I'm one of those parents that gets up really early and CAN'T WAIT to wake the kids up because I am excited to see them open their presents. So, as you can imagine, I am looking forward to the morning.
I just wanted to take a moment to say Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Holidays, birthdays, and words, words, words
Sorry that it has been a little while since my last post. It is that time of year where everything is just crazy! This year was even more crazy than usual with my oldest son going to classmate's birthday parties within the last few weeks, as well as having one of his own. Then Thanksgiving rolled around and it was time to be thankful for what you have and to enjoy time with family. And I have much to be thankful for! Now comes Christmas, one my most favorite times of the year! I look forward to seeing the looks on my children's faces when they see the personalized messages that Santa has sent to mommy's email for them, and when they open their presents. What a special time childhood is!
In the midst of all of this activity, I also found out by reading several agent's blogs that the website where I had looked to tell me what word count is acceptable for a novel was apparently not right. Since I am in the process of sending Guardian out to agents for possible representation, I decided that I needed to give it a fighting chance (as I read in the a couple of agent's blogs that if it is too high or too low on word count they automatically reject) so I spent some time increasing the word count. I thought, at times, my eyes would cross and my back would give out from sitting so much. I can now say that I did everything in my power to help it to attract representation.
On my journey to becoming an author I have learned many things. Especially with Guardian. If you are looking for a profession that will keep you humble, then you should definitely become an author. You may think that your story is fantastic, and so too might your fan base, but you will still receive more rejections than anything else...as is the case with even the most famous authors.
Every query letter you send off with a prayer that this agent will be the one that likes your story enough to want to see more. You know that if they just read the whole book, they are going to want to represent you. Each response you get that is a crushing rejection will ultimately say approximately the same thing... "This field is subjective and we encourage you to keep looking for the right person to represent your work. Please don't take this as a reflection on your writing ability, as it is not intended as such." And they usually close with something like, "best of luck." It is highly frustrating!
What I see also, though, on some of the writer websites that I frequent is that I am not alone in this frustrating, humbling, but ultimately rewarding quest. And that if I can manage to just keep my faith in myself and my work, despite the humbling rejections, so, too, might I come out victorious in the end!
In the midst of all of this activity, I also found out by reading several agent's blogs that the website where I had looked to tell me what word count is acceptable for a novel was apparently not right. Since I am in the process of sending Guardian out to agents for possible representation, I decided that I needed to give it a fighting chance (as I read in the a couple of agent's blogs that if it is too high or too low on word count they automatically reject) so I spent some time increasing the word count. I thought, at times, my eyes would cross and my back would give out from sitting so much. I can now say that I did everything in my power to help it to attract representation.
On my journey to becoming an author I have learned many things. Especially with Guardian. If you are looking for a profession that will keep you humble, then you should definitely become an author. You may think that your story is fantastic, and so too might your fan base, but you will still receive more rejections than anything else...as is the case with even the most famous authors.
Every query letter you send off with a prayer that this agent will be the one that likes your story enough to want to see more. You know that if they just read the whole book, they are going to want to represent you. Each response you get that is a crushing rejection will ultimately say approximately the same thing... "This field is subjective and we encourage you to keep looking for the right person to represent your work. Please don't take this as a reflection on your writing ability, as it is not intended as such." And they usually close with something like, "best of luck." It is highly frustrating!
What I see also, though, on some of the writer websites that I frequent is that I am not alone in this frustrating, humbling, but ultimately rewarding quest. And that if I can manage to just keep my faith in myself and my work, despite the humbling rejections, so, too, might I come out victorious in the end!
Friday, November 11, 2011
How could I have forgotten?
I just realized today that Guardian's (Book 2 in the New Era Series) 1 year start date anniversary will happen in 1 month from this past Monday (November 7th). Yes, I am aware that they were started exactly 2 months, to the day, apart. lol. Boy, has that time flown!
It won't be until sometime in April of 2012 ( because of the computer crash earlier this year, I don't know the exact date) that Keeper's (Book 3 in the New Era Series) 1 year start date anniversary happens. And, before I know it, Protector (Book 4 in the New Era Series) will be done and making the rounds to the test readers.
It won't be until sometime in April of 2012 ( because of the computer crash earlier this year, I don't know the exact date) that Keeper's (Book 3 in the New Era Series) 1 year start date anniversary happens. And, before I know it, Protector (Book 4 in the New Era Series) will be done and making the rounds to the test readers.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
More feedback on Keeper
So far book 3, Keeper, seems to be getting good reviews from the test readers that have read it. 5 out of 5 test readers recommend it. It will soon be on the move again. I am off, however, to check out something that she told me may be a confusing issue at the beginning. Can't have that, now can I? lol That is why I LOVE my test readers, they help me so much!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Aaaaand . . . Protector begins!
Last night I completed the first chapter of book 4- Protector. This is sure to make my test readers that have been asking when I would start it happy.
I am very excited to be back to writing also. I didn't realize that I had missed it until I sat down with Protector last night. I don't know how often I will be able to work on it, but I will try to when I can.
I can tell you from the plans that I have running through my head (and that I have run by my sounding board person) that this one should be a more than worthy addition to the series. And, you get to meet the super villain that will dominate the next 4 books (although he likely won't be the only villain in each book). Let me tell you, he is a top- of- the- line villain too. Plus, he's spooky creepy. He'll send some creep chills down your spine for sure! His name is Artandar.
I am very excited to be back to writing also. I didn't realize that I had missed it until I sat down with Protector last night. I don't know how often I will be able to work on it, but I will try to when I can.
I can tell you from the plans that I have running through my head (and that I have run by my sounding board person) that this one should be a more than worthy addition to the series. And, you get to meet the super villain that will dominate the next 4 books (although he likely won't be the only villain in each book). Let me tell you, he is a top- of- the- line villain too. Plus, he's spooky creepy. He'll send some creep chills down your spine for sure! His name is Artandar.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Guess what?
I started book 4! I know that this will make my test readers that have been patiently waiting for it very happy. I did not write much, just 2 paragraphs, but it is a start.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
1 month tomorrow. And pictures, pictures, pictures!
Since Fated came out 1 month ago tomorrow, I have already had 1 book signing, an article in the paper, and a possible radio interview, I thought that it was time to get some pictures taken that I can use for publicity and events. What an adventure (as my friends on Facebook can attest to)!
I had my husband take some nice pictures, that turned out well. Since neither he nor I are professional photographers, though, we didn't realize that the background was too dark, and my dark hair and dark shirt blended too much for me to crop myself out of the pictures without looking like I cropped myself out of the pictures. So, we re-shot them against a lighter background, with several different outfits, and I got some more good shots. I wasn't, however, able to duplicate my favorite pose from the first batch.
I spent some time tonight trying to work with that original picture that I liked from the first batch to see if I could get myself out of it and onto a lighter background. I do believe that I have succeeded! But, that leaves me with several very good images to choose from. I have put them on my Facebook and asked for opinions. I plan on using the ones that are the most popular with my friends. I really appreciate all of those that helped me to choose.
As for Fated, I keep spreading word about it, and it seems to keep generating interest in whomever I speak to about it. I hope that means that in another month it has grown even more in popularity with the word of mouth from myself, my test readers, and those of the public that have read it. Don't forget that Guardian is due to be released in February!
I had my husband take some nice pictures, that turned out well. Since neither he nor I are professional photographers, though, we didn't realize that the background was too dark, and my dark hair and dark shirt blended too much for me to crop myself out of the pictures without looking like I cropped myself out of the pictures. So, we re-shot them against a lighter background, with several different outfits, and I got some more good shots. I wasn't, however, able to duplicate my favorite pose from the first batch.
I spent some time tonight trying to work with that original picture that I liked from the first batch to see if I could get myself out of it and onto a lighter background. I do believe that I have succeeded! But, that leaves me with several very good images to choose from. I have put them on my Facebook and asked for opinions. I plan on using the ones that are the most popular with my friends. I really appreciate all of those that helped me to choose.
As for Fated, I keep spreading word about it, and it seems to keep generating interest in whomever I speak to about it. I hope that means that in another month it has grown even more in popularity with the word of mouth from myself, my test readers, and those of the public that have read it. Don't forget that Guardian is due to be released in February!
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