A Look Back on 2009

Right Now: The Arctic blast is moving into Houston. So windy and cold outside! Listening to Let Go by Frou Frou.

I've always been the kind of person who looks at my circumstances and my experiences for a message--a lesson if you will. In order to keep moving forward, it's necessary to make such reflections. And so, that's what this post is all about, a look back at 2009. Here we go...

1. The biggest part of 2009 was, for me, spent on writing. I love my story, my characters, my setting. It was such an incredible experience for me, living in another world that was so vivid that I even dreamed about it. And even though the experience was positive, I learned something...see below.

2. As good as I thought my writing was, I needed help. Enter the critique group. Having your "baby" critiqued isn't easy, but boy was it good for me. Show, don't tell. Add some sensory perception to your story. Less dialogue please, more action. These are just a few of the things I learned, and I'm so grateful!!

3. Revisions are just as important as the initial writing. I've got some more to do before I plunge back into the hunt for an agent, and I'm cool with that. It's all about producing the best possible story, right? Revisions are just part of the game.

4. Another important lesson I've learned is to NOT put all your eggs in one basket. To that end, I've written a PB and I'm currently writing another YA book that I'm really crazy about based on a short story I wrote for a competition. I'm only on the first chapter, but my brain is busily plotting out the entire book.

I'm sure I could say more, but that's really the most important things I learned in 2009. As for 2010? All I have to say is this, 2010 is going to be MY YEAR. You just wait!

The Importance of Critique

Right Now: It's a rainy day, warm and muggy. Kids should be home from school soon. Listening to Fireflies by Owl City. Oh yeah, just finished my rewrites!

All I can say is WOW! I just finished my rewrites and edits, and I feel fine... And, grateful that I found the right critique person to help me get where I need to be. You know who you are, my own personal sensei, and all I can say is THANK YOU!! I feel better about my writing than ever before!! So, with that said, I want to pass on the lessons that I've learned in the hopes that I can help someone out there.

First, don't send out any queries until your MS is perfect! I don't mean until you think it's perfect, because we, the writers, are so in the thick of things that we can't see the forest through the trees. So, when you think your MS kicks butt, then it's time to find a critique group or partner. Please do not skip this step. Repeat: please do not skip this step.

Your critique partner and or group should know your genre, know how to write well, and have the ability to be honest with their critique. This might hurt, but it's necessary. And if you really want to improve, you will listen to what they have to say!

Then, take this info, and fix your MS. Then, get that query the best that it can be. And have your synopsis ready to roll.

Whew...this process has taken me A YEAR! Yes, that' right, a year. The actual process of writing my story only took about six months. The rest of the time I've been editing, tweaking, revising, and sometimes just plain leaving it to the side. But it's been A YEAR!

The good thing? My MS rocks. My story has angels in it, which, as you may know, is all the rage right now, and on an upswing. (When I started writing, I had no idea this would be the new thing) Good for me. Now I just need to get this story in the right hands. Wish me luck!!

And now...the rewrites!

Right Now: Working on my second cup of coffee. Listening to Kings of Leon, Use Somebody. It's warm and muggy outside.

Today is all about rewrites. Rewrites are like editing, but deeper. More like reworking concepts, changing plot, and stuff like that. Here's my to-do list for my rewrites:

1. Delete the first 3 chapters or so and start with some serious character interaction and paranormal activity.

2. Work on show and not tell.

3. Change the paranormal activity that my main character experiences.

4. Let me repeat, show and don't tell.

5. Change the ending so that it's not too open-ended. Possibly even write an alternate ending.

6. Make one of the characters, Infiniti, a little more edgy.

So, that's my to-do list. It's A LOT, but I'm so ready to get this bad boy done! Once all these rewrites are made, I KNOW I'm going to find my agent.