Friday, March 26, 2010

It's Not Half Bad

...considering that I had mono when I started writing it. Need to fix some of the flow and some of the character names. Flashback memories need to be added. Some forshadowing (foreshadowing?) needs to be added, so that the climax of the story flows better.

As a 100-page outline, it's pretty good. The basic plot and sub-plots flow well, and it's (in my opinion) a very good story.

What can make the tedious job of an entire re-write seem more fun? Maybe some rewards--non-food, of course.

One thing that I need to work on is what comes before and after the story. Partly, in case I decide to write a prequel and a sequel, and partly so that the characters all seem more real.

Per Foster-Harris, I need to add "movement and feeling." I also need to add "tags" that distinguish both appearances and mannerisms, force and resistance.

So, I'll be putting in a lot of desk-time over the next several weeks. Am I ready?

Friday, March 19, 2010

They asked for a sequel!!

Well, this is some good news! Not only do my kiddos like my book, they want me to write a SEQUEL!!! How cool is that?!?!

The most difficult step comes next. I actually have to read my first draft myself, and plan out the revision. Maybe this comes easily for some people, but re-writes have not been my strong point.

In the business world, I'm always trying to remember the rules and find less confrontational language. In the sci-fi author world, I'm wondering if I need to follow any rules other than those outlined by Foster-Harris?

Probably not!

Friday, March 12, 2010

It's finally in print!

Yes, my book is finally in print. One draft copy, courtesy of my home printer. It's an eerie feeling to see almost 10,000 words all in one place and know that I wrote them.

The good news is that it's Spring Break and my two reviewers are now available. The scary part is, of course, what if they don't like the story?

I'll tell them not to tell me if they don't like it... just to tell me what needs to be added or changed. After they're finished reading and writing their remarks, we'll discuss and plan out the revision. And then the work begins again! Somehow, I thought that writing should be easy.

Oh, hey, I did just finish reading a really great book! It's called "The Christ Report" and is the story of a journalist at the end of his life who needs to believe, and an innkeeper 2,000 years earlier who needs to be believed. I highly recommend it.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Sometimes I'm wrong

Sometimes I'm wrong. Rarely do I feel the need to trashcan a book or movie. With The Abyss, immediately after I finished watching the director's cut, I tossed it. The language was horrid! Bring on the mystery, blood and guts, and even some mild suspense, but boy 'o boy, if you can't find better words than swear words, you need to think harder!!! And, by the way, this was a James Cameron movie, both written and directed by him. I haven't seen Avatar. Hope he's learned to keep the language clean. I don't remember this problem with Titanic. Guess I'll need to re-watch that one, too. (Now it's research!).

Stepping off my tree-stump now... :-)

Friday, March 5, 2010

I finished the first draft!!!!

After a marathon four hours of writing, the first draft is finally complete! Whoop!!! At almost 20,000 words, it's far short of novel-length, so I shall treat it as a detailed outline with 50% of my writing complete.

After my key editors take first read through, the summer will be for rewriting before my more professional editors receive a copy. Of course, before I send out any query letters, I have to get legal approval from my company. One of the great responsibilities of working for a large coporation is complaince with the code of business conduct, which colors many aspects of my life.

So, what can a sleepy, overworked author do to celebrate? Snuggle with my hubby and watch a movie or two, of course! one of my favorites was hollering to me from the bin at the grocery store--'The Abyss' in an extended version that I've never seen. Should be cool!!!

One other item to note: Thank you to my first blog follower! One of my greatest and best friends of all time.

So little to do and so much time... Reverse that!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Time passes quickly

Time, it passes quickly when we have much to do that is fun. It passes even more quickly when there are chores undone...

My excuse this week for not writing is that I had a cake pan and a skillet that I just could not get washed. So, the way I'm going to finish the last 2.5 chapters of this book is to keep up with the dishes! Sounds simple enough, eh?

In my story, the key decision-maker has entered the scene and a gift of the heroine's choosing has been offered. What will she choose and how will the gift will be granted? Some surprises await this writer who will try harder to get the dishes washed!