Slow but Sure

You may notice I don't post entries very often. The sad reason for this is that a writer's life (at least the writing aspect of it) moves at a snail's pace. The truth is, I don't have a ton to update about.

It goes something like this: I write and edit (anywhere between ten minutes and two hours a day). I read (as often as possible--so fun!). I send copies of my work to my friendly readers and, eventually, my agent. Then I wait.

Oh, yes. That's the fun part. The waiting.

Still, I have other projects, ideas, outlines--that sort of thing. I keep busy, but for the individual project time drags.

So, my plan is to try to update this blog more often with little writing thoughts and tidbits.

For example...

I get a kick out of where I find inspiration. I got my latest idea from watching a little boy roar at a couple of little girls at the park the other day! Random. (And no, I'm not telling what the idea is--that's for my future readers to find out! Ha!)

I've gotten ideas from parties I've attended, an odd man I met at my old job, my original home town, and even my experiences as a retail salesperson. I'm inspired by people I know, people I don't know (but see everywhere around me), and people I'd like to know because I imagine them they might be interesting. A failed recipe, a silly phrase my toddler comes out with, a pretty paperweight--anything and everything will work.

Not all of my ideas pan out. Some just want to be outlined, not written. Some (oh horror) have already been done too many times. Some fade away in a few hours, but some stick and flow from my fingers effortlessly.

I didn't used to get ideas this quickly, but finishing your first novel changes the way you think. Suddenly, I see stories everywhere.

I love my job!

A Better Beginning

Once again, I have been tackling the most difficult chapter in any novel. Yes, the dreaded First Chapter. Mine has been written, rewritten, tossed out, written again, tossed out again, and so on. Such is the life of an author. (Though not yet a novelist, having completed a manuscript I think I can consider myself an author.)

Yes, I know. I just spent four months tossing out half of my manuscript and rewriting the entire plot. The book is so much better now and I love it, but I was not in love with that blasted first chapter. It felt rushed, crowded with information, and it just didn't match the rest of the book. And the worst part? Burned out on editing, I had no idea how to fix it.

Enter my brother. My truly brilliant brother read the chapter and knew immediately what I needed--a Call to Action. Meaning: a character, leading a nice, normal life, is suddenly thrust into a strange and life-altering situation. Interesting.

He said the main character was interesting and her situation was mysterious--very good, but who was she before the mysterious events took place? Why should the reader care that she is in danger? Where was she before her Call to Action? He suggested that I write yet another first chapter, this time to introduce the character and hint subtly at the mysterious events to come.

Another First Chapter!!?? NO!!!

I rebelled for approximately six days. Then I gave in. Sometimes you just have to know when to admit someone else is more right than you. Rats!

And so I did it. My darling heroine walks on the stage a little earlier than planned and, wonder of wonders, she dazzles! I love the new first chapter! Hooray for the Call to Action. Hooray for my brother.

The result? My poor, long-suffering agent has to read yet another seven pages before he decides if he likes the result. Sorry, Stan!

Or am I? Shoot, it's a fun story! Let's try this again: Have fun, Stan!

I did.

The Waiting Period

Well, I've gotten the latest version of Wielder to Stan and now comes the dreaded Waiting Period.

Here's what's going to happen: Stan is going to read it and offer a few suggestions. I will adjust the manuscript accordingly and he'll send out the first round of queries. Some will be interested, some will not, and some will never reply at all. He'll send it off to the interested editors and then we wait.

It could be up to three months before we hear from anyone.

So, the big question is--what to do with my summer? According to my husband I should take a break. From what? Breathing? Eating? Writing isn't a hobby--it's a vital part of my life.

I will, however, concede that I need a break from the Holder series. Instead of working on an outline for book 2, I'm going to treat myself to one of my mystery novel concepts.

I've got an outline, a fabulous new set of characters and I'm arranging an interview with a police officer for research. Looks like it's going to be an interesting summer break!

Wish me luck!

Here We Go Again...

It seems to me that the editing process is endless. In fact, it IS endless until the book is actually on shelves waiting to be sold.

I've been writing and editing The Wielder for almost five years now and since it isn't sold yet, I've probably got more to do.

However...

I just finished a very big edit that might have done the trick (hopefully we will find out this summer!) Basically, in the last month I tossed out half of the book and rewrote it. I changed two character names, three plot lines, and tossed out half of the end.

