Flying on books!
I have a few things to celebrate in the book world. First, A new picture book illustration job for a multicultural Christmas picture book. Yay! Two, I just finished the last edit on my middle grade novel, Thunderbird Dreams. Double yay! And three, I also finished a picture book Christmas holiday story about saving trees! I love books, I love writing, and I love illustrating!

I'm done! I'm done!

Time has slipped away from me while I've had my head buried in the last revisions of Thunderbird Dreams, my middle grade historical fantasy. And today, I'm celebrating a lot more than little things. I'm done! I'm done! I'm done! Well, at least done enough for beta readers. Then I'll polish it up (hopefully that's all that's needed) and begin my agent search with it.

I have learned so much in finishing this project. And I must send out thanks to the writing community on the web. There is some amazing information out there in a variety of formats. I have been amazed at how tips and techniques I needed came at just the right time. Or perhaps that's the wonder of the internet, I can search for craft tips that deal with what I'm having trouble with, and many options and techniques come up.

Next up on my writing plate is Digo Bait (working title), a fantasy novel for upper middle grade (maybe YA). It's been many years in the progress. I think now I have the skills and ability to actually finish it.

And back to celebrating I go. Don't forget to find something to celebrate today!

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.