Thursday, November 3, 2011
Obsession.
I am currently obsessed with Downton Abbey. The writing is amazing, the scenery splendid, the costumes exquisite, the actors spot-on, the characters are compelling, and I just can't get this incredible series out of my head.
Book I started during last year's NaNoWriMo
Tell me what you think:
Jack Smith of the Lantern
and
the Devil that Made Him So
by
Andrea Moreau
It was the first night of Autumn that Jack wound his threadbare scarf around his neck and put up the collar on his tweed. As Jack stumbled toward home, he happened upon a dark figure in the road. Jack was not afraid of anyone or anything except maybe his Mum, but she was dead. So he approached it, fully intending to walk around it or even step over it. But curiosity, for once, overcame him. He approached the rumpled heap and hesitated briefly wanting to kick it. Hands in his trouser pockets, he clutched the silver cross he always kept on him. It was his Mum’s and she was a good God-fearing woman who went to church every day of her life. It wasn’t the fear and comfort of God he kept in his pocket but the memory of his dear ol’ Mum.
But at that moment, the heap moved. Jack heard laughing. The heap was laughing. The laugh was a deep, throaty, scratchy, maddening laugh. Jack’s sunken, slitty eyes reflected his abandoned curiosity for full out surprise and then squinted with irritation. Then the coughing came. The heap coughed. It coughed a horrible, wet, raspy cough that screamed disease and Jack turned to be moving on. Bloody bum. Jack had no time to fool with vagrants especially ones with tuberculosis.
“Oy, there!” The heap rasped. “Can ye spare a topper for a friend?”
Jack turned halfway so as not to fully face the impertinent beggar. A creature of habit and not one to chat easily with others, Jack was already put out enough. “Get on with yerself. I haven’t the time nor the money.” He added, “And get yerself off the street, would ya. It’s the middle of the night.”
“I meant no harm . . . Jack,” said the heap. Again, Jack’s eyes grew from wide and bulgy and back to little slits as he tried to size up the hobo.
“How is it I know ya? Show your face,” Jack said slowly and suspiciously, turning for a confrontation.
“Oh, I’ve known ya yer whole life, Jack,” said the heap, rising from its pile into the figure of a man. “I’ve known ye and watched ye and I know what kind of person ye are. I see yer headed home but I think you should join me in a drink and a bit o’ conversation.”
Jack considered this. Not because of the dubious person in front of him saying that he knew him and wanted to talk. He considered this because the heap-man wanted to drink. Jack was always up for a drink. It didn’t matter much that he’d already drunk his stout for the day. However, this man had referred to him by name; said he’d known him his whole life. What could he want? What was his scheme? I’ll teach him to scheme. No one pulls the wool over my eyes. I can see a trick coming a mile away. Jack couldn’t see the eyes of the heap-man. But he didn’t want to go closer to the man. He didn’t want to appear too curious either. Turn and go. “Jack.” Lucky guess.
“Off with ya. Don’t know ye. Name’s not Jack anyhow.”
“Oh, Jack. I think ya’d want ta come have a pint with me. What’s ta fear in a pub? Ya spend all yer days in the pub.”
Jack considered this once again. They were only around the corner from the Duck. Then he could find out what this crazy wanted from him. Maybe a loan. Maybe a big one. That’s what he wanted. This fellow must know my business and has spoken to someone at t’ pub. That’s how old Jack made his money and though this was not a conventional way of asking for a loan, he could listen and count his interest to himself while he listened to another sad story.
“A’right, then.” Jack said decidedly. “Come on and I don’t want to be out all night so let’s be getting’ on with it.”
They walked in silence down the cobblestone street of Devyn, one of the smallest villages in Ireland. Jack hunched his shoulders, as the chill was getting to him. He again felt the warmth of the cross in his trouser pocket and clutched it absentmindedly while he walked briskly, head down, not caring if his company was to the side of him or behind him or whether he was there anymore at all. Jack didn’t feel like making much conversation. He wasn’t a conversationalist by any means and was strictly about the business, whatever that may be, at hand. The sooner I get there, the sooner I can be getting’ home, he thought.