Whew!

The plus side: I LOVE IT!!!!! I think I may finally have hit on just the right characters, plots, and wrapped it up with the perfect ending.



I've said many times before this that I was sure I had it right, but there's a big difference this time. Before I welcomed criticism--now, it's a book I'm willing to defend. (That's not to say I won't listen to critiques, but I would fight any serious changes)

We'll see, of course. There's no knowing until an editor calls with an offer. Still, I'm sending this new draft to my agent tomorrow (after one final read-through) and we'll see what happens.

Epiphany!

You know, the first draft of this book took three years to write. Great job, everyone said. The first draft is the toughest part!

Turns out the editing process comes a close second.

First draft: 3 years
Editing: 2 years...so far!

Wow. Am I that bad a writer?

And every time I finish a big edit, I think "Yes! I finally have it! This is IT! It's done!" And the thrill lasts about five minutes...until someone else reads it.

Ouch.

I want to defend my work--I really do. I want to look the reader in the eye and say "HA! What do you know? You are missing the point and the big picture! I'm not changing a word!"

Why don't I?

Because, all to often, they're right. They know it. I know it. I'd be stupid to ignore their criticism. How else could I get better? How is my book supposed to become "great" if I can't take good advice?

It's bitter sweet, really. I want to be a great writer--who doesn't? I want to be good enough that I don't care what everyone else thinks. I want to say "Who is writing this book anyway?!"

But I also want my books to be the absolute best they can be. Which means, when someone edits my book--no, rips it apart--and I know, deep down, that they're right--I HAVE to fix it.

I suppose it's a mixture of ego and humility. You have to have a certain amount of ego to believe you can write something millions will pay to enjoy. But you also have to be able to take the criticism that goes with the job.

Heck, I'm not even published yet and it already hurts!

Yet, in spite of the pain...here I go again--Epiphany! I couldn't quit if I wanted to. I can make it better. I have to make it better than better.

I'm not going to quit until it's the best it can be.

The One Thing

I am learning that while publishers will forgive some weaknesses (pacing, length, even a few technical errors), the one thing they cannot work with is poor character design.

And it makes sense really.

As a first-time novelist, I have many thousands of things to learn about writing a book, and I can take criticism--I can. But as my many (very patient) editors have torn The Wielder apart, the one thing they couldn't really help with is, you guessed it, character design.

How could they? They had no idea how to 'fix' the people I wrote about. It isn't their job. It's MY job to people my little world with likable, believable personalities.

It's odd, really, because as a mystery writer, I'm usually very good at characters. But I think when I wrote Wielder I made the 'New World' my main character. Oops. The setting should never be the main character--unless you're writing a travel-log.

The moral of the story? If you can't write a good character--don't bother. That doesn't seem like a positive, encouraging moral, does it?

Okay, let's try this: characters drive the story--end of story.

My book is a YA fantasy about jewelry and "magic" powers, right? Sort of, but that's the filling. (yummy cream filling, but still just filling)

It's really about three young cousins, each with their own neurosis, who learn to trust each other and understand that if you don't choose your path, life will choose it for you.

Good to know.

But do you see why, if the characters are poorly written, everything else falls apart?

And this is why I just spent the last month and a half painstakingly rewriting each of those three cousins and giving them life and sparkle.

Now I just have to cross my fingers that I can write interesting, likable characters.

Here we go again. :)

Still Waiting

It hasn't been a month yet since the book went out and (of course) we're still waiting. It took me a few weeks to stop thinking about it constantly. Another few days after that before I could really feel the creative juices flowing. And now I've finally reached the point where I can enjoy writing again.

You know, I've read writers' accounts where they say "Just keep writing through the slumps!" or "write every day, even if you don't feel like it." That's fine, if that helps you.

That didn't work so well for me.

I write because I love to. In the weeks following the submission, I didn't love to anymore. I needed a break.

I did, however, do a lot of reading. I DO recommend that. Reading keeps your thoughts on the written word while allowing you to rest your brain.

I'm back to work now, but I'm working on other projects:
Three other novels ideas and the outline for Book 2

I'm excited to hear about The Wielder, but life goes on. I'd rather the Editors took their time and made a thoughtful decision about my book (even if it means rejection), than rushed through and rejected it without a decent reading.

The your time, Editors! I've got plenty!