Read Through and Examiner

Well, I did a read through of my draft, and, although it is rough around the edges, it is actually a good book. I really like the characters and the situations I put them in. I was worried about much of what I wrote, thinking it was pure poop, but I like how it turned out.

I will be editing the book over the next couple weeks while taking an online writing class through Orange County Romance Writer's again. This one is about crafting Deep Story, and so far it has been helpful. I have also been using much of what my critique group has been saying about my story. My chapter 1 is quite different from what I originally wrote. Much tighter writing. I realize that I am probably more of a spaghetti writer. I pretty much throw everything on the page and see what sticks. Then, I have to beat the prose back to a subtler story.

On a different note, I published my first article to www.examiner.com. Unfortunately, I can't find it on their site. Yeah, that's a little strange. Anyway, I'll update on whether or not that will be going anywhere.

Happy writing!

Insomniacs Unite At Night

There was an amazing repeat of Iron Chef America on Food Network last night from 1:00 to 2:00 in the morning. I know this because I was wide awake. Insomnia is not something I've experienced since college, but for the last three nights, sleep has been minimal.

I know it is due to the chemotherapy drugs that are pumping through my system, but that doesn't make it go away any quicker. It will pass. I have to believe this.

On a positive note, a story where the hero and heroine are chefs has been swirling in my head for awhile, and last night gave me plenty time and motivation to brainstorm. I hope to begin it this week.

I am so very sorry to anyone else who suffers with insomnia on a regular basis. My aching, fuzzy head goes out to you.

Critiques

Okay, so now I get why some authors become reclusive and refuse to show their work to anyone. It is very nerve-wracking to share even a chapter of my draft. The whole time I wavered between just knowing those who chanced a glance would be wowed by my incredible, never-before-seen genius and realizing those who chanced a glance would more likely see so many ugly bumps, knots, and splotches that it has taken me literally a week to even look at one of the remarks made.

Silly me. It was painful, but necessary. I obviously do like my writing. After all, I wrote it, but I need a perspective that's unbiased, and I need to consider the view of a potential reader (other than me). Does that mean that I change everything the reader didn't like? No, but if I'm getting the same message from different readers, there is probably need for change.

So, thank you to those who were nice enough to take some time out of your own busy schedule and give me some insight into what I'm too close to see in my own work. I promise that anything said (in my head only, of course) about your judgement was said in the heat of the moment, and I didn't mean a word of it. I respect your opinion, and I like that I feel a part of a community of writers.

I might still turn into one of the reclusive kind of writers, but I think I'll give this a chance first.

Spring Has Sprung

I have done my duty (tee-hee, little giggle) and let my draft rest. I am now diving back in to do re-writes, revisions, and edits. It's a little tougher than I expected, but not nearly as hard as writing it the first time.

I also applied for an RWA conference scholarship. For anyone who doesn't know, I have been undergoing treatment for Stage II, B breast cancer that was diagnosed in Nov. 2009. I figure, if I don't get my butt in gear and do everything I always wanted to do, then what's a life crisis for, anyway?

I also submitted an article on Steampunk to Examiner.com. I hope they like it enough to ask for more, but I'm not obsessing over it or anything. So what if I've checked e-mail every couple hours in the same day? Does that say obsession?

I did hear from Skirt! about the article I submitted to them. It's not for them at this time. That's okay, I've been rejected before. Just another motivator to get my rear in gear.

Happy writing!

Celebration!

I have officially finished my first draft of my manuscript (waiting for the applause...still waiting). Okay, so maybe it was only a big deal to me, but I was excited as can be! So, here is my thank you speech:

Thank you to my husband for believing me when I said, "I'm writing my book," and eating sandwiches many a night instead of a cooked meal. Oh, and for not getting upset when I rejected a few of your ideas during our impromptu brainstorming session on the way to Cincinnati. Raquetball, really? Thanks for the good ideas.

Thank you to my children for walking away (when it wasn't an emergency, of course) so that Mommy could write one more paragraph or finish this scene before jumping into action.

Thank you to my mother, who always encouraged me to write, write, write! And to my sisters, who brought all their essays, stories, and other school work to me for editing and revising (good practice).

Thank you to Candace Havens and her Fast Draft/Revision Hell online course. Without that course, I probably (possibly) would have finished my draft eventually, but the motivation to get it done quicker, made all the difference.

And thank you to my characters for finally straightening up, figuring things out, and coming together for your happily ever after.

Yay me!

So Close

I have officially written over 40,000 words on my manuscript. I have also revised the first 25 pages and submitted the first 4,000 words to the TARA writing contest (that's the Tampa Area Romance Writer's of America), but I really only hope to get some feedback. I'd love to have a critique partner, but right now, that's only my dear husband, whom I will from now on call Sharky in this blog (pet name when we were way, way younger). He does have great ideas, but he doesn't read romance nor, obviously, write romance.

Here's a little taste of what Cole Anderson, my hero in my current wip, looks like in my head. Hope you like.

Synopsis Trouble and Contest

Contest is at the bottom of the post and will end Saturday, March 27, 2010, no joke.


Okay, I am trying my little heart out to write a synopsis for my current wip. It is like pulling teeth or toenails or any other kind of horrendous torture. Having only written one other, I think I'm a tad inexperienced, and I have to finish it today, so I can tweak it tomorrow. I want to send it off to a contest (I think I just peed a little in my pants) and see if I can get a few critiques.

I also sent a personal essay to Skirt! Magazine yesterday, and I've only checked my e-mail about 50 times since then. No word so far, which I'm taking as a good thing because maybe their taking time to read it and think about it. Here's hoping!

I also entered a blog discussion about what Gena Showalter should name her next Lords of the Underworld novel about Strider, a warrior possessed by the demon of defeat. I gave several suggestions, my favorites of which are: The Darkest Submission, The Darkest Aim, and The Darkest Craving, but so far, no word on which of the over 200 posts will win an ARC (advanced reader's copy) of The Darkest Passion. (Oh, please pick me!)

Anyhoo, I am going to get back to my dreaded synopsis.

Oh, one other thing, would anybody be interested in an autographed copy of Once Upon A Knight, by Jackie Ivie. I'll be happy to put you in for a drawing, if you will follow this blog and follow me on Twitter or if you can help me out by giving me a good resource for writing a synopsis. Just leave a comment in this post once all is set up. My twitter is the same as my blog: kiera mcallister.