One month ago (June 24th) my daughter, Audrey, finally joined our family and I took a month off everything. She's a great baby: sleeps pretty well, eats plenty, and watches the world through calm, interested blue eyes. We're all glad she's here--even our two-year-old!
My recovery, though slow, is progressing and the writing itch is gradually returning, but the lack of sleep and periodic illnesses in our house have kept it from taking full form. Much as I would like to bury myself in character and plot, I find my alone-time taken up with sleeping, eating, and the rarest of all blessings--showering!
Still, the itch must and will be satisfied soon. My other two children started letting me sleep at about four months old. With luck, Audrey will take a hint and follow their example, but I may not wait that long anyway. Sometimes, sleep or no sleep, you just have to write.
I'm not there yet. No.
But I will be soon.
In the meantime, I'll fill my days with cuddling Audrey and chasing my crazy boys around the house and backyard (gotta get back in shape somehow, right?), all while waiting to hear Stan's thoughts on the manuscript.
Yes, he's still reading it and I'm hoping to hear that he's ready to shop it around with publishers. Waiting and hoping--the fate of all would-be-published writers. Hmm. If I didn't have a baby to cuddle, I don't know if I could handle it just now.
Thankfully I do have my darling daughter and I can be patient. I can. I swear!
Yeah, right. :P
Monday, July 25, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Waiting
Baby hasn't come yet (groan) and I can't stop thinking about the manuscript. As I said in a previous post, no manuscript is perfect and all I can think about are the mistakes I made.
I know of at least one (admittedly small) error I missed: adding an apostrophe where I shouldn't have. And I have some doubts about one or two scenes. They might be too long or give away too much information. The book might be too long or the plot too complicated.
Once the baby gets here, I'm sure I'll be able to stop fussing over these things--at least until I get feedback from editors telling me what I did wrong ;)
But that's months away. What's a super-pregers writer to do?
Well, this one is going to get a pedicure this afternoon and forget her worries in a big bowl of fresh watermelon. Ha!
I know of at least one (admittedly small) error I missed: adding an apostrophe where I shouldn't have. And I have some doubts about one or two scenes. They might be too long or give away too much information. The book might be too long or the plot too complicated.
Once the baby gets here, I'm sure I'll be able to stop fussing over these things--at least until I get feedback from editors telling me what I did wrong ;)
But that's months away. What's a super-pregers writer to do?
Well, this one is going to get a pedicure this afternoon and forget her worries in a big bowl of fresh watermelon. Ha!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
At Last
I DID IT!
The manuscript is in Stan's capable hands and my baby could come any day. Talk about cutting it close!
I'm so relieved I'm actually as a loss for words. I'll update when I have more to say.
:D
The manuscript is in Stan's capable hands and my baby could come any day. Talk about cutting it close!
I'm so relieved I'm actually as a loss for words. I'll update when I have more to say.
:D
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Good Enough?
Here we go...sprinting to the finish!
I've completed my overhaul of the synopsis, outline, bio, and query letter. My husband is more than halfway through the manuscript and I'm already working on the part he's finished. In other words--nearly there!
And a good thing too. My baby girl is due in six weeks and they way things are looking, she may not be willing to stay inside that long. We've already had one bout of 'false labor' that seemed pretty real to me (even the doctors were nervous). I'm being told to rest, drink lots of fluids, and stay calm. (Right! With two toddler boys running around? Ha!)
Stick it out, little girl!
Still, all this time 'resting' has given me more time to work on the manuscript.
Confession: the closer I get to being done, the more nervous I feel. Knowing this is the last rewrite for some time kind of scares me. I've written enough to know perfection is never really attainable--for me anyway. I can get close, but there's always an error to fix or a phrase that could be just a little clearer. My mother (an amazing writer herself) calls it layers of editing.
So here we are, about to send my work out to editors, and I just can't be sure what layer of editing I've reached. I feel good about this book now--confident that it's the best it's ever been. But is it good enough?
I guess we'll find out...eventually.
First I have to finish! Ha ha!
I've completed my overhaul of the synopsis, outline, bio, and query letter. My husband is more than halfway through the manuscript and I'm already working on the part he's finished. In other words--nearly there!
And a good thing too. My baby girl is due in six weeks and they way things are looking, she may not be willing to stay inside that long. We've already had one bout of 'false labor' that seemed pretty real to me (even the doctors were nervous). I'm being told to rest, drink lots of fluids, and stay calm. (Right! With two toddler boys running around? Ha!)
Stick it out, little girl!
Still, all this time 'resting' has given me more time to work on the manuscript.
Confession: the closer I get to being done, the more nervous I feel. Knowing this is the last rewrite for some time kind of scares me. I've written enough to know perfection is never really attainable--for me anyway. I can get close, but there's always an error to fix or a phrase that could be just a little clearer. My mother (an amazing writer herself) calls it layers of editing.
So here we are, about to send my work out to editors, and I just can't be sure what layer of editing I've reached. I feel good about this book now--confident that it's the best it's ever been. But is it good enough?
I guess we'll find out...eventually.
