Hurry up and wait...

I have finally ventured into the world of authors.  I have sent in a manuscript for review.

No I am not telling where I sent it in.  I refuse to jinx myself by talking about the specifics.  But let me say that there is NO deodorant that can hold up while you are typing that email.  I recommend maxi pads in your armpits if you are thinking of typing that email.  Even then a well-ventilated room and a fan maiden might prove useful.

Before that day, I made myself a spreadsheet of all the different publishers I thought might be a good fit for me.  (yes I am the queen geek)  I wrote down all the specifics for each publisher.  Where to send that initial query, who is the initial contact, what their formatting specifications are, the royalty schedule, and length requirements were all laid out in a very formulaic pattern.  I knew where I was going to go first, who I needed to send to, and had started writing my blurb, synopsis, and query letters. Do you know how many different lengths publishers want for a synopsis? The industry really needs to come together on this.  

Well, in the middle of all that I get an email.

"I know an editor..."

All my plans go out the window and I scramble to finish a fast final read through.  I don't know the protocol for emailing the editor directly!  It's not in my spreadsheet!!  *flails*

But I am given the opportunity to get my foot in the door.  I have to jump on it. So I send it in.  Now what?

You guessed it.  I wait.

Week 1: My story is great!  The editor is going to love it.  I can't wait to hear back.

Week 2: Well, maybe it's not as good as it could be.  Hopefully, the editor will  realize this is my first book.  Should I have put that I am willing to do revisions?

Week 3: My story is the worst thing I have ever written.  I hope the editor won't spit on the computer screen while reading.  I would hate to get sued for the repair bill. Maybe it's best if I don't hear back.


Then I was checking my emails like I do every morning and there it sits.  THE EMAIL.  The editor loved it!  I think my sanity would have been questioned if the way I danced around my living room would have been video taped. Pretty sure the moves I did, held no rhythm consistent to any song in existence.  Good thing I was at home and not checking my email on my phone in public.  I would have been dancing just as badly regardless of where I was.

There is nothing better than a stranger telling you, that your story is good.  Nothing better.  It falls in line with sex, chocolate, and bacon.  That good.

Now I am in the system.  I got positive news.  What's next? More waiting.  I have a few more weeks to tear my hair out and believe myself the most inept author in the world, but for right now, I am going to take the praise.  I am going to frame the email, and I am going to have a beer and toast a day in my life I will never forget.  Cheers.

Tonight, I celebrate.

Tomorrow, I wait.

New Year, New Goals

Well, I kind of disappeared for a few months, didn't I?  The holidays do that to me.  I lose track of myself and work so hard to get things done for everyone else.

I got a fabulous present this year in my stocking.  I have my registration for the RT Convention paid for!  I have been to a couple conventions as a reader, but this time I registered as an aspiring author.  I have a few cards and a few goodies to give to people I have met and who have supported me in my efforts to move from "aspiring" to "published".

I also don't want to take advantage of this gift.  So one of my goals for this year is to submit two different manuscripts before attending the conference.  Maybe I can drop the "aspiring" part of my registration. ;p

I didn't post any New Year's Resolutions yet, because I have been doing some real soul-searching about what is feasible, what I want, and what I am willing to give up to get there.

So here goes.  I am putting down my goals for the year.  You are all going to hold me accountable right?  Keep me in line?  Crack the whip?  I need a little help with that.

1. Finish writing and editing my PNR trilogy.
   
 I have stalled on book three.  It is going to be significantly longer than the first two.  I have my ending.   I just need to finish the journey my heroine takes to get there.

2. Start a writing spreadsheet.  Keep accountable and write at least 5k new words per week.
     
I have a heavy work load two days out of the week, but the other five days there is no reason I can't get a thousand words down.  I need to get into this habit.

3. Read one book on the writing craft every month. 

A present from a great friend made me realize I have a quite a few books that I have been meaning to read. I have a lot of valuable information at my fingertips.  Time to pick them up.

4. Come out of the Erotica closet with my immediate family.
     
My family knows I am writing.  They don't know the heat level.  With my stories getting ready to go public, I need to come clean about this aspect. I am not ashamed of what I write.  And if I am honest with myself, I have always been a bit of a black sheep.  I am proud of how sexually free and fun my characters are.  They have no regrets about themselves, so I should have no regrets about writing them.

5. Find a way to pay it forward.
     
The main reason I began this journey was due to my friends and loved ones.  I have some incredibly supportive people who believed in me when I wasn't so sure I believed in myself.  I want to find a way to show them appreciation and create that same amazing feeling in someone new.



I am not a twenty-something who knew what she wanted to be right away.  I am just a woman who is discovering who she is, and who she was meant to become.  I am trying to enjoy the journey, and hope to make steps towards "me".  I use a pen name, not because I am hiding, but because I am reinventing myself.  There is more truth in who we create ourselves to be, than in who others have tried to mold us into.  For the first time in as long as I can remember, I am working towards my goals, and not someone else's expectations.

