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Revisions are done…
…maybe. So here’s the weird part about being a writer, well one of the weird parts. I’m never done. I buttoned up the revisions on the first novel last night, dealt with my crit partner’s comments and edits and worked out the parts that still needed tweaking. When I was done, I put all the chapters together into a manuscript file and saved it. Then I sent it to my Kindle so I could read it again in book form. Six pages into Chapter 1, I found a POV (Point of View) glitch that neither of us caught. Um…probably a safe bet that my heroine is not going to think…
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Guest Blogging…
…at the Bettyverse today. I’m talking about a really embarrassing moment in my life–come join the fun! I’d love to hear about your most embarrassing moment if you’re brave enough to share. See ya there!
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Of Furniture and Decorating…
I’m no decorator, I have to admit that right off. But when we bought our lake cottage, I had a clear vision of what I wanted it to be. “Beachy” was the word I kept using to describe the style I was going for. I wanted lake cottage casual, beachy fun, you know…comfortable furniture, laying around looking like it doesn’t care. Gracious friends and family all helped supply us with things for the new place–dishes, pots and pans, canisters, sheets and towels. We were literally starting from ground zero, so we accepted any and all contributions to the cause. We also discovered the Wal-Mart home store. Wow! Husband swears the…
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Revisions and Revelations
I’m working on revisions to my first novel. My crit partner Sandy and I have gotten through the first five chapters and ironically, there are more things to fix/revise that either of us imagined. Not dramatically changing the story line at all, but rather tightening up language, creating more tension between my characters, just making it better. My goal is to have it ready to resend to my agent by the end of next week so she can send it out to some other publishers. What I’m learning about my writing is that I may not actually be a straight category romance writer. I thought that was what I wrote,…
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Back In the Saddle…
I’m back from my vacation with the Sisters, which was very nice. I got to see Son and DIL and even spend time with Lily, my granddog. I tasted a lot of good wine; ate at several great restaurants, including Federicos Tapas and Wine Bar, where I learned about ceviche, sea bass, and other wonderful tidbits. I went to a play at Cal Shakes; and I got to lay around a pool and read for pleasure, which was delicious! But now, I’m back home and back to work. While I was on vacation, I got a rejection on my first novel–the one that is my heart. (Note to self, don’t…
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Guest blogging…
…on the Bettyverse today. Come by and join the discussion about siblings. Good fun!
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On Vacation…
…so posts this week will necessarily be short and sweet. This “sister trip” started out a little rocky with flight delays/cancellations, during which I got booked on completely different flights from PJ and Kate. We ended up in airports about 1,000 miles apart for a few hours, but finally we reconnected and arrived at our destination only twelve hours later than we anticipated. All is well now. Sisters are at the grocery buying all kinds of lovely goodies for our stay, and tomorrow I get to see Son and Daughter-in-Law–YAY! In addition, I’m not working at all on this vacation because well, it’s a vacation. I may write some if…
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Big Doings…
at the Bettyverse (www.bettyverse.com) today. Our own Alpha Betty, a.k.a. Lani Diane Rich (www.lanidianerich.com) is launching two of her novels to epub. The Fortune Quilt and A Little Ray of Sunshine are both available at Amazon.com. I’ve already been to Amazon to order them for my Kindle–go on over and pick up two great summer reads! Also, Mary Stella is interviewing Lani Diane Rich on her blog (www.marystella.blogspot.com) today. Great chat with Lani about her two books being launched, and her newest novel coming along in 2012, written under her psuedonym, Lucy March (www.lucymarch.com). Lotsa links, but lotsa fun…so click and enjoy!! PS: Hey Son, I got every one of…
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It’s Hot…
…and tonight, I’m pretty whiny about it. Generally, I’m fairly mellow about the weather, but we’ve been in the midst of a sticky heat wave for almost two weeks now and I’m ready to be done. It’s sultry here–I’m talking Tennessee Williams sultry. All that’s missing is Blanche DuBois being surprised by the kindness of strangers and Stanley Kowalski bellowing, “Stella!!” Frankly, the heat is putting me in the mood to bellow something much worse! We’re just back from the lake and somehow, the heat seems easier to take when we’re there. Although it rained there this weekend, we still got to go for a lovely cruise at dusk last…
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Rejection Can Be Motivating…
Got a note from my agent today telling me that a pub she submitted my second novel to passed on it. Hmmmmm…talk about disheartening. I know that lots of authors, probably most authors, were rejected before they finally got “the call.” But selfishly, I want every editor who reads my novels to be bowled over with the genius of my words. I want them to rejoice that they’ve finally gotten a manuscript that makes them shiver with excitement. Yeah, it’s nice in Nan’s world–they know me here and they love me… I spent about half an hour perseverating over why she said she rejected it. I shed a few tears,…