It's fall, y'all. October 30, 2017

Be careful what you wish for! I know this sounds like a great problem to have, but I have 2 publishers interested in my adult mystery novel…at the same time (or are they?) Cue the suspense music: DA-DA-DA-DUM…Here’s the skinny: First a publisher asked for major revisions--which I was happy to do. It took three weeks, but my manuscript is definitely in its best shape ever. I sent that version back and waited. And waited. Then, a second publisher offered a contract. What to do? I researched both publishers, asked a couple questions to authors with each, and heard back mostly favorable reviews on both. I’m still leaning toward the first publisher, but she hasn’t responded to my last two emails now. Then I emailed the second one with a couple of questions, but (you guessed it!) I haven’t heard back from that one, either. Granted, it’s only been three or four days, but when you’re antsy, three or four days is an eternity! That old adage “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” might just apply here. Another one came to mind-“you snooze, you lose.” In the meantime, I have revisions I need to be concentrating on while trying to be a little more patient. What will be will be…

 October 14, 2017: This week’s blog is a little early, but I have to let the good news out or I will burst! Remember all those weeks of waiting? Well, this past week was the polar opposite. On Monday, I returned a revision of my Adult Mystery (BLOOD MONEY) to an Editor, and on Friday the 13th my Publisher revealed the cover for THE SECRET OF ONE BELMONT LANE--plus I received the Editor’s final revision. The book is due out by year’s end, so this will be my third Saturday in a row chained to my laptop, BUT I LOVE IT!  What did the two revisions have in common? NOTHING. Each Editor requested different styles - of course, one is Adult genre and the other is Pre-Teen. Two different editors=two different writing styles. In the final revision of my children’s book, my Editor graciously pointed out a couple of boo-boos I’d missed. Would they have been okay as they were? Maybe, but thankfully, I have the opportunity to correct them. The only regret? My family is cheering on THE VOLS without me. GBO…especially THE PRIDE OF THE SOUTHLAND BAND!

October 9, 2017:  For the past 3 weekends, I’ve written (actually, revised) almost non-stop, my Adult-Mystery, BLOOD MONEY--which was due back to the Editor today. I said I would deliver it today, and I did! Deadlines are important to me, and it was important to make my story as good as possible. I hope I did that, but pushing “send” was challenging. Actually, even after I had the email ready to go, I clicked on the attachment one more time just to make sure the formatting was correct. I learned some interesting things during this revision: I use proper names ‘way too much. A great writer-friend pointed out to me when I’m engaged in a conversation, I rarely use the other person’s name. And certainly not over-and-over. That’s a good lesson, learned. I also learned that twice in the story, I discovered two major boo-boos on the plot--and this was after I thought the story was in ‘submit’ format. I just cannot proof on-screen. I need to print and proof, pen in hand, quiet room, no distractions. Also, what I have proved to myself is that I can be a writer. I can meet deadlines. I can always improve my story. Signature tags are not necessary, action is; and finally, I understand how important it is to improve yourself as a writer, too. Different editors want different things. Once you have a requested revision, concentrate on what that particular editor wants to see and deliver it. Now while I understand a contract is no done- deal on BLOOD MONEY, (the editor made that plain, they can still reject) however, my story is so much better with this intense revision. After a brief rest, I’ll be ready to revise book two-BLOOD MOON (which is completed). I realized during this last revision, I need to insert an important tie-in from book one. It need not be a huge rewrite, a line or two will suffice, but it’s imperative to the storyline. By doing so, that will set up book three (the final story in the trilogy of Baker Manor) and without this little tidbit, I have no book three. Takeaways: always print hard copy for the final revision. Be willing to do the work. There’s always room for improvement--if you’re lucky enough to get feedback from an editor, their opinion will always trump yours. Be willing to listen and learn.

 

October 2, 2017: I received some great news last week. My Adult Romance Mystery had a nibble from an editor. It made the first pass and will go to the contract panel, with my requested revisions. She warned there’s no guarantee, but what an awesome opportunity--to receive expert feedback on how to improve the manuscript. I’ve worked on it every day…sometimes until late into the night (11pm IS late into the night for someone who goes to bed at 9pm!) The editor also requested I age the MC. No problem. It didn’t take long to discover what a chore that is. In my case, I aged Alex eight years--which meant everyone connected needed to age, as well. Her language, dress, daily activities…all that changed in some way or another. The reason for the aging process? I marketed the story as New Adult and, according to this Editor, at least, that genre isn’t catching on like anticipated. Of course, I’m trying to sell the story. I’m going for a contract. You bet, I’ll make the requested changes. And have fun doing it! I love this process. It’s that darn first draft that’s hard. This part is the icing on the cake. Forget the fact I missed two home college ballgames, and the opportunity to watch my granddaughter march in the greatest college band in the nation. I have a story to revise! After toiling almost every night, all day Saturday, and half a day on Sunday, I’m almost finished with the first two revisions of a three-part revision plan. The first two were to remove most of the signature tags (he said/she said) and replace them with action so the reader would know who is speaking. Ex.: Alex walked to the door. “Are you coming?” instead of: “Are you coming?” Alex asked. The second revision involved the “find” option in Word. The words I’m finding and replacing (as many as possible) include: have, had, was, is, are, be, just, and that. After this revision is complete, I will print hard copy and proof one final time before returning the manuscript. Here’s hoping, fingers crossed, and prayers said.