 If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build a writing life that lasts, today’s conversation with Emerald Dodge is for you. Emerald is a Virginia-based writer, Navy wife, and mother of two who has been telling stories her whole life. From fanfiction at thirteen to eighteen novels across genres, four self-published titles, and a traditionally published novel on the horizon, she’s walked the path many of us are on. She’s faced hundreds of query rejections, and the everyday realities of protecting writing time while raising young children. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the query trenches, Emerald’s honesty and practical wisdom will encourage you to keep showing up for your stories.  If you could go back to your early writing days, what one piece of advice would you give your beginner self? Don't wait for "inspiration." Sit down and write. Your brain is a muscle, and like any other muscle, it can be trained. From querying agents to hitting bestseller lists, what was your biggest publishing hurdle, and how did you overcome it? My biggest hurdle was finding an agent. I queried over three hundred and fifty agents for BATTLECRY, and I only ended up getting one because--this is nuts--a Hollywood producer contacted me about adapting it. I changed the tone of my query from "please sign me" to "hey, I've got a Hollywood producer knocking on my door." That worked. After years in the industry, what keeps you excited about fiction writing? I'm a natural storyteller. I daydream all day long to pass the time, and I often turn my daydreams into novels. I love to connect with readers and entertain them. Every writer faces self-doubt. What’s a moment in your career when you questioned your work the most, and how did you overcome? I became very, very close to getting signed by my dream agency. When they ultimately rejected me, I began to question the value of my manuscript and writing ability. Would anyone ever represent BATTLECRY? I put down my writing for seven months, licking my wounds. I overcame the rejection by simply focusing on my writing and improving my craft.
What’s the hardest storytelling lesson you’ve learned—perhaps a technique or perspective you initially resisted—and how did embracing it elevate your fiction? I ignored feedback from my beta readers about a particular plot point in BATTLECRY that wasn't landing well with them. I was convinced that nobody "got" the plot. Looking back, it was a bad plot that needed to go. I'm not sure, but I think that plot point was why so many agents rejected the manuscript. That's a tough fact to swallow. Now I'm much, much more open to feedback from trusted readers at the beta level. What advice would you give new writers chasing their first big break? Don't let failure or rejection stop you. Between rejections from agents and rejections from publishers, I've been rejected over five hundred times. I have spent that time building my catalogue and honing my craft. Very, very few authors get signed to an agent or a publisher quickly. Looking back, what’s one choice you made early in your career—about your writing, publishing, or mindset—that you credit for your longevity as an author? I decided very early on that I am my first and foremost fan. I write to please myself first. If I don't enjoy the book I'm writing, something is wrong.
Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of? I'm proud that I built a massive catalogue of excellent fiction while raising two children. I schedule my writing time so that I write while my children are at school, leaving me a present and active mother while they're home. I think I have an excellent work/life balance. What rituals or tools help you stay productive without burning out? I schedule regular writing time. After my children go to school and I've gotten ready for the day, I sit down in my office and say to myself, "I am going to write a chapter today." And then I don't stop until I've done that. I typically stop at one chapter per day, though if I'm particularly in the zone, I may write two. How do you tackle writer's block when you're stuck mid-plot or with a flat character? I rarely have writer's block, but when I do, it's because I'm bored with the material. I simply delete the boring part and write it again, perhaps with something more exciting, like a sudden character death or a car chase or something.  Emerald Dodge is a Virginia-based writer, Navy wife, and mother of two energetic young sons. She has been telling stories for as long as she can remember and began writing for an audience at the age of thirteen, when she discovered the world of online fanfiction. What started as a hobby soon grew into a lifelong passion for creating memorable characters and immersive worlds. Over the years, Emerald has written eighteen novels spanning multiple genres, from fantasy and science fiction to historical fiction and mystery. While many of those manuscripts remain unpublished, they reflect more than two decades of dedication to the craft and a deep love of storytelling. She is also the author of four self-published books and has a traditionally published novel forthcoming under a pen name. When she isn't writing, Emerald can usually be found exploring Virginia with her family, reading, or cheering on her children's latest interests and adventures. Her experiences as a military spouse, mother, and lifelong observer of the extraordinary in everyday life continue to shape the stories she tells and the characters who inhabit them.  This post was complied by Brandy Vallance, a literary agent with Barbara Bova Literary Agency, an award-winning author, and Executive Aide for Writing Day Workshops. Brandy is the winner of two national writing awards, one of which included a $20,000 prize. Her novel, THE COVERED DEEP, has been featured in USA Today & Writer’s Digest. WITHIN THE VEIL has been called “passionate and riveting” and Publisher’s Weekly encourages those who like sweeping Scottish sagas to dive in because “the journey is wonderful.” Brandy loves helping writers break the chains of fear and self-doubt. You can find out more at brandyvallance.com.  Pitch Agents at a Writers Conference in 2026:
Check Out Other Great WDW Articles & Resources:
Comments are closed.
|
