Sharing Is Caring...

A while back I mentioned that a girl from Nebraska (who was a senior in high school) drew a picture of one of the characters in my book. I thought I'd share that with you because she does amazing things.

This a picture of the Keeper of the Knobs, Kraw Nelia:



I don't know what it is, but there's something both very cool and somewhat weird about seeing someone else's interpretation of one of your characters. Does that make sense? In my head, I didn't see this character as being as old, but I still like it a lot.

Maybe just knowing that someone took the time to draw a character out of a book written by an author who isn't even published, let alone someone she doesn't even know seems encouraging to me.

The even-cooler thing? She was ecstatic to have the opportunity read Book 2. I know, I know...it doesn't matter what people outside the industry think. I beg to differ.

It means more to me. Sure their opinions aren't going to get me published, but I'm not writing it for the big shots in the big money publishing houses or the jaded agents. Ultimately, when it all comes down to it, I'm writing my books for myself and for the people (kids and otherwise) who like the kind of stuff I write.

Getting published is just a means to an end.

(whoa...can you tell I'm getting a bit frustrated?)

Yeah...

So it's been a while. In truth, I've been so busy with my fire fighter training and just got done with my EMT class. While it's no excuse, I haven't written a single word in over 9 months! 9 months!

That's terrible.

But, ever since getting done with my training, I'm back in the saddle.
- Got myself to a SCBWI (Society of Childrens Book Writers & Illustrators) spring conference and did a little networking.
- Sent out a couple more query letters (another one to Jennifer Flannery & a misfire to Lazear Agency).
- Met Eoin Colfer (of the Artemis Fowl series) and chatted him up about what route I should take. He and his publicity agent were very helpful.

The thing that's hardest for me right now is this: I've got 2 full-length novels written. Are they perfect? No, of course not. Every time I look at them, I want to change little things here and there. What's nagging me is that I've got Book 3 in my head and I just have to write it to get it out of there.

So what do I do? Do I refine Book #1? Just get the word out about Book #1? Do I edit the bejesus out of Book #2? Do I just let them simmer for a while and write Book #3?

I've got a hard time getting myself to do ANYTHING when I feel like I've got too many irons on the stove. Worry about my old stuff or get cracking on something new?

Decisions, decisions.