Deadline Nipping at My Heels

Jan. 3

That's the final date that I can sign up for the San Diego State Writers Conference at the early bird rate and submit the first 10 pages of my two books for review by agents and editors. I have only 5 more full days before that deadline to make sure that my 10 pages are in acceptable form to send off to professional critics. Yikes!

I think I'm set on the first 10 pages of my young adult novel, but the first 10 pages of my book that I would categorize at this point as women's fiction is still a work in progress. I got it back from a friend who read it for me -- my second friend to do so -- and now I'm editing and adding things as per her suggestions. I'm almost done, but I'm still hesitant to send my pages off for professional critiques.

My biggest fear, of course, is that the agents will tell me when we meet at the conference at the end of January that I'm a hack. That there's not enough description or there's too much. That the characters are poorly drawn or the reader can't sympathize with them. Etc., etc., etc.

But then, I'll never know one way or the other unless I work up the nerve to send in my work. It's now or never, I guess.

Great Writing

I just finished reading "A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness. It was one of those books I couldn't put down, because I was so enthralled with the story and the flawless writing. Also, it's 579 pages and I had only one week to read it before it was due back at the library. I should know better than to check out books that long when they're only on loan from the library for a week, but I guess it's extra motivation to keep reading.

The writing was so good, though. The kind that makes me realize how much my own writing is lacking. It makes me feel inspired and untalented at the same time. My writing will never reach that level, but hopefully my storytelling makes up for what the writing lacks.

It's a difficult balance, because I want people to understand what's going on with the characters and not spend so much time reading a description of what's going on in the scene. I don't like to read books that get carried away with describing a room or what-have-you. I don't want to spend so much time describing something so that it feels like all the details are getting in the way of telling the reader what's happening, but I want them to be able to picture what's going on while the action is under way.

Harkness' book borders on too much description for my taste, but it's necessary for the type of historical fiction that she's crafted. Most of the time she stops providing details of the study or the magnificent creatures her main character is surrounded by before I forget what they were doing when the witch stopped to take in the scene or people around her.

Once again, I'm in awe of another writer. And now it's time to focus on my own work, because I've got a writing conference deadline breathing down my neck.

It's the Little Things

I am in the middle of a week and a half of hell at work -- lots of projects due before I take off for a week and a half to hang out with my son during his break from school. I am exhausted. All I want to do when I get home is read or watch "Glee," but I have work to do. *Sigh*

Plus, it's that time of year -- Christmas. It should be a happy time, but for now it's stressful. We've got a few more presents to buy, lots of presents to wrap and endless fundraisers at my son's school. There are just so many things to remember between work and home that my brain is ready to explode.

Last night, I just wanted to zone out, but I also wanted (or needed) to read through some research for a story that was due today. However, I also had to help my son with a school project that was also due the next day. Just what I needed -- one more thing to do, right?!

In the end I'm glad I had that excuse to take a break from thinking about me and all of the nagging projects taking up space in my self-absorbed brain. I accomplished something -- my son's homework -- and spent time with my kid, who had to wait for me to get home from work late, yet again.

And, I had fun. We had to decorate a gingerbread man and he wanted to make it a ninja. I had to put my creative-thinking hat on and figure out how to cut out a ninja costume for our paper ninja-bread man. It was a nice break from the insanity of the season.

Still, I can hardly wait for the 12 days-in-a-row that I will have off from work in a few days. Just four more days in the office to go and then I can refocus on the writing I try do to in my "spare" time.

Read, Edit, Repeat; Read, Edit, Repeat ...

I'm blasting through my second read on my second book, my young adult novel, because the second reader on my first book gave back my manuscript over the weekend with lots of good notes in it. I can't wait to dig in and address her suggestions (and fix the handful of typos she found), but I've got to finish my second round of edits on book no. 2 first.

Fortunately, I don't have any other books that aren't my own that I'm dying to read at the moment, so my distractions are relatively limited. Time is a-ticking. I've got to get ready to submit my first 10 pages of both books for agent/editor readers coming to the San Diego State Writers Conference in January.

I don't think I'm going to have time to let anyone read book no. 2 before I submit it for professional input at the conference, so I'm taking a risk there, but I think what I have is fairly solid at this point. The more I read it, the better I feel about it. What a relief!

Nice Diversion

I finished reading "Divergent" by Veronica Roth yesterday and I loved, loved, loved it. It's sort of a cross between "Matched" by Ally Condie and "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. And it's another three-book series, so there are still two more stories to come. I can't wait to read more about Tris and Four!

Now, off to continue reading my own teen novel. The first read-through went well and, for the most part, it seems pretty clean so far in my second read-through. There weren't as many gaps in the story as I thought there would be, so that's good news. OK, now I'm really going to get started ...

Four-Day "Weekend"

Isn't a four-day weekend supposed to be a vacation? I'm almost -- almost -- ready to go back to work after my last three days off.

I spent the first half of Thanksgiving cleaning closets and the second half hanging out and eating at my mom's house. Yesterday, I did a little more reading and cleaning in the morning, spent the afternoon out at lunch and shopping with my son, then came home and read a little more. Today, I spent the morning lazing about and then went to the park, lunch, library and Seaport Village in hopes of getting a picture with Santa. I am beat!

At least tomorrow should be a less busy day, I think. We're meeting friends for a park play date then lunch. I might -- might -- get up early and go to the gym. Ugh, I need a break!

But by the time I get to the end of Monday, I know I'll be ready for another long weekend. Thankfully, my 12 days off at Christmas time is less than a month away!

Intriguing Story, Bad Writing

I'm reading "Fallen" by Lauren Kate. I'm about a third of the way in and I really want to love it, but I don't.

I'm starting to lose interest in the story, because it's taking so long to find out what we're dealing with here. I believe they are supposed to be angels of some sort -- perhaps fallen angels -- but I don't even have a clue as to what is different about the main characters yet.

I'm on page 135. Yes, I get that Luce has problems or powers she doesn't understand. Yes, I get that she feels a connection to Daniel. Yes, I get that this reform school she went to is creepy and strange. But when is she going to get at least a hint as to the connection between Daniel and herself and their odd powers? If Kate doesn't tell me soon, I might just give up on the story.

This relates to problems I have with my own writing. I feel like I need to give a lot of back story up front, when I probably could weave some of it into the story and get the characters into their conflicts sooner. At least it doesn't take me hundreds of pages to get my readers there. Geesh!

It's all about striking the right balance -- creating an intriguing story or concept that keeps the reader engaged while giving them enough background that they understand the characters and empathize with them enough to keep reading.

Sad Books?

I need something really light and fun to read, because everything I've read lately has been so dark and sad.

I'm reading Jonathan Safran Foer's "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" about a boy who lost his father in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack in New York. Before that, I read "Looking for Alaska" by John Green, which was funny, but ultimately really sad and tragic. Before that, I read "The Death Cure" by James Dashner, which sort of has a happy ending. Kind of. But only after a lot of suffering upon suffering upon suffering.

What I need is something silly and light. Maybe it's time to pick up the most recent Lorna Landvik book. Hmmm ... decisions, decisions ...

Back to Work

Since I finished my first edit of book no. 2, my teen novel, about a week ago, I've been taking a break from writing. I've been reading a lot.

I read "The Death Cure," the third book in the "Maze Runner" series by James Dashner. I wish they would make "The Maze Runner" into a movie. I thought I read somewhere that Dashner sold the movie rights, but I could be mistaken. I call it a boy-based version on "The Hunger Games" when I try to describe it to other people.

