Happy Holidays everybody.
After this week, I'll be taking a little vacation. Hopefully, when I get back, Revelations will be up on Amazon and ready for readers.
This week I've concentrated on putting together the extra pages for Revelation's release. The Behind the Scenes and Books pages are starting to shape up.
I also signed up for my first promotional event: a blog tour with Xpresso Tours.
There's still a lot of work to do and some of it is proving challenging to my poor tech-challenged brain. But I will persevere. What I lack in talent, I make up for in stubbornness.
My Books
Monday, 22 December 2014
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Weekly Update: December 7 to 13
Revelations is now in for its final edit and once it's ready, then the only thing stopping me from putting it on Amazon is arranging the paperwork.
I opened my Kindle account this week, as well as my Createspace account and applied for an ISBN. I'm contacting book reviewers to see if they'd be interested in reviewing Revelations.
It's been a bit of a difficult week, starting with a difficult weekend. We discovered the car will be over $ 1500 to repair for what looked like really minimal damage. Unfortunately, that eats away at some of my cushion for promotion and other activities.
My day job went a little crazy and I ended up having to do most of my work in the evenings. But I still got it done.
I opened my Kindle account this week, as well as my Createspace account and applied for an ISBN. I'm contacting book reviewers to see if they'd be interested in reviewing Revelations.
It's been a bit of a difficult week, starting with a difficult weekend. We discovered the car will be over $ 1500 to repair for what looked like really minimal damage. Unfortunately, that eats away at some of my cushion for promotion and other activities.
My day job went a little crazy and I ended up having to do most of my work in the evenings. But I still got it done.
Monday, 8 December 2014
November 30th to December 6th
Up until yesterday I was feeling pretty good about my week. I'd finished my changes for my line edit but decided to give myself one more go through before sending it in on Monday. I'd written 2000 new words. I registered for an ISBN and got my Kindle Direct Publishing account going for Amazon. I was feeling pretty awesome.
First downturn, annoying but not too bad: our dishwasher needed to be replaced. It's been acting up for awhile, overflowing and refusing to drain properly. We decided to go ahead and get a new one.
Second downturn, frightening but could have been worse: car accident. I got rear ended with my son in the backseat on Saturday. He was terrified (as was I). We had been on our way to the movies but he was so upset I ended up taking him home instead. Luckily, only minor damage to the car. I'll find out more on Monday when I take the car to the garage.
Third downturn, frustrating and my own darn fault. I check my email on Sunday morning and realize there are two notes from my editor reminding me that I was supposed to send in my manuscript on Friday, not Monday. I am hugely upset at myself because I saw that in the original terms but didn't write it down on the calendar and so didn't remember. I know better than to do that and I did it anyway. This is entirely my fault. Even more frustrating, the darn thing was ready! I had it good to go.
I sent it in as soon as I saw. But I know there's a good chance that I will have missed my spot and will have to pay for it anyway. One more thing to be on edge about. My stomach is churning with wondering how badly I've screwed things up.
I'm trying to repeat my usual mantra that everyone makes mistakes and so I should accept, learn and move on. But I don't think it'll be effective until I know just what the impact of this weekend will be.
First downturn, annoying but not too bad: our dishwasher needed to be replaced. It's been acting up for awhile, overflowing and refusing to drain properly. We decided to go ahead and get a new one.
Second downturn, frightening but could have been worse: car accident. I got rear ended with my son in the backseat on Saturday. He was terrified (as was I). We had been on our way to the movies but he was so upset I ended up taking him home instead. Luckily, only minor damage to the car. I'll find out more on Monday when I take the car to the garage.
Third downturn, frustrating and my own darn fault. I check my email on Sunday morning and realize there are two notes from my editor reminding me that I was supposed to send in my manuscript on Friday, not Monday. I am hugely upset at myself because I saw that in the original terms but didn't write it down on the calendar and so didn't remember. I know better than to do that and I did it anyway. This is entirely my fault. Even more frustrating, the darn thing was ready! I had it good to go.
I sent it in as soon as I saw. But I know there's a good chance that I will have missed my spot and will have to pay for it anyway. One more thing to be on edge about. My stomach is churning with wondering how badly I've screwed things up.
I'm trying to repeat my usual mantra that everyone makes mistakes and so I should accept, learn and move on. But I don't think it'll be effective until I know just what the impact of this weekend will be.
Monday, 1 December 2014
November 23 to 29
Days to deadline: 9
Search and destroy for overused words is done. Chapter evening is done.
Just one more read-through and then I can send it in for the line edit.
I've decided the part of the editing process which I dislike the most is replacing overused words, particularly when my brain insists on choosing another two or three overused words as replacements. I think I've found a good balance but words can start to lose all meaning when they're constantly flashing in front of your face.
I finished the search and destroy on Wednesday and spent the rest of the week polishing my ghost hunter short story. I desperately need a good title for it. I am awful at coming up with titles. Either they come to me in a brilliant burst of intuition or I stick something together and work with it, all the while grumbling that there has to be something better out there if I could only think it up.
I'm looking forward to getting back to writing again instead of editing. I like creating new stories and I miss it. Granted, I have a chunk of rewriting to do on the Revelations sequel (another book in dire need of a good title), but I'll still get to push further into the lalassu universe. Which will make me happy.
Search and destroy for overused words is done. Chapter evening is done.
Just one more read-through and then I can send it in for the line edit.
I've decided the part of the editing process which I dislike the most is replacing overused words, particularly when my brain insists on choosing another two or three overused words as replacements. I think I've found a good balance but words can start to lose all meaning when they're constantly flashing in front of your face.
I finished the search and destroy on Wednesday and spent the rest of the week polishing my ghost hunter short story. I desperately need a good title for it. I am awful at coming up with titles. Either they come to me in a brilliant burst of intuition or I stick something together and work with it, all the while grumbling that there has to be something better out there if I could only think it up.
I'm looking forward to getting back to writing again instead of editing. I like creating new stories and I miss it. Granted, I have a chunk of rewriting to do on the Revelations sequel (another book in dire need of a good title), but I'll still get to push further into the lalassu universe. Which will make me happy.
