Monday, August 31, 2009

To the mailbox, to the mailbox, to the mailbox it will go!

Okay, so I'm implying snail mail by this pic, but in reality, it's all email, baby. I've been a busy little bee this past weekend: reading my story with a fine tooth comb, making sure my submission guidelines are met to perfection, devising a synopsis that encapsulates all the ins and outs of the story, and polishing a query to make the editor beg for more. Then - deep breath - and then, I sent it out. Gone. Good-bye. Outta here. Never to be heard from again until sometime between now and the end of the year. I don't care what they say, waiting does not make the heart grow fonder.
So now, my first manuscript is out into someone else's hands, er, email inbox, and what's a girl to do? For starters, I'm planning on catching up on my TBR pile, including hot picks like Gena Showalter (The Lords of the Underworld are amazing) and Christine Feehan. I also have lesson plans to update for my kiddos. Ironic, I think, that I'm reading Showalter and teaching my kids about Ancient Greece. Of course, I keep Showalter's spin on the mythology to myself (don't want to confuse the little ones), but it amuses me at how life's little points sometimes intertwine.
After all these other bits I will begin in earnest my next story. I have several ideas down and several stories that have been started sometime in the past, but I believe I have it narrowed down to three different tales. I'll let you know the gist of the next one, perhaps within the week?

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Will it ever end???

Okay, I finished my story what? Two or three weeks ago, right? I dug in and worked on my query/submission letter. I have this just about polished and good to go. I should be set to zip this awesome story out to eager publishers, right? Wrong. There always seems to be "just one more thing." I have a friend that tells me to get used to it. That it's always "just one more thing." Hahahaha. Okay, sure, I'm game. Doesn't mean I have to love it, but I'll do what it takes.
Oh, that extra bit I have to do? It's the synopsis. Basically, a book report of my story. It has to be short, concise, and explain the characters and the story from beginning to end. Sounds easy? I suppose, but it depends on to whom you speak. Some love 'em, some hate 'em. Me? We'll see. I can't say I'm jumping up and down about doing one, but I know it's necessary so I'll roll up my sleeves and turn on my machine and read my story again and make notes and turn out one kiss-a** synopsis!
I'll let you know how it goes!

Friday, August 7, 2009

The Sweet Smell of Victory


Okay, okay, so I'm jumping the gun a little. After nearly a year of work, I think I deserve to jump ahead.

I finished my story! Yea! Truth be told, I finished the thing last fall, but had to edit the story so extensively I decided to scrap that and simply rewrite it. Better. And it is, at least I think so. Now, I'm beginning work on the dreaded query letter. For me, it's a drag. How do you write a brief something about you, your story, in such a way that the editor/agent/publisher will set aside his or her coffee and declare "This is it! I want it!"...? I mean, I can push the heck out of someone else's stuff, but as for mine - it's the creative flaw in all artistic endeavors I believe. I know my story is good. I know my story is capable of being published. But will I be able to write the perfect letter that the right person will read who will be in a good enough mood to respond back to me with a yes letter instead of rejection?

Yep, I can do it. Yes, I will do it.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Wasted Time


A friend and I were talking the other day about how when we're handed golden opportunities to write, we often, stupidly, do not take such opportunities. Mine happened last night. Kids went to bed great, husband went out with a friend, just me and my story, right? Wrong. Try me and someone else's story. Yep, I read the night away. Do I feel good about this? Of course I do . . . not. So today, with everyone hopping around, I'm sneaking a sentence or two or three in on my work in progress. I'm calling it just punishment for not taking advantage of undisturbed time last night. It's tough to be your own "boss" sometimes.