I managed to meet my ‘Didn’t go to National novel in a week’ goal. Woo Hoo! No, I didn’t write a novel. My goal was to edit 50 pages and rewrite a chapter. I finished both last night. Today, I will type in all my changes. That should set me up for writing forward from here on out. It’s such a relief.
On the submission front, I heard from my EC editor. She’s going to try to take a look at my submissions next weekend. Yah!!! Fingers crossed she does it.
On a bit of an odd note, I started what I thought was a short story last night. I considered sending it to the market news Paperback Writer mentioned in her blog. (See entry below for more info.) The place wants sexy vampire stories. Anyway…I started writing a story in first person. (I only write in first person for very short bursts.) I’m also not fond of reading first person for some reason. BUT, I think this is actually pretty good. I had my dh read the couple pages I wrote. (He loves me, so he will tell me the truth.) He said he thought it was very sexy and that I should turn it into something. Now I’m wondering if I can write first person long enough to make it a novella or more. Hmm…
I know I’ve asked you all if you’ve ever written in a genre you thought you could never write in. This time I’d like to know, have you ever changed POV and had it change your writing significantly for the better?
Archive for July, 2005
The news from RWA National is beginning to trickle in. So far, I haven’t heard anything about the presentations, general meeting, or editor and agent appointments. The only thing anyone is talking about is the booksigning and the schmoozing that is taking place. Not sure what that says about the conference itself. Perhaps it’s too early to tell. Shrug.
Paperback Writer has some interesting market news on her site if you happen to write vampire short stories. She’s also doing a wonderful chat about writing and the business of writing. Not to be missed.
I’m in limbo. I still haven’t heard from my editor about my two submissions. (No, I’m not talking about the one that caused anxiety last Monday.) These are different stories. (wide grin) I did manage to read through my changed chapter. I still can’t decide if I like it. I do think it works better than the other version, so I suppose that’s a start. I’m going to continue on and try to get as many pages of the remaining manuscript edited as I can before six. Fingers crossed, I make quite a dent in three hours. Hope your day has been productive. I know mine has. Later gators.
I’ve managed to rewrite chapter four of my paranormal. I couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t working for me. I’d tweaked it several times and nothing seemed to help. Then it occurred to me that I’d started the chapter in the wrong POV (point of view). I changed it around yesterday and plan to read it today to see if that ‘fixed’ the problem. The scene’s important since it’s where the hero and heroine officially meet. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I’m going in.
Yes, I’m on a diet. No, I’m not going to tell you how much I need to lose because it would depress ‘me’ too much. I was embarrassed just telling one of my critique partners. :-O (I told you the picture was OLD.) Anyhow, to jump start this new ‘lifestyle change’, dh and I decided to order Atkin’s Home Delivery. We needed the extra help given our track record. :-/ What does that mean? It means the fine folks at Atkins prepare a week’s worth of meals and deliver them every Friday. No grocery shopping involved for at least a month. Yah!!!
I honestly think this is the first time I’ve ever eaten appropriate portions. If you live in the US, you know the size of portions here at meals. It’s been quite an adjustment. I have been slightly hungry, but not ravenous. No headaches, thank goodness. We started this ‘lifestyle change’ on Saturday and I’ve already lost 6 pounds. I know most of it is probably water weight, but I’ll take it. The vitamin supplements are easy to keep up with. (You have to take those if you EVER go on the Atkin’s diet.)
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. (I’d braced myself for the worst.) It’s been nice and quite flavorful. The first two weeks keep you at 20 carbs or less for the day, then the next two weeks move you to 40 carbs. I’m sure it’ll feel like we’re hitting an all-you-can-eat buffet when we move to the 40 carb a day meals. LOL! We’ve decided that after this month is up, we will renew for one more month. Need to keep that weight loss ball rolling.
Have you all ever tried a ‘diet’ that didn’t really feel like you were on a diet? If you’ve lost a substantial amount of weight, how did you do it?
Feeling a little Bridget Jones’ Diary here with everyone leaving to go to the RWA conference in Reno. Actually, most people left yesterday. I keep telling myself the ‘quiet’ is perfect for getting a lot of writing done, but so far I haven’t done anything other than beat the computer game Luxor twice. (If you knew how hard that game was you’d be duly impressed. 
The weird thing is I chose not to go to the conference. I didn’t HAVE to stay home. I wanted to, so I don’t know why I’m feeling left behind. I have been going through this very strange mood lately where I want to get rid of everything. This has happened before, but normally the mood’s only been directed toward my closet. This time around it’s different. I have the overwhelming urge to unsubscribe/withdraw from EVERYTHING.
I don’t think many of the groups I belong to are serving a purpose in my life. They did when I joined, but over the years became more of a habit than anything else.
Has this happened to any of you? Did you start out part of something, then realize later it really wasn’t for you or what you needed anymore?
I am coming to the time where I’m going to have to break down and buy something that allows me to write AWAY from the computer. I’m not ’strong’ enough to resist the temptations of internet hook-up. Sigh.
With that in mind, I’ve been looking at the AlphaSmart page. The decision is between the Dana sans wireless or the Neo. Any help you all can give me would be greatly appreciated. For those of you who own one of these little gems, how did you go about deciding which model to purchase? Is there a specific reason you purchased the Dana/Neo? Why didn’t you buy the other model? Thanks in advance.