Jack grasped the handle of the short wooden door and felt the surprising warmth of the place as he ducked in. The stranger was indeed still behind him because he heard the door being pulled to. Jack looked around for a quiet table rather than sitting at the bar. He’d need a bit of privacy if he was to talk business with this man. He walked over to a table very near the fireplace and began removing his tattered scarf. As he sat, he looked up to the stranger and finally saw his face . . . and his eyes.
The man was quite well-dressed for these parts. He looked neither very old nor very young. It was difficult to put an age to him. He didn’t have a wrinkle but his skin looked rough like it had seen a lot of the sun. Baked really. Aged prematurely, maybe?
“Jack, what I have to say won’t take long. It’s time. You don’t have any more of it. And you have to come with me. Drink yer drink. It’s on me. It’ll be yer last though,” said the man heap.
“Yeah. Well, I don’t know what yer gettin’ at. How much of a loan do ya need? I don’t have all night to be playin’ games and tellin’ jokes. Just tell me what you need and I’ll tell you the terms,”said Jack at first a bit perturbed and then unflinchingly back to the business at hand.
The man shifted in his chair to lean forward a bit so he wouldn’t have to raise his voice. “Jack, listen to me. I’m not playin’ with ya. I have to tell you who I am. Take my arm.” The man offered his arm to Jack across the table.
“I don’t have time for this. I don’t know who you are or what you’re doin’ but I’m a businessman. If you don’t need a loan, off with ya. You want to play, look around,” Jack pushed his chair back and waved off the waitress. “There’s plenty of silly people in this town to play with. Good night.” Jack turned from the table and put the collar back up on his coat.
Stupid bum, a-wasting my time. I don’t need to be playing games. I need to rest. I’m too old for that nonsense. Jack didn’t bother acknowledging anyone in the bar on his way out though several people nodded in his direction. Everyone saw Jack as an old curmudgeon but not endearingly so. Jack was just sort of a staple in the town. Everyone knew him but no one really knew him.
Jack pulled the door to the pub closed, looked up at the night sky, and once again began his way home.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Hiya!
Shazam! Where does the time go?
I have little excuse, dear blog. Life happens and time flies. Those are my excuses. But DARN. I had really wanted to post the beginning of a potential novel/short story/novella/who knows that I started last year in honor of Halloween--my absolute favorite holiday! But I just remembered it's on my laptop so I'll get that for you tomorrow. It was a good one this year too. Had lots of fun with the neighbors and my kiddo aka Boba Fett.
No word back from the publisher on the children's sports book. It has now been a year since I first submitted a query. But my fortune cookie today say to "expect some long awaited good news." I hate a tease.
Anyone writing for NaNoWriMo? I am !!!!! I'm using it as inspiration to finish the novel I started this summer. I think I was half way this summer so my word count will go toward the last half. Wish me luck! Oh and one of my besties has been offering to read for me so I thought that would also encourage me to work on it. I'm bringing the manuscript thus far to her tomorrow. Yay! Progress! Check it out people! NaNoWriMo and my user name on the site is andreaemoreau so we can be writing buddies!
I have little excuse, dear blog. Life happens and time flies. Those are my excuses. But DARN. I had really wanted to post the beginning of a potential novel/short story/novella/who knows that I started last year in honor of Halloween--my absolute favorite holiday! But I just remembered it's on my laptop so I'll get that for you tomorrow. It was a good one this year too. Had lots of fun with the neighbors and my kiddo aka Boba Fett.
No word back from the publisher on the children's sports book. It has now been a year since I first submitted a query. But my fortune cookie today say to "expect some long awaited good news." I hate a tease.
Anyone writing for NaNoWriMo? I am !!!!! I'm using it as inspiration to finish the novel I started this summer. I think I was half way this summer so my word count will go toward the last half. Wish me luck! Oh and one of my besties has been offering to read for me so I thought that would also encourage me to work on it. I'm bringing the manuscript thus far to her tomorrow. Yay! Progress! Check it out people! NaNoWriMo and my user name on the site is andreaemoreau so we can be writing buddies!
Monday, September 5, 2011
August Sucked, Book Revision, Weird Storm, and Birthday Train.
