New June

After a hiatus last week, with Life getting in the way of progress toward turning this MS into a published book; I am back today with focus and determination. The querying will commence. I still don't have my synopsis down, so I will query those Agents, who aren't looking for a synopsis--ha.

This is exciting. I'm ready. Maybe ten today, lets say? And my possessed computer better co-operate--It's been sending colored font for the sample pages--not good. Think anyone will understand I didn't do it on purpose? Not likely.

So wish me luck....da da da daaaa.

Miss Snark's First Victim: Crits and Contests

Miss Snark's First Victim: Crits and Contests

Looks like I got a post number for this critique and contest--#1 --haha.
Let the fun begin and my ego shall be squashed--but nothing is too daunting for creating a good story(cause i do want it to be the best it can be)--bring it on!....*wimper*


This critique contest is a Gold Mine!I got the most incredible feed back that open the gates of clarity for me--like magic.

I'm at a snails pace --But on track.

Looks like I'm writing monthly posts here with the little time I can muster.
But I'm finished with this round of editing my manuscript.
Today I enter the 250 word challenge on Miss Snark's Secret Agent Contest. I may have a chance --If I can get the text under 250 words. Not easy for a non-techie--So I cut my words even more, for any sneaky ads (which i have no idea how to remove)--Just for a chance at some feed back on this Middle Grade Fiction. I am almost satisfied with the beginning. See it sieved through the eyes of strangers will be, ah, fun.

Also, today-- I begin the Agent search--Query-finished... the fun begins again, but I think it's all fun; the writing, the revision, the editing, the dreaming, the scheming, the fixing and the waiting---maybe Not the waiting --hate waiting. I guess that is something I am meant to work on.

I missed the Fool's Day --But every day is a new opportunity to be a Fool

I'm on the journey of editing--and presently at page 90 of the final edit.
My update: I've reworked the beginning of the story. I always felt it was the weakest--kind of an after thought, really since I wrote this Middle Grade fiction from the middle-- outward.

The beginning needed to be in the middle of something --Now my protagonist is, indeed--in action from the start. Reading Susan Bells The Artful Edit, dramatically enhanced my editing powers and opened the joy of editing. Mixing thing up-like making a collage and refitting the pieces, in any which way I choose or reuse. Fun, fun, fun. Now time to get back the story and get 20 pages under my belt for the day. Adios !

With the help of a friend today, I was able to look differently at my Middle Grade fiction and will be forever grateful for her clear critical, experienced thinking.

In a slight panic, I remembered I had notes from over the last few months to use as new eyes and went through my tears of scribbled sheets and post its, making more notes. This time on a Large Legal pad with attached sheets.

I saw that what I was putting in to the build up of the story, was subtle and I intended it to be, but maybe too subtle--the idea was already there and now to make it just a tad more sinister, with the new ideas ( few extra clues) that came together.
The idea was underlying and I was able to realize and confirm this with my notes.

Things are getting clearer-and I was able to TADA--create more tension.

Thanks Isabel !

A new Beginning

The first of March is tomorrow, and today I will clean away the the last of winter and fog of old and unused possibilities.

After a marathon week with my two wild and crazy boys, today, I renew my Middle Grade Agent search. I am realizing that my four rejections, may have something to do with there not being enough of a "hook" included with the ten sample pages I've sent.

I will to will a hook, into the world of Three Points that will raise an eye brow and pull an agent-ing adult into Abegale's world.

I've set up my twitter to collect cool and accepting sounding Agents; following along and reading their whims and accounts of the Middle Grade or YA publishing world. It is very efficient because I can still research publishing on the run or on the road. I wouldn't actually twitter as I was jogging. But I love my very smart phone for this and I can access twitter links with any 5 spare minutes.

Now, What I can really use is a good editing/word/grammar program for Mac--you may already notice this. And I will look into this. Time to edit --I'm feeling nervous. :)