Editing of version 4 continues. I'm through 85 of the first 200 pages and have already added 15 pages. Thanks to great editing suggestions from friends and family, I have concentrated on adding a sense of place and visuals to the story. As I do this, I find ways to play with the visuals/details to make the story richer throughout.
That's the latest. Back to the grind.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Rejection #1
Well, I just got off the phone with a friend who is a long time literary agent. He has turned down the book saying that he didn't get it and that it wasn't for him. I've been waiting for this.
This is not only the book's first rejection, but is its first out and out negative review. Other folks have given it broad positive reviews before providing various criticisms. While I've worked hard to make this book accessible short of holding the reader's hand, I knew not everyone would like it and not everyone would get it. Now I have proof. Things were going a little too well there for a while. At least that's out of the way. But as my Mom likes to remind me, "Dr. Seuss was rejected 80 times before he got published." Thanks, Ma!
In other news, editing of version #4 is going well and I'm on track for a March 1st completion. I typically work best with a chip on my shoulder and well, now I've got one.
This is not only the book's first rejection, but is its first out and out negative review. Other folks have given it broad positive reviews before providing various criticisms. While I've worked hard to make this book accessible short of holding the reader's hand, I knew not everyone would like it and not everyone would get it. Now I have proof. Things were going a little too well there for a while. At least that's out of the way. But as my Mom likes to remind me, "Dr. Seuss was rejected 80 times before he got published." Thanks, Ma!
In other news, editing of version #4 is going well and I'm on track for a March 1st completion. I typically work best with a chip on my shoulder and well, now I've got one.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Picking Up The Pen
Thanks to several friends, I have now received enough feedback to build a consensus on what improvements the book needs most. While I look forward to receiving more feedback from others (I'm looking at you, Brittany), I'm ready to pick the pen up again.
Next steps:
1) Ideally, I'd like to finish the next draft by March 1st. This will mean editing 8-9 pages a day.
2) Read the book aloud. One of the great ways to edit one's material is to read it aloud. While my eyes have read the book over and over, I haven't heard it, I haven't pronounced it. Reading aloud should expose me to mistakes I've made (grammatical and story-wise) and help me see gaps to fill.
3) Embrace criticism as opportunity. Reviewers have noted various short-comings and have cut my work out for me. What I have to do is see these short-comings as challenges and opportunities to prove that I'm not just good at dialogue or just good at word-play, but good. Period.
That's the plan.
Next steps:
1) Ideally, I'd like to finish the next draft by March 1st. This will mean editing 8-9 pages a day.
2) Read the book aloud. One of the great ways to edit one's material is to read it aloud. While my eyes have read the book over and over, I haven't heard it, I haven't pronounced it. Reading aloud should expose me to mistakes I've made (grammatical and story-wise) and help me see gaps to fill.
3) Embrace criticism as opportunity. Reviewers have noted various short-comings and have cut my work out for me. What I have to do is see these short-comings as challenges and opportunities to prove that I'm not just good at dialogue or just good at word-play, but good. Period.
That's the plan.
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