The Mercury Retrograde thing really got me this time. Thank goodness that's over, I hope. My Aunt Jenneanne says that it takes about 10 days to get all the yuckiness of the retrograde off. But let me tell you about the past month or so (these are actual events which have occurred in my life though not necessarily in this order):
--My beloved dog of 13 years was killed. $300 for cremation.
--My husband's truck died. I got a flat which ended up costing over $300.
--Weeks later, my car battery died--got a new one of those.
--I had a horrible, horrible ear infection (which I've never had before in my life) which lasted a week, was very painful, and cost me over $150.
--My husband hurt his already bad knee even more severely so he is very debilitated and has been for weeks now.
--I was driving my mother's car with my Mom, son, and niece on board on our way out to eat one night when the brakes completely went out. With every bit of strength I had in my two legs, I was somehow able to stop it. We were later told that the brake booster went out and the mechanic was surprised that I could even stop the car myself and he said we were pretty "lucky."
--Our brand new only a year old A/C went out and it took a week to get the parts in and it fixed. The only bright spot was that it was under warranty and so we ONLY had to pay some labor.
--My rental house did not get rented in August so we've been utterly broke due to that and all the other mishaps.
--Then, we go to "freshen it up" for the new renters and patch what we thought would be a small crack in the ceiling paint in the master bedroom. My husband went to scrape it and the entire ceiling of popcorn paint came down in sheets. Of course that was another $300.
--The damn thing is rented now but the new tenants, who I wasn't too sure about to begin with, begged me for a deal so that they could pay the deposits in October instead of now and then they shorted me $100 on the first month's rent because they said they didn't know it was going to cost so much to move.
Please let it all be over.
I was on the phone, sitting outside one night on my patio, complaining to my mother about the craziness that is my August and while I'm complaining, a bright light flashed and I hear a pop and my outside flood light went out. Of course, that's up twenty feet and my husband can't exactly go up ladders right now. It's really not a big deal but I had such an odd feeling when it happened. It was like the Universe laughing at me; mocking me for the complaining. It was truly eerie.
I know my husband thinks I'm crazy (well, that's a given), even crazier than usual, because I was having a mini breakdown last night about the feng shui of our bedroom. Our bed faces the door. This is a classic feng shui no-no. I knew this when we arranged the furniture initially but our bedroom set is so big, it was our only option. Our energy is running right out the door though. I am convinced that we are so drained (financially, emotionally, physically, etc.) because of this feng shui. I'm still trying to convince him to lose the bedroom set in favor of something smaller and more conducive to our feng shui needs. I'm not holding my breath though.
In other news, I am very proud of myself because today I finished the revision of my book for Pelican Publishing Co. Coincidentally, I read my horoscope today. It said that projects begun during the first week of September following the new moon were very likely to be successful this year. It also said that there is luck in publishing for Virgos, too. It had a bunch of negative hooey in there too, but hey, I'm used to it now. Anyway, so I'm mailing the revision off tomorrow. I did exactly what the editor said to do. I hope, I hope, I hope they like it. Please, please, Universe! Cut me a break this once! So stay tuned for that.
Last week, a weird storm popped up in the Gulf, strengthened into a Tropical Storm named Lee, and decided to sit over the Gulf South for almost 4 days. I think everyone around here is okay. Minimal wind issues, minor flooding and stuff. But, as it left, it sucked a cold front behind it! So all day it was extremely breezy and at times, even, dare I say? chilly??? What is up, Universe? Tomorrow the high is 79. Say what? And in the low 80s all week. That's just crazy talk. But it's soooooo needed right now. I can tolerate anything as long as the weather's nice. In fact, I can be downright frisky and in a good mood if the weather is nice. My co-workers might actually like me this week!
My birthday is coming. I hear it off in the distance like a freight train on a still night, miles and miles away. Chugging, chugging closer and closer. This errant North wind is all that calms me, soothes me, allowing me to breathe. But I know it's out there, coming for me. All forty train cars heaving, pressing, and roaring in the distance. In less than two weeks, I won't have any choice. I'll be standing in the middle of the tracks awaiting the heavy, loud, unforgiving, colossal power to overcome me. The blinding light, the shrill metallic shriek, and then the strike.
