Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite
Well, I entered the secret agent contest at miss snark’s first victim and received feedback that I was going through the refrigerator too early. I needed to let my reader get to know Aiden more. Sooooo, I am working on rewriting the beginning of Pelegra, again. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve rewritten the beginning. Oh well, with each rewrite, it gets better. I do not have the new beginning posted here yet. Probably after Tuesday. I am also reading another book (more than one actually) The anatomy of story by John Trudy, which is quite excellent and reinforces the fact that you must fully develop your characters–all of them–in order to have a vivid story that your readers will care about. I’m also reading a YA fiction book titled Pucker by Melanie Gideon. I just started it and like it so far. I’m also mapping out another book–non pelegra related. I found a great mind mapping site called WiseMapping.com. If you want to mind map and don’t want to pay for software, this site is a great solution. Well back to the “writing” board.
~Keep Reading.
My life seems to revolve around waiting
Well, I sent off three more submissions. I’ve decided, for every rejection I get, I’ll try to send off three more submissions. So, now I wait.
Success!
Well, somehow I managed to condense the prologue and first chapter into two paragraphs. I’ve run it by my critique group and a few other people, and it appears to be a success.
Befuddled
So, if you have perused the “I recommend books for writers” section you will see I have added a couple of books. Since reading these books I have been able to write a succinct synopsis (which I am astounded at accomplishing) and have determined that I have throw out the prologue and majority of chapter one and essentially re-write the beginning of my book. I wasn’t happy about that to say the least, but after combing through the subplots and really getting to the nitty gritty, I discovered I have a bunch of useless information that, while interesting, is not vital to moving the story along. So that is where I sit. Befuddled as I examine past drafts to determine how I’m going to do this.
A reminder to all
Hello again, well I thought perhaps some of you were balking at my short post over being rejected. I had several friends express outrage, but I just kind of chuckled at them, and stated the obvious: The publishing world is very subjective and you can’t take rejection personally. So I just want to remind all of you out there, that yes while reading any rejection letter is like a punch in the stomach that forces the wind out of you, you have to remember to take a deep breath, get past it, and remain the professional. ~keep reading
Moving On
Well the agent who requested the manuscript decided it wasn’t for him. Oh well. Moving on to the next submission. I haven’t decided who that will be yet, but I do have a few ideas. 🙂
And the Wait Begins…
I finished edits on Saturday and mailed my manuscript out on Monday. It was delivered yesterday morning. I always use priority mail when I mail things like this out. So now, I hope, pray, and wait…
:-) Mailing off a Manuscript
Well, this day definitely took a turn for the better. I woke up with a headache (and a neck ache and an upper back ache) so I took pain killers and a muscle relaxer. I sat through Easter dinner in a bit of daze (muscle relaxers make me very tired). I came home and took a nap. I woke up and checked my email. Ok, I know cut to the chase already, right? The last agent I queried to has requested to see the manuscript. I am ECSTATIC. Now, I realize that there is no guarantee that he’ll like it, but I can hope. After all, I personally feel the manuscript is better than my query letter, but the query letter got me this far. Regardless, I’m so happy I can’t express it to you. My day took one heck of upturn.
Books On Writing
If you are a writer, it may seem futile to read books on the subject of writing, but in reality, they can be very helpful. On this site, there is a page called I recommend. Under that is a subpage called books for writers. These are titles that I found particularly helpful on crafting prose and editing. I have read several books on writing and continue to do so, but only the ones I feel are the most beneficial are posted here. I update fairly regularly–depending on what I’ve read recently. So check back often.
~Keep Reading
Finding a Way Through Chaos
Chaos. I think that describes how I’ve been feeling perfectly. Whenever life itself overwhelms me and I’m filled with anxiety, doubts, anger, and well every negative emotion possible. I seem to forget, the simplest way to remove all of it. Write. I know that probably sounds corny or stupid, but when know you are meant to do something and you are doing it, everything else just seems to fall away and the world is right again. I know I’ve written about this before, but I often forget my own lessons. I haven’t spent enough time writing lately. Yeah, Monday I had a good excuse. Last night, however, not so much. Tonight and this weekend I am going to finish my final edit of Pelegra and the Son of Merek and rewrite my synopsis. By the way, I hate writing synopses. I really do. It’s so difficult to walk that fine line between enough and too much, plus there’s the whole condensing a book down to a page description. I know, I know, it can’t be that hard right? Oh, I did send off a query to a new agent. I’m hopeful. A member of the writing critique group that I belong to suggested him. So, the waiting begins or I suppose continues.
~Keep Reading