Ten questions with Cayce Osborne
Out of the many interviews I’ve done for this blog, this interview with Cayce Osborne has some of the wisest advice for the aspiring writer. In this interview she explains the necessity of patience and why the most important part of writing the book may simply be finishing it.
1. Please tell us about your debut novel.
It’s a mystery called I Know What You Did. The main character is a woman named Petal Woznewski, and she’s got a secret. She’s built a protected life in New York City that allows her to ignore the skeletons in her past—until all her defense mechanisms come crashing down. A bestselling novel has exposed her secret, and the book uses her real name. In search of the author—who hides behind a pen name—she returns to her Wisconsin hometown to figure out who wrote the book and why they are dredging up the death of her high school friend. I Know What You Did is part amateur detective novel, part psychological suspense, and features chapters of the book-within-the-book interspersed with the main narrative.
2. I’ve read that only 4% of the people who start a novel, finish writing it. Why do you think you beat the odds?
For a long time, I was firmly in the other 96 percent. I always had this idea that I was meant to write a book, but I could never settle on the right story. I’d get excited about an idea, do a bunch of research and take notes and start writing, then completely lose confidence and give up. As I approached age 40, I changed the way I thought about it. I decided that it wasn’t about the story or the plot or any of that: it was about finishing. It didn’t matter how good or bad it was, I just had to keep writing. I gave myself a deadline: I had to complete a first draft by my 40th birthday. And I beat my goal by six months. That book never got published, but it was the foundation for everything I’ve accomplished. I proved to myself that I could do it. And I’ve been writing novels ever since.
3. Was your debut novel the first book you wrote? (Any prior efforts hiding on your hard drive?)
My debut is my fifth completed novel. I’ve tried on a lot of genres, waiting for the one that felt right: YA sci-fi, drama, women’s fiction, near-future suspense, and finally, mystery. Since 2016 I’ve participated in story competitions, where I was assigned a genre and prompts. Those stories forced me out of my comfort zone. I was attempting new things and continuing to prove to myself that I could come up with viable ideas and see them through. I fell in love with writing mysteries. I Know What You Did is the product of all that work and time and practice.
4. What helped you become a better writer? Any books or resources you found helpful?
Writing and reading are the two most important things any writer can do to get better. I’m far from the first person to say this, but it’s certainly true in my case. But also travel, meeting people from different backgrounds, having conversations, learning about history…any life experience can help you as a writer.
I’ve never found any single book or manual that has become my go-to resource. There are great ones out there, and I’ve read some, but never had a huge Aha! moment with a craft book. Before and After the Book Deal by Courtney Maum is an excellent guidebook through the whole publishing process. And when I feel stuck or in need of a little guidance I usually sign up for an online writing class with One Story. I’m a mom, and I have a full-time job in addition to my writing, so I love that their classes are go-at-your-own-pace and I can fit them in when I have time. I always learn something new.
5. What was your process like getting an agent?
There’s a short answer and a long story. Short answer: At the moment, I don’t have one. I was querying agents while also submitting direct to publishers, and a publisher bit first.
The short version of the long story: After I finished my first book, I tried to get it published. I had no idea what I was in for, or what I was doing. I gave myself a crash-course in querying. After about 60 queries, I got an agent. But the book died on submission. In the meantime, I was writing my next book and then my agent quit the business. Fast forward to book three: I queried and it got me an agent rather quickly—at least compared to my other experience. She was very excited about the book, and believed in me as a writer, but no publishers picked it up. I kept writing. My agent read the book that would become my debut, but said it wasn’t the right book for her to represent. That’s when I started querying and submitting to publishers. Not long after, the wonderful Sara J. Henry at Crooked Lane Books pulled my book out of the slush. She became my editor, and that’s how I got a book deal with no agent.
6. How did you celebrate when you learned your book would be published?
There was no big celebration. I felt this huge flood of relief (I finally did it!) and accomplishment, but I knew the book deal would come with a lot of work and expectations, so I sort of braced myself for that. I’m trying to focus on enjoying every step of the process. I’m learning how all this works in real time, and I don’t know if I’ll really be able to celebrate until publication day.
7. What was the most exciting moment involving the publication of your debut novel? (The moment you first saw the cover? The call when you learned when it was being published? When you cashed your advance check?)
Two moments spring to mind. First, when I saw the finalized cover and could start sharing it was very exciting. It made the whole thing real. And when the advanced copies went out and I saw blurbs and reviews pop up online. Books aren’t meant to be written and put on a shelf, they’re meant to be read and discussed and debated. I know many authors don’t (or claim they don’t) read reviews but I can’t help it—it’s so interesting to see how people respond to the story and my main character. She’s polarizing, and so far I think people either love her or can’t stand her, which is great. “Not everyone’s cup of cold brew,” is how I’ve described her. I’m thrilled she’s getting a reaction out of people.
8. What’s your best advice for someone who wants to be published?
This is not a fun or an exciting answer (sorry), but patience will be the most important skill if you want to stay sane through the process.
Be patient with your book—once it’s drafted the impulse to hurry toward the query process will be strong. Don’t give in! Take your time with the book, put it aside between revision passes, give yourself distance so you can look at it with fresh eyes. This is hard, I know. I’ve made this mistake. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the book is “good enough” and you’ll find an editor or agent who will see the diamond in the rough and work on it with you. Those people get hundreds of emails a day. If you give them any reason to turn down your book, they will. Instead, give them a reason to fall in love. Make sure it’s as good as you can make it before you start querying/submitting.
Be patient with the query process—it will be long and grueling and full of rejection. Keep good records of who you want to submit to and who you have submitted to. I use QueryTracker for novels and Duotrope for stories, but I know others who just use a homemade spreadsheet. Sometimes the responses will take forever and sometimes they come in a matter of hours—so fast they take your breath away, especially the rejections. But gather the energy that made you want to be a published author in the first place, and keep going! It truly is a matter of a pairing the right book with the right agent or editor.
9. What are you currently reading? Or, what's one of the best novels you've read lately?
I’m always reading, and each month I share three books in my newsletter: what I just finished, what I’m currently reading, and what I’m reading next. (You can subscribe at cayceosborne.com.) The best novels I’ve read recently are: Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer made me want to write a treasure hunt novel. And to finish off, two series: The Truly Devious Series by Maureen Johnson (I just read the latest) and the Bernie Rhodenbarr Series by Lawrence Block—I know I’m late to the party, but I just started and am on book four.
10. What are you working on now? Any projects coming out soon?
Nothing on the pub schedule right now, but I am revising what I hope will be the follow-up to my debut. I wrote a women’s fiction novel that never got published, but did get me my second agent. I haven’t been able to let go of it the way I have my other unpublished books. After falling in love with writing mysteries, I started to wonder if maybe that book wanted to be a mystery novel all along. I’ve converted the bones of that novel into a new mystery, and I’m very excited about it.