I also read "Looking for Alaska" by John Green. It's sort of a similar story to his more recent novel, "Paper Towns." There were several parts in "Alaska" that were funnier than the funny parts of "Paper Towns," but "Alaska" was much more sad in the end.

Next, I think I'll read "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer. I saw the trailer for the movie version with Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks and I was intrigued. It's about a boy who lost his father in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when one of the airplanes hit the Twin Towers in New York City. I think it's going to be uplifting. Or, at least, I hope.

But now that my little writing break is over, I need to go back and do a second reading of my own novel. I think it came together well, but I know it needs a good second reading before I ask someone else to take a look at it. I'm excited. It's very different from my first book.

Then, when I finish a second reading of my second book, I'm going to go back to one of the other novels I've started writing and pick up where I left off several months ago. I can't wait!

Teen Fiction

Today, I had an "Aha!" moment. Really, it was more like a "Well, duh!" moment, but bear with me.

I was thinking about some of the characters that I really love in the teen fiction that I've read and I figured out why some of those stories appeal to me. It's because, to some extent, I was those girls in high school. Or maybe they are me from back then.

I suppose that's the point -- the books are relatable to a lot of girls and women because we all feel like we don't belong or we're different or we think of ourselves as being outside the norm. But really, I was outside the norm.

I wasn't unpopular, but I wasn't popular either. Like Bella, for instance, in Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series. She doesn't want to be popular, but she doesn't want to be disliked either. She just wants to be herself and find a place where she fits comfortably, whether it's with the yearbook kids, the smart kids ... or the vampires. Whatever.

(Although, full disclosure: The thing that really appeals to me about "Twilight" is the romance, because that sense of having to be with someone, no matter what, reflects how my husband and I felt, and still do, about each other when we were that young.)

Another great teen novel, or series, that I loved was "If I Stay" and "Where She Went" by Gayle Forman. I never had a near-death experience, but I was that girl: different from most of the other students that I went to school with (i.e. more mature); best friends with girls who also were outside the popular groups, but not disliked; actually really close to my parents, siblings and grandparents without feeling embarrassed about it; independent, determined and responsible, maybe even to a fault, because I didn't do some of the reckless things that other teenagers do and learn great lessons from (instead I learned from their mistakes); and in love with someone (and an older someone) I thought I might spend the rest of my life with before I even graduated from high school.

Similar characteristics are represented in other young adult novels that I love, Clary from Cassandra Clare's "Mortal Instruments" series or Andi from Jennifer Donnelly's "Revolution." The character similarities cross genres from paranormal romance to historical fiction to contemporary fiction.

Perhaps a lot of girls feel like I did in high school, but I felt like I was one of very few girls going through what I was going through at the time. My parents divorced when I was barely 6 years old and I moved a lot, so I had to grow up fast. I'm not complaining, but those were some of the circumstances that shaped me. It was a combination of factors and personality characteristics that not everybody has.

But, I suppose that's the point, isn't it? A lot of girls must feel like outsiders or "outliers" at some point or another, regardless of how popular they are, or else we wouldn't understand and fall in love with the characters in all of these books.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I've managed to do a pretty good job of reading through my second novel -- at least a chapter a night -- but this weekend is going to be tough. It's packed full of Halloween and birthday parties, a school carnival, a visit with friends, etc., etc., etc. That means I won't get to do as much reading and writing as I would like for a weekend, but that's OK. I need a break every now and then, and I think I see a pedicure in my near future.

I saw the deadlines this week for the San Diego State Writer's Conference at the end of January. I was relieved to see that for the advanced reading sessions -- where you send in your book and an agent or editor reads it before the conference -- you only need to send in your first 10 pages and you have until early January to mail it out. Phew! What a relief! I can't wait to get some good professional feedback on my writing.

Now, on to my manuscript before the dryer's done and I have a load of laundry to fold!

All a Matter of Perspective

Recently, I've been keeping things in better perspective than I used to.

For instance, I had a health issue recently that seemed pretty devastating at the time, but in the bed next to me was a woman who was there for a double mastectomy. My issue didn't seem quite so bad. At least I get to keep my boobs and I don't have to go through chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Life could be a lot worse.

At work, I don't get as frustrated as I used to by small things. I mean, at least I still have a job, for one thing. And even if a task doesn't get done today, it will tomorrow or the next day. Somehow, projects always get finished.

Last week, I didn't want to spend a bunch of time cleaning when the weekend rolled around, so I cleaned the bathroom bit by bit after work each day. I wiped down the counter and toilet one day, I scrubbed the tub and shower the next, then I swept and mopped the floor another day. I changed my perspective by biting off pieces of the task when I had a few free minutes. Eventually, the job got done and I didn't have to delay hanging out with my son on Saturday morning to do it.

Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a tragic event to make you appreciate what you have in your life, but I'm embracing my new perspective on things. I hope that I can keep it up. Maybe the next personal tragedy won't be so difficult to handle.

Slow Introductions

One thing that I've been paying a lot of attention to lately as I read other people's work is how long it takes to really get me into the story. I just finished reading "The Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld and I also recently read "The Last Summer (of You and Me)" by Ann Brashares.

Both books had very slow beginnings, where it took so long to get into the real conflict or real action that I considered giving up a third of the way into the stories. By the time I finished "The Last Summer," I really liked it. Eventually, Brashares hooked me in so that I cared about the characters and wanted to hang in there until they resolved their relationship issues in a satisfying way by the end of the book. I might read another one of her romance novels.

With "The Uglies," Westerfeld took far too long to get into the action, saving the final battle between the Uglies who rebelled against the Pretties and the Specials for just a chapter or two somewhere in the last 100 pages of the 400-page book. There was a long, slow build-up to the romance and the final conflict, and the romantic moments were short and contrived. The battle came and went too quickly. Then the Specials gave up looking for the rebel Uglies after just one night. It was disappointing. I mean, this guy got a book deal for a four-book series, but I'm one book into it and I'm not sure I want to buy the second one.

So, as I read my own teen novel, that's one of the things I'm thinking about. Does it take too long for me to get to the romance? Decidedly, no. Does it take too long to get to the major conflict? Maybe. Fortunately, it's not a terribly long novel -- about 282 pages, since I've cut eight pages during my editing, so far. We'll see how I feel about it when I finish my first and second edits. So far, so good, I think.

Big Stack of Books

I have a big stack of books to read between the five books I ordered with a Barnes & Noble gift certificate I got for my birthday and others that I've borrowed from friends and family recently. The problem is, I've been so busy with work and other things that I haven't been able to do much reading. However, I have been editing my second novel.

I'm trying to resist temptation to make a big dent in that big stack of books, because I need to finish editing my own novel and give it a second read before I see if one of my friends will read it. I want it to be in reasonably good shape so that I can submit it for review by one of the agents or editors attending the San Diego State Writers Conference in January.

I'm looking forward to the conference, because last year's conference was so good, and because I could use a big dose of inspiration. I left the conference last year with all kinds of good feedback, but I still haven't made much progress on a few of the stories I shared in workshops there.

I guess that should be my motivation to get through a second and a first read on my teen novel. When that job is done, I can move on to something new. Or read one of those books in the stack next to my dining room table ...

Modern Technology

I have a friend who's vacationing in Italy this week and he's keeping his friends and family constantly informed (and jealous) about his whereabouts on Facebook. He talks to his two young daughters via Skype nightly. He even found a wireless Internet connection at the top of Mt. Vesuvius and sent a photo to Facebook instantaneously.