Not that I'm being dramatic or anything. More later.
--My beloved dog of 13 years was killed. $300 for cremation.
--My husband's truck died. I got a flat which ended up costing over $300.
--Weeks later, my car battery died--got a new one of those.
--I had a horrible, horrible ear infection (which I've never had before in my life) which lasted a week, was very painful, and cost me over $150.
--My husband hurt his already bad knee even more severely so he is very debilitated and has been for weeks now.
--I was driving my mother's car with my Mom, son, and niece on board on our way out to eat one night when the brakes completely went out. With every bit of strength I had in my two legs, I was somehow able to stop it. We were later told that the brake booster went out and the mechanic was surprised that I could even stop the car myself and he said we were pretty "lucky."
--Our brand new only a year old A/C went out and it took a week to get the parts in and it fixed. The only bright spot was that it was under warranty and so we ONLY had to pay some labor.
--My rental house did not get rented in August so we've been utterly broke due to that and all the other mishaps.
--Then, we go to "freshen it up" for the new renters and patch what we thought would be a small crack in the ceiling paint in the master bedroom. My husband went to scrape it and the entire ceiling of popcorn paint came down in sheets. Of course that was another $300.
--The damn thing is rented now but the new tenants, who I wasn't too sure about to begin with, begged me for a deal so that they could pay the deposits in October instead of now and then they shorted me $100 on the first month's rent because they said they didn't know it was going to cost so much to move.
Please let it all be over.
I was on the phone, sitting outside one night on my patio, complaining to my mother about the craziness that is my August and while I'm complaining, a bright light flashed and I hear a pop and my outside flood light went out. Of course, that's up twenty feet and my husband can't exactly go up ladders right now. It's really not a big deal but I had such an odd feeling when it happened. It was like the Universe laughing at me; mocking me for the complaining. It was truly eerie.
I know my husband thinks I'm crazy (well, that's a given), even crazier than usual, because I was having a mini breakdown last night about the feng shui of our bedroom. Our bed faces the door. This is a classic feng shui no-no. I knew this when we arranged the furniture initially but our bedroom set is so big, it was our only option. Our energy is running right out the door though. I am convinced that we are so drained (financially, emotionally, physically, etc.) because of this feng shui. I'm still trying to convince him to lose the bedroom set in favor of something smaller and more conducive to our feng shui needs. I'm not holding my breath though.
In other news, I am very proud of myself because today I finished the revision of my book for Pelican Publishing Co. Coincidentally, I read my horoscope today. It said that projects begun during the first week of September following the new moon were very likely to be successful this year. It also said that there is luck in publishing for Virgos, too. It had a bunch of negative hooey in there too, but hey, I'm used to it now. Anyway, so I'm mailing the revision off tomorrow. I did exactly what the editor said to do. I hope, I hope, I hope they like it. Please, please, Universe! Cut me a break this once! So stay tuned for that.
Last week, a weird storm popped up in the Gulf, strengthened into a Tropical Storm named Lee, and decided to sit over the Gulf South for almost 4 days. I think everyone around here is okay. Minimal wind issues, minor flooding and stuff. But, as it left, it sucked a cold front behind it! So all day it was extremely breezy and at times, even, dare I say? chilly??? What is up, Universe? Tomorrow the high is 79. Say what? And in the low 80s all week. That's just crazy talk. But it's soooooo needed right now. I can tolerate anything as long as the weather's nice. In fact, I can be downright frisky and in a good mood if the weather is nice. My co-workers might actually like me this week!
My birthday is coming. I hear it off in the distance like a freight train on a still night, miles and miles away. Chugging, chugging closer and closer. This errant North wind is all that calms me, soothes me, allowing me to breathe. But I know it's out there, coming for me. All forty train cars heaving, pressing, and roaring in the distance. In less than two weeks, I won't have any choice. I'll be standing in the middle of the tracks awaiting the heavy, loud, unforgiving, colossal power to overcome me. The blinding light, the shrill metallic shriek, and then the strike.
Not that I'm being dramatic or anything. More later.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Been awhile . . .
