Learning from the best...

I'm not sure what is exactly appropriate for me to reveal, so forgive me if I'm a little vague.  But this blog is devoted to my writing experience.  I think it's only fair I speak a little about what I'm going through.

A few months ago, I submitted my novel to a new, small publishing house.

I waited for a response.  I tried to be patient and optimistic.  It paid off.

Shortly after the first of the year, I inquired about the status.  I was shocked speechless to receive the most amazing email.  It started with great praise, continued with suggestions and ended with inspiration.

WHO GETS THAT???

From what I've heard about the writing/publishing industry, not too many people.  So, I'd be stupid NOT to listen to words of advice given.  I immediately ordered Donald Maass's Book Writing the Breakout Novel.

Every paragraph resonates through me.  Every question he asks rocks my world.  AND I am going to his seminar in March-SWEET!!

I am truly happy I bought this book long before his seminar.  Let me tell you-it's forcing me to dig deeper into myself than ever before.  And, well...it kind of hurts...A LOT.  But according to Mr. Maass that's the stuff breakout novels are made of.

This is why I started writing anyway...to learn about myself, to deal, to FEEL.  I just didn't expect "it" to actually happen, I guess.

What's "it"?  I don't know?  Success?  Publication?  Both?

I started with the intention that no one was actually going to read my words.  But that's changed.  So, I guess I have to as well.

Here goes, I guess....It's back to revising and reaching deeper into myself than I ever thought possible.  And I want to THANK those who are helping me-you know who you are! :)

HELLOOOO, Beth!

Ethan may be a distant memory, a character laid to rest, but Beth will most certainly fill part of the void. She was originally created to demonstrate Loredana's inability to read people. But she turned out to be a little over-dramatized. In my revisions, I have toned her down, yet built her up at the same time. (At least, I THINK I have!)

I have been having fun fine-tuning this character. The changes have been inspired by a resource I have come to love, Writing and Selling the YA novel by K.L. Going. Though I hate defacing books with highlights, I have marked up countless pages with notations. I know I'll be returning to these spots again and again.

Beth is also coming more to life because of my intense reading for research. In the past, I was afraid of copying the great authors, instead of creating my own voice. (Not to mention that reading others made me feel inadequate!) But, after constant urging to read more of my genre, I got over myself and began reading in earnest. My Kindle has helped quite a bit too, because I can highlight passages and take notes, without defacing paper books.

So, as I mourn the loss of one character, I celebrate the birth of another. I think Beth is really going to be great, at least, I hope so. She' ll be a useful tool in bringing Loredana to life. She will be dynamic and interesting, instead of hot and cold. I look forward to becoming acquainted with her.

Some of the books I've read recently for inspiration include: Riding the Universe by Gaby Triana, Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, Carrie by Stephen King. and, as I mentioned before, the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. With more coming, of course! Many of which, I have found via Blogger.

Revising..or REWRITING?

It has begun. Last month I revised chapter one of Just a Girl. I needed to rethink my focus and open up with stronger narrative. I was very excited and proud of the outcome. And then came chapter two. UGH! Where to begin? How to make this work?

For weeks, I put it off. I stared at the comments and suggestions I had been given. I ultimately decided my novel was crap, junk, not worthy of fixing. And then, I found inspiration....yes, my friends....I finally caved and read Twilight by Stephanie Meyers and loved it. But my love for it was more than just the fan fare we have all heard. I loved the way she used emotion and passion to carry you through the story. THAT is what I want to do. THAT is how I write. And now, I can see THAT it is possible. I'm not saying I want to copy her...oh no...that's not me at all, but I can learn from her-both what to do and what to avoid.

And so, last week, I started again. But this time, I am not revising my book. I am rewriting it. Why? Because I need to! Well, at least I need to think of it that way because it helps me to feel less overwhelmed. It's crazy, I know, but changing one word changes my attitude. I feel less pressure to rewrite it at this point, even though I'm not changing the actual story line.

And so, I am off to steal a few minutes here and few hours there to rewrite my novel. Wish me luck; I'm gonna need it!

The Next Step

My novel is back in my hands, complete with a 6 page, single spaced, typed letter AND line-by-line edits on every single page (There are 220 pages). My mentor has specifically laid out a challenge I can't wait to tackle. THIS is what I have been needing!

THIS is more than I think I can handle.

I might think I can't handle it, but I KNOW I will. It's the next step towards my dream and nothing is going to hold me back.

The Dean of Undergraduate Nursing once said to me, "You'll never make it as a nurse."

But I did. I still am.

Someone, someday WILL tell me I won't make it as a writer.

But I will. And I will show them!