Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Celebrate the Small Things and IWSG


Everyone join in the weekly Celebrate the Small Things. Go here to add you name to the list at Scribblings of An Aspiring Author.
This week I'm celebrating getting back to normalcy after the Holidays. 
Also, my second novel, Tallas will be released on February 1st. My cover reveal will take place on my blog on January 14th with others blogs to follow. I also have a wonderful Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway








A Great Big Thank You to Alex J. Cavanaugh for this brainchild and everyone associated with the support group! The awesome co-hosts this month are Bob Milne, River Fairchild, Julie Dao, and Sarah Foster!

A few weeks ago I woke in the middle of the night and instantly my mind flew to my writing. The doubts overflowed like a tsunami. Mainly due to the fact I've spent so much time editing, I haven't written anything new in months. 

I feel totally blocked. 

I can read 4 books at a time. I can cook while reading and watching a movie, however, I am unable to edit while working on a wip. I'm floored when I see writer's with multiple books being written. I've edited 2 books at the same time, but then I get confused---"Did I say that sentence or use that word numerous times before?"

My new manuscript which I thought was my best writing thus far has not met approval with my agent. I'm crying a river so to speak. What would you do in a case like this? Major overhaul? Restart the query process? 

On January 1, 2014, I actually felt somewhat secure and figured I'd have nothing to write about for this post. In a blink of an eye, things change.

I need to dry the tears and get cracking on self-promotion (which I despise) because my second novel is being published by Black Opal Books on February 1st. TALLAS Cover Reveal is Coming!

Thank you for listening to my insecurities. What are you insecure about this month?







57 comments:

  1. IT is all aprt of it. I would find out what didn't meet approval and tweak it, I mean sometimes it is a few changes we can make to get the story in line. Hope all goes well.

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    1. Hah, I read it the first time and understood. I tried emailing my agent, hasn't gotten back to me yet. Thanks, Brandon.

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  3. The thing you have to remember is that every writer is different. We all have different processes, different ways of approaching our work. Don't look at someone who can write and edit and think you're inferior. You're not! The most you can do is keep pushing forward and working harder. It's the writers that put in the hours who make the best books. You can do it!

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  4. Sorry you agent sees it differently.
    I can't work on more than one manuscript at a time at any stage in the process, so don't feel bad.
    Ready to help with promotions if you need me!

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  5. It's a temporary bout of insecurity, I'm sure of it, because it happens to all of us. I can't work on two things at once either and I also completely stop writing when I have to edit. Then I feel rusty when I get back to it and then I procrastinate, etc, etc. I don't think you need a complete overhaul of your new manuscript - has your agent told you want doesn't click with her? Best of luck :)

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  6. Congrats on your book coming out! That is pretty big and you should be so proud. I can only work on one W.I.P at a time and I don't work on anything else. Reading 4 books at a time is no laughing matter. I hope things work out for you.

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  7. congrats to you. You must be doing something right, doubts and all! Happy 2014 from one ISW to another.

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    1. Marilyn, I hope I'm doing something right. Happy New Year.

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  8. Alex, I would appreciate help with promotion, thank you.

    Debbie, it's good to know I'm not alone.

    Murees, I am proud of my book coming out. Thank You.

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  9. All I know is that we keep going. If you can't edit and write at the same time, then don't. Write when you've finished. I can't wait to see the cover for Tallas. And yeah, self promoting bites, but...

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  10. I'm in awe of those who tackle several different WIPs at the same time as well. I like to 'live' in my current character's world and write while in their minds. Editing and writing two WIPs? That I might be able to do…might. I have to figure out self-promotion as well, but I'm not ready right now.

    Sorry that your agent did not approve of the MS. Can he/she give you pointers so you can tweak it, if you agree with those notes that is. Hugs!

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  11. I'm sorry you got that disappointment from your agent. But how exciting that Tallas will soon be here! Can't wait to see the cover and also to get my hands on the book.

    And by the way I'm also amazed that people can work on two or more WIPs at a time. LOL lately I can't even seem to work on one.

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  12. SK, self-promotion is the pits.

    Julie, rejection never gets any easier, does it?

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  13. Cathrina, I hope that these problems that are so huge right now resolve themselves. I have read from other published authors that changing even one major thing in the story often changes it for the better. Maybe that will be the case for you???? I sympathize with the promoting stuff. Publicity, in many ways, is harder than the actual writing. Maybe it gets easier with time????

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    1. Robin, I hope they do resolve themselves. I'm working on making it. Thank You.