Do you have any goals you are working towards?  Anything you want to accomplish?  Post them here, or post them where you can see them.  Let's hold each other accountable.  Or at least hold hands when the reality gets a bit scary. :)

Editing...Get out your red pens!

I am going through my first round of edits, when I can sneak a few spare moments away that is.

August is my time-suck month of the year.  I have been two three birthday parties, two weddings, two sides of family visiting, and managed to run away from it all for one night out with friends.

A very dear and patient friend has sent me back my first ever editing suggestions.  She sent encouragements along with the suggestions and I love her all the more for that.

I have strength in my voice and story ideas.  I want everyone who reads my stories to feel like they walk away having met new friends and had a hell of time going along for the ride.

I have EPIC fun when I write.  The thing that I really find magical about putting words on paper, is that I get to share my joy in the journey of a book.  Now I get to polish the stones I have put along this path.  I can't wait for my first steps into the publishing world.

NOW...I need to get off the internet...get off my butt...and get to work making my dream job a reality. :D

Roxy

Panera's Mystical Powers

My local Panera Bread is magic.  I am not talking about their yummo smoothies either.  My local Panera is where my brain keeps my stories locked away.

I may be getting superstitious.  Every time I head out to the restaurant I find a certain parking spot open. I go in and grab my cup of coffee, hijack my favorite mini booth and the words just flow.  Even if I am only there an hour, I am guaranteed at least 1500 words by the time I leave.  Give me a couple hours and it really gets going.

When I am struggling with a plot point, something about a little nutmeg and cinnamon sprinkled in a fresh cup of coffee lets it all finally come together.  I have nearly spilled coffee on myself multiple times, bouncing up and down in the pleather chair yelling "oooh oooh!" and mentally high-fiving myself for the brilliance that comes with a side of bagel and cream cheese.

Am I the only one who works better outside of my house?  Or do I just need to clear the clutter out of my brain?

Who cares why it works?  I am in the mood for a cobblestone muffin and some killer word count.

Lazy Days

There is something about a sleeping dog that just makes me want to cuddle up and nap too.

This week wore me out.  I should be writing.  Book 3 of the trilogy I am working on should be under my fingers right now. Or I could be working my way through mount washmore and folding all that laundry. I could even be cleaning dishes.  

But my pup and I are cuddled up.  Maybe I will snuggle just a few more minutes.  Just a few more.

Adventures in Word Procesing

I am working on figuring out how to use Scrivener today.  With another round of NaNoWriMo beginning August 1st, I figured it would be a great time to see how this program works, and if it would be beneficial to me.  I have learned one thing already...I am technologically inept.  *sigh*

I remember the good old days when Microsoft would give you a copy of Office with every computer.  And no, I don't mean those stinking trial versions that go away after a month of use.  Being that I have yet to sell one of my manuscripts, to say that money is a little snug...well that would be like me trying to squeeze these German thighs into a size 2.

I can't swing for the full program just yet.  So I am trying out the alternatives.

I have been using Open Office for some time now.  Open Office is a free download that can be used in many ways like Microsoft Office.  My main complaint...NOBODY ELSE USES IT!  In order for anyone to read what I have been plugging away at, I have to convert to a .doc file.  When this happens I end up with formatting issues, funky files that don't want to open without a lot of effort, and me being irritated when it decides to crash.  Oh and crash it does.  I worked for an hour doing a simple spell-check.  Change word...save...crash.  Change word...CRASH...curse.  Repeat.

That's when I started looking for alternatives.  I have heard a bit of buzz for the Scrivener program, and it looks interesting, so I will give you a bit of a review when I get further into it.  Right now, I have my title page...even though it says "Untitled" at the moment...and a few character profiles with the opening lines and outline for chapter 1.

What do I like so far?

The quick reference to character information.  I have been taking notes on a small notepad to keep my character info straight.  This program allows me to see on a virtual pin board exactly what I need to know about the people in my story, and as more details reveal themselves (or change) I can alter it easily.  I can also save inspiration pictures which means I have access to a visual model as well.  This is going to be perhaps the most helpful part, and I am excited to see how it changes my writing process.

Does anybody else use this?  Or have any other favorite programs that are budget friendly?  I'd love to hear what is on everyone's laptop.

Roxy

Hold me...

I just finished a round of edits and added chapter points to my book.  Then I did something so scary...so pulse pounding...so bite-my-nails terrifying that I am consuming beer to cope.

I sent my book to another human to read.  *runs screaming from the room*

But I have chocolate.  I have beer.  I have another book to write.  I will survive.

Maybe...

Off to chew my nails.  Hope everyone has a fabulous week!

Roxy