I have had a crap writing week. :-/ I only managed to get 1K+change done. My mind can’t seem to focus on anything (much like my reading habits lately), even though I’m excited about this project. I realized today that I’ve been ‘coming down’ from my submission on Monday. It’s as if my body flooded with adrenaline (such a nice word for stress) and there was nowhere for it to go. I still feel tense, but it’s beginning to diminish.
No news yet on the EC front. My editor did say it would take her 4 to 6 weeks to get back to me on my submissions. Today marks week four. (Not that I’m counting.
I think learning how to cope with this aspect of publishing will be my next big challenge. It’s not like it is EVER going to change. You will always have to submit, wait, wait, wait, and wait to see if you’ve been accepted for publication. It’s a long and odious process that every writer must go through. I know Sylvia said she can’t write for a week afterwards.
Do you guys notice a change in your writing habits after you’ve submitted your work? If so, what ways have you developed to combat that adrenaline rush?
Well not really. I’m actually sitting here at my desk, dreaming of cooler weather. Have I accomplished any writing yet today? No. I’m currently the guest speaker on the online group Ask An Author. We’re talking about blogs and blogging. Answering all the great questions has actually kept me incredibly busy. Who’d have thought? LOL!
A friend mine, author Laurie Campbell is running an online synopsis writing class, starting Aug. 1st and ending Aug. 29th. I don’t know about you, but I hate writing those &$%# things and my skill lies right below SUCK! She’s actually an amazing presenter, very thorough in her approach. Here’s the syllabus:
Mon 8/1: Introduction (what we’re gonna do) Tue 8/2: You’re Not Alone (introduce yourself) Thu 8/4: Advertising (name a good ad) Fri 8/5: Know Your Product (characters) Mon 8/8: Target Market (identify your own) Tue 8/9: Unique Selling Points (first worksheet) Thu 8/11: Condensing USPs (no homework) Fri 8/12: Summary/Opening (second worksheet) Mon 8/15: Attracting Interest (vote like an editor) Thu 8/18: Just The Beginning (name a bad ad) Fri 8/19: Brainstorming (third worksheet) Mon 8/22: Strategy (last worksheet of the class!) Wed 8/24: Your Synopsis (outline; no homework) Fri 8/25: Format & More (time for Q&A) Mon 8/29: The Answers (wrapup & door prizes)
The cost is $25, which is pretty reasonable, considering all you get. If you want to check it out, you can email her at: LaurieSchneblyCampbell@yahoo.com
I wanted to thank everyone who took the time to comment on my Dream Publisher subject. Your thoughts were quite eye-opening and made me re-evaluate what I was really looking for in a publishing house. 
I have a question for those of you into paranormals. Do you know any good ‘monster’ research books? LOL! Yes, I know it’s a strange question.
I own several vampire books, including two encyclopedias. I also own a decent werewolf encyclopedia and ‘The Field Guide to Demons’. (Light reading. LOL!;) I have an Encyclopedia of Mythology, but I’m looking for something that specifically covers ‘monsters’. If you have any suggestions, please send them my way. I’m tired of buying books that claim to cover vampires, werewolves, and monsters, only to find two pages dedicated to monsters and the rest spent on vamps and weres.
I’ve been asking myself that question ever since I read the note on Sasha’s blog saying she’d landed her dream publisher, Berkley. I used to have a ‘dream’ publisher, but now, not so much. Hmm, when did that change? Currently, I like several different publishing houses and would love to write for them all. *ggg* I just don’t know if I have a favorite. I believe what I look for in a publisher has changed. I’m sure this comes from gaining a grain of publishing experience.
My pie in the sky dream would be to find a publisher who REALLY loves my work. Duh! I’ve been fortunate to have a couple of publishers who appreciate my writing. I’m truly grateful for that experience. But, I’ve yet to encounter the publisher who loves my work. Come out, come out wherever you are. That’s definitely my dream.
Who are your dream publishers and why? Do you have a dream publisher? If not, what do you look for in a publisher?
Every muscle in my body is tense. My stomach is knotted and threatening to rebel. My palpitating heart refuses to slow. What has me so stressed out? I’ve officially sent off my werewolf partial. :-O
Dh tells me I must forget about it now that it’s out of my hands. Logically, I know he’s right, but that’s hard to do when I have to work on the book. Goodness, what was I thinking? (Mouth watering…must swallow.)
Nervously looking left and right. I have a major confession to make. The only publisher I EVER submitted unsolicited work to was Ellora’s Cave. Yep, now you know the ugly truth. I have little to no experience querying publishing houses. I had to get out a book to see how it was done. (blush) You’re probably wondering how I managed to avoid this ‘common’ road to publishing for so long. It’s simple really, I entered contests instead.
Now that you know the ugly truth, I’ll understand if you never want to speak to me again. Cringe. If you’re brave enough to look upon the horror and stick around, I could use your assistance. How did you get over the stress of submitting a manuscript? Do you ever get over the stress of submitting? If you haven’t submitted work yet, do you have a plan to get you over that first hurdle? Time to share your secrets.
