Blog Tour Guest Post with Kelley York.

When to Let Go by Kelley York 

We all get attached to our stories and our characters. We want so badly to see them succeed. After we've put in months—sometimes years—to make something of a book, it's hard to imagine just...setting it aside. Forgetting about it. Moving on.

I see authors out there with a book. Maybe it's a bad book, maybe it's a really effing terrific book. Either way, they haven't had luck placing it with a publisher or an agent.

So, they revise.

They rework.

They edit.

Months of fixes. Possibly years. And still, nothing.

Meanwhile, you might ask them, "What else are you working on?" and they will pause and say, "Nothing. I've been spending all my time on this book, so..."

This isn't a good thing. Of course it's great to edit the hell out of all your books, preferably before sending them out into the wild. But how long before you decide enough is enough and that, just maybe, this book is good but it isn't good enough? How long do you wait before you realize it's time to move on and write something else?

I don't think there's any definitive answer. I queried my first book for over a year (with a few-months break in the middle to hugely revise). I had a few close calls so I kept thinking I just had to find the one.

But the one never came.

Looking back, I'm thankful for that. Because with every book you write, the more you grow. The stronger your writing becomes. Honestly, I'm glad it was HUSHED, my second book, that finally made it because it was so much stronger than my first. Just as my third book was stronger than my second...and the one I'm working on now? Will be stronger still.

We learn. We adapt. We change and we grow.

But that won't happen if you're stuck on one project, trying to patchwork it to perfection.

If you have something you've been trying to place for way too long and it's keeping you stagnant, keeping you from moving forward, from working on something else...it might be time to let go. Your muse will thank you for it. 

Author Bio: Kelley was born and raised in central California, where she still resides with her lovely wife, daughter, and an abundance of pets.  (Although she does fantasize about moving across the globe to Ireland.)  She has a fascination with bells, adores all things furry - be them squeaky, barky or meow-y - is a lover of video games, manga and anime, and likes to pretend she's a decent photographer. Her life goal is to find a real unicorn. Or maybe a mermaid. Within young adult, she enjoys writing and reading a variety of genres from contemporary with a unique twist, psychological thrillers, paranormal/urban fantasy and horror. She loves stories where character development takes center stage.

Kelley's website: http://www.kelley-york.com/blog

<

Hushed - Synopsis:
<

He's saved her. He's loved her. He's killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn't protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he's never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn't matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another - Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who's ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer's committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn't get what she wants...And what she wants is Evan's death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

Amazon: Click this link to buy Hushed

Barnes & Noble: Click this link to buy Hushed

Read Jess's review for Hushed - Epic Rating!

'Kelley York delivers in this impressive debut. I was at the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next! Bottom line, this was unputdownable!!!

--YA Fantasy Guide--