It got me to thinking how my life and my relationships with the people I've met would've been different if I'd been born in the 90s instead of the 70s. What if every time I moved from Alabama to San Diego to Italy to Minnesota then back to San Diego I never lost touch with any of my friends, because I could talk to them face-to-face for free every night on Skype and send them instant messages at any time of day or night on Facebook and Twitter?

When I was in junior high and high school, if I wanted to talk to any of my friends back in Alabama or California, I had to send them a letter, which took at least a week to get to them, then wait for them to write me back. That could take weeks or even months by the time they got around to responding to my letter. We didn't call each other, because long distance calls were too expensive (especially overseas calls) and we didn't have cell phones with free nights and weekends or unlimited text messaging.

Now, I'm back in touch with friends and family I haven't seen or spoken to in years, even decades, because we're "friends" on Facebook. I know all about their vacations, their kids' first days at school and their work frustrations. We offer each other encouragement, congratulations, condolences and advice, as needed. Maybe one day we'll even make plans -- via Facebook -- to meet in person. Who knows? But we probably wouldn't have even considered it if we hadn't reconnected online.

Facebook would've saved me a lot of anxiety as a teenager. When I was feeling alone after my first day at a new school in a new town (or a new country), I could've reached out to my best friend from the last place I lived for encouragement and a reminder that I wasn't alone.

Oh, well. At least I have Facebook now. I can see what everybody's up to whenever I want ... even if it's just to find out what they had for lunch today.

Where Has the Time Gone?

Man, that week blew by fast. It was busy at work and I ended up working at home a few nights last week, so I didn't read much (of other people's books, anyway).

I have been reading my completed book no. 2 -- my teen novel. So far, so good. Not much re-writing. A few odd grammar, punctuation and typing corrections. A few areas where I needed to add a bit, so I'm at 290 pages instead of the 289 I started with, but that's not bad, considering that I'm up to page 52.

I'm nervous, because my first book -- the chick-lit/romance/women's fiction novel -- is in the hands of a friend. She's the type of person who won't hold back with her feedback, so I hope she likes it, but I'm looking forward to her critiques too.

I'm reading "Sister" by Rosamund Lupton. I was on the waiting list for it at the library, but I saw it there on Saturday, so I picked it up early. So far, I like it. It's a murder-mystery written as if the older sister is writing a letter to her younger sister explaining how she found out who the younger sister's killer was. It sounds gimmicky -- and it is -- but it works.

My first book is written as every other chapter in the woman's and the man's voice, which I hope doesn't come across as gimmicky. I didn't mean it that way. I just wanted to tell the story through both characters' eyes in their own voices and the story seemed to flow pretty well in that format. Even when I cut whole chapters, it pieced back together with their voices alternating. We'll see what my reader thinks. I'm anxious to know if she likes it.

Two Good Books

I just finished reading "The Last Summer (of You & Me)" by Ann Brashares, which I picked up at Target a week ago when I was looking for something light. I'd read her "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" series for teens a while back, so I thought I'd give her first novel for adults a try.

It had a slow start and a feeling, probably around page 250 of the 353-page book, that now was the time when her characters needed to move on from their gloomy situations and get to the part where they were supposed to learn and grow from their mistakes. Still, I couldn't put it down. She made me love the characters, despite their faults, so I was invested in their stories.

The last book I read before that was "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern. It's a brand new novel and a debut for the writer. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. Think Harry Potter for grown-ups, but in one book, not seven, and with an interesting romantic element that didn't make it feel like a book for women and not men. It has something for everyone -- romance, mystery, magic -- especially magic. Go out now and buy it or put your name on the waiting list for it at your local library.

I heard that a movie studio bought the film rights and I cannot wait to see someone translate Morgenstern's words into a visual experience, since the circus is so wonderfully described in the book. You can literally smell the popcorn and caramel apples and sense the smoke from the bonfire and picture the black-and-white tents and animated clock that keeps watch over everything.

Next, I'm going to read one of three Anita Shreve novels that I borrowed from a friend, "A Wedding in December." I love Anita Shreve, but I can't digest three of her books in a row. They're too dark and depressing to read all at once, so I'll spread them out a bit.

Fortunately, my brother gave me a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card for my birthday, which I used online tonight. So in a week or so, I'll have five new books sitting on my doorstep. I ordered "The Death Cure," the final book in James Dashner's "Maze Runner" series; "Looking for Alaska" by John Green, whose "Paper Towns" I loved; "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer, because I saw the trailer for the movie coming out on Christmas Day and it looked good; "The Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld, the first in a teen series that includes "The Pretties," "The Specials" and "The Extras"; and "A Northern Light" by Jennifer Donnelly, whose "Revolution" I really enjoyed.

For anyone keeping track, all but "Extremely Loud" are teen fiction. We'll just call it research, since I'm now doing my first read-through on my second book, a teen novel.

Jillian is Dead

I did it. I cut a character out of my first book to make it shorter. I killed Jillian and I feel much better now. I trimmed 19 pages from my novel too, which feels great. Now, it's ready for someone to read it. I think I'm going to surprise her (or maybe scare her?) with my manuscript on Saturday. Looks like I'll be spending some time (and money) getting a copy printed at Kinko's this weekend.

Now, what should I do with the rest of my evening once I get my son to sleep? Should I read the Ann Brashares novel I started reading at lunch today? Or should I start my first read for book no. 2? Or should I go to the gym? I'm leaning toward reading my second novel. It's nice to have options.

Struggling With My Reality

I'm struggling again, as I do from time to time, with how much of my own life to include in stories that I'm writing or thinking of writing.

The really horrible, awful thing that happened to me last week and has happened to several of my friends and family members could be a really powerful story or piece of a story in a future novel. But then, I wonder, how much of my life I should keep for myself and how much am I willing to share?

What if I'm interviewed about my book and the interviewer asks, "Did this ever happen to you?" Do I lie, as I know many, many writers do? I mean, come on -- how else can they write so powerfully about certain life experiences without going through it themselves? Or do I tell the truth and risk having to tell my own painful story over and over again? Like anything, I suppose there is a happy median, but I'm prone to overindulge or over-explain.

I wrote a few scenarios based on my hideously bad week in my journal today while I thought about them. Not that I'll ever be able to forget what happened to me. But at least I have something on paper somewhere. It was kind of therapeutic.

It'll Never Happen to Me ... Until it Does

There are things that you think will never happen to you. And then they do. And then your world is turned upside down. And then you cry. And then you sulk. And then ...

I don't know.

Right now, I'm trying to keep in mind how lucky I am. I have a loving, supportive husband. I have a sweet, happy, silly, loving little boy. And I have a big family to rally around me and hold me up when I'm down. And friends who I know will do the same.

There are a lot of things to feel thankful for even in the face of tragedy. And that's what I'm trying to hold on to for the time being.

Happiness

I just finished reading "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. I highly recommend it.

I don't usually read a lot of non-fiction, but I was intrigued by the book's upbeat cover and the subtitle: "Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun." On the back cover, the book is labeled "Memoir/Self-Help." The latter category is one that I generally avoid.

But, of course, the more I read it, the more I felt like I needed -- no, wanted -- to do my own happiness project. Like the writer, I don't consider myself unhappy, but I think I could benefit from more happiness from things like trying new things, indulging in things I enjoy, being less judgmental, letting little things go, complaining less, doing good things for others, being more affectionate and playful, and cleaning out my closets.