Monday, 24 November 2014
November 16 to 22
Days to deadline: 15
I'm in the final stages of "find and destroy" for overused words. It takes me about forty minutes to do each pass through the manuscript. And I've got about a dozen words to go through. But, bonus, I can do it in the evening as well as the afternoon.
I spent a lot of time last week trying to decide whether or not to trim a particular scene from the manuscript. It would have dropped my total count by 3400 words. But in the end, I decided it was necessary to keep the sequence narratively, which meant I would have had to do some kind of flashback or "in the meantime" narration which would have dragged the story. Thank you to CS for helping me to figure it out.
The extra words mean that my line edit will take 3 weeks instead of 2 and will cost more. But it's a better story than it was, so I will accept that and try not to get too hung up on the numbers.
Now comes the business and promotion part. I've got a friend, S.M. McEachern, who has offered to help. Her book, Sunset Rising, has done really well. It's a dystopian YA with romantic elements. (I've read it and enjoyed it.)
Life has been getting chaotic which makes getting things done a little harder than I'd hoped. But I'm still chugging through. I will make this happen.
I'm in the final stages of "find and destroy" for overused words. It takes me about forty minutes to do each pass through the manuscript. And I've got about a dozen words to go through. But, bonus, I can do it in the evening as well as the afternoon.
I spent a lot of time last week trying to decide whether or not to trim a particular scene from the manuscript. It would have dropped my total count by 3400 words. But in the end, I decided it was necessary to keep the sequence narratively, which meant I would have had to do some kind of flashback or "in the meantime" narration which would have dragged the story. Thank you to CS for helping me to figure it out.
The extra words mean that my line edit will take 3 weeks instead of 2 and will cost more. But it's a better story than it was, so I will accept that and try not to get too hung up on the numbers.
Now comes the business and promotion part. I've got a friend, S.M. McEachern, who has offered to help. Her book, Sunset Rising, has done really well. It's a dystopian YA with romantic elements. (I've read it and enjoyed it.)
Life has been getting chaotic which makes getting things done a little harder than I'd hoped. But I'm still chugging through. I will make this happen.
Monday, 17 November 2014
November 9th to 15th (ish)
Technically, November 9th to 17th.
Chapter by chapter revision done. 21 days to due date for line revisions.
My story has gone from 80 000 words to 95 000, which suggests I have some trimming to do.
But I've got three weeks to get it done. Which should be good, although I still don't think I can afford to slack off. Ideally I'd like to have one week where I work on something else before going through and doing a final read-through. I'm not sure if I'll get that but I'll figure something out.
I'm much happier with the revised ending. It fits together in a stronger way. I've done a little more research and I won't be able to include song lyrics, even if I cite the song. That's too bad. It seems a little strange to not allow people to use lyrics which are clearly audible in the original product. I can understand complaints if an author claimed to be making up the lyrics but if it's clearly cited, then that's not a concern. But very little in legal land makes sense to me. And I am all in favour of not being sued.
It's been an exhausting week. My kids had stomach flu and we got our first major snowfall about three weeks before the usual time. Ah well, at least it puts me in the mood for thinking about the sequel.
Despite feeling worn out, I still feel proud about what I've accomplished and what I'm doing. There's a little Negative Nelly in the back of my head which whispers that I'm kidding myself about anyone wanting to read this book. But I'm doing it anyway.
Chapter by chapter revision done. 21 days to due date for line revisions.
My story has gone from 80 000 words to 95 000, which suggests I have some trimming to do.
But I've got three weeks to get it done. Which should be good, although I still don't think I can afford to slack off. Ideally I'd like to have one week where I work on something else before going through and doing a final read-through. I'm not sure if I'll get that but I'll figure something out.
I'm much happier with the revised ending. It fits together in a stronger way. I've done a little more research and I won't be able to include song lyrics, even if I cite the song. That's too bad. It seems a little strange to not allow people to use lyrics which are clearly audible in the original product. I can understand complaints if an author claimed to be making up the lyrics but if it's clearly cited, then that's not a concern. But very little in legal land makes sense to me. And I am all in favour of not being sued.
It's been an exhausting week. My kids had stomach flu and we got our first major snowfall about three weeks before the usual time. Ah well, at least it puts me in the mood for thinking about the sequel.
Despite feeling worn out, I still feel proud about what I've accomplished and what I'm doing. There's a little Negative Nelly in the back of my head which whispers that I'm kidding myself about anyone wanting to read this book. But I'm doing it anyway.
Monday, 10 November 2014
November 2 to 8
Chapters revised: 33 out of 35
Days to deadline: 31
While I revised another two chapters last week, I also wrote another one. Which ups my total word count again. My list of things I want to do before line revisions is creeping up.
- Check chapter length to make sure its consistent
- Go through for frequently used words
- Read through for inconsistencies and hints that don't go anywhere
- Cut 5000 words (possibly 10 000), if it can be done without impacting the quality
I also have to continue sending out requests for advance reviews, get my IRS tax stuff sorted out, get my Facebook page working, get my bonus material written.
I was also doing calculations and realized I need to have my draft for the Revelations sequel done by July at the latest in order for it to have time to go through the editing process to be released in January 2016.
I think this is what Steven King meant when he said writers couldn't take breaks from writing if they wanted to be successful.
Days to deadline: 31
While I revised another two chapters last week, I also wrote another one. Which ups my total word count again. My list of things I want to do before line revisions is creeping up.
- Check chapter length to make sure its consistent
- Go through for frequently used words
- Read through for inconsistencies and hints that don't go anywhere
- Cut 5000 words (possibly 10 000), if it can be done without impacting the quality
I also have to continue sending out requests for advance reviews, get my IRS tax stuff sorted out, get my Facebook page working, get my bonus material written.
I was also doing calculations and realized I need to have my draft for the Revelations sequel done by July at the latest in order for it to have time to go through the editing process to be released in January 2016.
I think this is what Steven King meant when he said writers couldn't take breaks from writing if they wanted to be successful.
