Almost There...NOT!

It's the weekend.  I'm supposed to be drafting/revising a chapter a day on Lies.  It's not happening.  I've been making progress every day, but it's all crazy.  For example, I wrote chapter 3, loved it did half of chapter 4 and then realized that the last scene in 3 and the first in 4 should be combined and be the end of 3.  So I rearranged it.

My 2 online classes that I took this month are pretty much over.  I'm sad because I didn't get to spend as much time on them as I would have liked, but I saved the lectures and plan to use them as I finish Lies.

This weekend (TODAY) I MUST finish my Daphne entry so I can e-mail it tomorrow. 

Monday through Saturday of this week I have to draft/revise the rest of the story.  I actually went through my NaNo notes last night to delete stuff I know would never make it into the book and to see exactly what I have.  Turns out I've got quite a bit! 

Tuesday is the start of March and I will be having a new contest!  St. Patrick's Day is my second favorite holiday (2nd to Christmas, of course!), so I intend to celebrate it with you!  More details on that as they become available!

Now, I've got to go watch the other half of a soccer game, have another cup of tea and then get busy with the Daphne entry.  Have a great rest of the weekend!

I'm Crazy, I Know

Okay, so I didn't get as much done this weekend as I'd thought I would, BUT I did make progress!  My 1-page synopsis is being critiqued, I've got a better understanding of my plot and my characters and I'm revising chapter 3.

So here is my new plan:  Today I need to get through chapter 3 (which I will, no problem) and chapter 4.  After that, I need to write/revise a chapter a day for the next 8 days so that I can take a full week off before I start draft 3.  Can I do it?  I hope so!  The bottom line is I want this sucker finished and mailed to the editor in April! 

Almost There!

I think I may have worked through most of my external plot issues there were preventing me from finishing the synopsis and getting excited again about the book.  And I owe it all to....Jason Bourne!  I was still struggling and then I sat down with my 2nd cup of tea and put The Bourne Ultimatum in the DVD player so I could watch one of my favorite parts.  It was during that when I had my breakthrough!  Ah yes, Jason NEVER lets me down!  (Hey, we Bournes need to stick together!) 

Here I Am...Again!

No sub job for today, so I'm focusing on Lies.  I'm putting together the first contest entry for this manuscript and I'm determined to send it to my other CP (one's already looked at it) by bedtime tonight!  I also put together my plan of action for this manuscript.  Wanna see?  Yeah, you know you do.

Today- finish contest entry (pages & synopsis), send to CP

Fri- Mon- finish chapters 3 & 4, write chapters 5 & 6

Last week of Feb- revise & send contest entry, write chapters 7, 8, 9

1st week of March- finish writing 2nd draft of Lies

2nd week in March-vacation- read only

3rd week in March- (this is spring break and I will have no subbing)- marathon session of 3rd draft

End of March- revise and prepare to send full manuscript to my two FANTABULOUS CPs in first full week of April.

The goal is to submit it to the editor sometime in April!

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.....

A Week???

It's been a week since I posted last.  That hardly EVER happens with me!

Classes- my two classes are still a bit overwhelming, but I'm getting some GREAT info!

My classes- I'm officially signed up to be an online writing instructor!  My friend Becca talked me into submitting a proposal when RWA chapters were looking for instructors.  I put together 3 proposals and I teach my first class in August!  It's going to be "Killer Openings."  My 2 for next year are "Contests- The Basics" and "Finished the Manuscript!  Now What?"  Don't worry, I'll be reminding you when they get closer!


My book is slowly coming along.  Actually, it's KILLING ME, but something about the characters keeps me going back for more.

Job- Still subbing, still looking to do editing/critiquing as part of CK TUTORING, and still looking for something more permanent. 

I've been hitting the gym and watching my diet lately.  I can feel a difference, although I'm not sure if I've lost any pounds.  I'm kind of scared to get on the scale, but I will in the next few days.

Still got full cable.  I called last week, remember, to cut it down to basic.  I'll call again I guess.  Why can't things be handled the FIRST time????

Okay, I think that's it for now.  I'll get back to real posting soon- probably after my 2 classes are finished next week!

 

It's All Your Fault

No matter how much I beg, DON'T let me take 2 online writing classes in the same month again! 