Sorry I have neglected you, sweet blog! Life happens. And laziness helps, too. Let's catch up!
So, school has just begun. As of today, we are three days in. New administration and a few new teachers and way too many students! We need more teachers! I am busily adding new students into my library database and preparing for library classes next week. I have a LOT of new ideas, new books, etc. to share with students this year. Can't wait! New favorite children's book: Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes. Can't wait to read and sing this book to students. They're going to love it and there's the follow up also, Pete the Cat: Rocking in my School Shoes. So fun!
On the subject of books, I had promised to share some favs. So here's a list of my favorite books I've read in the last year. Oh, keep in mind that some of these are "indie" published books. I got my nook September 14, 2010 for my birthday and I think everything I've read since then has been on there so I got to take advantage of lower priced indie ebooks. As a result, I found some awesome authors in the fantasy, paranormal romance type genres.
Favorite, of course, is Amanda Hocking, author of the Trylle Trilogy. Many kudos to her for signing recently with a house and the masses will soon be able to enjoy her books beyond epub. My other favorite of hers in Hollowland. Now this book is about a post-apocalyptic zombie US. I wasn't excited to read it at first because I had never read a zombie book. But I loved it. Give it a try. At 2.99 you really can't go wrong, right!? She's written a bunch of others, but the above are my favorites and she's got a funny, interesting, personal blog. I'm thinking 9th grade and up, appropriate, but some may argue younger okay.
Close second favorite author is H.P.Mallory. Her books are about paranormal characters too. Currently she has out several installments of two series, the Dulcie O'Neil series and the Jolie Wilkins series. Both excellent. Fairies, vampires, weres, all that good stuff. Her books are a little more sexy, so think upper high school to adult. But again, some may argue younger. Mallory's main characters are sarcastic and funny and get themselves into all sorts of predicaments unintentionally and meet up with unforgettable characters. You will fly through them and then be mad at yourself for reading them so fast when you're finished. You won't want them to end. At least I didn't.
Historical Romance. Now I haven't visited this genre in years but suddenly craved it over my lazy summer. I happened to find Anne Stuart. I thoroughly enjoyed the House of Rohan books and The Devil's Waltz. I thought they were well written, not sappy, with fully developed unrepentant bad guy/love interests. The heroines are witty and strong with multi-faceted emotions and reactions and I like that they author draws them as not your typical classically beautiful damsels. The books have just enough detail and highly satisfying resolutions.
You must read Ally Condie's Matched and now Crossed has just come out. I love these post-apocalyptic, new world type books.
Great new take on werewolves: Read Shiver and the next two books in the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater. Haven't read the 3rd yet. Maybe I'll get it for my birthday, hint, hint.
In between all of these I've read several others and maybe I'll mention them later but these are my favorites.
I simply cannot wait until the Hunger Games movie comes out! And I'm still reeling from the exceptional conclusion to the Harry Potter movies. Well done and very gratifying. J.K.Rowling is just pure genius as are everyone who made the books come to life.
That's all for now . . .
So, school has just begun. As of today, we are three days in. New administration and a few new teachers and way too many students! We need more teachers! I am busily adding new students into my library database and preparing for library classes next week. I have a LOT of new ideas, new books, etc. to share with students this year. Can't wait! New favorite children's book: Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes. Can't wait to read and sing this book to students. They're going to love it and there's the follow up also, Pete the Cat: Rocking in my School Shoes. So fun!
On the subject of books, I had promised to share some favs. So here's a list of my favorite books I've read in the last year. Oh, keep in mind that some of these are "indie" published books. I got my nook September 14, 2010 for my birthday and I think everything I've read since then has been on there so I got to take advantage of lower priced indie ebooks. As a result, I found some awesome authors in the fantasy, paranormal romance type genres.
Favorite, of course, is Amanda Hocking, author of the Trylle Trilogy. Many kudos to her for signing recently with a house and the masses will soon be able to enjoy her books beyond epub. My other favorite of hers in Hollowland. Now this book is about a post-apocalyptic zombie US. I wasn't excited to read it at first because I had never read a zombie book. But I loved it. Give it a try. At 2.99 you really can't go wrong, right!? She's written a bunch of others, but the above are my favorites and she's got a funny, interesting, personal blog. I'm thinking 9th grade and up, appropriate, but some may argue younger okay.