I also felt like I already have a happiness project under way, though not formally. For instance, a few years ago, I decided that trying to write a novel would make me happier, and I was right.

Now, I have two completed novels (one that I'm almost done editing and another that needs it's first read-through) and I have a couple of others in various unfinished states. I even started this blog as another forum for writing and an outlet to talk about my writing. And I went to the San Diego State University Writers Conference in January and plan to attend again this January.

Of course, I'm still working on keeping my motivation and continuing to write consistently, but I haven't given up either. That's half the battle right there.

Also, the older I get, the more I find myself adhering to my own "splendid truths." For example, I still have to remind myself sometimes, but I know how important it is to revel in the little things -- and I mean the little things that matter. Like reading to my son every night, even when I'm dog-tired and I'd love to pass the job on to my husband. It's a special 20 or 30 minutes that I have with my son every day and I love it.

I'm also learning to let go of little things -- small annoyances, like when the recycling is overflowing and my husband needs to dump it in the larger recycling bin outside. Sometimes I still nag him about it, but sometimes I remember that he's worked hard all day and he's tired too, so it can wait until tomorrow.

Still, I think I'm going to start my own formal happiness project. There are some things that I know I should work on, but I haven't tackled them yet. Like being judgmental. Sometimes I remember that I should just let it go -- it's not my life and everyone does things their own way, whether it works for them or not -- but most of the time I can't help making comments about the odd decisions that other people make in their lives. I think it's because it makes me feel better about my own decisions, because I know that I'm not perfect either. But I also know that things that seem completely logical to me, probably make no sense to other people.

While I'm a little daunted by the task, I'm looking forward to officially getting started on my happiness project.

Making Progress

I've committed myself to reading at least one chapter a night in my first novel so that I can finish the latest draft and print it out for a friend to read. And now I have less than 100 pages left to edit.

But.

I have decided to go back and cut the character that I have been thinking about taking out of my book for the past month or so. I love Jillian. Maybe I can work her into a future book, but I'm afraid there's no good reason for her to be in "Strings Attached." I even found one scene where I can replace her with another character and no one will know the difference.

It makes me sad to take Jillian out of the book completely, but I look forward to seeing how many pages I will cut by deleting her scenes. It's probably not as many pages as I think, but at this point every little bit helps.

It's Been Weeks

Obviously, I gave up long ago on my original plan to write something on this blog every day. Lately, I haven't even written once a week, but I plan to change that soon. Now that my sinus infection is gone, my scratched cornea is healed, my in-laws are back in Iowa, and my son has started kindergarten, I'm back to a normal routine.

And I've got a major deadline breathing down my neck. The San Diego State Writer's Conference is coming up at the end of January and I want to submit both of my manuscripts for feedback from an agent or editor. The conference is only four and a half months away, so that means I have only two or three months to get my books presentable and ready for a "professional" read-through. Yikes!

So instead of trying to find something new and interesting to read in my free time, I'm going to spend more time editing my novels after I get my son to bed each night and whip those manuscripts into shape. I need some motivation, since I've been slacking off lately, and I'm running out of excuses. Hopefully the writing conference deadline will serve as the motivation I need.

Crazy Summer Just Got Crazier

This summer has been marked by my son's 5th birthday, our first family trip to Disneyland, two week-long visits from two different sets of in-laws, and a terrible cold that turned into a bad sinus infection, in addition to a myriad of other birthday parties and baby showers. Now, I have a scratched cornea. Four corneal abrasions, as a matter of fact.

After getting a prescription for eye drops that made the pain worse, I got a prescription for an eye ointment that seems to be doing the trick. Except for the fact that it's a little messy. And except for the fact that it's kind of hard to see through a thick film of goop in my eye.

At least it's better than yesterday when I couldn't even bare to look at the computer screen in my office with all of the other lights turned off, because the glow from my computer terminal was too bright. I could't even read a book! Talk about frustrating!

So, I hope to get back on track reading and editing my own books soon. Or at least get back to reading my paperback version of "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer. Geesh! How much more can I take this summer anyway!

Trying to Get Back on Track

Oh, man. It's been another two weeks again since I've stopped by here. It's been a busy couple of weeks and I'm trying to get back on track.

So, here I am, checking in on the blog ... and yawning, because I'm all ready for bed. But I need to keep reading/editing my first novel so I can pass it on to my next reader and do my first edit on my second book.

But here's my latest writing dilemma: In my first book, I have a character that I love, love, love, but I think I might have to cut her out. All she does is add a little bit of color. She doesn't move the plot forward or really contribute in any way, so I have a growing feeling that I need to cut her out. I don't want to, but I think it has to be done. I'll miss Jillian.

Burn-Out

During the past month that I've ignored my blog, I've been sick from a cold that started to get better until it got much worse. It turned into a sinus infection that needed two rounds of antibiotics to kill it. There were many days and nights where I felt better lying down than sitting upright in front of my computer distracted by all the snot in my head and the non-stop coughing.

But really, if I'm truly honest, I've been a little burnt out on writing. Maybe it's because I write really tough legal stories all day at work, so I want to unwind when I get home and lose myself in another writer's story. I have read a lot of good books lately. Maybe it's because I've been writing and editing the same two novels for more than a year (and maybe more than two years for the first one; I can't remember).

I want to start working on something new and fun. Maybe the story I started last year that's only about three pages long, but got a great response at the San Diego State Writers Conference. Maybe explore one of the story ideas I've scribbled into the little journal I keep in my purse.

I don't know.

The point is, I need to get on the ball again. I should finish writing something so I can justify moving on to something new.

So, here's my new motivation: I'm going to finish my last edit on the first book (my adult novel) and do at least one edit on my second book (my young adult project) so I can submit them to agents or editors to read prior to the SDSU Writers Conference in January and give me feedback at the conference. Yes, I have to pay for those consultations, but at least I know they'll read it, since they're being paid. They can't just glance at a few pages and send me a form letter rejecting my manuscript.

OK, time to get motivated!

Humming Right Along

I'm on my last read of the first book I finished writing before I ask another friend to read it. I'm still trying to cut the length, but it's hard. It's like slowly cutting the fingertips off of my child before moving on to the knuckles. In other words, it's a long, slow, painful process.

The good news is that I'm not finding a lot of mistakes or things that need to be changed. The bad news is that it's still hard to make substantial cuts. The other good news is that I still like the story. I still love my characters and the key scenes. Of course, that's what makes it so hard to find things to cut. Oh, well.

I haven't been able to do a lot of reading during the past week, because work's been busy, so I haven't read at lunch, and it's been hot, which makes me tired and unwilling to do a lot of things, including sitting and reading. But now it's the weekend, so maybe I can make progress on "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell for my book club, which meets in two weeks, or "Anthropology of an American Girl" by Hilary Thayer Hamann, which I'm reading for fun.

I bought "Anthropology," because the title was intriguing and the story borders on my two favorite genres -- women's literature and young adult fiction. Mostly, I bought it because of the blurbs written by reviewers and other writers. One reviewer said it was literary crack. And I'm an addict, so crack's going in my shopping bag.

So far, I'm not in love with the main character, Eveline, but I'm getting there. I'm still intrigued by her story. I want to see where she goes next. And that's what's important, right?

A Little Vacation

You'd think that a vacation would give me time to stop by my blog and write for a few minutes, wouldn't you? Well, you would be wrong.

