I thought about it for a day, came here to write it and promptly forgot it. That figures. So what else can I write about? I’m still out on submission. I’m also working on three projects: the second book in my Realm Walker series, and two paranormal romances that couldn’t be more different from each other if I tried.
I get to go to a friend’s book signing this weekend. That should be fun. Guess that’s about it. What’s going on with you all? Anything exciting?
So my husband is not afraid of very many things in this world. Except bats. He loathes bats. So I showed him this picture.
Sometimes I’m just mean.
What’s up? Not much going on around here except the final round of subs is out for Possession. Keep your fingers crossed for me. This book is so much better. So much more there. I just hope the agents agree. Sent the revise and resubmit back out, too.
Now on to new books. Still working on book 2 but it needs some rewrites based on changes made in the first book. Also have a couple of old ideas talking to me. Ready to write new words. I like revising but I’ve had enough of it for awhile.
So what has everyone else been doing? Let me know in the comments. You know, all two of you that read this blog. 🙂
I am happy to say that rewrites are done on Possession and it’s back out on submission. Doing one more read through and then I’ll send it back to the agent that requested the revise and resubmit. It feels good to be back out on submission but I dread it just the same. Rejections are part of the game, but that doesn’t mean I look forward to them. 🙂
On another note, it appears we’re going to get actual snow tonight. Can’t tell you how weird it is to be well into february and not have had a real snow yet. The boys are super excited. They’ve been waiting all winter for some real snow.
I figure they’ll have a snow day just because I have the day off and was looking forward to some alone time. That’s usually how it works out isn’t it? 🙂
i have a new picture and it took way longer than it should have to get it uploaded. My cousin took it and I love it. I’m going to try to update more often but when I blog the time comes out of my writing time. Have to prioritize. Planning to have Possession out on its final rounds of subs by month’s end. I’m stating it here so I have to stick to it.
I thought this book was good before. But now….wow. Just…wow. No other way to say that. Thank you to all the agents that rejected me and especially to the ones that more or less said I could do better. You were right. I’m going to prove it.
So you know my book, Possession? Yeah, the one I was “done” with? That’s been out on submission since roughly the time God created the earth?
Yeah. It’s not finished yet. I did another round of revisions based on agent feedback which I am 2 1/2 chapters away from completing. It has been a horribly slow painful process and I don’t understand why. I normally don’t have to drag stuff out of me like this.
In the midst of this I have gotten a revise and resubmit from an agent. Now, this agent hasn’t read this newest version and she’s not going to. Why? Because it’s not enough. I didn’t realize it until I got her email. I instantly thought upon reading it that I couldn’t send the new version because it wasn’t different enough. Oh, it’s better no doubt about that, but I now doubt that it is the best representation of me and the writer I have become in the last year.
I tend to undervalue my talent and my skill. I do so on a regular basis. Even when people I don’t know tell me I can write, I still doubt. And then a dear friend, whom I deeply respect, told me I am so much better than I was a year ago. And I was good a year ago. I know I was. Agents told me I was. They told me I was good. They told me I was talented. But I wasn’t good enough to get picked up by one of them. Because something was missing. I think I’ve found it. I’ve found it and I’m going to use it to rewrite this book in ways I never would have imagined when I started.
And when I’m done, I’m going to resubmit, requery, query and I am going to get signed and I am going to sell this book because anything else just isn’t acceptable.
I have entered two writing contests. Possession was entered in both and Enemy Hearts was entered in the second one. While I placed first in the FF&P contest, I never got the promised banner for my blog. That kind of stinks but isn’t a huge deal. The second contest I entered, which shall remain nameless at this point has neglected to return both of my entries. I have emailed them, filled out their contact form and tweeted them. No response from any of my inquiries. Finalists were selected two months ago. The winners were announced over a month ago. They stated they would have all entries returned within two weeks. I have been very polite in all of my contacts. I don’t understand why they couldn’t at least respond and say, sorry it’s taking longer than we thought. And I really don’t understand why it’s taking so long. They were done with my entry in June for all intents and purposes so what’s the problem?
Anyone else have this problem with a contest before? Or anyone have any suggestions on what to do?
Okay, so this has absolutely nothing to do with writing, but occasionally I do things besides read and write. Usually it’s another creative endeavor and it usually still involves paper. These are my two most recent projects and no, my husband and children’s faces are not really green on the finished product. 🙂 They are both pieces done on canvas, the first is all paper, and the second is felt pieced onto the canvas.
Okay, so here’s the deal…I would think I wouldn’t have to say the things that I am about to say but given what I’ve seen on the internet lately, evidently I do. Now those of you that actually read this little blog of mine probably don’t need to hear all this, but maybe the people that do need to see it will happen upon it.
1.) There are appropriate venues in which to pitch your book to an editor or agent. Those venues would be via a query letter, a pitch session or by their invitation. Appropriate venues do not include twitter, facebook, bathrooms or anything of the like.
2.) If you are tempted to leave a comment on an editor or agent blog and you can’t put your name to it because you fear the repercussions, you probably should rethink the comment.
3.) Typing “The End” on your first draft does not mean you’ve finished the book. This is not the time to send queries. Really. It’s not. Trust me.
4.) If you hate every single book in a genre, you shouldn’t be writing in that genre. And you most certainly should not tell everyone that every book in that genre sucks except for yours. This will not win you any friends or make people want to read your book any more.
5.) Watch this and then be the brown one not the orangey one.
That is all.
Kathleen Collins 