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.

 

September 25, 2017 - almost the end of September??? Am I in a warp zone?

Last week I touched on what I enjoy reading for pleasure; today, I’ll mention a couple of things I found helpful when writing children’s books. People have asked me if writing for children is easier than writing for adults. Since I attempt both, I feel equipped to answer: NO. For picture books, telling the story in five-hundred words or less can be daunting, to say the least. Add to that, the path to finding the right tone is harder than it might seem. Words that are lyrical and appealing, that peak interest and tickle the funny bone at the same time, and sometimes encourage and uplift without coming across as “preachy,” oftentimes elude me. The best way to improve writing for children is to read, read, read. I can’t say it enough. For my elementary-grade book coming out soon (The Secret of One Belmont Lane), I wanted to write a story for my grandson who was (at that time) entering sixth grade. I read everything I could get my hands on for that age group. I googled best-sellers, top tens and read blogs. I took copious notes. I chose a subject I knew nothing about: shapeshifters. In that story, as in all of my stories, I spent a lot of time analyzing my characters. I’ve said this before, but it remains true today--my characters become so real to me I feel bad when I forget their birthdays. For one of my MCs in SECRET, my character outline might look something like this:

Elwood: 10 years old. Dark frame glasses-never in place. Hair sticks up in crown and falls across his eyes. Allergies. Talks with his mouth full. Big on secret codes, spies, conspiracy theories. Pain in the butt. Good student. No sports. Not many friends.

I often develop every character before the first outline. I even rank them from one-ten on importance to the story. Elwood has the number two (#2) after his name--he was the second biggest character in my story. Some of those characteristics never made it into my story, but each one was important in helping me to develop Elwood, to speak in his voice, and to paint pictures about him using words. Of course, having a successful children’s author as a critique partner doesn’t hurt, either. I was lucky enough to assist Nancy Kelly Allen in a small way in one of her books recently on Alzheimer’s. The skill that goes into each of her books is astounding--and so very encouraging that she shares it with a new author. You can find her book on Alzheimer’s (The Riddlers) here: http://www.nancykellyallen.com/the-riddlers.html.

September 18, 2017:

The temperatures have been flirty around these parts. That’s about the nicest thing I can say about the cool nights and crisp mornings in E. TN. I’m not a fan of cold weather, but if I could curl up with a good book, a cup of hot chocolate and stay inside, I could stand it for a day or so. To that end, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite authors (adult genre)--and why: Current Best Sellers - David Baldacci, Patterson’s Alex Cross series, Catherine Coulter - many of the CIA mystery writers. I seem to gravitate toward a good government mystery with a strong plot and captivating setting; but I also like Nora Roberts, Diana Gabaldon (“Aye, Lass.”), Sandra Brown and anything written about the Carolina low country. As for classics--the usuals: the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen (I loved Emma’s “I have never been in love, it’s not my way or my nature, and I don’t think I ever shall.” You just know something good is about to happen!); but as for the more-recent past, I’ve always been a huge fan of Hemingway’s. His life, his marriages, his homes--all make for great reading material. I read once there was twenty times more written about him than he, himself, actually wrote. However, his writing style is what fascinates me most. He believed if a writer was good enough, he could omit a lot of backstory and the reader would never miss a beat. I like that. I strive to be good enough to write a strong story without saying the same thing three different ways or say the same thing three different times. See what I just did there? I said the same thing twice. I’m such a WIP.  However, for all my writing buddies, this is a good exercise: what kind of reading material are you drawn to and why?

September 11, 2017 -

I was amazed to learn when spell checking my latest WIP, the program highlighted certain groupings of words as incorrect. According to the program, split infinitives are a no-no. I set out to learn all I could in a short time about split infinitives…you know, I GOOGLED it--and here’s what I learned:

SPLIT INFINITIVES are a construction of words consisting of an infinitive with an adverb or other word inserted between to and the verb, e.g., she seems to really like it.

I seem to have a real issue with split infinitives. It’s almost like I can’t help myself. Are they needed? Not one bit. Does the sentence mean the same without splitting the infinitive? Of course. So again, “to really like it” means the same as “to like it.”

Yeah, but how do I convey the meaning that someone REALLY likes it? I remember an earlier blog where I wrote about the sins of being a lazy writer. Go back and read that blog--it refers to a different kind of being lazy, but the point is the same. Once I’m aware of poorly-written text, I must improve. So “to boldly go…” should be something like “to go where no man has gone before, eyes determined, body rigid, steps purposeful.” Or you can split the darn infinitive and leave it as “to boldly go.” From what I glean, there is no hard rule against using a split infinitive. After all, if it was good enough for Shakespeare, it’s good enough for me. To be or to really be…that is my question.

Update: I received an email late Saturday stating my Editors were hoping to up my release date to October of THIS YEAR. Like, in a few weeks? I haven’t even begun the requested revision. Is that even possible, you might ask. Stay tuned.