An agent is like fine wine (not really)

Now, some agents do like fine wine, but this is not that kind of blog.

My fellow Tenner, the fabulous Kody Keplinger of the I-So-Cannot-Wait-To-Read-And-Has-Been-Optioned-For-Film The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) coming Fall 2010, came up with a lovely idea to have a whole day dedicated to the awesomeness that is our agents.

What is not to love about this blog topic, I ask you?? I’m so in.

My agent is Holly Root of Waxman Literary Agency. Not only is she hilarious and charming, she’s an ideal business partner for me. Our strengths complement each other’s beautifully. Here are just some of the many reasons I heart her:

1) PATIENCE - There are many days where I am Kay of a Billion Questions. It’s hard being a writer with an MBA because I always want to know about the business side of how this all works and, truthfully, authors simply aren’t privy to a lot of that. Holly does a fabulous FABULOUS job sharing what she can and easing my mind about the things we just don’t know.

2) LAUGHS - Holy moley, I can’t tell you how big this one is for me. Being a debut author is like being on a 20-month roller coaster ride. Some days are up, some days are down, and some days you’re pretty sure the quesadilla you had for lunch is on its way back up. The best medicine for this crazy adventure? Laughter. It helps a great deal that we have a similar sense of humor because there have been times when I was so distraught/anxious/frustrated/(insert ill feeling here) and she has sent me an email in response that literally made me laugh out loud. Laughter in business is highly underrated, I’m telling you.

3) CHEERLEADING - I know this seems like my forte as a former cheer girl myself, but when you’re having doubts about your skills as a writer or about the crapola level of your current manuscript, having an agent who is there to help you get back on track mentally is awesome.

4) BRAINSTORMING - We’ve always been really good about brainstorming together, but the more time goes by the more I appreciate how fortunate that is. We have this natural way of going:

ME: “So here’s what I’m thinking…”
H: “Ooo… I like that! You know what would be neat…”
ME: “OMG, yes! And then she’d have to…”
H: “LOVE!!!”

This has happened on more occasions than I can count. Not only is it super helpful, but it always gets me jazzed up to get back to work. LOVE. THIS.

5) CUPCAKES - You may think this is a shallow and empty (caloried) reason to heart your agent. But I promise you are missing something if you write it off willy nilly. Or even just nilly. Cupcakes = love + kindness + fluffy “who cares about tomorrow, I just want to be happy right now” goodness. Cupcakes are, in many ways, just like a writing career. There are days when you just want to wallow in a good cupcake moment, especially when the chips are down. Having an agent who understands your cupcake needs is worth its price in frosting. (Plus, when you go visit them, cupcake bakery outings make for a fun agent/author getaway. Ours is scheduled for next spring.)

So there you go. Just a few of the ma-a-any reasons why I heart my agent. I seriously would have run away screaming into the night on many occasions if not for her support, guidance, and well placed one-liners.

Rock on, Agent Extraordinaire. Rock on.

For more reasons why we love our agents, be sure to check out Lisa and Laura Roecker‘s blog today too! They’re compiling a list of links to all of the agent love blogs for Kody’s brainchild. I’m heading over there now.

Entry Filed under: Random Musings