Monday, 3 November 2014
October 26 to November 1
Chapters edited: 31 out of 35
Days to deadline: 38
This may look like home-free but there's still a lot of work to do. The ending needs to be ripped apart and put back together in a different order to make it stronger. I was relying on too many convenience circumstances to make it work.
I spent about three hours going over the first thirty chapters this weekend. I made a note of every set-up and subplot to make sure nothing got dropped.
Then I spent another three hours re-plotting out the ending, taking into account the editor's observations and suggestions. Again, I'm seeing the benefit of some time away and a fresh pair of eyes. Because now I can see several obvious ways to tighten things up without having to completely rewrite.
What I have to do now is more like rewriting than editing. I'm pulling scenes and parts of scenes out of their original order and putting them back in a more coherent package. But it means I have to be super alert to keep the continuity consistent. I find what works best for me is to copy and paste a few sentences at a time into a new blank document and then go through them word by word. Once I'm satisfied, I replace the entire original block of text.
With the end of the chapter by chapter edit in sight, it's time to start thinking about my time management. I have to go through the entire thing again to search for overused words (I have a list), search for possible cuts (the story is now 7000 words longer than when it started), make sure the overall plot and world-building issues have been dealt with and do a scene by scene analysis to make sure my pacing is still consistent.
I want to take a week away from the story before I plunge into final cuts and the plot and world-building issues. I'm not sure whether to do the word search before or after the break. I find the search and replace scans to be the most tedious part but I have to be careful not to rush through it, so I need to be in a good frame. Maybe I'll just wait and see where I am when I get to THE END.
Since I've made such good progress, I should have the option of taking a week away. I can start ripping apart my first draft of my ghost hunter short story during that time to keep my brain completely clear of Revelations.
I should also tackle a few business issues. I've officially registered with the IRS and in a few weeks, I'll have to send in my request for tax exemption based on the Canada-US Income Tax treaty. I need to start requesting reviews and follow up on my cover blurb requests.
It's not quite as simple as just writing a good book and putting it out there.
Days to deadline: 38
This may look like home-free but there's still a lot of work to do. The ending needs to be ripped apart and put back together in a different order to make it stronger. I was relying on too many convenience circumstances to make it work.
I spent about three hours going over the first thirty chapters this weekend. I made a note of every set-up and subplot to make sure nothing got dropped.
Then I spent another three hours re-plotting out the ending, taking into account the editor's observations and suggestions. Again, I'm seeing the benefit of some time away and a fresh pair of eyes. Because now I can see several obvious ways to tighten things up without having to completely rewrite.
What I have to do now is more like rewriting than editing. I'm pulling scenes and parts of scenes out of their original order and putting them back in a more coherent package. But it means I have to be super alert to keep the continuity consistent. I find what works best for me is to copy and paste a few sentences at a time into a new blank document and then go through them word by word. Once I'm satisfied, I replace the entire original block of text.
With the end of the chapter by chapter edit in sight, it's time to start thinking about my time management. I have to go through the entire thing again to search for overused words (I have a list), search for possible cuts (the story is now 7000 words longer than when it started), make sure the overall plot and world-building issues have been dealt with and do a scene by scene analysis to make sure my pacing is still consistent.
I want to take a week away from the story before I plunge into final cuts and the plot and world-building issues. I'm not sure whether to do the word search before or after the break. I find the search and replace scans to be the most tedious part but I have to be careful not to rush through it, so I need to be in a good frame. Maybe I'll just wait and see where I am when I get to THE END.
Since I've made such good progress, I should have the option of taking a week away. I can start ripping apart my first draft of my ghost hunter short story during that time to keep my brain completely clear of Revelations.
I should also tackle a few business issues. I've officially registered with the IRS and in a few weeks, I'll have to send in my request for tax exemption based on the Canada-US Income Tax treaty. I need to start requesting reviews and follow up on my cover blurb requests.
It's not quite as simple as just writing a good book and putting it out there.
Monday, 27 October 2014
October 19-25
Chapters edited: 24 (out of 35)
Days to deadline: 45
I'm feeling pretty good about how things are going. I should finish up in plenty of time to be able to give myself a week or so after finishing the chapter edit before going back and doing a final polish before the line edit begins.
I'm starting to get my toes wet on promotion. I sent an email to Sherrilyn Kenyon's assistant asking if she would be interested in looking at my novel and doing a promotional blurb. I also looked up how to ask Jeaniene Frost, but all requests to her have to go through her agent and I'm having trouble finding an appropriate way to contact her. I'm also considering asking Tanya Huff and Jenna Black. Tanya Huff's books are really funny, but they tend to be lighter than Revelations and Jenna Black's books are more intense, so I'm not sure if they're good fits but I do really like their writing and I feel it is close.
This week, I need to get my IRS tax information started. I also need to start assembling a list of book review sites and start asking if anyone is interested in doing an ARC (Advance Review Copy) review.
For the last couple of weeks I've been trying to meet up with a friend to get my Facebook site up and running properly. But life keeps interfering. For some reason, I just can't figure it out on my own. I'm user-interface-challenged that way.
Days to deadline: 45
I'm feeling pretty good about how things are going. I should finish up in plenty of time to be able to give myself a week or so after finishing the chapter edit before going back and doing a final polish before the line edit begins.
I'm starting to get my toes wet on promotion. I sent an email to Sherrilyn Kenyon's assistant asking if she would be interested in looking at my novel and doing a promotional blurb. I also looked up how to ask Jeaniene Frost, but all requests to her have to go through her agent and I'm having trouble finding an appropriate way to contact her. I'm also considering asking Tanya Huff and Jenna Black. Tanya Huff's books are really funny, but they tend to be lighter than Revelations and Jenna Black's books are more intense, so I'm not sure if they're good fits but I do really like their writing and I feel it is close.
This week, I need to get my IRS tax information started. I also need to start assembling a list of book review sites and start asking if anyone is interested in doing an ARC (Advance Review Copy) review.
For the last couple of weeks I've been trying to meet up with a friend to get my Facebook site up and running properly. But life keeps interfering. For some reason, I just can't figure it out on my own. I'm user-interface-challenged that way.
Thursday, 23 October 2014
Got My Cover!
