It's Almost Like It's Writing Itself...
Hard to believe. Despite how busy my life has become with working 2 jobs (firefighter & hospital trainer), raising a one-year old, and doing my best to stay in shape AND still be a decent husband, that I'm able to keep cranking out more and more of my new book.
To quote a certain Icelandic songstress: Sometimes the things I do astound me.
It's a great feeling. I'm in the groove, getting this crazy story down, one word at a time. I feel like I'm back to doing what I was put on this planet for. How crazy is it to think that I've got 7 more to write after this one is done? Hopefully I'll be able to keep up the pace I had with the 2nd book. 4 months for a rough draft? That's not too shabby, eh?
In other news, I've sent out a few queries to some unsuspecting agents. Yes, yes. Despite the mental stomach punch I received from the last 'snarky' agent, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that some agent worth a damn will see the merit in my series.
More details as I get them. Just know this: I ain't done with this yet. Not by a long shot.
posted by TKT @ 11:38 PM
2 Comments:
Hi!
I just happened onto your blog, browsing the writerly/publishing ones.
I have a question for you. Are all of the books stand-alone? I know you said series, but a first-timer will have a little more trouble getting a series accepted.
And you said children's, followed by 100k. Is the 100k for a children's book? That's pretty long. But of course, there's JKR, and she logged plenty of rejections before Harry Potter. And they are much longer!
I'm glad you decided against the self-pub route. I've not met many writers who became successful that way, and often end up embarrassed by the work. I do, however, know one who says he's sold movie rights to his self-pub. But that's one. And it's what he said. I've yet to see a movie made from it.
Anyway, I stopped in to say that you should query the first book as a stand-alone and save the series for later negotiations.
Have you received any other feedback from agents? Have you tried over-the-transom to small pubs? I don't know your genre other than the reference to children, or I'd recommend some I've come across that will take a synopsis and three chapters. I agree, one person's opinion doesn't mean anything, but when you've reached 100 rejections, it's time to move on. So query far, and query wide! And the very best luck to you. I'm working on revisions of my first novel now, having written a second during my 'resting period', so I'm with you on the wanting. It's so nice when it flows. But I write speculative and horror, definitly not for children, although I have four.
Have you workshopped your writing? I'm a member of www.fmwriters.com, and it's a great community. There's a synopsis board for critiques, and one for novel excerpts and short stories, and you can arrange a novel swap with a single other writer. Anyway, I like it.
Good luck, I hope you find success. Other than the obvious success of wife and son.
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for stopping by. I'm usually amazed when anyone reads my goofy blog and even more amazed when someone takes the time to comment.
To answer a few questions:
The first book would work as a stand alone and I wrote it as such. There is a sneaking suspicion that it could (and would) warrant a sequel, but it's definitely functional on its own.
And yes, the 100k is for a children's book. It's a novel, but yeah...not nearly as wordy and meaty as JK Rowling. The new book is pretty ambitious, but I know that it'll get pared down considerably during the 2nd & 3rd drafts. I just threw a number in there to set the bar high.
I have heard from some agents that they actually do want to know if it's a planned series or not. I do modify my query accordingly. But, yeah...definitely a good point.
I've gotten some feedback from agents. Some saying the 'hook' isn't strong enough, other thinking that it's too big. On the flip side, I've had other agents that weren't bothered by the length, but they simply didn't have room on their list just yet.
Let's see. Yep, I am a member of a writer's group. They're brutally honest, so I feel they'd shoot straight with me. I should look into branching out a bit. Truth be told, I'm just getting back into the swing of things.
I think I'll e-mail you. If you've got some ideas on other places to send stuff, I'm all ears!
Thanks again for checking out my blog!
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