Close second favorite author is H.P.Mallory. Her books are about paranormal characters too. Currently she has out several installments of two series, the Dulcie O'Neil series and the Jolie Wilkins series. Both excellent. Fairies, vampires, weres, all that good stuff. Her books are a little more sexy, so think upper high school to adult. But again, some may argue younger. Mallory's main characters are sarcastic and funny and get themselves into all sorts of predicaments unintentionally and meet up with unforgettable characters. You will fly through them and then be mad at yourself for reading them so fast when you're finished. You won't want them to end. At least I didn't.
Historical Romance. Now I haven't visited this genre in years but suddenly craved it over my lazy summer. I happened to find Anne Stuart. I thoroughly enjoyed the House of Rohan books and The Devil's Waltz. I thought they were well written, not sappy, with fully developed unrepentant bad guy/love interests. The heroines are witty and strong with multi-faceted emotions and reactions and I like that they author draws them as not your typical classically beautiful damsels. The books have just enough detail and highly satisfying resolutions.
You must read Ally Condie's Matched and now Crossed has just come out. I love these post-apocalyptic, new world type books.
Great new take on werewolves: Read Shiver and the next two books in the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater. Haven't read the 3rd yet. Maybe I'll get it for my birthday, hint, hint.
In between all of these I've read several others and maybe I'll mention them later but these are my favorites.
I simply cannot wait until the Hunger Games movie comes out! And I'm still reeling from the exceptional conclusion to the Harry Potter movies. Well done and very gratifying. J.K.Rowling is just pure genius as are everyone who made the books come to life.
That's all for now . . .
Thursday, July 14, 2011
No News Was Good News--sorta
I got an email back from the editor in chief at the publisher where my children's book ms has been sitting for over 7 months. Finally.
The good news is she didn't say no. The bad news is she didn't say yes either. The neither good nor bad news is it needs revision. The good news is she told me exactly what needs to go. The bad news is I'm just not quite sure how to fix the couple other things she told me about. This particular book also requires the permission of an NFL football team and the NFL itself. So, I guess I'll have to research that. Bottom line though, she didn't say no. So, it's feedback. The criticism was not negative in any way. AND, she said that they editorial board all agreed that it is a "book that will sell." Of course, I knew that when I wrote it.
However, even though the feedback wasn't negatively critical and they thought the book would sell, I just kinda thought I'd get a little more help than that. I know I'm a newbie to the publishing world but if they think the book will sell, why didn't she say, "Ok, we're in. Let's sit down and talk and make this as good as it can be" and then really work with me. I know they don't have a lot of time. But if she tells me the book will sell then why wouldn't they want to invest in its perfecting? I guess maybe it could be because it's a small publisher. Don't know. So, in considering all that, it's just sort of left me in kind of a funk.
At first, I wanted to run to my computer and begin working on it immediately. But then, I felt like what's the point--I'm not even sure if I can fix some of the parts. And approaching an entity like the NFL seems a bit overwhelming. I don't know. Maybe it's not all that bad.
I'm not giving up. But for some reason I'm just not in a hurry. Maybe I should be. Maybe I'll have a sudden surge of devotion toward the manuscript again. I know I sound wishy-washy. I bet I probably sound ungrateful too. I mean how often does a writer query a publisher (the first one I've ever queried) and a month later, they actually asked to see the manuscript? That's like unheard of. Even with small publishers.
Okay, okay. I can actually hear you yelling at me to stop whining and get to work.
I'll keep you posted on that.
So anyway, I thanked her--the editor, of course, and told her I appreciated the helpful remarks and that I would work on it and get back to her. So I told her that and I have to do it. Because when I tell somebody something, I follow through.
I have two other children's books and now I'm free to query this same publisher about one of them (you can only query about one at a time and only submit one manuscript at a time with any publisher). Or, I can query another publisher about this book--which I definitely won't do. Just wouldn't feel right about it and this book is perfect for this publisher. But, I may play around with submitting queries on the others. I might even query agents. What the heck? Nothing to lose and all kinds of experience and criticism to gain, right?