As those of you visiting the main site may have noticed, I got my cover!
I'm very excited about it and think it turned out amazingly well. My thanks to Glendon at Streetlight Graphics for doing an excellent job.
I'm very excited about it and think it turned out amazingly well. My thanks to Glendon at Streetlight Graphics for doing an excellent job.
Monday, 20 October 2014
October 12 to 18
Weekly update:
Chapters revised: 17 (out of 35)
Days to deadline: 52
I'm starting to think I just might pull this off. Which probably means disaster is about to strike. But it's honestly going much easier than I was afraid it was going to.
I put Revelations aside to start on the sequel back at the end of July. At the time, I knew I had some problems with the manuscript but I thought I had the best possible solutions to them.
After six weeks away, things seem much clearer. It's easy to see that this scene which was causing me difficulty can just be cut. Or that scene needs to be expanded.
But I don't think it's just the time away. I think it's also having the editor's notes. I find it easy to get trapped inside my own head and expectations. Having a different perspective on something makes it easier to see around my own blind spots.
Either way, I'm pleased. The story is coming together better than I'd hoped.
A friend of mine challenged me to get off my butt and start contacting book review sites to see if any of them will review an Advance Review Copy. Sadly, I have not lived up to the challenge as yet but I'm going to push myself to do it before another week is out.
Chapters revised: 17 (out of 35)
Days to deadline: 52
I'm starting to think I just might pull this off. Which probably means disaster is about to strike. But it's honestly going much easier than I was afraid it was going to.
I put Revelations aside to start on the sequel back at the end of July. At the time, I knew I had some problems with the manuscript but I thought I had the best possible solutions to them.
After six weeks away, things seem much clearer. It's easy to see that this scene which was causing me difficulty can just be cut. Or that scene needs to be expanded.
But I don't think it's just the time away. I think it's also having the editor's notes. I find it easy to get trapped inside my own head and expectations. Having a different perspective on something makes it easier to see around my own blind spots.
Either way, I'm pleased. The story is coming together better than I'd hoped.
A friend of mine challenged me to get off my butt and start contacting book review sites to see if any of them will review an Advance Review Copy. Sadly, I have not lived up to the challenge as yet but I'm going to push myself to do it before another week is out.
Monday, 13 October 2014
October 5 to 11th
Weekly update:
Chapters revised: 9 (of 35)
Days to deadline: 58
Not my best or most promising week but still grinding in the right direction.
The editor's comments have been really useful. I'm not great at remembering to get inside my character's heads on a regular basis. I tend to be a mostly visual person, which I have been told would be great if I was writing screenplays, but I want to write novels. Her notes gently reminding me that it's been awhile since we saw an internal reaction have been invaluable.
I also hadn't realized how much had only been hinted at in the villain sections. I needed to be more explicit and fight my urge to keep everything a big secret so that people can be surprised. That urge is the main reason I will never be a mystery writer, even though I love police procedurals and mysteries. I have to give my readers hints as to what's happening and since I, as a reader, love to be surprised, I end up holding too much back.
Either way, these are still only tweaks for the most part. I've rewritten three sections to tighten up the plot and keep things active but mostly I'm just adding little bits here and there. It still takes me about an hour and a half to two hours to properly revise a chapter but it's proving quite doable.
I've had people question why I've spent money on an editor instead of getting the book up for sale as quickly as possible. This is the reason: because I can't see past my own blind spots and I'm more interested in putting out a quality book than stroking my ego. I'd rather put out a few good books than churn out a dozen which I'd be ashamed to claim.
I'm hoping that readers will agree with me.
Chapters revised: 9 (of 35)
Days to deadline: 58
Not my best or most promising week but still grinding in the right direction.
The editor's comments have been really useful. I'm not great at remembering to get inside my character's heads on a regular basis. I tend to be a mostly visual person, which I have been told would be great if I was writing screenplays, but I want to write novels. Her notes gently reminding me that it's been awhile since we saw an internal reaction have been invaluable.
I also hadn't realized how much had only been hinted at in the villain sections. I needed to be more explicit and fight my urge to keep everything a big secret so that people can be surprised. That urge is the main reason I will never be a mystery writer, even though I love police procedurals and mysteries. I have to give my readers hints as to what's happening and since I, as a reader, love to be surprised, I end up holding too much back.
Either way, these are still only tweaks for the most part. I've rewritten three sections to tighten up the plot and keep things active but mostly I'm just adding little bits here and there. It still takes me about an hour and a half to two hours to properly revise a chapter but it's proving quite doable.
I've had people question why I've spent money on an editor instead of getting the book up for sale as quickly as possible. This is the reason: because I can't see past my own blind spots and I'm more interested in putting out a quality book than stroking my ego. I'd rather put out a few good books than churn out a dozen which I'd be ashamed to claim.
I'm hoping that readers will agree with me.
Monday, 6 October 2014
Sept 28 to Oct 4
Writing update:
4 chapters revised
65 days until deadline
I had myself an "eek-what-are-you-doing" moment this week. I didn't actually get into too much detail for the revision notes from my editor while I was away. And then I got swamped with catching up with my day job. So I didn't actually didn't sit down and start working on Revelations until Thursday of this week.
That's when the reality of dealing with over 300 individual suggestions/corrections plus the material in the 30 odd pages of separate notes started to hit me. To use the word overwhelmed doesn't quite cut it but it's the best the English language has to offer.
I flat out panicked, my paranoia screaming that I was never going to be able to do this, that I was only kidding myself about being a writer.
Luckily, I am long used to ignoring my inner voice. Some people are blessed with inner voices that prompt them towards greatness. Mine has all the desperate charm of a drowning victim.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to do the math. I had 68 days until the manuscript is due for the next round of editing. I had 35 chapters to revise plus 5000 to 10000 words in new material to write (not including little bits and incidental phrases thrown in). That's a lot of work, but not impossible, provided I make myself sit down and do it on a daily basis. No more weekends off.
I know that over the next two months there will be days when I can't write/revise. But I'll have to keep them to a minimal impact by working hard when I get the chance. I'm going through the manuscript chapter by chapter, looking at the individual suggestions/corrections and the individual chapter notes. Then there are the overall manuscript notes, which I am keeping in mind but will tackle after individual chapter stuff is done. I'm hoping many of them will be resolved with the chapter work.
