Category: writing

Re-Write

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I have the tendency to work on many things at once. This, I’ve come to learn, is both good and bad. It was great when I had to balance school, work, and wedding planning. It’s not so good when it’s three different story ideas. I have one idea, go with it, and then pause because the other idea is all of a sudden so much better. And so on. Until nothing is done.

Here’s the thing – before I finished TNWSY, I had been thinking about it/working on it for years.I wrote a few chapters, hated it, gave up, moved on to something new. The thing is, every time I kept moving on, it was always in the back of my mind. Which is why I finally decided to force myself to write it during NaNoWriMo. And it was the best thing I could have done. Because finally, finally, the story I wanted to tell came out. It changed a ton since my first ideas blossomed, but I know it’s right now.

So now with TNWSY done and in querying stage, I’m working on Book 2. And Book 2 has become…a bit of a pain. Remember all of those other ideas I said I had? I decided “meh, forget those!” and started something new, something fresh. I had two characters I loved and…um…that was it. No concrete story around them. Nothing too inspiring.

And I felt terrible. I mean, really terrible. What if I was just one of those one-off writers?

And then an older story started flickering in my mind, and wouldn’t leave. It kept pestering me over and over until I addressed it. Said hello. Gave in to its poking.

And finally finally my writing felt  right. So, I’m starting Book 2 over again. For a while it felt like giving up (like I’d done in the past), and I hated myself for that. But I think it’s more like giving in. To a new (old) idea. To something I know is better. And maybe I’ll re-visit those other characters again someday. Who knows, they may be pestering me once I’m doing with this book.

Have you ever gone back and re-started a book? Did it turn out to be what you meant to write in the first place?

The Beauty of Youth

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There are many benefits of working in a library, but one of my favorites is (of course) being around books all day long. If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I love posting pictures of old/neat/interesting/funny books I find on our shelves. The other day I found this book:

Little Journeys to the Homes of Eminent Painters by Elbert Hubbard

It’s an art book from 1901. The cover is ridiculously soft, and sadly falling apart due to wear and tear. I flipped through it gently, and stumbled upon this quote on the first page:

“…I hope this book will not suffer the dire fate of falling into the hands of any one who has forgotten the days of his youth.”

Isn’t that sentiment lovely? How sad would it be to forget our youths. To forget the days that made us who we are today.

I think, ultimately, that’s why I write (besides the fact that I love to/need to). I love revisiting those days of my childhood when I was so much braver. When everything felt possible, and there was no fear of mortality. I think that’s what I hope to give to my ( hopefully one day) readers. A flashback to times we all share, times that make us smile.

Second Guessing

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[Before I begin…for those interested, here’s my query! And the first 250 words! And the title! I didn’t “win” this contest, but I made it to the top 25 which is awesome in itself. I’d love to hear what you all think.]

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Querying. Is. Hard.

I knew it would be – every writer does – but I wasn’t prepared for it to be as engrossing as writing the actual book. I’ve been rejected a few times already, which is fine. I’m still going, still processing, still sending queries out. But like I said – it’s hard.

I think my biggest problem is second guessing myself. It’s smart to query agents who represent what you write. It’s smart to target those who have worked with similar books. But there’s still that…on a pedestal feeling, I suppose. I find an agent who represents YA contemporary romance. I look at their client list. I find authors I love. And then I feel…not worthy. As if my book doesn’t compare at all to those other books. As if it’s not as good.

Of course I shouldn’t feel that way, but sometimes it happens and I just skip that agent. When I shouldn’t. I should send them an email because, really, what’s the worse that could happen? I receive another rejection? Fine!

It’s easy to second guess. It’s much harder pushing through. So, today I’m doing just that. I’m querying those agents who represent similar books that I love. And perhaps I’ll be rejected, but that’s completely fine. At least I tried, right?

What are some things you’ve second guessed yourself about? And how did you power through? 

 

Show Up

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You know that quote “80% of success is just showing up?” I feel writing is similar. Success is just doing it in the first place. In regards to that, I just read a great post by author Allison Winn Scotch about writing. Check it out here.

I think it’s the same once you’re done writing the book. After you’re done, you have to do something with it, right? So I am! I’m not going to chronicle all of my queries and requests and rejections. That’ll just be annoying. But I will state one bit of success I’ve had thus far. My query has made it to the second round of a contest judged by two agents. There are 25 finalists in total. Six will have requests for full manuscripts, and quite a few will get critiques and comments, or even partial requests. Honestly, while I’d love a request, I’m just really excited about the critiques. I’ll know what I did right, did wrong, need to improve on. That way I can send a better more prepared query out next. It’s a learning process, no?

Once the contest is closed, I’ll link over to my entry. I’d love to know all of your opinions.

Edits

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First page of "Dharma Bums." Editor's comments in pencil. Kerouac's comments in red.

Here’s a fun fact for you: when Jack Kerouac wrote Dharma Bums, he wasn’t touring the country or in a small apartment in New York City, he was living here in Orlando. My library actually has the original DB manuscript, edits and all. It’s really remarkable to see.

What I found to be hilarious, though, was how Kerouac actually rejected most of the edits suggested. There’s actually a page where he wrote “Viking Press changes that I rejected.” How crazy is that!

I’ve discussed earlier how I actually love getting critiques. Sure it hurts somtimes, but that’s good. Because I know the people who are editing are helping the book, not hurting me. And that’s my ultimate goal, isn’t it?

I say all of this because…the editing phase is finally done on TNWSY. I sent out my first query yesterday. I’m nervous, of course, but also extremely excited. I know there will be rejections, I know there will be hard times, but I also know I worked hard on the book, and I’m excited that it actually turned into something. Something someone might see one day.

Wish me luck!