Hi there. I realize I've taken quite a bit of time off. During this vacation from blogging, I decided to enjoy life with my young twins and put writing off to the side. Sort of. I did continue to write, but not as frequently.
Now, I'm reworking a romantic suspense manuscript about a home stager and her bodyguard. I had completed the work, but then took a couple of online writing courses and had a few "oops" moments. I had started at the wrong place, had too many POV characters, and needed to develop my understanding of the craft. As you can imagine, this was all a little overwhelming.
So, what did I do? I joined Romance Writers of America, got involved in a wonderful critique group, and continued to take courses about writing. Thank goodness, I did all of this before I had sent anything out. Rejection would've been a lot more difficult to accept at that point. After having my work shredded by my critique group members and instructors from certain courses, I grew a thick skin. I hope I'm tough enough to get through real rejections, but I'm not ready to query yet, so I still have some time. I'm in the very early stages of the novel, around 70 pages. UGH! Yeah, I have a lot of work ahead of me. That's okay. I'm up for the challenge, but am not pressuring myself. I still have limited time to write, so the work will get done when I have a chance. Eventually, the twins will be in school full time and that will be MY true beginning. Unless I surprise myself before then. ;)
Do you have any writing advice you'd like to share?
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Best advice is to keep doing what you're doing! And continue to thicken that skin because it's brutal at first when the R's come in. I've lost count, I had to keep it all on a spreadsheet. It stings at first, then you get used to the "no's" and just get really excited when you get a partial request. You'll get there! And the critique group thing is great. I have to say, I joined RWA in the Fall, and then never did anything with it. Can't say I've really gotten anything out of it, I should probably revisit that idea.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've been very smart when it comes to your writing - taking classes, getting critiqued, and rewriting. Enjoy the process, after all, that's all life really is, right?
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to finding out why a home stager needs a bodyguard!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're doing all the right things. I'm not a member of RWA, but from what I know of it, it's a great organization that really supports its members.
Sorry, she who is telling everyone to leave their URLs on comments hit send before doing it herself. :-(
ReplyDeleteHelen
http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com
Welcome back! #Queryfail is something that started on twitter. Agent and editors were giving snippets of rejected queries and why they were rejected. Mostly, people not following the guidelines or REALLY strange letters. If you go to twitter and do a search with #queryfail you'll see all of it!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the writing journey, and thanks for visiting. It's full of bumps and detours, huh? (I'm a twin, so I think you're blessed to have a set. My own three kidlets are now teens...so it does get a little easier to write once they're all driving themselves.)
ReplyDeleteI've got writing tips at my blog every Wednesday, and you're welcome to come cruise that tag on my sidebar or wherever it is. LOL
I think you are on the right track - I found joining writers and critque groups really helpful. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteJane Kennedy Sutton
http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/
Thank so much for your words of wisdom. I appreciate all that you've said.
ReplyDeleteLynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com
Hi, Lynette! Thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great you've been doing so much to further your skills. Not many people take those steps - or even realize the need for them!
I'm with you, anxiously awaiting the (bittersweet) day both my kids are in school (I SAH, too), when I can write "full-time." Best to you! :)