This is the first time I've had an outside deadline for my writing. When I've set deadlines for myself, I haven't met them. But this time, I'm determined to do it.
In 45 days, I have to make the final decision or else I'll be paying for missing my slot. By then, I should know whether or not I have a chance.
4 chapters revised
65 days until deadline
I had myself an "eek-what-are-you-doing" moment this week. I didn't actually get into too much detail for the revision notes from my editor while I was away. And then I got swamped with catching up with my day job. So I didn't actually didn't sit down and start working on Revelations until Thursday of this week.
That's when the reality of dealing with over 300 individual suggestions/corrections plus the material in the 30 odd pages of separate notes started to hit me. To use the word overwhelmed doesn't quite cut it but it's the best the English language has to offer.
I flat out panicked, my paranoia screaming that I was never going to be able to do this, that I was only kidding myself about being a writer.
Luckily, I am long used to ignoring my inner voice. Some people are blessed with inner voices that prompt them towards greatness. Mine has all the desperate charm of a drowning victim.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to do the math. I had 68 days until the manuscript is due for the next round of editing. I had 35 chapters to revise plus 5000 to 10000 words in new material to write (not including little bits and incidental phrases thrown in). That's a lot of work, but not impossible, provided I make myself sit down and do it on a daily basis. No more weekends off.
I know that over the next two months there will be days when I can't write/revise. But I'll have to keep them to a minimal impact by working hard when I get the chance. I'm going through the manuscript chapter by chapter, looking at the individual suggestions/corrections and the individual chapter notes. Then there are the overall manuscript notes, which I am keeping in mind but will tackle after individual chapter stuff is done. I'm hoping many of them will be resolved with the chapter work.
This is the first time I've had an outside deadline for my writing. When I've set deadlines for myself, I haven't met them. But this time, I'm determined to do it.
In 45 days, I have to make the final decision or else I'll be paying for missing my slot. By then, I should know whether or not I have a chance.
Monday, 29 September 2014
September 21-27
Writing count: none! Vacation time.
Steven King says he does 100 words per day, weekends, holidays, family time. That's great for him.
I can't do it. I need periodic breaks.
I find some time away helps me to be more objective and lessens the roller-coaster of emotional ups and downs (it's brilliant, it's crap, it's brilliant, it's crap). Every writer I know goes through the exact same cycle. Fear of discovering your work wasn't as good as you thought can end up holding you back. But I find that if I give myself these little breaks, I come back with fresh eyes and I can see both the good points and the flaws.
Now it is time to buckle down and get Revelations ready for the next stage. Starting next week, I'll let you know how many chapters I've revised.
Steven King says he does 100 words per day, weekends, holidays, family time. That's great for him.
I can't do it. I need periodic breaks.
I find some time away helps me to be more objective and lessens the roller-coaster of emotional ups and downs (it's brilliant, it's crap, it's brilliant, it's crap). Every writer I know goes through the exact same cycle. Fear of discovering your work wasn't as good as you thought can end up holding you back. But I find that if I give myself these little breaks, I come back with fresh eyes and I can see both the good points and the flaws.
Now it is time to buckle down and get Revelations ready for the next stage. Starting next week, I'll let you know how many chapters I've revised.
Monday, 22 September 2014
September 14-20
Word count: 1500.
Pitiful, it's true. But life took over as I prepared for a trip next week. Something had to break and it was unfortunately the writing time.
But I did get a nice surprise this week: the developmental editing notes for Revelations. It's left me with a dilemma. On the one hand, next week, I will be on vacation and I want to give my mind a rest. On the other hand, I really, really, really want to know what they said. (Because the mean little voice in my head is saying the story is horrible and the optimistic one is claiming it is more brilliant than Shakespeare. This is why I need outside opinions, I have too many inside my own head to make sense of them all.)
It's a detailed report, over 30 pages, plus a bunch of notes in the actual manuscript. My brief skimmings suggest it's mostly tweaking details and perhaps some minor rewriting. I have a feeling that I'll drive myself crazy if I don't look but I still want my vacation.
I've decided on a compromise. I printed out the report and I'll bring it with me. Then if I need a handy excuse for some alone time, I can pull it out. Gee, Aunt Maureen, I'd love to hear about your hip replacement for the fifth time, but I've got this deadline ... gosh, darn it.
Once I get back, I'll have to take some time off from new writing to work on polishing up Revelations. I've asked for a December reservation for my line edit. Hopefully it all comes together nicely.
Pitiful, it's true. But life took over as I prepared for a trip next week. Something had to break and it was unfortunately the writing time.
But I did get a nice surprise this week: the developmental editing notes for Revelations. It's left me with a dilemma. On the one hand, next week, I will be on vacation and I want to give my mind a rest. On the other hand, I really, really, really want to know what they said. (Because the mean little voice in my head is saying the story is horrible and the optimistic one is claiming it is more brilliant than Shakespeare. This is why I need outside opinions, I have too many inside my own head to make sense of them all.)
It's a detailed report, over 30 pages, plus a bunch of notes in the actual manuscript. My brief skimmings suggest it's mostly tweaking details and perhaps some minor rewriting. I have a feeling that I'll drive myself crazy if I don't look but I still want my vacation.
I've decided on a compromise. I printed out the report and I'll bring it with me. Then if I need a handy excuse for some alone time, I can pull it out. Gee, Aunt Maureen, I'd love to hear about your hip replacement for the fifth time, but I've got this deadline ... gosh, darn it.
Once I get back, I'll have to take some time off from new writing to work on polishing up Revelations. I've asked for a December reservation for my line edit. Hopefully it all comes together nicely.
Monday, 15 September 2014
September 7-13
Word count: 3200.
Too much life interference. Teachers meetings, school paperwork, doctor's appointments, all sort of glommed together on this week.
But I did get one very amazing and awesome surprise. I got some preliminary text layout for my cover:
I really like it. I like the gothic-esque lettering. I love having my name on the bottom. I can't wait to see what kind of art imagery Streetlight comes up with.
