Abby’s Comments (group member since May 21, 2014)

Abby’s comments from the Ask Susan Shell group.

Excellent question, Susan.

>> Did you start the series at Odyssey, or before? How did it change your ideas about it?

I wrote the original drafts of Book 1 and Book 2 before I'd ever heard of Odyssey, and before I learned proper grammar. I just wanted to tell a good story. Despite excited beta reader reactions, my amateur manuscript gathered a solid wall of rejections from agents and publishers. So I went to Odyssey in hopes of networking enough to get my manuscript read.

During Odyssey, I learned so much, I added two new goals. I would: a) scrap those novel drafts and do a complete rewrite from scratch, and b) hone my short story craft and aim for at least one pro sale, since that credit might catch a literary agent's attention.

It took a few years, but I've accomplished both those goals. Sadly, I'm still working towards my original goal of getting a literary agent or major publisher to read the manuscript of Book 1 (the rewritten 2x version). This ongoing quest has led me to found novelist groups, complete additional novels in my series, and gain a lot more practice at storytelling and writing. At this point in my life, I feel capable of either accomplishing what I set out to do, or indie publishing a complete six-book series that will appeal to a broad range of readers.

If you go to Odyssey expecting nothing but praise, accolades, and recommendations to editors at major publishers, then you'll be disappointed. No one escapes Odyssey without some brutally honest feedback. You will be challenged to grow as a writer, no matter how talented you already are.

If you go, be prepared to meet people who are extremely ambitious, talented, and serious about their writing--just like you. Fortunately, writers seem to be among the most good-natured and supportive creative types. The competitive atmosphere is there, but I found it to be a help rather than a hindrance, pushing me to write better, faster, and to try new methods.

Since there are only 16 students in every annual class, I understand that each year has a different dynamic. Some years seem to be more friendly, others more prolific, others more multi-cultural, or skewed younger/older, or more published, or skewed towards screenwriting, or award-winners, etc. This is just a general factor rather than something for you to worry over. Odyssey also provides an ongoing supportive program for all graduates, bringing them together regularly, and keeping in touch through a mailing list and gatherings at conventions. The roster grows annually by 16 new graduates.