Things are looking up. At least I feel like they are. Getting motivated and sending things out has certainly helped my outlook on my writing career, even if I haven’t produced many actual pages as a result. I received two rejections from the batch of queries I sent out last week. I’m okay with it. I don't take it as personally at this stage because they haven't actually read my writing. Reject me at full stage and its an entirely different matter. Anyway, I still have three out there and I’m hopeful I’ll get a positive response from someone. Even if I don’t, there’s more agents to query out there.I’ve also had some good news. I managed to win an agent critique of a partial, so I’ve e-mailed that out. It’s an agent I queried previously who liked my work, but wasn’t taking on more paranormal clients. I sent her Ghost of a Chance, which is paranormal, but I think it’s not your typical paranormal. Hopefully she’ll be won over by my wonderfulness and take me on anyway. Either way, I’m not holding my breath. But I was giddy. I sent her the partial within minutes of getting the email I won. I hope I didn’t look too eager...
I’ve also tried my hand at writing short stories. PM is the Queen, so when I finished, I sent it to her for her blessing. She liked it and encouraged me to send it ASAP. So I did. I have to say it would be nice to see my writing in print (and my name on a check). So, we’ll see what happens with that. I’m already working on a second story. The one thing I’m liking best right now is finishing after 15-20 pages. You get the woo-hoo feeling a lot sooner. With my books, it’s like, great, 20 pages. Only 330 to go.
I also decided to send GOAC to the Lauries. I may regret it later based on the critique sheets the judges fill out. Very detailed. If I don’t final, I may just not read them. I decided to enter into the mainstream/single title category instead of the paranormal category. I wanted the editor from Berkley to be my final judge if I made it that far. Hopefully they won’t disqualify me as being in the wrong category, but as we all know, my book is a special snowflake – a single title paranormal suspense. If you add the single title to the suspense, that outweighs the paranormal, right? Well, we’ll see.
And no, I haven’t forgotten that I need to finish Red-Handed by the summer. I’ve just hit that point where my Muse Lucinda decides to wander off. These shorter stories seem to be keeping her attention more than the longer ones - like I said, the woo-hoo comes a lot sooner. After this next story gets in the mail, we'll need to get back to the book. Like I did with the writing challenge, I’ll just let her work on whatever scene she wants until we get the basic plot finished, then go back and fill in stuff later. If things are looking bleak come April, I might have to challenge someone to another writing contest. Or Sweat with Sven. Whatever gets words on the page, you know?
Anyway, things seem to be rolling. I think I'm going to post my Circle of 5 status each week so I can be held accountable for having stuff out there. I guess it can be part of my resolution to take better care of my writing career. How about you guys? Are those resolutions still holding up or are you on the February slide back into your old habits? (And yeah, it's February...)
SP
Circle of 5 Status:
4 Agent Queries Still Pending, 2 Rejected
1 Contest Entry Submitted to Lauries
1 Short Story Submitted to Trues
11 comments:
SP, I'm so proud of you. It's a admirable goal you've set for yourself and it's said that after 3 weeks of doing something it becomes a habit. So here's to all your good habits of 2008!
I wrote my first short story not so long ago, and I really enjoyed it! It's a very different process from writing a longer piece, even something shorter like a novella. I hope I get to do more!
LJ
I went back to exercise class last night after being mostly absent for about 2 months.
Yay, SP. You've got movement and momentum and that's most of the battle.
Congrats, SP on putting yourself and your writing out there!
I'm dragging my butt through the routine of the diet but it isn't going well. I just don't seem motivated right now. Maybe next week...
Instigator
Sounds like you're doing great, SP! You've got motivation, excitement and a good attitude. Good luck selling your short story. :-)
Quick woo-hoo... well, yeah, when it doesn't take you almost 2 months to write a story. The one I'm working on has dragged. I finally figured out the problem (at least the problems are smaller too) and now it's rocking and rolling.
I can't wait til you get the contract on that story and I feel sure you will. I just love seeing my name on a check. It makes the DH real happy too, especially when he's doing my tax return.
PM
Woo hoo, SP! Rock on, girl. :) Me, hmm, I'm working on another entry for the HP contest. I'm still working on the blasted revisions for the blasted book I'd like to blast into space. And I'm planning several books that the ideas just won't stop bugging me about. :)
SP, glad to see that you're getting things out there--you're a great writer!
Another thought--you name your muse? I wonder if that would help mine...
You can't sell if you don't have anything out there. Sometimes, just knowing I do have stuff out makes me feel more like a "real" writer and that makes it easier for me to get other writing done.
~shrugs~ The brain is a funny thing...
Hi gang: Sorry to do this here, but I don't think I've received an email from Mickey with her snail mail address to send her prize. :)
Enjoyed the comments. So far, my resolution is intact. Mine was to read 2 new authors I have not read for evey book of an author I have read before. I promised myself to get out of the rut and read some authors new to me. So far, it is working and I have discovered some new ones I have added to my list of favorites.
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