First I have to finish! Ha ha!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Whole Package
Getting down to the wire here, but very close to being done. My husband has the manuscript now and he's my last reader. While he's reading it over, I'm rewriting my outline and synopsis. At least my bio is up to date, so that's one thing I don't have to worry about.
You know, it was only after I found my agent that discovered I had to have what I call the Package: an outline, synopsis, and bio. I mean, come on! I already wrote an entire book--several times over if you count the different drafts. That, at least, was fun. Grrrr.
So be warned, future novelists, and be prepared. While you're sending out those queries to agents or editors, get your Package ready.
I like to start with the outline. It's easy enough. I scan through the book and express each chapter in concise, outline form. Then I read it through, removing unnecessary details, and there I have a working outline.
From the outline I construct my synopsis. Now, I've done this a few times, but I'll be honest--I'm not very good at it. How can I realistically summarize my entire novel in only four or five pages (or less) and still maintain a story-like flow? Not easy. I recommend looking up the tried-and-true techniques used by published novelists. They've already proven that can write a worthwhile synopsis, which I have yet to do--sigh.
The bio is simpler. It's basically your writing resume, but without the fancy fonts and layout. Just tell them what you've done: short stories, writing awards, plays, and education is nice too. They don't really want to hear that you worked in a candy shop for four years (unless your novel is about a candy shop, of course) or that you hate broccoli (please, please, please tell me your novel isn't about broccoli!).
The point of all this--writing a novel isn't enough to get you noticed. You have to learn the writing trade and prove you're professional enough to pull your weight. The synopsis, outline, and bio are certainly for the editor's convenience (and don't you want to make their job easier?), but they're also a great exercise for the author. I know any number of fellow writers who, when they are asked 'What is your book about?', chew their lips for a moment then say 'It's, well, I guess you just have to read it.'
Not good. The cure? Write a synopsis. And probably an elevator-pitch too (that single sentence that expresses your story in a nutshell). Good for the writer, helpful to the editors, and a life-saver for the hapless innocents who politely ask what your book is about.
And lots of work. :)
I better get back to it.
You know, it was only after I found my agent that discovered I had to have what I call the Package: an outline, synopsis, and bio. I mean, come on! I already wrote an entire book--several times over if you count the different drafts. That, at least, was fun. Grrrr.
So be warned, future novelists, and be prepared. While you're sending out those queries to agents or editors, get your Package ready.
I like to start with the outline. It's easy enough. I scan through the book and express each chapter in concise, outline form. Then I read it through, removing unnecessary details, and there I have a working outline.
From the outline I construct my synopsis. Now, I've done this a few times, but I'll be honest--I'm not very good at it. How can I realistically summarize my entire novel in only four or five pages (or less) and still maintain a story-like flow? Not easy. I recommend looking up the tried-and-true techniques used by published novelists. They've already proven that can write a worthwhile synopsis, which I have yet to do--sigh.
The bio is simpler. It's basically your writing resume, but without the fancy fonts and layout. Just tell them what you've done: short stories, writing awards, plays, and education is nice too. They don't really want to hear that you worked in a candy shop for four years (unless your novel is about a candy shop, of course) or that you hate broccoli (please, please, please tell me your novel isn't about broccoli!).
The point of all this--writing a novel isn't enough to get you noticed. You have to learn the writing trade and prove you're professional enough to pull your weight. The synopsis, outline, and bio are certainly for the editor's convenience (and don't you want to make their job easier?), but they're also a great exercise for the author. I know any number of fellow writers who, when they are asked 'What is your book about?', chew their lips for a moment then say 'It's, well, I guess you just have to read it.'
Not good. The cure? Write a synopsis. And probably an elevator-pitch too (that single sentence that expresses your story in a nutshell). Good for the writer, helpful to the editors, and a life-saver for the hapless innocents who politely ask what your book is about.
And lots of work. :)
I better get back to it.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Always Another Story
Well, I'm just about there.
Only seven chapters left to edit (along with a handful of other preparations) and I can send the manuscript off to Stan for the last time. :)
You know, I've been thinking about writing and why I do it. I've read authors' bios and 'how-to' books and they all talk about why they write. Most of them say the same thing--'because I have to' or 'it's like an addiction--I can't stop!' Almost all of them will tell you frankly that you shouldn't do it for the fame or money. There isn't much to be had.
Of course, there are exceptions. JK Rowling threw the whole world for a loop with her genius and she deserves every penny and every moment of glory her work produced.
But what about the rest of us? We can't all be Rowlings and there are countless brilliant writers out there who deserve far, far more money and fame than they will ever receive.
And I don't even fit in the brilliant category.
I know it's most likely that if I do manage to find a publisher, I'll sell a few books, collect one or two good reviews, a whole lot more bad ones, be generally ignored, collect a handful of fans, and generally be unrecognizable to the few people who have read my book. The money I get will be just enough to take my family to Disneyland once or give my kids one good Christmas.
This is what I've heard. Do I believe it? You bet.
But why? Why shouldn't I be the next Rowling? Why not daydream of fame, fortune, and glamorous interviews?