Perhaps it's egotistical, but having something like this makes everything feel more real. Sometime soon, I'm going to be holding a copy of my book in my hands. A book I imagined, wrote, rewrote and shaped. A story which didn't exist until I put it out there.
I hope I never get jaded and blasé about that excitement. I hope it always feels as jump-up-and-down, do-a-dance happy as it does right now.
Too much life interference. Teachers meetings, school paperwork, doctor's appointments, all sort of glommed together on this week.
But I did get one very amazing and awesome surprise. I got some preliminary text layout for my cover:
I really like it. I like the gothic-esque lettering. I love having my name on the bottom. I can't wait to see what kind of art imagery Streetlight comes up with.
Perhaps it's egotistical, but having something like this makes everything feel more real. Sometime soon, I'm going to be holding a copy of my book in my hands. A book I imagined, wrote, rewrote and shaped. A story which didn't exist until I put it out there.
I hope I never get jaded and blasé about that excitement. I hope it always feels as jump-up-and-down, do-a-dance happy as it does right now.
Monday, 8 September 2014
August 31 - September 6
Word count: 4500
Not bad for a hectic week of back to school.
I'm about a third of the way through my planned plot for the Revelations sequel and its starting to come together. I can see how the various elements need to intertwine to form a solid story and which bits are starting to look like extras.
This is only a first draft and I expect there will be at least two more after this (more likely four) before it's ready to go to the professional editors. But I am pleased with how quickly the draft is coming together. I just need to keep up my writing pace.
My hope is to put out at least one full size novel each year for the foreseeable future. I've got dozens of ideas floating around my head and in my computer. Most probably don't deserve the light of day but there are some nuggets waiting to be revealed.
I know some writers can put out 2 or 3 books a year. In fact, one promotional site recommended trying to issue a new book every 90 days. Maybe there are people who can do that and still give each story the time and energy it deserves but I can't. Aside from the time required to physically type out the story, I need breaks and time away before I can start to see around some of my own blind spots. Not to mention time to research and understand what I'm dealing with.
A good critique partner is mandatory. Preferably more than one. I have one who helps me during the development stage and others who will help me restructure everything when I've got my first drafts down. I couldn't do this without them and I'm always grateful for their insights.
Not bad for a hectic week of back to school.
I'm about a third of the way through my planned plot for the Revelations sequel and its starting to come together. I can see how the various elements need to intertwine to form a solid story and which bits are starting to look like extras.
This is only a first draft and I expect there will be at least two more after this (more likely four) before it's ready to go to the professional editors. But I am pleased with how quickly the draft is coming together. I just need to keep up my writing pace.
My hope is to put out at least one full size novel each year for the foreseeable future. I've got dozens of ideas floating around my head and in my computer. Most probably don't deserve the light of day but there are some nuggets waiting to be revealed.
I know some writers can put out 2 or 3 books a year. In fact, one promotional site recommended trying to issue a new book every 90 days. Maybe there are people who can do that and still give each story the time and energy it deserves but I can't. Aside from the time required to physically type out the story, I need breaks and time away before I can start to see around some of my own blind spots. Not to mention time to research and understand what I'm dealing with.
A good critique partner is mandatory. Preferably more than one. I have one who helps me during the development stage and others who will help me restructure everything when I've got my first drafts down. I couldn't do this without them and I'm always grateful for their insights.
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Upcoming Event with Capital Crime Writers: Guns and Gangs (September 10)
Guns and Gangs
Speaker: Acting Staff Sergeant Ken Bryden
Time: 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Place: Honeywell Room, Ottawa City Hall
Street gangs are involved in gambling, drug dealing, stealing from other drug dealers, prostitution, intimidation, assault and even murder. They are not only in West Side Story or U.S. ghettos. Members of the Crips and the Bloods do live in Ottawa. Ottawa Police Service’s chief, Charles Bordeleau, has identified guns and gangs, road safety and violence against women as his three top concerns. For good reason. The level of street gang activity has kept OPS’s Guns and Gangs/Dart (Direct Action Response Team) Unit busy.
Acting Staff Sergeant Ken Bryden from Guns and Gangs/Dart will provide information on that unit and update us on the street gang situation in Ottawa, providing statistics and results. He has eighteen years of service, most of it in the Criminal Investigations Directorate. That includes time in the Guns and Gangs, Drugs, and Criminal Intelligence Units, all parts of Special Operations in that directorate. Staff Sergeant Bryden previously served on the front lines as an emergency response officer. He also served as a foot patrol officer in the Byward Market and as part of the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.
Speaker: Acting Staff Sergeant Ken Bryden
Time: 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Place: Honeywell Room, Ottawa City Hall
Street gangs are involved in gambling, drug dealing, stealing from other drug dealers, prostitution, intimidation, assault and even murder. They are not only in West Side Story or U.S. ghettos. Members of the Crips and the Bloods do live in Ottawa. Ottawa Police Service’s chief, Charles Bordeleau, has identified guns and gangs, road safety and violence against women as his three top concerns. For good reason. The level of street gang activity has kept OPS’s Guns and Gangs/Dart (Direct Action Response Team) Unit busy.
Acting Staff Sergeant Ken Bryden from Guns and Gangs/Dart will provide information on that unit and update us on the street gang situation in Ottawa, providing statistics and results. He has eighteen years of service, most of it in the Criminal Investigations Directorate. That includes time in the Guns and Gangs, Drugs, and Criminal Intelligence Units, all parts of Special Operations in that directorate. Staff Sergeant Bryden previously served on the front lines as an emergency response officer. He also served as a foot patrol officer in the Byward Market and as part of the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.
Monday, 1 September 2014
August 24-30
Word count: 4600 for the week.
I'm pleased to be getting back on track for the sequel to Revelations. And although I'm looking at a delay for when Revelations will be available, I'm glad I'm taking the time to do it right.
I'm speaking with Streetlight Graphics about doing my cover now. They won't be available to get started until December but they come highly recommended. And since I'll be doing a developmental edit in September and couldn't have a line edit until November, I decided it really wasn't going to cost me that much of a delay. Now I have to get their questionnaire done and returned to them. I'm not rushing on it since there's 3 months before things will get started.
