The End
Well after many sleepless, okay near sleepless nights I have finished the first draft of Pelegra and the Son of Merek. Now I just have to finish editing. The beginning is already edited I think it is currently at version three or so. The rest of it still needs a couple of edits.
Regardless, I can’t even express the joy that I felt when I read the last sentence. The last sentence of my book.
I plan on being finished with edits (since that and work is pretty much my life) by the beginning of December. Then I will start submitting again.
Well that’s all for now, lots to do….
Keep Reading,
Jina
Sick, sick, sick…
I’m home sick with bronchitis and sinusitis and it sucks.
On the writing front, I have made some good progress with edits.
I belong to a writers group that meets approximately two times a month and it has been a great experience. Getting feedback from other writers is very valuable and helpful. If you are serious about writing and publishing then I recommend it.
Well my cough medicine has kicked in so I’m going to go back to sleep now.
Keep Reading…
One down and one to go….
Well I heard back from one of the agents that I submitted to and they declined. That’s ok. It’s very subjective and I’ll keep trying. I am happy they took the time to consider me. I’m still waiting to hear back from the other one.
I’ve been crazy busy with work and life in general but I”m getting back into my writing. I’ve been sick and that didn’t help matters either.
Even though I’ve been busy. I remember one of the prints on my wall, “Ambition, the world makes way for those who know where they are going” I don’t know who the print is by. It helps me focus and remember that I know where I’m going. It’s simply a matter of the first step.
Well back to writing, until next time….
Personal Pick Me Ups…
I think that every person (writer or not) deals with days they are down, grouchy, cranky, and completely bitchy. It happens. It’s part of life. When I am in an exceptionally bad mood I can’t focus. Not on my writing. Not on cleaning the house. Not on anything. I’m not really good for anything but sulking.
However, one of the ways I have learned to combat this crankiness is to focus and think about things that make me happy. I also try and do things that I find relaxing (right now I’m listening to a brain sync meditation track by Kelly Howell–www.brainsync.com and I’m blogging.)
I journal. Regularly. On the back inside cover of my journal I’ve written notes to myself. Things like remember if you are bitchy then pause, breathe deeply, and imagine Pelegra. That almost always calms me down. I’ve written things I’m thankful for. I remind myself that writing is my dream and worth every second of effort. Most importantly I remind myself to believe. Believe in my dream. Believe in myself.
Anyway, so I suggest that you have a happy book–a small notebook with happy thoughts–or even just one page. something you can go to for a personal pick me up.
I’ve also taken to buying inspirational prints. Technically I think they are motivational prints and I realize that sounds cheesy but I really like the two that I have. One of them is of rings left in water after a drop has fallen and says “Serenity: the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” and the other one is of a dock looking across a body of water at a mountain and says “ambition: the world makes way for those who know where they are going.” Oddly enough I bought both of them at Blockbuster.
So when I am down I read my notes to myself and study my prints and they help me remember to keep working toward my goals and believe that I can accomplish them.
The Magic Words
Requested Material. Two. Magic. Words.
Ok, so there are other magic words we all wish to hear, like “I love your book I want to publish it” but hey, baby steps.
For right now the magic words are requested material. Out of the slush pile, or well maybe at least moved to the top. I hope.
I mailed off my two submissions today, to the agents that requested them from the Willamette Writers Conference. I used priority mail so they should have them by Friday at the latest.
So now it’s the waiting game…
Things I ‘ve learned the past week or two…
Ok. I think I’m done rambling now.
Word Count
I have found a couple of places that have extremely useful and I feel reliable, information regarding word count.
http://www.renlearn.com/store/quiz_home.asp
This is a great database where you can look up the word count of books already in print. It’s always a good idea to see how long current books are running in the genre that you are writing.
http://www.agentquery.com/format_tips.aspx
This site has some great information on word counts, formatting, and submissions. I found it very helpful.
Manuscript Boxes
Well, I thought that it was going to be difficult to find the Manuscript Box creature, as it has been elusive in the past. However, I was wrong and happy to be so. I live in Northwest Oregon. I live in Yamhill County an area known for its wines but not necessarily exhaustive stationary supplies. Anyway, I figured the most logical place to look The UPS Store. Score 1. They do have top and bottom boxes that fit letter size paper. Yay!
Next stop, because I needed printer paper and it’s across the street was Staples. So I decided what the heck, let’s look at boxes. Low and behold, score two! They have corrugated mailing boxes (white) that are 11 1/8 x 8 7/8 x 2 1/4. They are very sturdy and come in a package of 5. I paid $8.49 for them. Oh and they were the “stapels” brand. They were with all of the other shipping/packaging stuff.
So I was very pleased that I didn’t have to drive far to find a manuscript box.
My Calm
I haven’t made a lot of time for writing lately. I’ve been focusing more on the business end of things, but now I am writing. I am momentarily pausing to try and explain how I am feeling. To best do this I pose this question to you: What are you truly passionate about?
I am truly passionate about writing. Writing for me is magic, being able to weave stories on paper, pluck characters out of my imagination. The simple act of putting pen to paper or hands to keyboard. It clears my mind and the world make sense. The quiet of it is amazing. Sitting here, with enya playing in the background, simply creating. Completely in control of a world of my own making. Believing with every ounce of my being that some day soon people will be able to buy my books. They will pick them up and feel some of the wonderment I do as they read them. I am passionate about writing. This is what I am meant to do and everytime I sit down and focus on my story I remember that. I feel that absolute joy mixed with absolute calm. The ultimate stress reliever and the ultimate high. I am persuing my dream, full force and loving every second of it.
So I ask you, what are you passionate about?
Website Redesign
I redesigned my website for better navigation and layout
While I feel like I accomplished nothing today there are two key things I did get done. One is I ordered my business cards. Two is I completely redesigned my website. It looks completely different and I removed the flash. So while it sucks that I’m saying goodbye to my turning pages it’s overall a good thing. The links in the book kept breaking and quite frankly I don’t have the time to deal with flash components right now. So easy navigation and overall readability wins out. Drop by and let me know what you think of the new layout and let me know if any links are broken. Now I need to sleep since I have work tomorrow. Why I couldn’t have done all this Saturday night is beyond me. LOL!
www.jinaoravetz.com