My Sacrifice

Today I called the cable company and cut my cable service to basic.  I had thought to cut it out altogether, but I kinda think I'd like to watch the news once in a while.  So as of Wednesday, February 9th, I will officially be without expanded cable.  This will be good since there are only 4 or 5 shows that I HAVE to watch and they're on the basic channels.  I kept my internet up to full speed, but also cut down my land line phone service.  I didn't want to give away the number completely just yet. 

This is a decision I've been toying with for some time.  It started out as a way to save money, but the more I thought about it and kept track of how much time I waste in front of the "idiot box" as my grandmother used to call it, I started to realize how much of a positive change this could be.  Stay tuned in the coming weeks to find out how it's going!

Celebrating 60- The Future

When I finally do sell, I plan to have a party.  During that party, I will have a rejection-burning ceremony.  Yes, I know that I will still have struggles and rejections as a published author.  I'm not naive enough to think it will all be smooth sailing after "THE CALL."  But that rejection-burning ceremony will be part of my transition into the world of published author.  Hopefully it will be long before I hit the next 60 rejections!

Celebrating 60! The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

As promised, I'm posting comments I've received on my manuscripts over the years from agents and editors.  I've taken out names of manuscripts or industry professionals because those are not important.  My 1st goal in posting these is to show how my writing and my understanding of the publishing world has gotten better over the years and why I keep writing.  My other goal is to show those who don't write what we go through and to show those who do write that if they receive a rejection like this they are not alone! 

THE BAD & UGLY

"[COMPANY NAME] is a publication for women who loves sensual stories and requires the best in women's romantic sensual fiction."   ---emphasis added in letter/their typo, not mine, 1999

"Unfortunately, although not without merit, I'm afraid this project is not right for American Romance." ---A query on my Scottish suspense with two heroes, 2000

"I suggest you have a critique or editing performed....I can recommend one [CRITIQUING SERVICE] who has done well in the past."  --- 2003

"I wish I could help, but I am currently overwhelmed...."  --- Agent, 2002

"I am sorry to say that I am not interested in receiving a submission from [MANUSCRIPT TITLE]."  --- 2002


"Dear Author (handwritten) Lexi" --- no date

Thanks very much for the look at [MANUSCRIPT TITLE], and sorry to say no."  --- 2006

"Although I enjoyed  reading your story....I have decided to pass on this project."  --- 2007

THE GOOD

"You're a competent author.  I didn't, however, fall in love with the plot as I had hoped."  --- 2006


"Although your story sounds interesting, I cannot consider representing you because it is too similar to a story I already represent."  --- 2007


This one told me I didn't need an agent to submit to Harlequin, but then said, "Once you've established yourself...or make the decision to branch out into single title I would love to hear from you again." --- 2008

"Thank you for sending me this---I think you  have a really great writing style and your voice is also very compelling, I just didn't feel hooked by the storyline."--- 2009

"Once again, I clearly think you are talented.  I just wanted to feel more drawn in to the danger this woman was in."  --- 2009

"I am therefore forced to reject it." --- 2010

THE NEXT 60?
So you can see that sticking with it has gotten me closer to a "YES."  Will I face another 60 rejections before I find the right editor/agent with the right manuscript at the right time?  I'm going to be bold here and say NO WAY!  But even if I do open another 60 rejections before I sell, at the rate I'm going, I'll get there eventually!

Celebrating 60!

Got a rejection yesterday on a manuscript I thought for sure would sell.  The story is solid.  I'm pretty confident with it.  I think it just hasn't met the right editor yet.  It was my 60th rejection.  I decided to celebrate!  And why not?  That just means I've been brave enough to submit my work that many times!  AND it's one step closer to a YES!

I subbed today and got to write 7 pages on the current manuscript, AND I managed to get a solid page of notes on the hero's Goal, Motivation & Conflict!  I'm so excited because it's opened up more of the story for me.  Yes, I'm still on Chapter 2, but it'll be done soon, I'm sure and then I have places to go with the characters!

We're supposed to have snow here in Austin, Texas through the night and into tomorrow morning.  It's only supposed to be 1-3 inches, but that's enough to pretty much close down Austin.  Part of me is secretly hoping for a 2-hour delay tomorrow for the schools so I can stay home and write.  Part of me (the part not responsible for my bills) is hoping we have an entire snow day!

This weekend I'll continue to celebrate 60 with you by sharing some of the choice phrases I've received in my rejections.  I'll also tell you what I've done in the name of my craft.  (Still haven't done it, so I can't tell you yet!)