In my internal paranoia, I'm wondering if I went too far when I spoke to Nathalia about my ideas for a cover. Did I come across as a control freak (which I am, but not that bad, I promise!)? But in my saner moments, I don't think I need to look further than her stated reason for not wanting to pursue it: she keeps to a strictly PG rated theme and was concerned my story would be over the line. I respect that.
Meanwhile, it's back to school next week which should make things a little easier for me. My boys have been suffering from terminal boredom while I hack away at a keyboard. It's been hard to carve out time for my writing when I know they only have a limited time to enjoy their summer break.
I'm pleased to be getting back on track for the sequel to Revelations. And although I'm looking at a delay for when Revelations will be available, I'm glad I'm taking the time to do it right.
I'm speaking with Streetlight Graphics about doing my cover now. They won't be available to get started until December but they come highly recommended. And since I'll be doing a developmental edit in September and couldn't have a line edit until November, I decided it really wasn't going to cost me that much of a delay. Now I have to get their questionnaire done and returned to them. I'm not rushing on it since there's 3 months before things will get started.
In my internal paranoia, I'm wondering if I went too far when I spoke to Nathalia about my ideas for a cover. Did I come across as a control freak (which I am, but not that bad, I promise!)? But in my saner moments, I don't think I need to look further than her stated reason for not wanting to pursue it: she keeps to a strictly PG rated theme and was concerned my story would be over the line. I respect that.
Meanwhile, it's back to school next week which should make things a little easier for me. My boys have been suffering from terminal boredom while I hack away at a keyboard. It's been hard to carve out time for my writing when I know they only have a limited time to enjoy their summer break.
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Upcoming Event with Ottawa Romance Writers: Sept 7
Blood, DNA and Science for the Writer:
Sunday September 7th at 2 pm, Mlacak Community Center, Kanata.
Sunday September 7th at 2 pm, Mlacak Community Center, Kanata.
You’ve watched some procedural dramas on TV, and now you
want to spice up your next novel with some crime. Maybe you just want you’re hero to be a
scientist working in a lab. There’s a
wealth of information and misinformation on the internet, but where do you
start? How much detail should you
include? How technical is too
technical? There’s a fine balance
between convincing detail and overly dry information. In this workshop you will learn the basics of
blood properties and flow in the human body and an introduction to DNA. We’ll discuss accurate science portrayal in
popular culture, and we’ll even do some hands on activities to explore DNA
crime scene analysis.
Katie Pitts has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in
Mechanical Engineering, and a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Her PhD thesis focused on imaging micro blood
flows in biomedical microchips. Dr.
Pitts has taught at the University of Ottawa and currently works in the
biomedical device field in Ottawa. She
is an avid STEM advocate and volunteer educator and was featured as an
Inspiring Woman in Engineering as a part of the NSERC Chair for Women in
Science and Engineering #30in30 National Engineering Month campaign for 2014.
Friday, 22 August 2014
August 17-23
Final word count this week: 3900, close but no cigar.
After much hemming and hawing, I found a solution to my dry spell: put the scene in a different place. It wasn't flowing in the spot I originally had it but when I moved it back a few chapters, it all came together beautifully. Now I don't feel like I'm dragging the action, which should help when I get to move forward.
I'm also starting to figure out my way through Goodreads and Facebook (I'm chronically Social Media Impaired, I'm thinking of starting some sort of support group).
I also got more details on my cover and editing work and it looks like I was overly optimistic to hope for a December release. Revelations will still come but it will likely be in January or February. That means I miss the Christmas sales, but I can live with that. I'm in this for the long haul.
After much hemming and hawing, I found a solution to my dry spell: put the scene in a different place. It wasn't flowing in the spot I originally had it but when I moved it back a few chapters, it all came together beautifully. Now I don't feel like I'm dragging the action, which should help when I get to move forward.
I'm also starting to figure out my way through Goodreads and Facebook (I'm chronically Social Media Impaired, I'm thinking of starting some sort of support group).
I also got more details on my cover and editing work and it looks like I was overly optimistic to hope for a December release. Revelations will still come but it will likely be in January or February. That means I miss the Christmas sales, but I can live with that. I'm in this for the long haul.
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
August 20
I am having a real struggle this week. Usually I can easily manage my goal of a thousand words per day but here it is Wednesday and I'm barely at 1500 for the week.
When this happens, it's usually because I've hit a plot area which I haven't mapped out well enough. I know where I want to go and I even know roughly what should be in this area but for some reason, the pieces aren't coming together.
My usual techniques aren't working to loosen the blockage.
I've tried writing alternate, stand-alone versions of the scenes I need to see if I can come up with good linking material. No dice, the scenes are stuttering like a flooded engine.
I've tried writing ahead to material I feel more solidly about. This will usually give me a better idea of what I'm missing, letting me get a better grasp on it. No luck. Instead, I feel almost as if I'm writing an entirely different novel.
I'm starting to think I have a flaw in either my characters or the initial third of my plot. Maybe I've made the conflict between their goals too strong, reducing any realistic chance of them working together. Or maybe I'm suffering from TMP (too much prologue). I do have a big reveal coming up in the next chapter. Maybe I should just forget about trying to put something in the middle.
I'll have to spend some time thinking about it. Give my brain a chance to rest from churning against the current. I hate to lose more time this week but better 500 of the right words than 5000 wrong ones.
It helps to write out the problem. I've always used words to help define the world around me. And once I have a problem defined, I can tackle it head on rather than grappling with phantasms.
Meanwhile, to keep myself disciplined, I'll use the time to keep working on the business side of my writing. Nathalia Suellen let me know that she won't be able to do my cover, so I need to look at some alternatives. And I need to make sure my tax paperwork is all set with the IRS so that I don't get dinged twice for withheld income tax. There's plenty to keep me busy.
When this happens, it's usually because I've hit a plot area which I haven't mapped out well enough. I know where I want to go and I even know roughly what should be in this area but for some reason, the pieces aren't coming together.
