A New Year Reflection
I shouted, I whined, I complained, I flailed about, I kicked off my snuggie in protest, mumbling incoherently "Three more hours until midnight? But I'm so tired..." and then, a second wind, pushing me until the clock struck midnight. I kissed my husband good night and then immediately, without a second thought, I hit my head against the cat occupied pillow, snoozing away, preparing for my first day 'off' since Christmas.
Of course, as a writer, whenever you jump for joy that after a long work week stretch, when you are finally released from your 'I do love my work, but I'd also rather be home in my PJs writing' job, you're never really off, not in the little bit of the word.
I'll start my first 2014 morning with a look back at my writing accomplishments, feats and challenges as of late, drink more coffee, then refocus on what I want to achieve in the next few months. I rarely look too far ahead, as I will then feel not only overwhelmed, but the characters inside my head will most likely revolt and take over, spinning ridiculously ludicrous plot lines, involving goblins and the sort, and all begging for attention.
In 2013, with two rough manuscripts under my belt, I began submitting my work to agents and publishers. I researched, researched and did more research, locating individuals and companies that would take my type of writings, without an agent. I have my reasons for why self-publishing a novel is not for me and I will go into that in a later blog.
I organized my submissions, with the help of QueryTracker, being the compulsive organizer that I am (my closet is arranged by color, size, type and when I'm feeling wild, I through in a rogue pattern or two). After months of the silent treatment, feeling like a misbehaved four year old being tossed into the naughty corner, I began to enter the vicious self-loathing writer's cycle. In the center is a pile of chocolate, tissues and cats. You crawl into this circle with your head held in your hands, mumbling "no good, awful, terrible, this sucks, why I am doing this, maybe if, no that's a stupid idea, Oh look, more chocolate."
Then, after sharing my work with others, and not receiving life-threatening blows of criticism (and oh, I do appreciate criticism, just not the type that will cripple me), I received my first "send me your full manuscript" request. Someone actually liked my premise? The few chapters I sent them were not as horrible as I thought they might be? Or did they read the wrong manuscript? Oh, that could be it...
Months later, with my full manuscript in a publisher's hand, I waited patiently. Then, finally, another email, indicating they were still interested and was it still available? Well, yes, yes, it is. Take it, please! Now, several more months later, I continue to wait in the ever so nerve racking game of hearing back from publishers, hoping for feedback, for a sign that they care about my manuscript, my world, my characters... Or it's utter crap to them, please just set me free!
As I waited (and continue to wait) to hear back from one of my novel's potential rebirths, I didn't stop writing. It's the number one rule and overly said but true piece of writing advice out there. Keep writing, even when you're sitting in that self-loathing circle, devouring all the sweets you can find. Keep writing. And I did.
I entered a submission into the Dark Crystal writing contest in October, evoking the world of elves and woodland creatures, thrusting them into war and the like. If I were to win, of course a big solid IF, I would then expand upon my world and write a full length YA novel. If I don't win, then at least I can I say kept on writing and had fun doing it. More about the contest here (ended yesterday): http://darkcrystal.com/authorquest/
Last, but certainly not least, I am currently writing a three part e-book series, under the wing of a fairly new science fiction and fantasy focused publisher. As I polish these works and am able to share more about this exciting venture, I will. In the mean time, let's just say my writing life feels more full than ever before.
What will 2014 bring? More projects? More chocolate? Only time, and my waistline, will tell.
Of course, as a writer, whenever you jump for joy that after a long work week stretch, when you are finally released from your 'I do love my work, but I'd also rather be home in my PJs writing' job, you're never really off, not in the little bit of the word.
I'll start my first 2014 morning with a look back at my writing accomplishments, feats and challenges as of late, drink more coffee, then refocus on what I want to achieve in the next few months. I rarely look too far ahead, as I will then feel not only overwhelmed, but the characters inside my head will most likely revolt and take over, spinning ridiculously ludicrous plot lines, involving goblins and the sort, and all begging for attention.
In 2013, with two rough manuscripts under my belt, I began submitting my work to agents and publishers. I researched, researched and did more research, locating individuals and companies that would take my type of writings, without an agent. I have my reasons for why self-publishing a novel is not for me and I will go into that in a later blog.
I organized my submissions, with the help of QueryTracker, being the compulsive organizer that I am (my closet is arranged by color, size, type and when I'm feeling wild, I through in a rogue pattern or two). After months of the silent treatment, feeling like a misbehaved four year old being tossed into the naughty corner, I began to enter the vicious self-loathing writer's cycle. In the center is a pile of chocolate, tissues and cats. You crawl into this circle with your head held in your hands, mumbling "no good, awful, terrible, this sucks, why I am doing this, maybe if, no that's a stupid idea, Oh look, more chocolate."
Then, after sharing my work with others, and not receiving life-threatening blows of criticism (and oh, I do appreciate criticism, just not the type that will cripple me), I received my first "send me your full manuscript" request. Someone actually liked my premise? The few chapters I sent them were not as horrible as I thought they might be? Or did they read the wrong manuscript? Oh, that could be it...
Months later, with my full manuscript in a publisher's hand, I waited patiently. Then, finally, another email, indicating they were still interested and was it still available? Well, yes, yes, it is. Take it, please! Now, several more months later, I continue to wait in the ever so nerve racking game of hearing back from publishers, hoping for feedback, for a sign that they care about my manuscript, my world, my characters... Or it's utter crap to them, please just set me free!
As I waited (and continue to wait) to hear back from one of my novel's potential rebirths, I didn't stop writing. It's the number one rule and overly said but true piece of writing advice out there. Keep writing, even when you're sitting in that self-loathing circle, devouring all the sweets you can find. Keep writing. And I did.
I entered a submission into the Dark Crystal writing contest in October, evoking the world of elves and woodland creatures, thrusting them into war and the like. If I were to win, of course a big solid IF, I would then expand upon my world and write a full length YA novel. If I don't win, then at least I can I say kept on writing and had fun doing it. More about the contest here (ended yesterday): http://darkcrystal.com/authorquest/
Last, but certainly not least, I am currently writing a three part e-book series, under the wing of a fairly new science fiction and fantasy focused publisher. As I polish these works and am able to share more about this exciting venture, I will. In the mean time, let's just say my writing life feels more full than ever before.
What will 2014 bring? More projects? More chocolate? Only time, and my waistline, will tell.
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