A new idea has sprung!

I was sitting at the computer, muttering to myself (I'm real good at muttering), when my husband comes in and says, "So what're you working on now that your revision is done?"

Good question. But instead I responded, "Don't interrupt my game of Solitaire."

My hubby knew I was sort of in a funk over the whole "rewrite" business (see earlier post). "What about that idea I liked from last summer?" he asked.

"I don't know. Let me think about it."

And think about it I surely did! The idea started percolating a week or two ago. I pulled up the document that I had started last summer. A page or two of nonsense, but I have to admit, it sucked me in.

Then it happened. (I love it when it happens). The idea took root and began growing. Sure, it was just the crevices of my mind, but it has now moved into the forefront. Nice. Very nice.

My fingers have been busy typing ever since. How cool that I already have fifty pages?!? It is definitely a first draft, but it feels good to start the creative process on this whole new idea.

So...the moral of the story is ...get writing! We all have new ideas inside of us just waiting to get out and onto paper!
Cheers...

Revision...again...

So you haven't heard from me in a while. Sorry. I've been busy.
Doing what? You may ask.

Well, let me tell you. I've been revising. Yes, the dreaded word again.

Here's the story: back in March my agent, Marissa, talked with me about taking my YA novel and rewriting it as a MG (middle grade). That's sort of a BIG DEAL! I love my YA novel, and so did she...I mean, she signed me on, right? However, two editors really thought it would be perfect as a middle grade, especially because of the humor and antics of my MC.

So what did I do? I put it off, thank you very much.

It's really annoying when you've revised something so much that you think it's wonderful, only to be told, "Yes, it's great. Now let's rewrite the whole blasted thing to a younger audience."
Eventually, my ideas started percolating again, and using the skeleton of the YA and some of the same characters began rewriting for a middle grade audience.

How'd it work out for ya?
Glad you asked!

Marissa and the editors were right (don't you just hate that). It is a better fit for the middle grade audience. I made it funnier and more daring, and I didn't have to worry about including all the "edginess" with YA.

So, there you go. Don't find revision. Just go with the flow.
Now let's hope everyone else likes it. If not, I might be working on revisions...again...:)

Dusting off an old manuscript

My first book was a middle grade novel. It was the first book I ever wrote. I thought it was brilliant (see earlier post). Anyways, I haven't really revised the completed book in a couple years. Mostly because I've been working on other projects, and the book had already been revised several times. So I didn't think it needed any more work. At least not until my agent looked at it and could make suggestions.

Well, I've just started this new online critique group and needed something to submit. I thought it would be a good idea to see if coming back to it would open my eyes to anything that needs fixing before handing it over to my agent.

All I can say is....Wow...

Here's what I realized:

1. How much I love my characters: I fell in love with this novel all over again. I've got so drawn into the characters' world that it's a nice reminder of why I'm writing in the first place.
2. How not ready it is: the adage of setting something aside and then going back to it with fresh eyes is so true. Now I'm rewriting the whole thing (yes, again). But I've grown so much as a writer over the last couple of years, that the process is fun (yes, I said fun). I am making it soooo much better.
3. How important critique groups are: the ladies critiquing the first couple chapters have been so "spot-on" and so honest in their critiques that they are exactly what I needed to bring this novel up to the level it needs to be for publication.

So here's my advice: if you've just finished something, or even if you've just finished revision, set it aside. I know, I know. You're excited and want to get it into an agent's or editor's hands pronto. But trust me, set it aside. For at least a couple months. Then go back to it. Or....for those of you who have a manuscript that you have set to the side and it's been a while (months, years), it may be time to dust off the old manuscript. Fall in love with it again.

And then get to work...

J-

the waiting game...

On the road to publication, it is all about the waiting. You work months, years, maybe even a decade or two to write the perfect novel, and when you're finally ready to get published, it should just happen.

Right?

Newsflash: It. Doesn't. Just. Happen.

How do I know? Well, I wrote my first middle grade novel in a month. It was lovely and would be worth millions (I seriously believed that). I sent it off to the big houses and waited. Six months later, I received form rejections from a few of them, and never heard back from most. Okay, so then I decided I needed to learn the ins and outs of the publishing business. I learned about SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), so I joined that and quickly learned there was a conference coming up!