About the novel I'm currently working on:
I'm at 28,757 words and 93 pages. Which I think is about half way. My goal was to finish it this summer before I went back to work. What? It could happen! Yeah, I know. I've been so lazy about writing. Maybe I need encouragement. Maybe I need tough love. Like, "NO chocolate until you give me 5,000 words!" You know? I think that would work. I'll have to talk my husband into threatening me with stuff like that. More later . . .
The good news is she didn't say no. The bad news is she didn't say yes either. The neither good nor bad news is it needs revision. The good news is she told me exactly what needs to go. The bad news is I'm just not quite sure how to fix the couple other things she told me about. This particular book also requires the permission of an NFL football team and the NFL itself. So, I guess I'll have to research that. Bottom line though, she didn't say no. So, it's feedback. The criticism was not negative in any way. AND, she said that they editorial board all agreed that it is a "book that will sell." Of course, I knew that when I wrote it.
However, even though the feedback wasn't negatively critical and they thought the book would sell, I just kinda thought I'd get a little more help than that. I know I'm a newbie to the publishing world but if they think the book will sell, why didn't she say, "Ok, we're in. Let's sit down and talk and make this as good as it can be" and then really work with me. I know they don't have a lot of time. But if she tells me the book will sell then why wouldn't they want to invest in its perfecting? I guess maybe it could be because it's a small publisher. Don't know. So, in considering all that, it's just sort of left me in kind of a funk.
At first, I wanted to run to my computer and begin working on it immediately. But then, I felt like what's the point--I'm not even sure if I can fix some of the parts. And approaching an entity like the NFL seems a bit overwhelming. I don't know. Maybe it's not all that bad.
I'm not giving up. But for some reason I'm just not in a hurry. Maybe I should be. Maybe I'll have a sudden surge of devotion toward the manuscript again. I know I sound wishy-washy. I bet I probably sound ungrateful too. I mean how often does a writer query a publisher (the first one I've ever queried) and a month later, they actually asked to see the manuscript? That's like unheard of. Even with small publishers.
Okay, okay. I can actually hear you yelling at me to stop whining and get to work.
I'll keep you posted on that.
So anyway, I thanked her--the editor, of course, and told her I appreciated the helpful remarks and that I would work on it and get back to her. So I told her that and I have to do it. Because when I tell somebody something, I follow through.
I have two other children's books and now I'm free to query this same publisher about one of them (you can only query about one at a time and only submit one manuscript at a time with any publisher). Or, I can query another publisher about this book--which I definitely won't do. Just wouldn't feel right about it and this book is perfect for this publisher. But, I may play around with submitting queries on the others. I might even query agents. What the heck? Nothing to lose and all kinds of experience and criticism to gain, right?
About the novel I'm currently working on:
I'm at 28,757 words and 93 pages. Which I think is about half way. My goal was to finish it this summer before I went back to work. What? It could happen! Yeah, I know. I've been so lazy about writing. Maybe I need encouragement. Maybe I need tough love. Like, "NO chocolate until you give me 5,000 words!" You know? I think that would work. I'll have to talk my husband into threatening me with stuff like that. More later . . .
Friday, July 1, 2011
No love yet. Maybe just a little like.
So I hate my book a little less. I've written maybe another thousand words or more since my last post and I'm feeling a lot better about it. I think if I flesh out a few scenes in outline and give myself a little more direction, I won't feel as overwhelmed. I was just getting really bogged down in it. I know there are things I want to change but I don't feel like going back and working them out right now. But that means there's going to be a helluva lot of work in the rewrite/edit stage.
Right now, I'm counting on myself to feel more productive. Just let me get it all out and then going back and perfecting it should be much simpler. It's kinda painful. Intellectually painful. So for the record, I'm at 28, 324 words which is equal to 91 pages double-spaced in Word.
Right now, I'm counting on myself to feel more productive. Just let me get it all out and then going back and perfecting it should be much simpler. It's kinda painful. Intellectually painful. So for the record, I'm at 28, 324 words which is equal to 91 pages double-spaced in Word.
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