by Sarah | Mar 8, 2012 | Changing Tracks, General, writing tips
Putting down a manuscript and stepping away is one of the hardest things I ever have to do. I’m so excited by the story, so in love with the characters, so driven to get it out there that I never just leave it alone. At least not long enough to make a difference.
I did this with my first novel. I couldn’t understand why agents didn’t love it as much as I did. What the editor that gave me comments was talking about. It was too close, too soon, too real. Such a part of my heart I could not attain that distance.
Just recently I looked back at that first manuscript, let myself have a little chuckle and put it back in it’s safe place. I still love the story, but now I see all the error. The glaring, horrific errors. In truth, my muse (overbearing bitch that she is) – well she’s already planning alterations to the story. A way to bring it new life in the future. To gut out the heart of the story and rework into something actually usable. That is a long way off. The story needs major overhaul and I may never touch it again – or it may be another few years if I do. Distance gave me one hell of a perspective.
I did that with Changing Tracks too. While the structure is infinitely better, it still needed work. I thought that baby was shimmering when I sent it out into the world. In my eyes, it totally was. Until two months later when I got notes from an editor on the partial. That was when the nagging voice of the muse started to creep up with thoughts on how to change it.
I ignored the voice. Told the muse to shove it. I had partials and fulls out and I was not touching it. Period.
I moved on. Wrote another book or two. The full manuscript was out in the WWW. I was not going to touch it.
Well, as I said before the muse can be a demanding bitch. After a year of hearing me say “no touchy” I got screamed at in a variety of languages to shut up and listen. The notes we’d received, and our own personal reflection showed us not only weak chapters, but weak characters and plot holes.
A major character without a spine was not going to get me anywhere. A scene with the main character weak and out of it when she’s supposed to be a strong, smart and capable woman would never fly. One minor character was in the entire wrong profession and personality.
Minor changes turned into overhauls. Great lines remain, great scenes are untouched. New chapters have appeared, and characters have evolved.
Unlike my first novel, this ms has hope. It’s strong, and getting stronger every day.
Now if I can just leave it alone (again) once I’m done with these edits (or find the cash to obtain an editor’s eye) to make sure I don’t jump the gun again.
by Sarah | Mar 7, 2012 | All About Kennedy, Crap, Cystic Fibrosis, Special Needs, SSI, WTF?
[flickr id=”5293689107″ thumbnail=”small_320″ overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]I have spent the past 3 months jumping through hoops. Doing everything the government asked. Going to appointments that seemed ridiculous. After all, she is covered by SSI for Cystic Fibrosis. It’s a set diagnosis. It’s not going to change.
I thought it was just normal. Three years had passed, they did a re-evaluation and we’d go on our merry way as we had been.
I never imagined we’d get a letter declaring the cessation of benefits.
That somehow, according to the government, Cystic Fibrosis is a condition that stands the chance of improving.
That somehow, 2 hospital visits, the addition of a very costly monthly med, a decrease in vitamin levels, a continuing need for nutritional supplements all equal an “improvement” in her condition.
I’ve already met with the lawyer.
Filed the appeal.
I get to go to court (woo-frickin’-hoo).
Continue to jump through their hoops. This time w/ a good lawyer on our baby’s side.
Stupid government.
by Sarah | Mar 6, 2012 | Crap, Random
[flickr id=”6914202521″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]How has life come to go by so fast these days? Before I know it my day is over. Life is hectic, and chaotic and about to get more so. While I’m trying to wrap my head around some real posts, for now it’s a random spouting of the days of our lives…
- In 2 weeks Brandon starts Track & Field. Another season of (very) lengthy meets is ahead of us. I hope it’s warmer & drier than last years season.
- In 2 weeks something else is happening. We go to Freshman Orientation for Brandon. He’s…he’s an incoming Freshman! This sets off a whole new level of “I feel so old” syndrome.
- I got purple highlights. Loving them. I’ll probably do them one more time before I go back to all over color. Unfortunately they require bleaching before coloring – and my hair doesn’t care for strong chemical treatments.
- After taking several weeks off I got back onto an exercise regimen…but….
