Too Busy Writing?

      I told myself that I'm going to stare at this box, and type something--anything of interest, because I must.

 I read a post last week about why fiction writers have trouble writing in their blog journals, me being one of them, and now I understood why--I'd rather write made-up stories.

The other reason being, my book is not out--not sold--not self-published, nada. I wait...but I've been writing, doesn't this count?

My middle-grade supernatural mystery adventure is with my friend, an editor. While I wait for her edits, and instead of continuing the second book in AF, which is a composition book full. I thought I should use my energy/time wisely writing another story, if say, AbeGale Force, is never picked up by an agent. (Yes, I write longhand into composition books--didn't Bill Clinton do this). And I so DO want an agent. I’m not against promoting, I know I’d have to do this anyway, even with an agent—I promote my weekly singing gig—I don’t mind the hustle. I just like direction, especially in unfamiliar waters.

So I began another adventure WIP, where the MC is a fifteen-year-old boy. It's in first person.  

The story is a little darker than AbeGale Force... it's an adventure, and also an adventure for me, because it's something different from what I've done before, it's fun.

Also, real different, was entering a Romance Short Story contest, though I didn't win--I learned that I could write 5,000 words in four days, even after coming down with bronchitis--managed the last 250 words from my sick bed. I'm certain the quality faltered at that point. But I did it! 

This reminds me of another post I saw this week from the Blog: Miss Snark’s First Victim, about writers writing from the Heart or for the Market. Whether writing for market, or from the heart, it must be good to be challenged, writing in genres you aren’t use to. Or is it better to stick with what you're good at? 

Until you find out: experiment, experiment. That's why I love writing prompts, because they throw you somewhere unfamiliar, and you get to it with a fresh perspective.

As an aspiring author—who’s been aspiring since first grade, when I’d bring my diary to class with it’s made up stories, and read out loud. (Yes-my teacher allowed this)

I’d think experimenting in different genres would keep the mind flexible.

I have an Historical Romance, weighing in my mind now, waiting in line—A Victorian Romance—for adults—not as adult as the Romance story was. Hint: It has to do with Alfred Lord Tennyson, and a far-reaching ancestor of mine….shhh. It’s still in the imagination station.

Affirmation for today: May I write a weekly blog post.  Enjoy the week. 

Here's the Blog & post mentioned above. Miss Snark rules on the Blog Waves for writers.

http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/2012/05/market-or-heart.html  

Revisions are off for Critique.

All right, all right. Now, I know it isn't the end of Revisions (yes, must capitalize) I did send them off to my critique partner, with trembling fingers.  It was sent without a hitch. Yeah. But, but...gone.

While waiting, the possibility of working on WIP #3 comes into play—yeah!

The rough draft is so experimental, so exciting, anything can happen.

I've got two brothers, fifteen, and thirteen, lost in the woods, an alcoholic father, who doesn't yet know they're missing.

But who's protecting whom, when they come across a giant hermit living in a cave.

That’s as far as I got. It’s only about thirty pages.  Ha ha.

This is my 'love letter' to my reluctant reader boys, eleven, and fourteen.

Thank goodness they're tough, but not because their avid readers, more like they aren't going for it unless it's thick with intrigue.

The working title is Brothers on the Rim. I like amusing myself. My 11 year-old was holding me to task while I wrote a good chunk of it, awaiting revision comments, before.

He wants to know (this is a good sign).  Guess, I should move along now, got some organizing, and plot tampering to figure.

It's Been Too Long

I've been buried in revisions for a couple months, and maybe, just maybe, I'll close in on these within a week or two. I'm working with a critique partner/editor/fellow writer, and it's good; the process, I mean. The story is moving forward.

My blog has been neglected, and my WIPs are on hold.

This can be tough for those of us eager to get works out in the world and read.

I’m hanging tight, and try recognizing the importance of this journey, especially for a spaz, like me, for whom enthusiasm has never been a problem.

So I eke away, day by day.

I’m off now, to command my muse, 

“Sit Down and Write!”  

But is my muse talking to me, or I to she?

(Rachel Gardner’s Blog today  http://www.rachellegardner.com/2012/04/train-your-muse-like-you-train-a-puppy/

Progress is flowing nicely.

I'm still in the process of finding a critique group through SCBWI. So far only two responded to the email and they're out of town. Must keep inquiring.
A very good writing friend is assisting with the fine-tuning, and over-all critiquing of ABEGALE FORCE  number 1. Super YEAH!

I've put WIP #2 on hold after handwriting over one hundred pages, until ABEGALE #1 is finished, as I'm not sure if I'll need to adjust the story from any changes within the first story. Trying to be cautious--not exactly my forte.

Monday came and I needed something to write. I've had a singular scene in my head for several months; two brothers, in the woods, trying to survive; in a sense, a love story for my two boys, eleven and thirteen. 

