Sending out Queries

I've sent out six queries since last week and I received my first response today. Rejection! But it's okay and I'm good with it, because it means she at least read it. Five more to go...

--Me

Update 8.4.10

Since my last post, I have completely rearranged my last three-quarters of my novel. I changed the timeline as far as when one of the main characters finds out a big piece of information and I've killed off a character. I feel better.


With those changes, it was smooth sailing, and everything made so much more sense. I wish I would have figured it out sooner. But, now I have finished my fifth and final draft of my first novel ever. It has taken fourteen months in total and was worth every second. I sent my ms to an online publisher so I could have a physical copy in my fat little fingers and am eagerly awaiting it.




I am working now on my query letter (which is looking to be harder than writing a 130,000 novel) and scouring the internet, magazines, books, and organizations for potential agents. I’ve purchased a day planner to keep track of my progress and whom I’ve submitted to and when I hear back from them.


I think that when I get my rejections, I will be oh so original and decorate the walls of my office with them. To prepare for the rejections I know will come; I have drawn up some positive index cards. Whenever I get a “yeah right!” email or letter, I will whip one of those babies out and all will be right in with the world again. Here are some examples of what I have put together.


“Congratulations. If you’ve reached this card and received at least five rejections, go and get a new pair of shoes.” (Haven’t told my hubby about that one yet).


“Steven King had his first four novels rejected.”


“Way to go! Another agent gave you the time of day. Now go eat that pint of Hagan-daas.”


And my personal favorite,


“Who cares what he thinks. You’re pretty.”


Through this whole adventure, my husband has been amazing and supportive. More than I thought he would. He’s actually taking this seriously, sat down, and read the first chapter of my novel. He thought it was wonderful, as was expected. But went a step beyond. He’s actually taking an interest and part in this process, giving tips, talking to his author friends and relaying to me the most important part of this whole process is the query letter. It’s sweet.

The other night, I read to him the first five or so chapters. When I finished, I asked him, "Honestly, what'd ya think?"

He looked at me with wide eyes and awe and said, "Wow. That sounded like a real book!" Thanks, Hubby.


I think his main motivation for me making it, is so he doesn’t have to work anymore.

--Me

Progress Report

I finally got back the last copy of my MS that was floating around out there from the last of my alpha readers (thank you Katie!). She had the third draft, and since then I had done a 4th draft which included all of my grammar, POV, passive/active, and tense corrections. What she gave me was the last piece of the puzzle I needed to make everything snap into place.




She pointed out plot issues, which I knew I had, but had a hard time pinpointing because in my head, I knew how everything was supposed to go. With her observations, I realized I had to rearrange the last half of my book, and the disaster that happened in Act 2 is now happening in Act 3 and so on.


Eek! But it works. The story flows much better now and has more tension. The other small problems she pointed out are now fixed because I moved one scene to later on in the book. I’m glad I didn’t adhere to my July 1st deadline, because my submission wouldn’t have been as good as it is today.


Now that the scenes are all arranged in the new order, I have to go through and make minor changes to make sure everything flows. But that shouldn’t take long at all.


I’ve been working on my query letter a little, so once I’m done with the storyline ironing, then I will get to polish the letter and send out queries. Hopefully by August 1st, but we all know about my empty promises and nasty procrastination habit.


During NaNoWriMo this past November, I threw together the first half of the second book in the series and then packed it away to work on polishing the first one. I am so excited to get back to it. I dare say I will have more fun writing the second one (Escaping the Night) than I did the first one (The Heir), but I think that’s only because I’m beating a dead horse with The Heir.


I gave the first five chapters—very rough and very much a first draft—of Escaping the night to another one of my alpha readers the other day. I got the feedback and am happy she enjoyed it so much. The things she brought up that she’d like to see were useful. It lets me know I’m on the right track heading in the right direction with the story. All the suggestions she made she will see in copious amounts...which I don’t know if she’s ready for. Mwahaha!


I’ve posted the first chapter to The Heir. Go take a look.

--Me

The Irony at My Local B&N

Since I am taking this whole writing “thing” seriously now (I’ve invested time, money, highlighters and red pens into SEVERAL books on writing), I decided it’s about time to buy that big book that every writer and agent and website has told me to get to increase my odds of getting an agent and of getting published. I must remind myself that this doesn’t guarantee anything, but it increases my odds, and since I have never even won at Bingo, I need all the help I can get.




I went to my local B&N (Barnes and Noble for those who are not obsessed fans) and reserved the book, Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents 2010 by Jeff Herman. I flipped through it (which is roughly the size of an encyclopedia at 1,094 pages) and found it so far very useful and fun; and all for just $29.99 plus tax.


I can’t wait to get started with my sticky notes, more highlighters and the never ceasing usage of red pens.


I reserved it online and stopped by the store to pick it up after work yesterday. I go to the counter, tell the young guy there my last name, and he comes back with this behemoth. Our conversation is as follows (to the best of my memory that is):


ME: “That’s HUGE!”


Guy: “Yeah,” laughs, “It is pretty big. You a writer?”


ME: “Yup. I’ve completed one already and am working on a few others.”


Guy: “That’s awesome. What do you write?”


ME: “The one I’ve completed is a Young Adult Fantasy. The others vary.”


Guy: Nods, scans the day planner that goes all the way to the end of 2011 that I also purchased, tells me my total. “Is it a vampire one?”


ME: I know my face probably turned red, as it always does in situations like these. I am not ashamed of what I wrote, just self-conscious. There’s so much hype and crap out there, that all vampire books are automatically lumped into the same pile? But what about Ann Rice, I ask?! So, I stalled only seconds and answered with a convincing smile and laugh, “No.” I know, I am ashamed.


Guy: “Good for you.” Which made me feel all the worse for denying my true self and my novel!!!


ME: “I’m more original than that.” Oh dear. What am I doing? Stop talking now, RaeLynn, just stop.


Guy: Laughter. “Have a good day.”

--Me

Crackin' the Whip

A year ago I started to write my very first book. Finally it is ready for the agent!


Sort of. I just have to put all of my paper edits onto my computer files and then it's off to the agent!


Well, there is the matter of the dreaded query letter. But then, it's off to the agent!


Bottom line, it had better be ready by the first of July, cuz that's what I have written on my calendar and by golly, once it's written there, there's no going back! :)


What is my book about, you ask? Let me tell you. The Heir is the first of four in the Dark Moon Series. It is a Young Adult Fantasy of about 127,000 and it is about vampires.


Yes, vampires.


And no gasping or groaning or eye rolls. Yes, you in the back there, I can see you.


This isn’t your typical Twilight. It is darker and more detailed and I dare say more in-depth. (crosses fingers and holds breath) I shall post a synopsis and you can take a gander for yourself.


--Me

Writing is a Writer's Dream

I tell myself that I’m a writer. And in the classical sense, that is whole-heartedly true. What I want to be is a published writer. An author. That would be my cherry on the sundae of life. I am working hard at it, having completed my first young adult fantasy novel (127,000 about vampires, but, please don’t groan and roll your eyes, it’s not another Twilight).

I am in the various stages of editing now, having gone through it myself three different times and done two re-writes (nothing is ever perfect enough, but my author friend who is published tells me it never will be), but the time has to come where I say, “ENOUGH! No more changing, submit already.”

So I am going to…right after I get good, constructive feedback from the online and physical writers groups I’ve joined and go through those self-editing books I’ve purchased.

So maybe it will be ready sometime next week or month…after I read through it one more time with my trusty red pen in hand…

--Me