That was the Spring of 2005.

Six years and two other novels later I'm still attending conferences. Still sending out manuscripts. Still waiting. For that moment.

This past spring (May 2010), I was blessed with several agents interested in my second novel (my first novel is in my file cabinet for the time being). All of a sudden everything happened at once. I chose Marissa Walsh from FinePrint Literary. She took my young adult novel and worked with me until it was this amazing manuscript. The total rewrites took almost six months.

So I'm published now, right?

Not yet.

Still waiting...

So if you are just getting into working on this dream of writing and hoping that one day your work will be published, or you've been in the trenches for years. Keep your chin up. You're not alone.

J

Still raining...and my lack of Green Thumb...

It was supposed to be sunny. But my flowers in my front lawn are loving this rain! I still have living flowers; it's quite amazing. See...I have no green thumb. It's true. My thumb is whatever color fits the description "kills all my plants but not on purpose just because I'm an idiot". My hubby bought me a potted flower plant for Mother's Day. It was beautiful. I accidentally left it out on a cold night and it got frosted. Two Mother's Days ago, my hubby and my son bought me two beautiful trees to plant in our front yard. One was an apple blossom tree and the other was a silver maple. They were beautiful. The deer (rats with long legs) ate them both. I bought a pretty rose bush, and some animal ate that down to the nubs (I did see some growth this spring though, so maybe there's hope for the roses). See what I mean?? I think when plants see me at the store I'm like that little girl from Finding Nemo. The plants quiver in fear, praying that I don't select them. Knowing that if I do, imminent death will follow.

Howbeit, I have a lilac bush I planted six years ago that's growing beautifully, and these yellow flowers that come back every year. I'm holding my breath on the rose bush. Maybe there's life left in her.

Loving each other

I just got back from a dear friend's viewing. My heart caught as I paid my respects to one of the sweetest people I ever knew. It made me realize how I never told her how much her optimism and nurturing spirit meant to me. What do we want to say but never do?

Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest difference. How many times have friends/family listened to me complain? Have I ever stopped to say "thank you for being an ear to hear and a shoulder to care". Where do I start? Maybe my hubby. It seems I'm exceptional at nagging. But when he does do stuff for me (with no nagging required), do I stop and notice? The fact of the matter is he's a great guy who loves me and the kids. And trust me, sometimes I'm quite unlovable. Then there's the kids. And my mom. And my sisters. And my brother. And my dad. And my friends. And...And...And...

See what I mean?

I guess I'm resolved to learn a valuable lesson here. Instead of being critical, instead of finding fault, I will resolve to speak words in love. To be optimistic. To encourage others. To appreciate every precious moment God gives me to be with the people I love.

So to all of you reading this...thanks. In whatever way I know, I'm a better person for it. (I'm sure of it!;-))

Janice

Welcome to my wonderful world...

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

This blog is a culmination of the many musings that go on in my head. Like right now....it's raining outside and is rather chilly and I love it. It makes me want to grab a blanket and a good book, curl up on the couch, and read. Until I fall asleep. It's also the smell. The beautiful earthy scent that reminds me that spring has sprung.

Do you love the rain? Not on Saturdays. There should be a rule of nature that rain doesn't happen on Saturdays. Saturday is about ball games and hot dogs and garage saling. We need sunshine and warmth for days like that. Actually if I'm honest with myself, I love sunshine more than rain. Well, I guess I mean I love sunshine and warmth over snow and cold. That's why I travelled to Florida TWICE this past winter. In Gaylord, it snows from November through March and even into April. It's mind-numbing grayness that leaves me feeling bleak and withdrawn. These traits are not good. No sir. So I pack my bags and travel south. It's my drug of choice. Forget speed, pot, nicotene, or even alcohol. Give me sunshine. Buckets and buckets full. Give it to intravenously if need be.

But, see, now I'm off topic. Right at this moment, I love the rain. Maybe because tomorrow it's suppose to be sunny.
;-)