My boys are wild, adventurous, creative, and Reluctant Readers. But I know what they like to read. I hope I can nab that.

Both are Big Fans of Gary Paulsen. My older son says, “Gary Paulsen doesn’t talk down to you in his writing.” Hmm. He was reading SOLDER’S HEART for school, about a young boy of fifteen enlisting in the Civil WAR.

We all became huge fans after reading HATCHET, about a thirteen-year-old who goes down in an airplane, and has to survive in the woods, with only his hatchet. Of course, it is a three-time Newbery Honor Winner. Get it if you haven’t read it yet.

Where was I? Yes, Monday came and I needed to write--something. After having that original scene and holding it to my heart for months, I finally wrote, on and on. I got over fifteen pages into that composition book. I was excited to show my eleven-year-old when he got home.

He loved it and wanted to read more. Of course now, he’s my taskmaster, demanding I write even more. Last night he asked if I had anything new to read to him. Ah. No.

I’m giving an hour toward this progress today. It’s about all I can afford. But I’m getting excited. 

I think the flavor and the characters are already getting under my skin.

It started bleak, and sad, in a way. It was that kind of day.

I felt very much in the mix of the universe, and in sync. And now I must go and write.

I have my orders. 

A Quick Update: I've got some work ahead.

I got two wonderful partial requests, just as the Holiday's came upon us. I knew even with those, I couldn't get my hopes up--too much.  

The first day back from the kid's school break I got some very good editorial advice from Agent #1. Already having read my ms, said he really enjoyed the characters and the story idea--but I need to tighten up and make every word count.

I wasn't very careful putting my chapters in--at all. This I knew, I mean, there weren’t chapters until I finished, (strange right?) Then it was, "Oh...guess I should make chapters,” but no, I didn't need to make a new chapter at every scene change, poor newbie me. 

Mr. Agent #1 said he be willing to take another look at it later in the year...Hum. He actually wants to take another look. I suppose that is a very good thing. He likes something. He did say, "I'm sure with additional work and polish you can really make this a much more compelling novel."

And send it back...to him!

Now, I'm sure Ms. Agent #2 will say the same or similar. Or worse.

This last week I took some days to digest the information and start writing/thinking/planning my MG boys adventure story. I'm putting Book #2 in the Abegale series on the side. I'm well into it with over 100 pages. But the focus must be on this baby, ABEGALE FORCE.

The editor search is on.

I’ve put in my calls to writer friends, but most do not write or edit this genre (upper MG).

The SCBWI website has extensive resources. Though, so far, they seem really expensive. I’m thinking of playing the lottery…buy me one of those fabulous children’s editors.

Wish me luck!! Lolly. That lol –in goofy form.

Water Color Still Life..A symbolic wedding gift by me.

An Update and get my Query outta here (and onto an agent's desk).

Just a note about what's been happening. I stopped querying for about two weeks. I wanted to go back in and rework the first page.
I read HOOKED by Les Edgerton and got crazy inspired to slash my page of any extraneous exposition.(as much as I held the belief, the story needed the info upfront to grab an agent and/or reader). "The important thing is that what you open with presents a question that the reader will want to answer."
You want to get the reader asking questions. Lead them, delicately, and then hook 'em Danno. I Highly recommend this book.

Looking in on it now, it reads crispy, clear and, gosh the pressure. That first paragraph may be all you get--it's got to sing. You think with my singing experience I'd be able to do this easily. But I spent two days (half-days) staring at that first page. Moving things here...moving there -- Um, what if that was just the biggest mistake I've ever made...I'd better put that back. Take this description out, not another adverb -- The pressure.

Yes, the advice to put your work away and go for a walk for a few days or weeks is sound. When you return--those quiet voices are clearer to hear over all the doubt that sets in from over-thinking things.
Singing as in improvising, and I do sing Jazz, must come from the intuitive heart. Letting go and allowing the creation to flow. Space and time are serving necessary. Hard for an impatient, nervous girlie like me. So this work is Very good for me. I am learning many ways of being, even by the process of trying to become published.

I have to mention.
I did get HOOKED free, along with STORY STRUCTURE ARCHITECT by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, GETTING THE WORDS RIGHT by Theodore Cheney, and HOW TO BE A WRITER by Barbara Baig.
Someone posted a link for all these FREE books. And I put them on my iphone kindle app. If I find the link again I'll post, if the special is ongoing. I retweeted when it came down the line. Another reason to follow me on Twitter--I like to Share.

This weekend I will (to) work on Book #2 in the AbeGale Force series. I'm loving it--it surprises me and it's getting a little creepier than the first. The other characters are having their chance. But it's still in Abegale Anton-Shale's voice.
Oh--another recent development is: I'm now a proud member of SCBWI. YEAH!

Eventually I will have blog post on a regular schedule. Thanks for stopping by. And Congrats to all those participating in #NANOWRIMO. You did it!
May the words always be with you.
Enjoy the weekend.