Next Project

While Stan is reading the Wielder, I find my self preparing to write the next book. But before I do so, I have some research to do.

Nothing too academic, of course. I find if I bury myself in facts I have a hard time jumping back into the world of fiction. No, this research is actually going to be nothing but fun.

First, I intend to interview my brother (who lived in London for two years some time ago and recently spent a few weeks there, touristing). I want to know fun things, like what does London smell like? How easy is it to get a cab, or get around without one? Where would you go for fun? What are your favorite museums?

And, of course, tell me everything about the Tower of London.

You see, Book 2 takes place mostly in the Tower and the rest is a romp around London Town. This is going to be a LOT of fun!

Also, I am in the process of creating a Character Notebook. I'll sit down with Book 1 and take thorough notes on every character, from their eye color to the their favorite color. But also I need notes on each main character's story arc.

Once I have this organized, I can begin work on Book 2.

But don't be fooled. Book 2 is already half written. It's a fun, 'keep me busy' sort of project while I wait for Stan's verdict.

Gotta keep busy!

Nerves

Stan has the manuscript. He will, at some point or another, sit down and read some of it (or even all of it).

Oh dear.

Sometimes I think I'm a good writer. Then I read good (and great) writing and feel miserably inadequate.

After all, I remember, I'm not published. I have a marvelous agent, but have yet to convince him my manuscript is ready to be seen. I love my book, but it pales in comparison to my favorite novels.

Of course, even if I get published, that doesn't mean anyone will read it and like it. Even if Stan sends out the manuscript, that doesn't mean it will impress anyone.

At least I love it. That should be enough...right?

Groan.

I just have so much to learn, and I'm afraid I'll never learn it.

If you can't tell, my nerves are eating me up.

All, right. Enough wallowing. Chin up, teeth clenched, and back to work!

Proud of Myself

And I should be!

Yes, I just finished trimming (hacking) 10 percent of my manuscript away. It is DONE. I even went through afterward and cut as many "he/she nodded" and "just" as I could. (I found myself using those a lot--guess we all have weaknesses.)

I cut my 112,600 word manuscript down to 100,400 words. And it shrank from 401 pages to 364.

What an experience! I told my Hubs that it felt like smoothing out a sculpture, and the story is better without my habit of stating the obvious and my apparent need to repeat myself three or four times.

Now I just need my agent to agree that it's finally ready, and someone really ought to check it for technical errors. I would do it myself, but I don't speak 'comma' or 'semi-colon', and I don't trust the 'Grammar Check' program.

Of course, I hesitate to say it's 'done'. I keep thinking it is, and then it isn't, but I'm hopeful. I'd really like to get started on book 2, but I'll wait and see what happens with Wielder first, and in the meantime, I'm going to celebrate by sleeping every chance I get.

I'll let you know when I hear from Stan 'The Amazing Agent'!

G'night!

Editing Out Loud

So, having rewritten the heroine, the villain, and the best friend, I have now begun the trimming process.

Not as easy as it sounds.

You take up your manuscript and think, 'sure. I could do without this word or that.' But that is not enough. We're talking MAJOR cutting here. Hundred of words...thousands.

Some writers can do this with ease...I suppose. But I am not one of them. It took some time and a few trial edits, but I did, in the end, figure out my own secret to trimming the fat.

I'm reading it out loud to my husband.

It's taking forever, yes, but it's working. See, his job (actual, money-making employment) is editing back his own work--and he's very good at it. I'll admit there are times I fight his comments, and sometimes (very rarely) I win, but for the most part we agree to cut words, phrases, even (horror) whole paragraphs.

With the first five chapters, five hundred words were eliminated! Not bad!

The reading aloud part is crucial. It allows me to catch when I miss a word as well as holes I've left in the story and little mistakes that become HUGE when others read your work--like 'he was painting the house blue on page 3, but his paint brush is red two pages later!' Ugh, I hate stuff like that!

So, the work continues. One of these days, people. I am going to get this right. I AM!!!