Because, my friends, that's not why I write. Oh, I'll admit I have my daydreaming moments, but then reality always sinks in and I smile at myself. Castles in Spain, as my husband and I call them, are lovely as long as you remember reality is a lot more substantial and satisfying.
So why do I write? My husband once asked me that question. "What if your book doesn't sell?" he asked. "What if you don't even find a publisher?"
I laughed. "I'll write the next one. There's always another story."
I'm not the first writer to say it and I certainly won't be the last, but I write because I have to, because it's like an addiction. I love it!
Only seven chapters left to edit (along with a handful of other preparations) and I can send the manuscript off to Stan for the last time. :)
You know, I've been thinking about writing and why I do it. I've read authors' bios and 'how-to' books and they all talk about why they write. Most of them say the same thing--'because I have to' or 'it's like an addiction--I can't stop!' Almost all of them will tell you frankly that you shouldn't do it for the fame or money. There isn't much to be had.
Of course, there are exceptions. JK Rowling threw the whole world for a loop with her genius and she deserves every penny and every moment of glory her work produced.
But what about the rest of us? We can't all be Rowlings and there are countless brilliant writers out there who deserve far, far more money and fame than they will ever receive.
And I don't even fit in the brilliant category.
I know it's most likely that if I do manage to find a publisher, I'll sell a few books, collect one or two good reviews, a whole lot more bad ones, be generally ignored, collect a handful of fans, and generally be unrecognizable to the few people who have read my book. The money I get will be just enough to take my family to Disneyland once or give my kids one good Christmas.
This is what I've heard. Do I believe it? You bet.
But why? Why shouldn't I be the next Rowling? Why not daydream of fame, fortune, and glamorous interviews?
Because, my friends, that's not why I write. Oh, I'll admit I have my daydreaming moments, but then reality always sinks in and I smile at myself. Castles in Spain, as my husband and I call them, are lovely as long as you remember reality is a lot more substantial and satisfying.
So why do I write? My husband once asked me that question. "What if your book doesn't sell?" he asked. "What if you don't even find a publisher?"
I laughed. "I'll write the next one. There's always another story."
I'm not the first writer to say it and I certainly won't be the last, but I write because I have to, because it's like an addiction. I love it!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
This week's craving...my manuscript!
Wow. Where did February go? I know it's a short month, but seriously?!
Good news is the edit is well on its way. I'm almost halfway through it now and that is a very good thing, because I'm more than halfway through this pregnancy. And let me tell you something, I may not like writing much right now (though in the last few days that's improved a bunch!), but this is nothing to how useless I'll be for the first four months of newborn-motherhood.
For those of you not in the know, birth to four months of age is blur of sleep deprivation, hormones, and loss of self. Oh, there are compensations. Mine will come in the form a sweet baby girl to cuddle and care for, not to mention the three sweet boys who already make my life worthwhile.
Anyway, the point is writing is going to take a back seat once my little princess arrives. Therefore, it is vital to my sanity (and Stan's, I'm assuming) that I finish this--my last draft (hopefully for some time anyway)--before the blessed event.
In a perfect world, I would finish in good time and Stan could shop it around while I heal up and rest. Everyone knows it takes months to run a manuscript through its paces, so if my timing is right I should be able to sit back and hope the editors take their sweet time.
And so, my job right now and is to blast through this manuscript and whip it into marvelous condition.
To my delight (as mentioned earlier) this is not such a difficult task at the moment. I find I have never enjoyed my story so much and I get as big a kick out of it as I do reading right now--which is nothing short of miraculous.
Heck, if this 'writing craving' lasts, I'll be done in a few weeks and have plenty of time to shop for pretty pink baby clothes!
Good news is the edit is well on its way. I'm almost halfway through it now and that is a very good thing, because I'm more than halfway through this pregnancy. And let me tell you something, I may not like writing much right now (though in the last few days that's improved a bunch!), but this is nothing to how useless I'll be for the first four months of newborn-motherhood.
For those of you not in the know, birth to four months of age is blur of sleep deprivation, hormones, and loss of self. Oh, there are compensations. Mine will come in the form a sweet baby girl to cuddle and care for, not to mention the three sweet boys who already make my life worthwhile.
Anyway, the point is writing is going to take a back seat once my little princess arrives. Therefore, it is vital to my sanity (and Stan's, I'm assuming) that I finish this--my last draft (hopefully for some time anyway)--before the blessed event.
In a perfect world, I would finish in good time and Stan could shop it around while I heal up and rest. Everyone knows it takes months to run a manuscript through its paces, so if my timing is right I should be able to sit back and hope the editors take their sweet time.
And so, my job right now and is to blast through this manuscript and whip it into marvelous condition.
To my delight (as mentioned earlier) this is not such a difficult task at the moment. I find I have never enjoyed my story so much and I get as big a kick out of it as I do reading right now--which is nothing short of miraculous.
Heck, if this 'writing craving' lasts, I'll be done in a few weeks and have plenty of time to shop for pretty pink baby clothes!
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