- The next day I proceeded to sprain my ankle. Again. Every 9 years I sprain my ankle. In the EXACT. SAME. WAY. I’m such a stellar klutz.
- Angel was denied her Social Security review. Now we go to court (more on that in another post).
- Report cards are in. My kids are smart but the girls have behavior issues (really?) and Brandon has homework issues (*ahem*)
- Next month hubby and I are going away for a long weekend. No kids. Just us. In a different city. I’m calling it a vacation. It’s a first for us. Now we just need to plan what we’re going to do in St. Louis.
- While we’re in St. Louis I’ll be going to Bloggy Boot Camp. It’s a 1 day conference, but it’s a conference. I’m excited.
- I had some computer drama. Got a new one – but it’s already been returned for a full refund. I now share w/ the hubby and plan on getting a tablet w/ a keyboard dock. We also have to replace my old computers hard drive for the kids to use.
- At the same time as my computer drama I dropped my brand new phone. It’s been replaced with a refurbished phone. ~sigh~ The point of getting insurance was so I’d never have to use it. I think I could live without any further technology curses.
- Been (re)writing like mad. It takes up much of my time (sorry hubby).
Now back to housework…while limping. What a crazy life…
by Sarah | Mar 2, 2012 | Challenge, Trifecta
The phone rang at 4am.
Horror, fear, anticipation, glee.
What would it grant me?
“Hello, this is – Peggy. This is not a sales call.”
Air horn my friend.
Blast out their eardrums.
Bastards.
*~*~*~*
I’m back in the Trifecta Writing Challenge . Once again it’s the weekend challenge – the “Trifextra” if you will.
This weekend’s challenge is:
Complete the following story in exactly 33 words:
The phone rang at 4am.
And so I did. Hopefully You enjoy it.
by Sarah | Jan 31, 2012 | Challenge, The Tribe, Trifecta, Writing
There it was.
No. There he was. The product of her labors, if not her labor. Created out of very little. Grown by technology and not her womb.
Yet he was the image of her own natural born son. The image of her husband. The differences were below the surface, DNA, invisible to the naked eye. All of it made him –
“Perfect.” The Raven dipped his head in a respectful bow. As he did she could see how many of his jet black feathers were now white. His body was fading and soon it would be time to complete the transfer.
The transfer was something she had no control over. It would all be up to the large Avian creature before her. Her part of the task was complete. “Thank you. Will you be the same?”
“No need to worry, young one. This will change everything. The memories will be blurry, the personality will change.”
“You think. You don’t know.” Velli’s brow furrowed, “This has never been done before. You don’t even know if it will work, do you?”
“Why are you asking questions you know the answer to? Is there a purpose in delaying the inevitable?” The bird hopped off his perch. Talons clicked along the metal and glass, until he paused over the head of the young man inside.
Right before her eyes several more feathers turned white. All she could do was look away. It was too difficult to watch.
“I thought you didn’t fear death. Besides, you don’t like me much as I recall.”
“Sue me. I have a weak spot for jackasses.” Velli smiled despite her concern, “Be done with it before you run out of power.”
“Farewell, Nirvelli.” That was the only warning before a flash of light filled the room. The buzz of magic was strong enough to rattle her teeth.
Then silence.
With a click the unit opened. “Hello, Mother.”
Velli moved forward, touching his cheeks as life filled them with color. “Hello.”
“Tam.”
“Son.”
*~*~*~*
Another Trifecta Writing Challenge !! As soon as I saw the word and coinciding definition for the week I knew what to write. This is an excerpt from The Raven…my current WIP that is book 4 in a series. I was pleased to have this little flash in the pan come out to exactly 333 words 😀 I am OCD in my challenges – I like them to be exact like that 😉
The Word is IMAGE
The meaning:
a : exact likeness : semblance <God created man in his own image — Genesis 1:27 (Revised Standard Version)>
b : a person strikingly like another person <she is the image of her mother>
*~*~*~*~*~*
Picture Source
Putting down a manuscript and stepping away is one of the hardest things I ever have to do. I’m so excited by the story, so in love with the characters, so driven to get it out there that I never just leave it alone. At least not long enough to make a difference.