But I Don't Want To!

I hate it when you develop characters and REALLY like them.  But in the end, you have to kill them.  Isn't it awful?

I'm outlining my current novel and I have to make the decision.  It's what is best for the book but...I don't want to see this character disappear forever.  I find him/her to be interesting and could do more.

Rather than stress, I will wait until that part of the book is written.  Once the words flow, I'll have a better grasp and know if it must be done.  Who knows?  Maybe there will be a last minute divine inspiration that will save my poor character!  Or maybe, the bell tolls for ... (scary music playing in the background in honor of Halloween)  

Blogroll Please

It's been a week.  The sort of week that involves broken dryers (yes, again), children running into trees (yes, he's fine) and cats getting fish hooks through their lips (no, don't ask).  In the craziness, I have been a bad blogger.

Usually, a blog post pops into my head.  This week, I ticked off the endless stream of things that I needed to do: query, revise a manuscript, work on my new manuscript, read my writing journals, read the latest YA bestseller sitting on my nightstand, finish critiques for my critique group, work on a summary for two novels, review submission protocol from our SCBWI conference, check the bestseller list, blah, blah, blah and blog.  Poor blogging fell to the bottom.

As I finally got around to looking at my blogroll, I realized that it provides so much information.  Contests, Advice, Publishing leads, etc.  More than anything, I almost always find a "chin-up" article that keeps me driving forward when I want to put everything in park.

Maybe I should move blogging further up the to-do chain.

As Their Eyes Glazed

Do you remember your first love?  Perhaps in high school.  Your eyes would light up when someone mentioned his name?  You would talk endlessly (to the point that had your best friends begging for mercy) about how absolutely wonderful he was? 

Talking about writing is my crush...lights up my eyes, has me talking fast and makes me ignore the bored look on the faces of those that I'm talking to.  And like the past, my friends politely nod and entertain me without grasping the delight of sitting behind a computer screen for hours.

I even enjoy this blogging gig!  It's a public diary of sorts. 

Now, about that Twitter thing.  Haven't ventured there.  Is it an abbreviated public diary? Hmmm. 

She Rolled Her Eyes...

I'm trying to figure out why I keep describing body language in my writing.  One editor (nameless) told me it was distracting.  Of course, this makes me hyper-aware of my eye-rolling, stomach twisting and finger tapping.  I agree that too much can be a nuisance but I can't seem to avoid it!

I think that body language can say so much.  The words may come out one way but body language differs; it shows true feelings.  (Just ask my husband.)  "Where do you want to go eat?"  The list begins.  My response is "Whatever."  Wrinkling up my nose says more than that single word.

So, I guess it's the balance.  As in all good things...wine, chocolate, and so on.

She smiles and clicks 'send'.

10/10/10

I don't know if it's the repetition or the fact that I will only see this date once in my life, but it definitely made me pause this morning.  The wheels started turning.  Will today be full of luck?  I'm not a big believer in fate but sometimes it's too hard to ignore.  What if it is a magical day?  What if this will be a day of opportunity?

It only meant one thing.  Submit a query.  I didn't want to thumb my nose at fate on this day. 

Now, I wait and see if fate smiles or laughs at me.  I'm hoping that this day turns out to be a perfect ten in all ways.

Jumping-Up-And-Down Moment

Well, after persistence....  I can say I'm on the road to being published.  Before you get excited, this is about an article.  It's not quite the champagne popping moment of my friend who was extended representation by an agent, but it's wonderful for one simple fact.  I can say I'm published.  For a new writer, those words are sweeter than "Please, have another cupcake, you look so skinny!" 

I will be smiling for days.  Writer's Digest is the "bestest", greatest publication ever!  Oops, did I give a clue?

Maybe those queries won't make me panic when I get to the personal information paragraph.  Keep at it, fellow writers!

 

Submissions

Remember those things?  What I should be doing is refining queries, but that thing called life is in the way again.  (Also, it's much more fun to write.) 

Next week: submit something. 

Right now: It's 5:30.  Turn off computer and pour a glass of wine. :)