First, there was the preparation for the vacation -- cleaning and shopping to get ready for a visit from my in-laws. Then there was the actual vacation, which included a trip to the zoo, barbecue, a movie, two days at Disneyland, and a day at the beach. After that, there was the recovery from the vacation, including two days in the office before the three-day weekend. Now, the July 4th weekend is here and I have a cold. Ugh!

So, since I can't sit upright for long without sinus pressure driving me mad, I haven't been able to sit at the computer for long enough to write or edit anything. Argh!

However, I did finish reading "Jane and the Damned" by Janet Mullany. When I read the title and the blurb on the back, I couldn't resist it at Barnes & Noble. It sounded like too much fun to pass up. And it was. Thoroughly entertaining and enthralling. It's about Jane Austen and her brief time as a vampire. How could I not bring it home? Now, I'm going to loan it to a friend who I think will love it. It's not great literature or anything, just pure fun. A nice break from the depressing books I've been reading lately.

Now, what to read next? I'm reading Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers" for my book club, but that's best as a lunchtime-at-work book. I think next I'll read "Anthropology of An American Girl" by Hilary Thayer Hamann. Trying to add some good adult novels in between the young adult books I've read lately.

On that note, I highly recommend "The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)" by Kody Keplinger. Couldn't. Put. It. Down. It was written by an 18-year-old whose book definitely puts my YA novel to shame. And she has a second novel coming out later this year. Oh, to be young(er) and have time on my hands again ...

Bad Blogger

Man, I am slipping. When I started this blog, I promised (myself at least) that I would write something here every day. Then it was every few days, then once or twice a week, now it's getting close to two weeks.

Well, I've been busy. I can always think of excuses, can't I? Work, family, house ... life just gets in the way of writing sometimes. I haven't been able to work on my books much the last few weeks as I've juggled birthday parties and other events with family and friends. Then there's been the housework to get ready for the parties and family visits.

So, as a reward for all my hard work at the office and at home, I'm going to sit down and work on my first book after I get my son to bed. I'm giving it one more good edit before I find another victim, I mean volunteer, to read it for me.

... And then tomorrow night it's back to work. I've got to start giving the house a good scrub before my visiting in-laws arrive from Iowa. If I can get a lot done tomorrow night, that frees up my day off on Friday to do a little shopping, er I mean writing, before I pick up my son from preschool. Fingers crossed!

Tonight's Reward is ...

My son turned 5 today, so we had a birthday extravaganza over the weekend -- a party for friends on Saturday and a party for family on Sunday. That means most of last week and the entire weekend was dominated by birthday preparations, parties ... and recovery. There was pretty much no time left over for writing or reading.

I was so exhausted still last night that I only read and edited one short chapter in my first book. I'd love to read through at least one more chapter tonight, but I need to transcribe an interview for work. So, to motivate myself to work faster, I'm only going to let myself work on a chapter in my book if I finish the transcription project.

I've got to power through book one so I can do my first read on book two, which I'm both looking forward to and dreading, considering all the mistakes that probably need correcting.

Done!

Book two is done ... now the editing begins.

But first, back to book one for another edit. It'll give me time to clear my head before I do my first read-through of book two and find all the problems with it.

My husband is beginning to think I'll never actually finish a novel, but I will ... someday.

Still Weary ...

I re-started taking my medication to prevent headaches, which I take at night before bed. After six months or so without taking it, it's been a big adjustment to get used to the drug again. I've had no headaches, but I've been exhausted.

I've gone to bed every night this week long before my usual 11 p.m. bedtime without getting any writing or editing done. And that stack of books piling up, waiting for me to read them? I've made no dent in them either.

However, I started reading two books recently (mainly during my lunch break at work) that couldn't be more different. The first is young adult science fiction called "Feed" by M.T. Anderson. The second is an adult novel called "The Writing Circle" by Corinne Demas.

"Feed" is about a teenage boy who meets a girl who wants to fight the constant "feed" that runs through everyone's heads -- it's like constant advertising, TV and instant messaging enabled by a chip implanted in the body.

"The Writing Circle" is about an eclectic group of writers and their fears, insecurities and shenanigans with each other. So far, there's a divorce and an affair, jealousy and envy, successful and unpublished writers. Everything you might see in any writing group, I suppose.

No Rest For the Weary ... Until We Fall Asleep Sitting Up

I'm not a coffee drinker, but I've developed an addiction to chai tea lattes from Starbucks. Aside from the fact that they're like a sweet and spicy cup of hot chocolate for grown-ups, the combination of caffeine and sugar wakes me up when I need it and/or gets rid of the headaches I wake up with sometimes. I suspect the headaches come from a lack of sleep, among other things.

Normally, nighttime is my time to write. Sometimes I sneak in some writing when I get home from work, either just before or just after I make and eat dinner. Most of the time, I write after my son goes to bed. I stay up until 11 p.m. or so and still wake up at 4:20 a.m. to go to the gym. That's the only time I can go, since I work all day, come home and take care of my husband and kid, and write at night.

But, lately, I've been really sleepy. I'll spend a half hour dozing at the computer, staring at the same paragraph, before I decide to go to bed early. And then, in the morning, I convince myself that my third chai latte this week won't hurt anything. (And vow that next time I'll get it with nonfat milk and skip the cranberry orange scone.)

I don't know what to do. I can't quit my day job, or stop caring for my kid, or ignore the chores that need to get done, or forego grocery shopping. (God, I'd hate to see what my husband would bring home.) I could cut out the gym or my writing, but I see both of those as essentials. As much as I hate exercising, my body needs it. It's my brain that needs the writing. *Sigh* Maybe I just need a vacation.

The Upside to a Sick Kid

I drank a venti chai latte from Starbucks at 9:45 tonight so that I can stay up until 1 a.m. or so on a work night and write, because my son is sick and I'll be staying home with him tomorrow.

I hate to see him suffering -- he's had a fever, cough, sore throat and congestion -- but there is an upside to the break from work: more time to write at home. The downside, besides the obvious that my son is sick, is that I'll have a lot of catching up to do when I get back to the office on Wednesday.

Fortunately, my 4-year-old's fever seems to be gone. Now, if we could just get rid of the hacking cough and regain his ability to breathe. One more day at home and he ought to be germ-free enough to go back to preschool.

And then I'll be back in the office, cleaning out my e-mail inbox, getting back to news articles that I'm in the middle of researching, and planning for my next round of deadlines. It's a vicious circle.

Disappointing Book

Today, I started reading Jennifer Egan's "A Visit From the Goon Squad," and so far it's pretty disappointing. The description of the story on the book jacket made me want to read it, but two chapters into the novel, I'm ready to give up.

The first chapter is about the main female character and the second chapter is about the main male character. Maybe I just need to keep reading, but in their introductory chapters I have seen absolutely no redeeming qualities for either of these people. The writer has given me no reason to care what happens to them, other than to see how much more of a mess they make of their lives.

However, the most frustrating issue that I have with this book is the way the writer meanders in and out of the scene. She keeps hopping around in time with both characters flashing back to various memories, including several different sessions they had with their therapists. I can't figure out if I'm in the present or the past and I can't remember where the scene she started writing left off when she brings me back to it.

It seems like my brain shouldn't have to work THAT hard to follow along. But, maybe it's just me. The writer did find an agent to represent her and a publisher to print her book, so she must've done something right. Does that mean I should keep reading and see if it gets any better?

On a happier note, I finished reading Helen Simonson's "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" last night and it was really good. Supremely well-written with characters that I cared deeply about, with a satisfying ending. After reading something that good, it's hard to start in on a book that's less well-written. I might just get back on my YA kick and read Laurie Halse Anderson's "Wintergirls" instead.

