Word Imperfect

The last year has been a roller coaster of ups and downs, triumph and self-doubt.  I have screamed and cried and actually vomited from the overwhelming emotions that have come from this journey to publication. Today brought more tears, but this time a whole different kind. After participating in #PitchSlam and not making it to the agent round, I decided to get together my submission package and query agents directly.  So I started looking for editors to help me polish up my query and first 10 pages. With my past experience with freelance editing, I was weary about paying someone to look at my stuff.  Luckily, nearly every editor I found this time offered free sample editing.  After trying out a few, I settled on one that fit my style and needs. For a VERY reasonable fee, she looked over my stuff and VERY quickly sent me back so of the most helpful feedback I've ever received. I have to admit, I was frightened by the amount of notes she had after I'd alre...

So my latest report was not what I expected.  Along with some notes, it was suggested that perhaps it was time for me to move on from this story.  Write something else, and someday I'll see that this story was either just a learning experience or something I wasn't ready to write at this time. As much as I have valued Taryn's opinion and grown from her recommendations, I cannot do this.  Not yet.  I've spent ten years of my life working on this.  I'm not ready to move on.  I'm not ready to give up and write something else (if even temporarily).  I will always be grateful to Taryn for how she  helped me grow as a writer, but for now, I have to go my own way. So here is the plan: First, (just because I had the voucher and I really really just wanted to hold it) I printed 2 copies of my book through Createspace.  If anyone is looking for print on demand services, I highly recommend them.  Their tools made it super easy and the finishe...

I sent my third draft to Taryn on April 16th.  After a couple big re-writes and a lot of little changes I am really confident with this draft.  It is amazing to see how the story has grown and changed over these three drafts.  My first draft was just barely over 52k and now I'm nearly at 60k.  I have developed characters to a level that I never could have expected.   I've had a few people asking what's next.  Well, that depends.  If Taryn has more notes for me, then I will start to work on my fourth draft.  If Taryn says "Ok you've gotten this as good as it is going to get," then we begin working on my submission materials.  This is writing my query and making sure my first 10 pages sparkle. I'm really excited to have come this far.  I've been working on this for so long that it's hard to believe I'm actually getting there. So for now....we wait....and see what Taryn has to say.