I'm giddy today because I'm up on Amazon for pre-order! But only in a hardback library version at the moment. Still, it's me! It's MY book!
Here's the UK link. The US link is here. But they haven't corrected my name yet, sigh. Amazon UK corrected it right away when I sent the update, but the US is being stubborn…..
As I work like a mad woman on finishing this book, I'm faced with choices that sometimes stop me in my tracks. Which POV to write the scene in? Which way to take the scene? Sometimes I highlight all the wrong things; I summarize what should be explored and explore what could be summarized. I don't know why I do this. This may only be my second contracted book, but it's not the second book I've written.
They (the anonymous they) say you should write about a million words before you're ready to publish a book. I imagine that's pretty close to correct. My first novel was more than 150k, and that doesn't include all the rewriting I did. I probably wrote close to half a million on that sucker alone.
But I digress. Which is typical for me, LOL.
In SPANISH MAGNATE, RED-HOT REVENGE (Presents, August 2009), I specifically wrote one scene from the heroine's POV that is now, in the final version that will be in print (ahem, Aug 2009), in the hero's POV. I'm not sure why I decided it would work better that way. My editor didn't tell me to do it (not that she hasn't told me to do other things), but somehow in the rewrite that's what happened. And I liked it far better.
What I want to know, however, is HOW to figure out which POV to write the scene in in the first place. Common wisdom says to write it in the POV of the character with the most to lose; I've also written it in the POV of the character observing high emotion. Sometimes it's easier to show anguish through another's eyes than to live in the pivotal POV at that moment.
But man, I wish it was easier to figure out. Right now, I'm working on a scene that could be in either POV just as easily. It's highly charged emotionally no matter which character I'm with. So, I'm thinking about it. And I'll probably end up with two versions as I try them both. I hate doing that because it's writing the same thing twice. *sigh*
Thoughts?
I always feel a sense of anticipation as the new year approaches. I just know that all the things I planned to do will suddenly become achievable when the calendar turns from one year to another. It doesn't matter if I somehow got stymied on my goals in 2008 because 2009 will be THE year.
Except I didn't get stymied for once. Oh sure, I may have regained 5 of the 10 pounds I lost, I may have failed to jog 6 miles a week, and maybe I didn't organize my office and files — but I SOLD my book. I still get a thrill when I think of it.
So as I move into 2009, I have to make plans that have to do with sustaining a writing career. It's no longer just enough to say I'm going to finish a book or query editors and agents. No, I have an editor and an agent now. It's time to consider the next step in my goals.
In order to be more productive and move forward in my career, I have resolved to spend less time surfing. That's a hard one, and I know you're laughing. Heck, I'm laughing too. But I'm determined.
I'm also resolving to work smarter, not harder. By that I mean I have to waste less time and focus more. I have a tendency to scatter my attention among projects, or to put off focusing on one thing because I have lots of time to get it done (hello, I'm the girl who wrote the paper the night before it was due all throughout college). I'm of the opinion you can't force the muse, but I do believe you can coax her. Regular work habits will help.
And yeah, I also have the usual resolutions to lose weight and get more exercise. Nothing wrong with a little ambition, right? 🙂
So what are your resolutions this year? What do you plan to change or do differently in order to reach the goals you've set for yourself?
Happy New Year, everyone! I'm back on Monday, but in the meantime wanted to share this link with you all:
Nights in White Satin in The Statesman, India's largest English-language newspaper. Little ol' me is interviewed, along with Liz Fielding and Jennie Adams.
Let me know what you think! 🙂
UPDATE: The page is cached now. Here's a link to the cached article.
The blog is most likely on hiatus until after the new year. 🙂 If I think of something I must say, I'll post — otherwise, rejoin me on Jan 5 and we'll begin a new year of talking all things writing. Enjoy this little video!