Two Weeks? Where Did the Time Go?

When I started this blog, I intended to write something here everyday. Now, I try to check in a few times a week. But, as of today, it's been two weeks since I stopped by.

The good news is that I've been reading and writing like crazy. I finished reading my completed novel, but I need to go back and make some cuts in the first half, I think. For my other big work in progress, I've been writing like mad, so I'm about two-thirds or maybe three-fifths of the way through the story. I know how it will end and how I'm going to get there. When I do, that's when I'll go back and fix all of the big glaring problems that I didn't notice the first time through.

I've been reading lots of other things too. I finished Carrie Ryan's "The Forest of Hands and Teeth," which was extremely well written, but very dark and depressing. It's almost hard to believe it's a YA novel. I can't imagine a 14-year-old girl reading it.

I've also been slowly reading Anne Lamott's "Traveling Mercies," which is basically a series of essays about her non-traditional path in the Christian faith. It's not the kind of book I would typically read -- I was baptized Methodist, confirmed Lutheran and now probably would describe myself as an agnostic -- but I do appreciate her often touching and frequently funny prose, as I did in her book on writing, "Bird by Bird." Now I want to read one of her novels to see what she does with fiction as opposed to memoir.

And then, this weekend, I got lucky when I went to the library and found the novel that my book club is reading, Helen Simonson's "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand." It's one of those books that I can only check out for a week and can't renew, so I'm rushing to read it by next Saturday. I also picked out "A Visit From the Goon Squad," by Jennifer Egan, which is due on Saturday as well. I don't think I'm going to read be able to read both books before they're due, unless I don't work on writing my own, but I'm going to try.

Done ... Sort Of

I finished reading my completed novel for what was going to be the last time for a while, but I determined that I need to go back and make substantial cuts in the first half of the book. It still feels like there's too much going on up front and it's taking too long to get to some of the big scenes toward the end. It did feel good to get to the end again, though.

On book no. 2 (It used to be book no. 3 or 4 until I stopped working on books 2 or 3 for a while. Actually, book no. 1 was the third book I started, but the first one I finished. I think.) my momentum is slowing. I know where I want to go, but I'm at a midpoint where I'm struggling with connecting the first half to the second half. I'm building up to my big turning point, so I'm thinking about that scene and having a hard time focusing on what leads up to the big event. I know I'll get there eventually. I just have to keep at it.

I also started reading my library book, "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" by Carrie Ryan. It's good -- dark, sad and depressing, but good. I'm anxious to get through the dark and sad part to what I hope is a somewhat happy ending. It's one of those books where you feel like, "Man, isn't this girl ever gonna catch a break?" Speaking of ...

Somehow I made it through college as an English major (with a writing emphasis, however) without reading Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre," but I saw the movie recently. As good as the movie was, it was so depressing that it kind of put me off reading the book. I've been reading so many dark stories lately that I've been looking for something good and light.

Fortunately, my book club has chosen to read "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen Simonson, which looks like a nice, light selection. Relatively, anyway.

Temptation

I know I should be using every free minute I have to write and edit, but today I picked up the book I put on hold at the library -- "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" by Carrie Ryan -- and I'm dying to read it.

The problem is, it's a series. So, when I'm done with the first book, if I love it I'm going to have to read the next two books, "The Dead-Tossed Waves" and "The Dark and Hollow Places." Aren't those great titles? I wish that titles and headline-writing were strengths of mine, but I digress.

I got in a few hours each on Saturday and Sunday to edit and write this weekend. Progress of any kind is always good. Especially, in the case of my finished book, since I cut several pages. I feel like I need to cut another 30 pages or so. I'm probably going to have to go back to the beginning to really make some more sizable cuts.

My second book is humming along nicely too. Still feels like it's pouring out of my fingertips. I keep writing little bits for later in the story in the journal I keep in my purse.

It seems like I go for months without putting anything in my writing journal and then all of a sudden I'm writing something in it every day. I need to go back and read some of the book ideas I've written down. I haven't done that in a while, but when I do I look at some of them and wonder what I was thinking. At least it's entertaining, I guess.

A New Story

As if I don't have enough writing projects in various stages of flux, I thought of a new book idea. It's really good too and will be fun to write. I think it will be the kind of book I can sit down and write pretty quickly. A conversational story that happens over the course of a few days.

I'm enjoying reading my finished book and having fun writing my second most finished book, but I'm really looking forward to starting this new story. Now, if only I could find the time to finish my two previous projects and start a new one ...

A New Conundrum

So, here's my latest conundrum. What do you do when you're writing along at a good pace -- the story's flowing from your brain down your arms and out of your fingertips to the keyboard at just the right pace so that you can keep up -- but you know you've got things that you've got to go back and correct or enhance in some way?

I feel like I've got to get the story out of my head and on to the page (or saved in my computer), so that I don't lose track of the path that I'm on. But at the same time, I worry that I'm making so many mistakes or creating so many holes or inconsistencies as I go that it's going to be a fiasco to edit it after I get to the end of the story.

It's just another one of those writing conundrums that makes it hard for me to focus on things like work, especially when I'm on deadline for an article that's due and it's not the best time for my mind to wander.

Here's another dilemma. Until today, it had been a while since I worked on my first book -- the finished one. Today, for the first time in a couple of weeks, I opened the document and read a chapter, but I'm still only about four-sevenths of the way through editing it (precise enough for you?). I got to a point where I was just kind of sick of it. I needed a break from Marc and Emily for a while.

I think what I need to do, when I finally get to the end, is have someone else read it. So far, only one other person besides me has read it. I need more outside input. But who will be my next victim? Who would be willing to read it? Whose opinion do I respect enough that I won't be offended by their criticism, because I know they mean well? Another conundrum.

Stuck Then Unstuck

I was writing along the other day, typing away happily, until the story stopped streaming from my brain down my arms and through my fingertips. I introduced a new, highly anticipated character (for me and for my main character) and then I had to stop.

I knew what her personality would be like, but I could not see what she looked like. Would she have dark hair and blue eyes like her brother? Would she be pretty or plain? Would she be skinny or athletically thin? Even though I knew how she would act and what she would say, I couldn't picture her doing anything until I could picture her.

So, I stopped writing. I walked away from the computer in a huff and did something else. Probably sat down to read a book. Not exactly productive.

Today, tired and groggy from a poor night of sleep, I sat down and started working on the story again. My main character studied her boyfriend's sister and told me what she looked like. Her reaction to this girl, who she was afraid to meet, helped me picture her. Her responses shaped the sister's mannerisms and appearance. What a relief!

I also pictured a girl I saw working in a craft store, probably five or six years ago. She had dark hair and tattoos, but she had a friendly face and soft features. I stole the beautiful orchid tattoo she had on the back of her hand and put it on my character's bicep.

It's amazing what you pick up and what you remember years later. I only saw that sales clerk once, but I remember staring at her tattoo. Not because it was so large and bold and probably painful, since it was on the back of her hand and used A LOT of ink, but because I thought it was beautiful and the kind of thing I might get if I was ever brave enough to get a tattoo (although on my shoulder or back, not somewhere that's likely to be extra painful like the back of my hand or top of my foot).

I guess everything is fuel for writing, no matter where or when you see or hear it.

Bits and Pieces

I've been writing bits and pieces, here and there, whenever I can squeeze in a little time between working, parenting, cooking, reading ... and wherever that black hole is that seems to suck up so much of my time.

