Aug 27, 2008 | Revising, Writing |
A revision letter is both a terrible and wonderful thing. On the one hand, it means an editor gets your voice enough to suggest changes that will, hopefully, make your work better. On the other, it means you've got work to do.
As unpublished or uncontracted writers, revision letters aren't a part of daily life. Many writers are trying to find their style and voice and dream of the day when an editor makes the wonderful call that says, “I want to buy your book.”
And yet, as you learn when you cross to the other side of the fence, the grass isn't greener. It's still grass, and you still have work to do. Revision letters are a part of the, er, yard work (hmm, should have thought this metaphor out a bit more…).
It can be easy to get discouraged when this is new to you. You think you're the dumbest writer to ever fire up a lap top. You wonder why you can't just get it right the first time. Sometimes, you need to walk away and think about it. Other times the ideas are flowing fast and furious and you just know you're nailing it this time.
I've been in both states, believe me. Tonight, after frowning over the work yet to do, I picked up Sherry Thomas's Delicious. And there, in the acknowledgments, this new author who has received many accolades for her work, talks about a 16 page single-spaced revision letter from her editor on the very book I'm holding in my hands. Um, I think I'll stop worrying myself to death now.
How do you deal with revision letters? If you have yet to receive a revision letter, how do you think you'll handle it?
Aug 14, 2008 | Business, Promotion, Revising, Writing |
more cat pictures
So I'm working on revisions again. *sigh* Thank GOD for the Presents and Modern Heat authors at conference who told me this is normal and not to feel like a big dummy! The encouragement I found in those ladies has really made a difference in my confidence this time around.
But that's not the diversion. The diversion is my very first newspaper interview. Today, a reporter and photographer came to my house. I was terrified — until I met them. The interview took two hours, and we laughed and talked and had a good time. I have every confidence this interview will put a positive face on romance writing. I don't know when it will be available but as soon as it is, I will post the link.
It's interesting to talk about novel writing with people who don't write novels. And yet, the reporter is a writer because she's a journalist. A different type of writing, but still writing. So we were able to understand one another very well. For instance, we both cringe when someone reads our work while we're in the same room. Don't know why, but I'd rather be in another room if you want to read my story. I guess I don't want to see puzzlement on your face. 🙂 Or worse, disappointment. She felt the same way about her stories. I found that comforting.
The photographer had a trunk full of equipment he brought inside and set up, complete with this huge umbrella thing that helped with lighting. I felt like a movie star! Thankfully, I'd changed out of the writer's uniform of pajamas and into something more attractive. I even took a shower and put on makeup. Definitely not the way I usually write. In fact, she asked me what my routine was. Here it is: wake up around 6:30, kiss husband goodbye around 7:15, pour coffee, go to office and write. In pajamas. With hair scraped back in a bun. Shower around 2 or so — sooner if stuck in a scene. I always shower so the hubby doesn't think I sat around all day in my pajamas — even though I do. 🙂 I figure if the man goes to work and lets me stay home and indulge myself this way, the least I can do is appear presentable when he gets home.
Unless I'm on deadline and then all bets are off. 😉
If you've ever been interviewed, how did it go? Were you scared? Did you think of something later that you should have said? So far, I haven't, but who knows how I'll feel tomorrow.
Jul 25, 2008 | Revising, Writing |
Determination and caffeine got me through this round of revisions. Oh, and a hubby who didn't mind going to get the takeout every night this week. And who actually did a load of laundry last night. And now, since in another hour I will have been awake 24 straight, I think I better go to bed. I'm too old for all-nighters….
Jul 21, 2008 | Revising, Writing |
more cat
Still revising, y'all. Someone throw me a rope before I drown…..
Hope to be back Wednesday or Thursday.
Jul 17, 2008 | Revising |
Once again, THE SPANISH MAGNATE'S REVENGE is going under the knife. My lovely editor has suggestions for me, which you know for a fact I'm going to try my darndest to incorporate. Of course I would have loved a phone call that said, “Perfect, wonderful, fabulous — here's a gazillion dollars!” Ha, it's called a delusion — I mean fantasy — for a reason. 🙂
No, there are things that need fixing. And I mean to fix them. So, I'll likely be scarce for the next few days. Between this, conference prep, and my silly cat who needs constant nursing and attention, I'm booked solid.
What's up with you?
Jun 23, 2008 | Heroes, Life, Revising |
Thursday, I typed The End to THE SPANISH MAGNATE'S REVENGE. It was sometime Thursday evening, and I went downstairs doing the Rocky fists in the air thing. Hubby said, “So you finished?” 🙂
Nothing is better than the feeling you get when you finish a manuscript. But, the work is never over. Friday morning, I printed it out for the first complete read on paper. I knew I'd have to revise — that's part of the process for me — and I knew by Friday afternoon, I'd be depressed with what I had to do.
Friday afternoon, yep, I'm depressed, convinced I can't write and I'm going to embarrass myself by sending this manuscript to my editor. But I'm determined to get to work on it, of course. I will fix it, I will! It won't defeat me! I'm the writer, it's the creation. Yeah!
And then hubby comes home. He's a little late, but sometimes that happens and I didn't think much of it. Until he gave me a bag with two bottles of wine, a card, and a dozen roses. Awwwwww! I was so touched. He knew how much it meant to me to finish this book, and he was proud of me. *sniffle, sniffle*
I'm halfway through the revisions and feeling much better. But it all started with roses and a card (and wine!) from my sweetie. I enjoyed the flowers all weekend, the card is sitting with the congrats cards that my chaptermates sent for the GH and Presents contests, and the wine disappeared.
Being a writer can be a solitary business, but it's great to have the support of the ones you love. Even when they don't quite understand why you have a glazed look or why you didn't hear the question they asked you three times already. 🙂
Have you ever embarrassed your loved ones by saying something along the lines of, “So, if I kidnap the sister, how do I get the yacht to crash?” in a public place? Guilty as charged….
