Thankful

I'm a little sad that I wasn't a finalist in the St. Martins Press contest but I'm moving on. Rejection is a part of this and I knew it would happen so I must chalk this up to another bump in my journey and move forward. I've been doing a lot of editing this week and have fallen in love again with the story, which is a good thing. Word count continues to drop and the story gets tighter and tighter as I tweak my prose. All is good. I'm so blessed to be doing what I love. I've been writing since I was a child. Its been an escape in times of heartache and a joy in times of happiness. It's really hard to be objective about your own work so I often second guess it. I don't want to be that person who keeps pushing something that just isn't good. I keep wondering, is this really good? I think I will reach a point where I will set it aside and move to the next project. I do think I can do this. I do think I have talent so it's just a matter of writing the right book, right? Anyway, once this last edit is complete I'll do a month or so more of querying. I'll be working on another project.

I've been wondering if my title was the right one for awhile now and this morning I think i decided it isn't. I'm thinking of calling it, Rewrite. I think that is more compelling and really says what the book is about in so many ways. What do you think?

If I never have a book for sale at a book store I can still be thankful that I enjoyed my life, my kids, and my writing even if no one else did and that's the important things when you lay your head on the pillow at night. I have so many blessings! Happy T-day! :D

Why and how I write...

I got this survey here and thought it might be fun to do, so here goes! If you do it on your blog please post a link in my comments! I'd love to read your responses! Or just answer it here in my comments!

1. Are you a “pantser” or a “plotter?”
I'm a pantser. I get a great idea and build on it. generally I have an ending in mind but that doesn't mean that is how it will actually end. Sometimes I sit down to write and by the time I've finished I'm shocked at what my characters have been up to! They definitely have their own spirits and lives. I'm only gifted with the chance to help them tell you who they are and I relish it!

2. Detailed character sketches or “their character will be revealed to me as I write?”
Again, being a "pantser" my characters let me know who they are as I write their story. I usually have a basic idea what they are like but they often surprise me with their reactions to situations I write them into.

3. Do you know your characters’ goals, motivations, and conflicts before you start writing or is that something else you discover only after you start writing?
I would say that I do know what they are facing in advance, at least at the core. If surprising things happen though that can change but generally it only tweaks the original ideas.

4. Books on plotting – useful or harmful?
I've done a lot of research on everything related to writing and publishing and I've learned a lot but I've also found that the more I read the more conflicting opionions I find on whatever I'm researching. That's made me end up more confused than I was to begin with. I think there's a delicate balance here. I listen to my gut and hold on, hoping for the best. I use the knowledge that makes me feel strongly. It's a lot of trusting myself and what my intuition says to do based on what info I've gleaned.

5. Are you a procrastinator or does the itch to write keep at you until you sit down and work?
I love to write and the characters and stories won't shut up in my head so I tend to be more teh itch follower, to the point that my daughters and hubby worry they may be going to school/work naked if I don't get my stories out!

6. Do you write in short bursts of creative energy, or can you sit down and write for hours at a time?
Both. There've been times when I've been manic about it, really on a mad writing groove, so to speak. My kids think I'm nuts and I probably am but I LOVE when I'm writing in one of those grooves. It's primal. There are other times when I just write without the manic groove.

7. Are you a morning or afternoon writer?
I write whenever I can. Generally that's early Saturday and Sunday mornings, evenings after my kids are in bed, and preschool days when all of the kids, including the twins are gone.

8. Do you write with music/the noise of children/in a cafe or other public setting, or do you need complete silence to concentrate?
I MUST have music. I don't mind noise because that is my life but that said when I've been in a manic writing groove I've wanted all sound except the music to cease. My kids talk to me and I say, "Shut it! I'm writing here!!!!"

9. Computer or longhand? (Or typewriter?)
Computer!

10. Do you know the ending before you type Chapter One?
Yes, but that doesn't mean when I get to the end it hasn't changed.

11. Does what’s selling in the market influence how and what you write?
No. I write what comes to me and what I feel passionate about!

12. Editing – love it or hate it?
I loved it in the first round but now....I'm kind of sick of my book because I've read it sooooo much! I'm finding it difficult to finish the edits. I've fallen a little out of love with the book I'm editing but I when I'm in it again I remember why I loved it to begin with.

13. Why do you want to write?
I can't imagine doing anything else. I love it and the stories won't let me not. It's a love of mine and I couldn't stop if I wanted to.

14. Do you want to publish your work? Why?
Yes. So much. I love my stories and love for other people to experience them and love them as well. It will be so humbling and amazing when that can happen!

15. Do like to write alone or do you like to work with others?
Alone. I do like my critique group but I don't think I could collaborate. My head knows what it knows and my heart agrees! :)

Query stats and contest

Since July I've been worrying about genre for my book. When I began writing it it was intended as a YA or Young Adult targeted book but as the book took shape the MC's (main characters) ended up being 19 and 21 and the 19 year old is a mature 19 year old. So it kept nudging me in the back of my head that possibly it might not fit the YA market which was upsetting to me because I want the audience of both Teens and Moms that read and enjoyed Twilight. I feel that if the book gets published as adult it'd be a hard sell for the teens. And if it gets published YA it would be a lot easier but it really is questionable whether it belongs there. So this week it was announced that St. Martins Press (the YA imprint of MacMillan) is launching a brand new "New Adult" genre and to celebrate and get it off the ground they're having a contest to find books to publish. St Martins doesn't generally except unsolicited manuscripts but they are right now. That's HUGE! You can go here to find out how and where to submit your entry. The contest runs through November 20. It would be so exciting if they requested a partial and then a full and then...well, it would just be cool! I'm trying to keep a level head about it but it would be so perfect for my book. Anyway so far I have queried 7 agents and have 3 rejections. I'm fine with it! I expect lots of rejection and feel that each one I get brings me closer to the one that will say yes!

Still editing like mad and really wishing I could be done with it so I could write!!! I need fresh material inteh worst way!!!

Sent!

I sit here feeling a little fluttery inside because about half hour ago I wrote an email and hit send. I've officially sent out my first query letter! OMG!!!!! Somebody grab my heart and put it back in my chest! It's done and can't be recalled. I have a positive outlook but I don't have high hopes. You walk a line there but I think I'm good. I really don't expect anything out if it but I sent it and you never know. I'm just proud to have done it! :D Tomorrow I hope to get some writing in on my NaNo WIP (work in progress) and do some more editing on Hourglass...not to mention laundry and kids and cleaning and well....you get the idea! Ok....going to bed. Heart still beating erratically! WOW!