Trick or Treat? Definitely a
What a day!
Good things come in threes, I suppose. First the Agatha, last week. (It’s still sinking in, by the way.)
And then I had an interview with Dane Anderson of the Westlake Picayune this morning; they’re doing a feature in next week’s paper. When I got home from that, the fabulous food editor Kitty Crider of the Austin American-Statesman sent me an e-mail; they’ll be doing a feature in the Food and Life section of the paper. Which means they’ll be taking photos of me. In my kitchen. Which thankfully now has tiles instead of ripped-up wallboard as a back splash. Because if it didn’t, I’d be canvassing everyone in Austin to let me call their home my own for the day. I can see it now. “Of course this is my kitchen, Kitty. I just can’t remember where I hid the flour!”
I’m going to try and write now.
But I have one more thing to say: Laura, when I wrote my first book, I averaged significantly less than 1,000 words a day, and that was a real accomplishment. These days, it comes easier — but I’ve written over 1,500 pages of fiction, which helps. But any word count at all — even 100 words — is something to be proud of. Any words are good words. 🙂 Hemingway considered 500 words a good day.
Just keep the faith!
Karen,
Congrats on your interviews. I’m always excited when one of my friends are interviewed for newspapers (even more so when the article is flattering). I’m excited for you. It’s awesome.
Today my goal was to not expend any more engergy than possible. I think I succeeded – the dogs graciously allowed me to lay on the sofa with them for most of the day. Sometime during the night my fever broke, but I still didn’t feel well. So like you suggested I drank tea and read. I also put some more edits into the computer and thanks to Oprah I had an “Aha” moment for my main character. I re-wrote a scene and I think it works. But then again, I’m sick. LOL.
I better go and get my cup of tea, I think it steeped enough.
Have a great evening,
Debra S.
Wow, what a great set of three!! Next you know, you’ll get three great sets of three…
I spent close to four hours working today and only managed 600 words. I’m really struggling with a kind of existential angst. This is a first book of a series. The first book of my *first* series is making agent rounds and I think part of the issue is that that book was…not easy, but smooth. I think the rough draft took all of 2 months. Now, editing/polishing took a LONG time, but the original book just flowed.
This one refuses to be easy. I like the characters, I think the plot is solid, the settings are cool, but just at the moment it feels like every word is being dragged out with a winch.
Grrrr.
Debra,
Thanks so much. My brain has been busy manufacturing all manner of potential catastrophes, but I’m sure it will be fine.
I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better.. and it sounds like the time off helped that subconscious do its work.
Drink tea, feel better, stay warm… and relax this weekend! I plan to.
Have a wonderful evening… and I’ll bet that scene will look just as good when you’re well.
Karen
Laura, my dear, I know just where you are right now, having been there a few million times myself.
And I totally understand the angst; I was working on a new-ish experimental project in December and January, and was so nervous about it — it was a departure — that it was like pulling teeth to get any words on the page. I’ve set it aside to marinate awhile while I work on the projects I’m actually under contract for, and it’s been a relief of sorts, although I do plan to go back to it. And am still thinking about it.
Perhaps your subconscious is telling you it’s time to step back and think about the direction the story is going — or at least the scene you’re stuck on? Sometimes when I get hung up, it’s because something doesn’t seem quite right; when I worry at it for a day or two, it breaks loose and gets easier.
Is it a different kind of book for you?
I’m keeping my fingers crossed on the agent rounds; just keep moving forward. I’m sure something will click! (Keep me posted!)
I hope today was a better day. Take care of yourself, and take a break if you need it…
Karen
I think you’re right about putting it aside for a little. I set about this one the wrong way, I think. Too much “think commercially” stuff in my head.
As to the agent thing…I’ve gotten lovely, personal rejection letters from the two I have heard from and the third made some suggestions about a couple changes and offered to read it again if I made them, so I figure those are pretty encouraging.
Laura,
Lovely, personal rejection letters — not to mention an invitation to resubmit — are what’s known as A VERY GOOD SIGN.
It means you’re a great writer who’s got what’s likely a marketable story, but that you haven’t found the perfect agent match… yet.
Congratulations!
It sounds like you are only a few steps away from what I think is the biggest step toward getting published: getting a great agent.
Regardless of how long it takes for someone to give you the one (and only one) ‘yes’ you need, keep writing… you’ve got something going!
Kudos again!
K
P.S. I’ll bet the kinks in your story get worked out within the week. Let me know if I’m right. 🙂