This started out as a "treadmill" post, but I see it has turned into a real one.
I had a very good writing day yesterday, one I hope to duplicate today. By "good" I mean I sat for over an hour thinking/working on only the WIP without being distracted by anything else. No Twitter, no kids, no laundry, no daydreams.
I still didn't finish the chapter I was working on. I'd thought it was almost done, but nope. That's been happening a lot lately. The thing that's bothering me the most about this chapter is that it's only about 4 pages long. Why has it been so hard? I blame the fic blog. All y'all waiting for another chapter over there, I don't see that happening anytime soon. I'll probably get the chapter done in a couple of days, but I think posting these one at a time just causes me more pressure. I might do a section at a time instead, but then it'll be hard to keep the readers' interest. So I don't know.
I did set myself some incentive. Gave myself permission to buy a new laptop once the WIP is completely finished. That lit a fire under my butt. Don't know how I'll get the money, but that's my promise to myself.
Got some good news yesterday. Did I mention that I'd called my agent after all? I think I did. Anyway, I mentioned a publisher here in OK that might be interested in Ea's Gift. She jumped on it. She researched the guidelines and had me write a bio to send with the package. They requested the full manuscript within days. You know, for a while I was depressed about not having any control over my books once they are at the agent's office, but now I realize I was focusing on my old control. I have new control, I just didn't see it for looking backward.
Here's something cool: I didn't realize until later that I'd sent sample chapters to this pub back when it was still Stolen Magic, and before the book was even sort of finished. The editor's reply was so encouraging it gave me the push I needed to finish the book and look for representation. I still have the email, and I might share that after this all shakes out.
I like to think I'm being rewarded for taking charge of my own happiness. Identifying the things which weighed me down and doing something to change them. It's not an offer, but it's more activity than I've had in a long, long time.
On tap for the day: revamp the vision board, housework, and come 12:30 or so, writing. What have you got going on today?
Monday, February 9, 2009
Well, I still have a hundred pages of early draft garbage to clean up in The Archmage before I can actually finish it. I won't get through all of it tonight, but I'll try to make a good-sized dent in it. Other than that, business as usual going on here. Great news on the full request. I hope it turns into a deal for you!
ReplyDeleteAgain, congrats on the request for a full. That's awesome and exciting! :)
ReplyDeleteHi - thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for your insights. I'll be following your blog for sure! Congrats on the call about your book - I hope it works out for you!
ReplyDeleteJenn
Congrats! I coudl relate to this: "It’s not an offer, but it’s more activity than I’ve had in a long, long time."
ReplyDeleteI "zipped" off a query letter to an agent two weeks ago on a whim, and was asked for the full ms within two hours. This tells me only that I know how to write an enticing query letter (I've already had two requests for fulls but no takers) but still- it's fun to have some movement on the horizon. And then I also get to try and put it out of mind while I write the next one!
A request for a full is awesome news for a writer! I am so excited for you! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, everybody! Of course I'll let you know when I find out one way or the other. Here's a warm welcome to Jennifer. :) And Sarah, hooray for movement!
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about the need to write a professional bio. I think for most people the hardest part of writing a professional bio is choosing what to put in and what to leave out. One of the things I tell people is to remember that a bio is a little advertisement for you. So think about who will be reading your bio and what you want them to know about you. Then advertise your best and most relevant features!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbra, you make it sound so simple. You just mentinoned the hardest part about writing a bio: figuring out what are your best and most relevant features! I guess that's why people go into your profession, because most people have a hard time assessing their own qualities.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting.