Wanted: Advice

So, if you were tackling a major revisions, where would you begin? I'm thinking the first step is to read through my entire MS to get reacquainted with my characters and the story, but after that, I'm not sure what to do. I have to say that the thought of reading my MS without editing as I go is almost impossible, but I'm going to give it a try. It'd be awesome if I could somehow read it on my nook, so that way I couldn't edit it. Hmmmm....

Anyway, what would you do, or what have you done in the past? I'd love to hear your advice and experiences!

Who needs a therapist?

If been thinking lately about the amount of work Beauty Secrets needs and I find myself wondering if it's worth it. What are my goals? As a new mommy, my time is already zilch, so if I want to write, it would really mean sacrificing the 30 minutes of personal time I have a day, or giving up even more sleep (and I'm seriously not sure that's an option). Now granted, I realize this is what separates the dreamers from the doers. This is the part where the rubber meets the road and whatever other clichés you can come up with. I know I'm a writer at heart. It's what makes me happy. I can obsess over a plot for days until I figure every detail out, and I love reading my own writing (at least I'm entertained) and feeling so damn proud completing a MS.

Anyway, if I'm writing for myself, then why go through the pain of revision and the emotional querying/publishing process when so much of it is out of my control? Tell me? Why do you do it?!?

I guess I know the answer.

Because the possibility of seeing my work in print is just too cool of an idea to give up. And if there's a way to combine self-fulfillment with publishing success, my Ying and Yang will be balanced.

Who needs a therapist when you have a blog? Am I right? What are your thoughts?

I'm Still Alive

In case you were wondering.

Just really busy. Having a baby will do that to you :)

Still thinking about writing. Note, thinking is much easier than actually doing.

Keep it real blogger buddies <3

Tumblrbl?

Have you guys experimented with Tumblr at all? It's seems pretty cool. I'm setting up an account and giving it a go. It might be an easier way to blog... I'll keep you updated on my status :)

Lip Gloss & Lies needs work, a lot of work...

I was so proud of myself this weekend for actually sitting down and devoting my afternoon to writing. If felt so good and familiar to have laptop on, well my lap, kitty on my side, and doggie by my feet. With notes open, I got to work. And boy, do I have work to do.

This past March I finished my outline for the sequel and I was surprised by how much I had planned and already written. I had honestly forgotten that Lip Gloss & Lies was my NanoWriMo goal last year and I had written 15k in those first two weeks before realizing forging ahead without an outline wouldn't work for me.

But that's where the good warm fuzzy feeling ended.

You see, I really don't like my story outline. So much so that I'm thinking about changing the murder victim and murderess. Just the basics, you know? :) I managed to take the entire 38-page outline and summarize it down to three remaining plot points. And to be honest, they're minor plot points. The big guys are still yet to be determined--and I couldn't be happier. In writing this sequel I'm reminded of a couple of points I've learned along the way:

#1 Sequel or not, each novel should stand on its own.

#2 It's far easier to change an outline than to rewrite an entire novel. Even changing one scene screws up the rest (as it should. If you can delete/change an entire scene and it doesn't effect your story, you have a problem).

#3 Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I remember reading a part in "First Draft in 30 Days" (Karen Weisner) that you should set aside your outline for a month if not longer and then come back to it with fresh eyes. While I followed her other tips while writing Beauty Secrets, this was one I ignored. After having this experience with Lip Gloss & Lies, however, I've changed my mind. I've always been in too big of a rush to wait, you know? But I will follow her advice this time!

One things for sure, this publishing (and pregnancy) is going to teach me patience one way or another (or at least test it a time or two!). Happy writing.

Jumping on the writing train

I have the whole morning, actually most of the day, to myself. It is the perfect time to start writing. My only dilemma is what to write? Yes, it has been THAT long. I have two WIPs that I haven't touched in 6 months, plus two ideas I've roughly outlined, oh wait, make that three ideas.

What to do, what to do.

Well, as I've said before, my first love is cozies. I still have that sequel to Beauty Secrets to hash out--Lip Gloss & Lies--and I know what some believe about writing a sequel when the first hasn't sold, but if you remember, I'm done right now caring about being published. I'm writing for me.

Plus, figuring out a mystery is a guaranteed way to keep my mind busy from obsessing about this baby and bedrest (have you read about preterm labor statistics? Don't.)

So, looks like I've made up my mind. Off to Lip Gloss and Lies! Thanks for your help (you always know what to say, hehehe).

I miss you!

I started visiting some of my favorite blogs today (and if you're a follower of mine, I mean YOU!) and I realized how much I miss all of you.

You're so smart--do you know that? And witty and charming and you make me smile. Who couldn't use more smiling in their life? It's so good to know that when I disappear off the grid for a while you great people are still out there blogging away.

You're awesome.

So Thank You! No matter how much life tries to squish the writer out of me, she's still down in there banging to get out. Let's see if I can break her free!