I'm finding that this blog is for those who like it short and sweet. I'm sticking to the facts and not waxing poetic (or not much, anyway).
This week's facts are: 12 chapters, 57 pages edited. 3,000 words added, and I'm about 1/5 of the way done with the editing/rewriting phase of Book 1 of the Transition Series (still working on an actual title, but so far, nothing has knocked my socks off!).
I'm mentally processing the questions my marketing expert has sent me to answer, mulling over how best to respond to her queries while still managing to sound more like an intelligent, soon-to-be author rather than a blithering idiot. But I'm finally fulfilling my dream of saying something in 10,000 words or more. Though nowadays, it's more like 50,000 words or more! Who'd have thought?
And yet, I sit here, already thinking ahead. Will I write the second book in the Transition Series right away, or finally get down to business and finish, or more likely, completely re-do, my memoir/self-help book first? Sure, I'm known to read 3 or 4 books at a time, but I don't have a lot of confidence in my being able to switch back and forth between two completely different genre's. It would be a lot like when I took both French and Spanish in high school and starting speaking Spanish with a French accent. Not good!!!
But stay tuned to this very channel for updates on the editing process, and ultimately, the release date for my very first published novel!
Write On!
Friday, February 21, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
February 19, 2014 Mercury retrograde and the AHA moment
I was going over some energy updates as I sat here trying to figure out why I felt "off", when suddenly it hit me! Mercury retrogrades are a good time for going over old ground. Editing/rewriting means going back over what you've written and cleaning it up, grammatically, fleshing out some parts and paring down others, making sure that you're consistent with time frames, people, places and things.
My aha, is that in light of the retrograde which began on the 6th, and my editing which began on Monday, astrologically, (hey, sometimes it really does make sense!) I could not have picked a more appropriate time to begin revisiting and revising what I've written between November and January!
How cool is that? Not only that, as near as I can tell, my plate is clear between now and next weekend! I guess I'd better get a little more serious and edit more than a couple of chapters a day while the stars are with me, huh?
Write On!
My aha, is that in light of the retrograde which began on the 6th, and my editing which began on Monday, astrologically, (hey, sometimes it really does make sense!) I could not have picked a more appropriate time to begin revisiting and revising what I've written between November and January!
How cool is that? Not only that, as near as I can tell, my plate is clear between now and next weekend! I guess I'd better get a little more serious and edit more than a couple of chapters a day while the stars are with me, huh?
Write On!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
February 18, 2014 Revision update
I got a whopping 2 more chapters revised today, although I also added another 1000 words as well. Time is still being divided between re-writing and researching, so the going is fairly slow. Frankly, I don't feel really good about Chapter 5, so I may revisit it tomorrow to see if I can make it better still.
Two steps forward, one step back. Doing the revision cha cha!
Write On!
Two steps forward, one step back. Doing the revision cha cha!
Write On!
February 18, 2014 Progress is slow, but it is progress
Got off to a slow start yesterday, managing to edit/revise the first three chapters. However, I also spent some time researching and found that my imagined facts about the location were close enough to the truth, especially as I don't name places, just describe areas. I'll continue to use maps of the area to make sure I don't stray too far.
I probably got about 4 hours of work in on the editing. Like I said, it's slow, but I consider any progress a good thing, and don't want to rush through this part of the process.
Write On!
I probably got about 4 hours of work in on the editing. Like I said, it's slow, but I consider any progress a good thing, and don't want to rush through this part of the process.
Write On!
Sunday, February 16, 2014
February 16, 2014 And so, the next phase begins!
Tomorrow, I begin the arduous, yet rewarding process of revising and editing the first draft of my novel. I have cleared my plate to give myself an entire week in which to get this phase off the ground, knowing that, just as Rome wasn't built in a day, my novel will not be revised, rewritten, edited and otherwise cleaned up in a week, but having an entire week in which to begin the process is, to me, a beautiful bonus! Thank goodness for to do lists and plans!
Write On!
Write On!
Saturday, February 8, 2014
February 8, 2014 Pleasantly surprised
Today I attended my very first meeting of a writers' group, not knowing what to expect, and not knowing if it was something I would repeat...but knowing it was a step I needed to take.
I figured that keeping it in my local area would be my best approach, at least until I got me feet wet. What a pleasant surprise!
It wasn't so much a business meeting (though there were a few minutes devoted to it), as an opportunity to learn from a published author.
Sally Carpenter writes what is called cozy mysteries and has also studied acting. Her information on character development was extremely helpful and comes at a perfect time for me as I move to the editing and "fleshing out" phase of my first novel.
She also provided some helpful information regarding publishing, the pitfalls of the various methods, and the things she's learned through her own experiences.
I came away from the meeting feeling energized, and with a sense of purpose as to who I need to contact for help and advice in those areas where I'm weak (marketing, for one!).
I also came away feeling very grateful for my years of blogging, the Ultimate Blog Challenge, and the wonderful people I've met and stayed in touch with from that experience. That experience, alone, has, in some ways, put me ahead of the game. What I need to learn now is how to expand my readership and followers, and to start soliciting guest bloggers, and maybe doing more guest blogs of my own.
So thank you, Conejo Valley Writers, for allowing me to share some of your hard won knowledge, and to feel encouraged that many of the things I've been doing, just because it seemed like the right thing to do, may well be, the right thing to do to get my writing out to the wider public!
Write on!!!
I figured that keeping it in my local area would be my best approach, at least until I got me feet wet. What a pleasant surprise!
It wasn't so much a business meeting (though there were a few minutes devoted to it), as an opportunity to learn from a published author.
Sally Carpenter writes what is called cozy mysteries and has also studied acting. Her information on character development was extremely helpful and comes at a perfect time for me as I move to the editing and "fleshing out" phase of my first novel.
She also provided some helpful information regarding publishing, the pitfalls of the various methods, and the things she's learned through her own experiences.
I came away from the meeting feeling energized, and with a sense of purpose as to who I need to contact for help and advice in those areas where I'm weak (marketing, for one!).
I also came away feeling very grateful for my years of blogging, the Ultimate Blog Challenge, and the wonderful people I've met and stayed in touch with from that experience. That experience, alone, has, in some ways, put me ahead of the game. What I need to learn now is how to expand my readership and followers, and to start soliciting guest bloggers, and maybe doing more guest blogs of my own.
So thank you, Conejo Valley Writers, for allowing me to share some of your hard won knowledge, and to feel encouraged that many of the things I've been doing, just because it seemed like the right thing to do, may well be, the right thing to do to get my writing out to the wider public!
Write on!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)