Bit by bit my latest project is coming together. It feels pretty good right now. The characters are taking me where they want to go. We'll see what I think when I go back and read the whole thing from start to finish. I'd guess that I'm one-half to three-fifths through the story at this point.

I started reading "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher today, but kept getting interrupted by e-mail and phone calls while I was on my lunch break at work. I'm resisting the urge to read it right now, because I want to do some writing. And, darn-it-all, I have something I need to look at for work. There goes that dreaded black hole again, sucking up all of my free time.

Oh, Wow. It's Been How Long ... ?

Two weeks. That's how long it's been since I stopped by here. Oops.

As usual, I've been reading a lot: Gayle Forman's "Where She Went," the sequel to "If I Stay;" "Revolution" by Jennifer Donnelly; "The Scorch Trials," the sequel to "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner; and maybe one or two more.

But, I've also been writing -- reading a chapter here and there in my finished book and working on a second book. It's coming together nicely, so far. I know there are some things I need to go back and fix or add in, but the story is working pretty well. It feels great to be writing something new, rather than editing a story I finished last year.

My challenge is that I keep feeling like I'm getting pretty close to the end of the story, but it's not long enough yet for a novel. A novella, maybe, but I don't think those sell very well. Fortunately, I keep thinking of new challenges for my main character to enliven the story and stretch it out.

That makes it the opposite problem of the book I've finished, which is still too long. I wonder if the difference is that one is an adult novel and the other is "teen fiction." I hope not, because my third and fourth books for adult and for teen readers.

A Reading Binge

I haven't been a very disciplined writer in the past week or so (not that I ever am). I've worked a lot and felt burnt out by the time I got home from the office, so I've been on a reading binge.

A friend loaned me "Matched" by Ally Condie and I had been waiting patiently to read it, so once I had it in my hands I read it in a matter of days. Now, I'm reading "The Scorch Trials" by James Dashner, the sequel to his "Maze Runner," but I don't feel as rushed to finish that book. It's pretty violent, which isn't really my thing, but the emotional duress that the boys in the story are under is pretty interesting to follow.

In a week and a half, some books that I am anxious to read will be out in stores -- the fourth book in Cassandra Clare's "Mortal Instruments" series and the sequel to "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman, which is called "Where She Went." "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett will be out in paperback soon too, and I've been dying to read that again.

I'm still reading/editing a chapter at a time in my own completed book then rewarding myself after each chapter by working on another book that's about one-third finished. It's an effective compromise, but a slow writing process. It's fulfilling to work on something new, but a little frustrating that the old project is going so slowly. That's the nature of a compromise, I guess.

Slow Progress

I broke down and bought Maggie Stiefvater's "Linger" -- the sequel to "Shiver" -- on Friday night and read it over the weekend, so I didn't get much writing and editing done. This week, I'm trying to be more disciplined.

For instance, "The Scorch Trials" by James Dashner is calling my name, but instead I'm going to finish reading "It's Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini. I'm reading it only during my lunch breaks at work and maybe for a few minutes before I go to bed at night, so that I can get some writing and editing done in the evenings. I'm trying to be disciplined. I swear.

My strategy of editing a chapter in my finished book before I allow myself to do a little writing on another book is still working out well. It's a slower process than just plowing through the editing, but it keeps me motivated. I want to finish editing my completed novel, but I'm really itching to finish another one before my revitalized writing self-esteem from San Diego Writers Conference at the end of January wears off.

If only I didn't need to sleep ... just think of how much writing AND reading I could get done!

I'm a Reading and Writing Fool

My new strategy (see previous post) is working well. I read a chapter or two in my completed novel then reward myself by working on another book that I'd put on hold for a while. It's refreshing to wrap my head around a new cast of characters while also making progress on my last read-through of the finished book.

I've also been reading like crazy. Right now, I'm working on "Clockwork Angel" by Clarissa Clare, the first book in her "Infernal Devices" series and the prequel to her "Mortal Instruments" series, which I loved (and have read twice). I also finished "Paper Towns" by John Green, which was hilarious, but kind of sad, yet gratifying. As you can see, I'm on a young adult binge. It's research. And just fun.

I also recently read "Shiver" by Maggie Stiefvater and now I'm dying to read the next book in the series, "Linger." I'd call them werewolf stories, but they're shape-shifting wolves, not monsters. It's also a love story, so as a fan of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight," the series is right up my alley.

Tonight, I'm in a quandary, because I want to keep reading "Clockwork Angel," but I didn't do much writing and editing this weekend, and I also could stand to do a little bit of writing for work. I'm leaning toward reading, especially since it's a little chilly outside and my favorite thing to do when it's cold is curl up in the corner of the couch and get lost in a book. Decisions, decisions ...

A New Strategy

I have a new strategy. As a reward for reading and editing at least one chapter each night in my completed book, I get to spend a little time on one of my other projects. Balance; that's what I need.

It feels good to spend a little time with some new characters. Feels a little more like fun than work. I love my book, obviously, but editing is not as much fun as creating the people and places and situations that establish a story.

I've been reading like crazy too, which also helps to get the creative juices flowing. I finished "Sarah's Key," by Tatiana de Rosnay this week for my book club. I wouldn't say I loved it, but I liked it a lot. It wasn't quite as sad and depressing as I expected a book about the Holocaust to be. The ending wasn't ideal, but it was reasonable.

I've also fully immersed myself in the "young adult" world of books -- or "teen fiction" as it's labeled at my local Barnes & Noble. One of the best panels I attended at the San Diego Writers Conference last month was on the young adult market. One of my books is for that audience, so I wanted to learn more about the genre. As I suspected, the agent leading the discussion said adults are increasingly reading those books as well, because of series like "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" and because they want to know what their kids are reading.

Perhaps the best part of the session was the list of subgenres and book recommendations provided by the speaker. So, in the past week or so I also read the amazing "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman. It's an issue-y novel, which is my preferred subgenre of young adult. I also devoured the addicting "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner. My husband read it too and immediately ordered the next book in the series, "The Scorch Trials." I am in awe of people whose minds are creative enough to come up with these multi-faceted worlds. Amazing.

So, now I'm reading "Shiver," by Maggie Stiefvater. It's a werewolf story. I like it, so far. Not quite as compelling or well-written as the Maze Runner, but it's an interesting read. But, of course, I've already got my eyes on the next book. Maybe "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher or "Hate List" by Jennifer Brown -- more issue-y young adult fiction.

In-Laws and Sickness

My last post was about my week-long hiatus from writing. Well, it turned in to almost three weeks. That first week was a self-imposed break. Then, my mother-in-law came to town and I didn't want to be rude and spend all my free hours at the computer. And I got a cold. A really nasty cold. I came home from work early on Friday and spent most of the next four days on the couch or in bed with sinus pressure, congestion and coughing then body aches and exhaustion.

So, now that my guest is gone (though she's welcome anytime) and my cold is mostly gone (that guest is NOT welcome to come back) I'm back to writing again. Time to dive into my book where I left off and give it one more thorough read-through ... with the goal of cutting even more.

The prize at the end of this long slog of reading and editing, reading and editing, is that when I'm done I can pick up where I left off with one of my many other books in progress. I'm itching to get started, but I still can't decide which story to return to first. I might have to read what I've got so far with each of them and see which one inspires me the most.

I can't wait! It feels like Christmas is just around the corner and it's taking every ounce of strength that I have to keep myself from peeling back the tape on each gift to get a peek at what's inside.

