Methods and Madness. Not Necessarily in that Order.

So, my lovely gang of QueryTracker peeps and I agreed to start a blog chain. I will concede that I did, indeed, agree to join the chain and to post on the topics at hand. I did NOT anticipate the lengths those cheeky, sneaky things would go to to outshine me… Not only did they [...]

I Can Has Agent?

My test reader chitties will remember this… Thought I’d just put my original query letter up for review. I decided it was too formal, though.

Well, after much (much!) painful deliberation…

and much nagging of test readers and even folks who have not read my book, there seems to have emerged a preference among the recent title front-runners. So, I should begin querying in earnest soon. I sent off a couple of e-queries last week under my previous title of “Still Haunted” also, so we’ll see [...]

I felt so symbolic yesterday…

I feel I’ve turned a corner, made a circle back. Circles have odd personal symbolism for me. I am drawn to their forever quality, their symmetry, their perfection. I remember being amazed when my mother told me that Leonardo DaVinci could draw a perfect circle freehanded. I don’t know if that’s true. I certainly can’t, [...]

Naturally…

So, last night I had a dream. In my dream, I had a new test reader for my novel. He was so enthusiastic about my project that, in addition to his detailed feedback, he submitted pictures of himself with some significant item from each chapter. So, a picture of him holding a bottle of Irish [...]

Editing Makes Me Cry

Well, not directly. But the results of editing make me cry. I finished my most recent edits and sent the manuscript out to a fresh set of test readers. One reader, after finishing in 24-hours, sent me an email this morning that had me in tears. DONE!!! Bravo!!! BRAVO!!!! It’s beautifully written… I laughed, I [...]

Scene Together

I am so close to finishing I can taste it! I just finished editing Chapter 33, which was the major scene I needed to add. I’ve got to go back and review it later to see how it fits after a little distance, but I think it worked out well. Seven chapters left on the [...]

Three is a Magic Number

Editing away. There are now three chapters yet to be edited. I definitely have some reworking to do in these last chapters, though. Polishing for the ending. Then it will be back through again for touch-ups and more descriptions. A very helpful writing buddy gave me a great suggestion for an extended scene, so I’ll [...]

Full Steam Ahead

I am editing like all get out. I totally rewrote chapter 32 today. I added in an unexpected graveyard scene; I’ll have to read it in a bit and see how I feel about it. I’m now up to chapter 34 for edits. Seven chapters left in my major edit, and I’m feeling really good [...]

I Love It When We’re Cruisin’ Together

Editing is in full swing. I critique for my buddies and they critique for me. I’m now through 25 chapters for my major edit. 15 left to go. I’ve updated the status of my editing plan. I’ve cut about 4500 words so far (well, I’ve cut a lot more than that, but I’ve added stuff [...]

Anyone who has the time…

I could really use opinions on the changes to the first chapter. It is under Rewrite of the Rewrite. Specifically, I want to know if the revised opening works, and whether the added time-setting details fit in smoothly. Thanks in advance!

Oh, Test Readers…

First of all… The game is afoot. (If you still haven’t given me your address, you might want to get on that. ) Second, I’ve created a survey for some questions I had about your opinions on the book. Please take a few minutes to answer if you can. It should be super easy and [...]

Keepin’ on Keepin’ on

So a few little things to report. First of all, I’ve joined a critiquing website that was recommended by someone I did NaNoWriMo with a couple of months ago. And I have my first chapter up for review this week. I already have had 4 lovely reviews written– the most so far of anyone else [...]

Reorganized!

You might have noticed I regrouped a bit. The test reader pages are now lumped together on one tab, and all the book-related pages are linked from one tab also. There is also a discussion page for title options, since some folks have suggested I change it. Happy New Year, everyone!

I R Editing… a smidge, anyway.

So, I’ve been searching the internet for a good definition of women’s fiction. The category seems to be a bit vague, really, other than that it should appeal to women. So, with that nebulous information, I’ve decided to enter a contest in the category of “Women’s Fiction with Romantic Elements”. At the very least, someone [...]