Writing Layers

© TVW Thinking

You know, dang, just as I thought I had a handle on my story and that I’m almost done, I uncover a whole new layer that needs to be applied to the entire thing. Well, I’ve always known it’s there, but I’ve had the liberty of ignoring it until I got the plot working (which I believe I’ve finally managed), not to mention the structure and pacing. I’m pleased with the overall story and the fun adventurous spirit I’ve captured. I think I’ve got a good external conflict worked out and … stutter… the emotional journey? Yeah well, there’s one there, but have I followed that thread through to it’s fullest?

I’ve got all the framework in place, and now I’ve come back to character — a good story always comes down to good characters. Yep, that’s the next layer. Like an onion or parfait — everyone loves a good parfait (as Donkey says), a good story has many layers. So here I go adding that next layer of fruity goodness — characters and their emotional journeys.

Get ready characters, here I come with a magnifying glass to delve into your deepest and darkest secrets. Ha, ha, ha, you can’t hide from me.

So what layer are you working on in your tasty parfait?

Last Day to Enter

Today is the last day to enter for a chance to win a substantive edit from a children's book editor at DearEditor.com. Wahoo! Enter one and all, I did. I entered my complete MG historical novel, It's Coming Down! My fingers are crossed for you Mitch. I could really use a professional eye on this one.

Good luck one and all!

Pitch-to-Query Contest Top 20 Finalists

Pitch-to-Query Contest Top 20 Finalists

Wahoo! I made it this far.

Promotion for a fellow writer

 7/6/2010 TOO PICKLEY! hit bookstore shelves.  Go get one for yourself! A portion of her proceeds benefits The Children's Hospital in Denver. 
She will be having a launch party in August. Be sure to check it out. http://jeanreidy.blogspot.com.

Celebrating

Today, I celebrate a fun little thing -- I have made the cut again for the Line-by-Line Contest -- Round 2. Yay! I get to submit my first three sentences of my manuscript.

A Cool Giveaway for MG or YA writers

Dear-Editor.com is celebrating their one month anniversary with a giveaway of a free edit of a YA/MG manuscript.  Visit the site for more information.

http://dear-editor.com/

Just a Lyric in a Children's Rhyme: And so it begins...

Just a Lyric in a Children's Rhyme: And so it begins...: "spreadsheet outline"
http://www.anitanolan.com/theend.html

Ha! I'm not the only writer working hard on revisions. I found some great links to revision techniques on Joanna Smith's blog.

Bold and Brave Revisions

I'm deep into revising my MG historical fantasy. I love the story and the characters. The plot is worked out and I think working well (although at this point that is still only my opinion). My critique buddies (including my hubby, who is my toughest critique in a good way) are reading my second draft. With their help, I have found the focus of my story and have rewritten the opening chapters. Now I face heavy rearrangement of middle chapters and the rewriting of several scenes. I approach this with excitement and trepidation. What if I'm messing up the story? Is this the right way to take this? I think I'm deepening the relationship of the main and secondary characters and making the story richer, but there's much I like of the second draft that will change, but I think it must. But... but? Such insecurity is enough to drive me crazy. And I think I won't be sure until I dive in and come out the other side with a completed revision. Then I can stand back, take a breath and see what I have.

In true form of one who celebrates the little things, I'll take it a little at a time, enjoy the process and try not to sweat the rest. Hey, it's not like I can't go back to my previously written story. Now to dive in, be bold and brave and complete those revisions.

Catching Up

It has been a long time since I posted anything. Let's see. November I won Nanowrimo by completing a first draft of a MG historical fantasy. December I rested and enjoyed the holiday with wonderful sense of completion. It was hard not to go back in and immediately start revising, but I resisted (for the most part). January I started revising in earnest. Last week saw the completion of a second draft. Yay! I'm loving the story and can't wait to get back in to revise. I am resisting and waiting to get more great feedback from my various beta readers and to give my subconscious time to work on it as well.

Now, I must submit my MG historical to more agents and finish the latest revision of my YA fantasy. I'm hoping that one will be ready for submission after another round of polishing.

So that's a quick catch up in a nut shell. The life of a writer is never dull! Sometimes painful, heartbreaking, exhausting, frustrating as well as exhilarating and a bunch of other great stuff, but never dull.

And now, my day job (designing products) awaits.

Rejection

I received my first rejection from an agent today. I shrug it off (more or less) and say that is a part of the game. Not everyone is going to love what I've written and want to take it on. It takes only one, it takes only one, I chant.

I am heartened that I have generally moved beyond the form rejection. Today's rejection was short and sweet and I'm holding onto the words "your writing is strong" with both arms. When I first started writing and submitting to editors, the rejection letters really brought me down. I started out, like most writers, getting form rejections. When, one day, I opened my mailbox, tore open the SASE to find... A PERSONAL REJECTION. My name was on it, the title of my manuscript and ever heartening words, “I hope you will send me more work in the future.” Okay, so it wasn’t all that encouraging, or all that personal, and it was still a rejection, but I had made a step up from the dreaded Form Rejection. And since I live by the philosophy of CELEBRATE THE LITTLE THINGS, I do just that. See me holding onto those words?

The search is far from over.