Kendra loves books and this enables them to connect when Pierrot is despondent. He is into gothic classics and has a first edition Bram Stoker’s Dracula book passed down to him by his grandfather. She finds the fact that he has read books her male classmates have likely never even heard of very appealing.

5) He’s a great listener. He truly cares what Kendra has to say. She finds herself opening up to Pierrot about things she’s never confided in anyone about. He in turn confides in her and this leads to their ultimate connection.

There are several places in Paris where I’m convinced I’ve experienced supernatural encounters, and other spots that give me a weird vibe. I included some of these places in my book, Getting a Life, Even If You’re Dead. These are merely my opinion. Professional Parisian Ghostbusters may disagree.

1) The Catacombs. This place is so eerily haunting I used it for a pivotal scene in my book. This burial site, an underground tunnel network, holds the remains of over 6 million people from overcrowded and unsanitary cemeteries. Over a two year period, remains were transported nightly by carts while a procession of priests sang a service for the dead along the route to the catacombs. I don’t think this service appeased the spirits, which were uprooted from their permanent resting places in the middle of the night. They were ticked off, destined to haunt Paris for eternity.

2) The Palais Garnier or Opéra Garnier. This opera house was the inspiration for the Phantom of the Opera, which was based on real-life events that took place here. The house is supposedly haunted by Erik, the inspiration for the Phantom. I imagine the spirits of ballet dancers and actors gracing the stage, giving command performances, unable to let go of life in the spotlight. This is my favorite building in Paris and it makes a cameo appearance in my book.

3) The Conciergerie. Set along the Seine in Paris, the building resembles a fairytale castle, which is quite deceiving. It was the first royal palace in Paris, and later used as a prison during the French Revolution. Over 2,700 people were imprisoned here, awaiting the guillotine, including Marie Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI. Marie Antoinette’s cell was reconstructed on part of the actual site of her dungeon. You can visit her cell where a mannequin of the queen, sheathed in black, stares at a crucifix on a desk, pondering her fate. This place sent shivers through my entire body. It was used in a scene that was cut in my book’s final edits.

4) Cemeteries. Of course, Paris cemeteries are haunted. Aren’t they all? However, I believe I had a supernatural encounter in Montmartre cemetery. Early one morning, it was just me and the garbage collectors in the cemetery. I was walking down a remote path when I swore I heard someone following me but nobody was there. This went on for several minutes. I finally worked up the courage to peak behind several rows of tombs to find nothing. This experience inspired my book’s opening scene.

5) Les Deux Magots. Since 1873 this café has been the haunt of famous writers, artists, and intellectuals, such as Sartre, Hemingway, and Picasso. It’s the place to see and be seen for famous celebrities when visiting Paris. Maybe it’s the writer in me, but every time I go there I feel like I’m surrounded by the spirits of famous writers, encouraging me to pen my next novel.

My love affair with Paris began long before I indulged in my first pain au chocolat at a sidewalk café, or strolled along the Seine at sunset. Growing up, I studied French in high school and college, watched French movies, and lived vicariously through books set in Paris. I never dreamed one day I’d be writing books set there, including, Getting a Life, Even If You’re Dead. I first visited Paris during college when I studied at the Sorbonne University. The following are my top five most memorable moments from my first visit to the City of Love.

1) Climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower. I climbed the 669 steps to the Eiffel Tower’s second platform, enabling me to enjoy the view along the way. I then took an elevator to the top where I headed straight for a phone rather than admiring the view. I called my mom, so she could share the experience with me. After our conversation, I spent an hour gazing out at all the sites I would visit during my upcoming summer.

2) Saying bonjour to my French pen pal. My high school French teacher hooked me up with my pen friend, Richard. We exchanged numerous letters and carried on a few phone conversations--mostly in English--at Christmas time. My first week in Paris, Richard traveled down from Normandy to meet me. I still remember sitting on the steps of my dorm building, watching him walk over from the metro, marveling at the fact that I had a French friend. My friend Glorianne and I spent a weekend in Normandy visiting his family.

3) Speaking French with the locals. Before meeting Richard, I had my first conversation with a French native. I had completed two years of college French, yet after a shopkeeper assisted me I replied, s’il vous plaît (please), rather than merci (thank you). We both laughed about it. They appreciate you making the effort to speak French, even if you don’t always get the words right.

4) Attending Swan Lake. Having grown up in a small town, I didn’t have access to the performing arts scene. I remember attending Swan Lake at the Opéra Bastille--a modern opera house--and thinking, Wow, I’m at a ballet in Paris. The only thing that could have made the experience even more memorable would have been if the ballet had been performed at the Palais Garnier, which opened in 1875, and was the inspiration for The Phantom of the Opera. That is my favorite building in Paris.

5) Meeting the Mona Lisa. The first time I saw the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, I was shocked at how small the painting is for being the most famous painting in history. I was fortunate that at the time I could get close enough to view every paint stroke. Now, a wooden railing prevents you from getting within five feet of her. I visited every major and obscure art museum that summer, which started my love affair with art. You will often find art featured in my books.