Alas! It has been a long time since I updated this space. I primarily blame searching for and landing a new job and the process of selling my condo, buying a townhouse and moving.
Other things that have happened since I last posted…
- I did successfully complete NaNo16 in word count. The book still needs an ending.
- I successfully completed a Whole30. It literally took over my life—soooo much cooking!—but even now, months after I finished, I’m trying to generally (sometimes very generally) to keep to the template.
- Went on vacation to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, which inspired me to set one of my books in that general region.
- Successfully completed a 40 hour goal in July for Camp NaNoWriMo, working on #5 and #6 below.
- Thought of a way to revamp my very first novel into something much less derivative (gravity magic a death sentence! Small country surrounded and constantly at war! Society/government contains no kings or princes, but a delicate system of checks and balances between military, forge magic (w/health benefits), and legislature. Physical setting see #3!). Same characters–Marla, Russ & Nat–with similar backgrounds and goals. I’m currently brainstorming.
- Finished my (hopefully!) last big revision for Dakotashi. I changed the beginning around. Now, I’m polishing/editing and getting it ready to query again.
My self-imposed deadline to finish polishing Dakotashi and get it out there is the end of September. My drop-dead deadline is to do that by the beginning of NaNoWriMo 2017.
Remember that contest I entered my novel, Song of the Prophecy, in? Well, I won! I got first place in the science fiction & fantasy category. I have to say that I was thrilled. Now, I really have to finish editing the whole thing. They gave me a nice letter that I can include with my query letters that says I won the contest and that the judges thought I was great. I also got a certificate and $100.
More information about the contest and the group that sponsered it can be found at the Maryland Writer’s Association Web site.
I also go two critiques, but I haven’t read them yet because I’m a little afraid of what they might say. I glanced at them and saw some not so glowing comments. I have to remember that I won and not to take things so seriously.
I got a part in the musical Nine at Kensington Arts Theatre! It’s a small part (not the one I specifically auditioned for), but I should get to sing in all the chorus numbers (8-9 songs or something like that) and be on stage for most of the show. My first rehearsal in Tuesday. The show opens May 19.
So now I’m going to be really busy, especially if I continue my plan to do the March writing (only I’ll be revising) marathon with OWW. But busy is good! I always get more stuff done when I’m busy. It gives me less time to be depressed and wallow in self pity. 🙂 I will have to work out a schedule. That will appeal to my anal side.
I’m hoping my friend who auditioned gets cast too, but she’s up against someone else, so I don’t know yet.
I’ve finished writing the 1st draft of my book!! I’m so happy. Finally. Finally. It’s been so long since I finished one, I’ve forgotten how good it feels.
Now I just have to revise the whole thing. At least the first six or so chapters are in pretty polished condition. That’s something at least. (And the part I’ll be sending out to agents!)
But enough thinking about that. I’m getting ahead of myself. Now is the time to celebrate. Well, first to sleep. and then to celebrate. whoo hoo!
Anyway, here’s my stats:
genre: fantasy (of course–what else is there? j/k)
Time from original germ of an idea: 10+ years
Time from serious start on manuscript: approx. 2 years, 5 months
Length in page: 491
Length in words: about 150,000
Whoo hooo!
My writing life and the things that distract me from it.