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  14. You poor thing! It's amazing how many writers think getting an agent is the pot at the end of the rainbow and don't realize how much hard work -- and rejection -- you can go through after that. I can't work on more than one project at a time either. Thanks for commenting on my blog. I came very close to quitting before I got an offer too, and I still haven't written anything new since then (a year ago). Good luck! Stay determined!

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    1. Lexa, since it is my agent, I had at least hoped for a suggestion or two. But I haven't heard a word. I'll rework the ms and see what happens. Thank you for commenting.

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  15. Best wishes on getting over your blocked feelings. Have you tried talking over your work with some critique partners and bouncing ideas around?

    Congrats on your book coming out!

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  16. I'm so sorry your agent doesn't love the new book. If you love it then I'd keep working on it, but if it's what's causing the blockage maybe set it aside a let it ferment a little.

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    1. Johanna, I was truly shocked because she is my agent and had hoped for more advice. But after a few days, I feel better. Thank you for commenting.

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  17. You will get back on track. You will.

    Take some deep breaths.

    I'm always jealous of authors that have multiple things going on. I don't know how they do it.

    Get excited! Cover reveals and book releases don't happen every day!

    Heather

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    1. Heather, you're so right. I need to concentrate on the excitement of a new book.

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  18. I hope your agent gets back to you soon so you can decide what to do with your story. In the meantime, congrats on your upcoming release!

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  19. Oh the ups and downs of the writing life. One day all good, the next crying a river. I'm sure you and your agent will find a happy medium.

    .......dhole

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    1. Donna, being a writer is emotionally hard work. You're right, one day yippee and the next a big sob.

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  20. That's why I like writing the occasional short story, because I feel like all I've been doing to editing, editing, editing!!!

    Best wishes for your book release!

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    1. Lynda, a short story is a good idea. Editing can be the pits. Thank you for stopping by.

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  21. I'm useless at working on multiple projects at once. It's all about the editing for me at the moment. I hope you and your agent will be able to come to some sort of compromise. But congrats on the new book!

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  22. Think positive. The agent will have good news for you. Usually, I work on two or three projects at a time. It can get confusing, but my brain says go ahead, while the story is on your mind. I keep index cards when I edit to jot down what happens in each chapter so I don't repeat myself. :)

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    1. Bev, thank you for the positive thinking. And you amaze me by working on more than one project at a time.

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  23. It is amazing how we can be up so high in our confidence that nothing can touch us and then in an instant we fall flat on the ground. We have all been there. You know as well as the rest of us that you can pick yourself up and start climbing again.

    Congrats on the cover reveal. I'm sure your agent will come through with good news. If you KNOW the story is good, I must be.

    Leanne ( http://readfaced.wordpress.com/ )

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    1. Leanne, so true. Thank you for your support and confidence.

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  24. My biggest insecurity for the month is whether or not these plots I'm working on will end up workable - I've had too many things fall apart when I thought they were going so well. But so far, so good, I just have to keep going.

    But congratulations on your second book's pending publishing! ^_^ Here's hoping you and your agent soon see eye to eye on your WIP.

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    1. Mason, so far, so good, is wonderful, keep it up. And thank you for the vote of confidence.

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  25. Aw, I am so, so sorry that your agent didn't approve of your latest manuscript. I can't imagine how big of a blow that must've been! :(

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  26. Hooray for cover reveals and book releases!!

    Don't let the bastards get you down. If you've done it once, you'll do it again!!

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  27. Hey, your release date is on my birthday! Let's celebrate together. :-) Good luck, Cathrina.

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  28. I'm back for celebration post: Wooohooooo! Congrats on your almost newly released second book ;)

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  29. Congrats on the book! Glad things are working out for you :)

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    1. SK, thanks for coming back. Love reading comments.

      MJ, thank you!

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  30. I can't wait to see what Tallas looks like.

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  31. Congratulations on your new book. I am still on my first, and can only work on one at a time as well. Were you feeling this way just before the last book came out? As for the rejected book, did they tell you why? If not can you ask?
    Like you I was a bit late on my IWSG and tacked it to my Celebrate lens.

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    1. Nana, Next week the you'll see the cover.

      Rhonda, no work from my agent. Thank you for your help.

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  32. Getting back to normalcy is good!

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  33. Oh man, I hear ya. And this year I'm supposed to work on 2 at a time. I'm very scared of the outcome. lol
    Anyway, congrats on your novella! I didn't see a place to sign up for your cover reveal, but I'd be happy to help out with that. Just email me the deets. :)

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