My usual techniques aren't working to loosen the blockage.
I've tried writing alternate, stand-alone versions of the scenes I need to see if I can come up with good linking material. No dice, the scenes are stuttering like a flooded engine.
I've tried writing ahead to material I feel more solidly about. This will usually give me a better idea of what I'm missing, letting me get a better grasp on it. No luck. Instead, I feel almost as if I'm writing an entirely different novel.
I'm starting to think I have a flaw in either my characters or the initial third of my plot. Maybe I've made the conflict between their goals too strong, reducing any realistic chance of them working together. Or maybe I'm suffering from TMP (too much prologue). I do have a big reveal coming up in the next chapter. Maybe I should just forget about trying to put something in the middle.
I'll have to spend some time thinking about it. Give my brain a chance to rest from churning against the current. I hate to lose more time this week but better 500 of the right words than 5000 wrong ones.
It helps to write out the problem. I've always used words to help define the world around me. And once I have a problem defined, I can tackle it head on rather than grappling with phantasms.
Meanwhile, to keep myself disciplined, I'll use the time to keep working on the business side of my writing. Nathalia Suellen let me know that she won't be able to do my cover, so I need to look at some alternatives. And I need to make sure my tax paperwork is all set with the IRS so that I don't get dinged twice for withheld income tax. There's plenty to keep me busy.
Monday, 18 August 2014
August 10 - 16
A very good week for me: 6400 words for writing.
It was also good because I got started on the final stages for getting Revelations ready for publication. I contacted Red Adept Editing and have begun speaking to them about hiring one of their editors to go over the book. I've heard good things about them from other writers that I know. I had a lovely chat with the owner and her passion for books can't be denied, which is always a good sign. I still have some details to sort out but if all goes well, editing will begin in September.
I also spoke with an amazing artist, Nathalia Suellen, about doing a cover for me. I really love the combination of realism and surrealism in her work. I think it will be a good fit for Revelations.
I'm still treading the waters, figuring out Facebook and Goodreads. Once I feel a little less like I'm stumbling around, I'll make sure there are some links for people to connect with.
It was also good because I got started on the final stages for getting Revelations ready for publication. I contacted Red Adept Editing and have begun speaking to them about hiring one of their editors to go over the book. I've heard good things about them from other writers that I know. I had a lovely chat with the owner and her passion for books can't be denied, which is always a good sign. I still have some details to sort out but if all goes well, editing will begin in September.
I also spoke with an amazing artist, Nathalia Suellen, about doing a cover for me. I really love the combination of realism and surrealism in her work. I think it will be a good fit for Revelations.
I'm still treading the waters, figuring out Facebook and Goodreads. Once I feel a little less like I'm stumbling around, I'll make sure there are some links for people to connect with.
Monday, 11 August 2014
August 3 - 9
Got my count this week: 4500 words.
I also managed to set up my Facebook and Goodreads accounts but I'm having some trouble getting my email verification to work. I'll have to check in with tech support (i.e., my husband) and see what I did wrong.
I'm pleased with how things are moving along for the story. I'm still very much in the exploratory stage of getting to know all my characters. But some of them are becoming quite strong and fleshed-out with definite opinions on what's going on, thank you very much.
I'm sure I will change these opening chapters a dozen times over. But I'm on the right path, I can feel it in my fingers and feet.
I also managed to set up my Facebook and Goodreads accounts but I'm having some trouble getting my email verification to work. I'll have to check in with tech support (i.e., my husband) and see what I did wrong.
I'm pleased with how things are moving along for the story. I'm still very much in the exploratory stage of getting to know all my characters. But some of them are becoming quite strong and fleshed-out with definite opinions on what's going on, thank you very much.
I'm sure I will change these opening chapters a dozen times over. But I'm on the right path, I can feel it in my fingers and feet.
Saturday, 2 August 2014
July 27 - Aug 2
Way under my total for this week: 2000 words.
No excuses ... but I do still have some. Namely, I've been working on my website and getting everything set up to start sharing my online presence with the world. That and it's been my official vacation from my day job. My saved programs on the PVR aren't going to watch themselves!
Next week I'll still be on vacation but I'm hoping to do better. I had visions of getting 7000 words done this week and instead I got sucked into the sweet, sweet world of procrastination.
Next week, TV off and computer on.
No excuses ... but I do still have some. Namely, I've been working on my website and getting everything set up to start sharing my online presence with the world. That and it's been my official vacation from my day job. My saved programs on the PVR aren't going to watch themselves!
Next week I'll still be on vacation but I'm hoping to do better. I had visions of getting 7000 words done this week and instead I got sucked into the sweet, sweet world of procrastination.
Next week, TV off and computer on.
Saturday, 26 July 2014
July 20 - 26
Didn't quite make my total this week: 3500 words.
However, I have a very productive time in plotting out the sequel's overall story line. I had a plot line before I got started, but something about it didn't feel right. It gritted against my creative instincts, like sandpaper. So I spent one of my writing periods ripping it apart and putting it back together again.
Now I feel like I have a plot I can be excited about, not one I'm dreading having to fix later.
I'm also starting to suspect that I have too many characters and I'm going to have to trim the field a little. A few of them can be combined without issue but I'm a little sad to lose some interesting backstories.
However, I have a very productive time in plotting out the sequel's overall story line. I had a plot line before I got started, but something about it didn't feel right. It gritted against my creative instincts, like sandpaper. So I spent one of my writing periods ripping it apart and putting it back together again.
Now I feel like I have a plot I can be excited about, not one I'm dreading having to fix later.
I'm also starting to suspect that I have too many characters and I'm going to have to trim the field a little. A few of them can be combined without issue but I'm a little sad to lose some interesting backstories.
Saturday, 19 July 2014
July 13-19
Made my target this week: 5000 words total.
I had a very clear set of images in my head for the start of the Revelations sequel (although still no good ideas for a title). The words just started flowing out. I'm taking it as a good sign for the rest of the project.
I had a very clear set of images in my head for the start of the Revelations sequel (although still no good ideas for a title). The words just started flowing out. I'm taking it as a good sign for the rest of the project.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)