Week-Long Hiatus

I've been clearing my head this week before I dive in to read my book one last time. (Yeah, right. There will never be just "one last time." Even when it's in print it won't be "finished.")

I'm reading "A Change in Altitude" by Anita Shreve. It's slow-moving, as usual with her books, but it's a compelling story, so I'm sticking with it. I read her novel "Testimony" a year or so ago and I liked it, despite the slow pace.

Next, I think I want to read something fun. Maybe one of the "young adult" books recommended during a panel at the San Diego Writers Conference. Those are the kinds of books I think of as cake or desert. Maybe I'll read "Matched" by Ally Condie.

I should dive back in to my book, so I can finish that last read-through that's nagging at me before I start working on something else, which I'm itching to do. Just need to decide which story to start writing again first ... too many intriguing choices.

Step Away From the Book!

I finished reading and editing the first three chapters of my book and sent them off to an agent on Sunday morning. Now it's taking all the strength I can muster to keep myself from jumping back in and continuing to read and edit the rest of my chapters.

I just finished two thorough read-throughs and edits. Combing through the book one more time right now will make me crazy. I've decided that I need to take a break and read for a while -- maybe a week -- then come back to my book with a fresh perspective.

What I really, really want to do is work on one of the other four or five books that I have in various states of progress, but I've vowed to stay away from them until I feel really, REALLY done with my first book.

I've been thinking about all of my other projects, trying to decide where to take each of them next. It's hard to abstain. But, my brain needs a little hiatus, then I can come back re-energized.

Publishing Pet Peeve

My biggest gripe with the publishing industry, at the moment, has to do with how publishers pigeonhole writers. If they publish your romance novel, they want your next book to be a romance. They don't care if you've written a really compelling paranormal book or a good issue-y (yes, that's a genre) young adult novel. Once they know they can sell you in one genre, that's all they want you to write.

How frustrating is that? Extremely!

It would seem to me that a good book is a good book. Who cares what the genre is? If it's written well and it keeps the reader's attention, why wouldn't you want to print and sell it?

If readers liked your first book, they're probably going to like your next book, even if it's in a different genre, as long as you're not jumping from a chaste Christian romance (I hear Amish romances are HOT right now) to elaborate science fiction. I'm talking about going from a contemporary romance or chick lit to what would probably be classified as women's fiction. Not a big leap.

I should worry about finding an agent and then a publisher for my first book before I worry about what they'll let me write for my second book. But if I want a novel-writing career with longevity, it seems like I should think about these things sooner rather than later. Or maybe I should just pick a genre and stick with it. Ugh. Boo on that!

Lots of Work to Do

The weekend was a whirlwind of writing seminars, critique sessions and agent panels. I had the chance to read some of my work and have it read aloud then critiqued. Most importantly, I got some great feedback at the San Diego Writers Conference.

The areas that I suspected were weak were confirmed, which tells my instincts are leading me to the right places. Also, people reacted to my writing in unexpected ways. After a particularly powerful scene was read the other people in the room were speechless. People liked it and responded to it emotionally, telling me that the scene wasn't overly dramatic, as I feared.

In another case, they liked my lead character, but they wanted more action in the opening pages, confirming my own suspicions. And in another instance, a character that I was afraid might be inauthentic struck a chord with the other writers and the instructor in the room. They wanted to know more about her.

So, now I feel more confident and empowered to keep going on all of the projects I put out there for comments. But, where do I begin? Well, I have to finish revisions at the beginning of my book and send the first three chapters to an agent who requested them. She may have been trying to be polite, but I'm going to look at the silver lining and assume she was interested in my story. You just never know.

The conference was even better than I anticipated and now I want to go to more conferences. But then, when would I write?

Time For It All

Today was the first day of the San Diego Writers Conference. First, I have to say I'm totally inspired and empowered to keep doing what I'm doing. At the same time, I'm totally overwhelmed by it all -- everything it takes to get published and then to actually sell your book once it is in print (and online).

I am just totally amazed by how well-read the people are at these conferences. I feel like such a slacker! How does anyone have the time to read 8 million books and write profusely? And attend conferences? And go to writing groups?

I'm trying to chalk up my relatively limited amount of reading and writing to the fact that I work full time and have a husband and a kid. There are only so many hours in a day!

But, I'm trying. I'm reading my own genre and other genres whenever I can and writing whenever I can -- just enough that I don't feel too guilty about the time it takes away from my family and just enough that I actually get something accomplished.

Talk about work-life balance! It's work-life-writing balance!

One Last Edit

I'm giving my book one last quick read-through before I convert it to a read-only document and burn it to some CDs to give out at the San Diego Writer Conference in case I meet an agent who's interested in reading it. It may be wishful thinking, but it's better to be prepared than to say, "Let me mail it to you ..."

So, I'm in the process of cutting more from the story. I think it makes it a better book, but that doesn't make it less painful. I'm holding on to scenes that I love but have to cut in the interest of brevity. The book is still probably far too long, but what can I say? I'm prolific like that.

Writers Conference Here I Come

I bit the bullet and plunked down $400 to go to the San Diego Writers Conference next weekend. I figure it's great networking and should teach me a lot of what I don't know about publishing and story writing.

I just hope I don't end up feeling like a big phony, since I'm still pretty new at this. I have one completed book and about four others in very early stages. Hopefully, I'll be able to blend in with the writers who've been doing this for a few decades, not just a few years.

I'm really nervous. And I'm rushing to finish one last read-through and editing job for my book. I want to load it onto some memory sticks or CDs to hand out at the conference, in case anyone sounds like they want to read it. You just never know.

I'm excited. It seems like a grown-up, semi-professional, writerly thing to do. Guess I better figure out how to schmooze!

Done! Again!

I'm done reading and editing my book. I can't read it anymore. It's probably still far too long, but I've cut everything that's not essential to the story at this point. It's time to start looking for an agent.

Every time I read it, I like it a little more. I keep finding little nuggets that I think will appeal to different people. And I've been thinking about where I could take my two characters in a second and third book. It could easily become a three-part romance, if a publisher is interested in where I might take the story.

I'm anxious to find an agent to get the whole publishing process started, but I'm also anxious to start working on one of the other three or four novels I have in different stages of writing. I love, love, love the characters I've been living with for the last several months, but I'm ready to live in some other worlds for a while.

I'm resisting the urge to start reading one of the books stacked on my bedside table while I start sending queries to potential agents, but I've been known to give in to literary temptation pretty easily. I do need something to read during my lunch breaks though ...

New Year, New Books

I've been obsessed with reading this week, but not my own book. I read the "Hunger Games" series -- yes, all three books -- by Suzanne Collins and then I read "Knit Two," the sequel to "Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs.

Before I start reading another book -- "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery is next on my list -- I plan to read as much as possible of my own novel this weekend. I'm making solid progress, but I still need to cut it down a bit more. I'm beginning to think I need to have another friend or two read it to give me some feedback.

Fortunately, tonight is a rare phenomenon. It's past 10 p.m. and I still have a fair amount of energy left, so I'm doing laundry and reading, reading, reading. Fun, fun, fun.

I'm trying to keep in mind that the payoff when I finish editing my book is that I can start working on others that have been waiting to snag my attention again. It's been a while since I visited some of my other stories, but I think about them often.

Occasionally I write down some of the ideas that come to me in the shower or at work so that I remember to work them into those other books when I pull them up on my computer screen at home again. Someday soon, I hope.