No News is Bad News

I just want to give a quick update and say that I haven't had time since my last blog for any writing. I had an idea for the beginning of the second book, wrote it down, but it of course doesn't help me get the first published! So, all is still the same.

~ Elizabeth Azpurua

I have no time!

So sad, but I haven't been able to do anything with my book. It has been so busy, and I want to spend time on the synopsis, but I can hardly find time to breathe. My April so far has been spent planting and caring for baby chickens, and of course working and working. I've done spring cleaning, helped start a garden and plant many flowers. I hope to come back soon with news that I've completed the synopsis, but I don't believe I'm going to find the time for a while.

The April Fool

It smells so wonderful outside! Spring is in the air and blossoms float downward in the breeze from the bradford pear trees. It's a lovely day out, bright and sunny, and here I am inside at work. Work has taken a lot of my time, but I must be honest and say a fair amount has gone to spring cleaning. Perhaps a bit early, but better now than farther into spring when the weddings will take every weekend up. I feel like writing about flowers and dancing children, a gentle breeze and the smell of rain; moist cool grass and colored blossoms and the sound of birds up in the trees. What a wonderful day, but I'm an April fool.

Reflection

It is nice to be able to sit back and reflect on how far I've come with my book. It's had so many ups and downs, and by far the biggest hurtle has been cutting it in half, but I have moved on and my now 460 double spaced courier 12 point manuscript is finished. Am I anywhere near to the end of the publishing process? No. I have a few people who will read it now that it's "chopped" so to speak, one of which has never read it before. I had to edit so many things out and so much went into the second book, but I am pleased with what I have. It has been such a challenge just getting it to this point. From barely beginning, to a virus on my computer, from work and school interuptions, to editing and word count issues, it has been a lot to do. I'd have it no other way though. I hope with a solid hook, a good query, intriguing synopsis, and engaging story I will be able to get this thing published!

Snowy Day

It is a snowy day today, beautiful and cloudy with a blanket of about 8 inches of snow on the ground. I am enjoying the day off from work. Sadly, I have not touched my book since I chopped it in half, but I will return to it. I needed to take a step back after such a drastic thing. As I watch the gently falling snowflakes I recall why winter is such a beautiful season.

Elizabeth Azpurua

A New Look

I've changed things a bit around here - new font colors and a banner at the top. I got a little bored and tried to get a layout - but alas, I couldn't figure out how to make it work even with the instructions. It takes me a bit. So, the same layout, new colors and banner. I'm a really creative person. Really.

Check out the blog for the company I work for: http://smokymountainweddings.blogspot.com
I add posts on there as well as here - so, if you're interested in the ups and downs of the wedding business you can check it out!

For the most part I've been juggling work, but I will get around to my final (I hope) edit soon! I'll keep you posted.

Yes, I made it happen

In the time from my last post I have triumphed. My book is half the size it was - now, whether I'm happy with it, well, I haven't decided. It's in need of one more edit to make sure everything flows after I chopped, and chopped, and chopped. Anyway, it's 115,000 words. I did it. Now why do I feel sick? Hmmm...

The Dreaded Word Count

Here I am, ready to send my story - or so I thought. Yes, you can call me naive, new, or nitwit, but I am 100,000 words over where I need to be for the market. I must condense a 210,000 word novel to about 115,000 or 125,000. So, I have begun the painful process of seeing what I can and can't get rid of. It's really like cutting off your fingers. Or an arm. Both legs. Painful.

I know that sending it now will only send it straight to the rejection pile, so in order to give my writing a fighting chance I will edit. Again.

You see, a double spaced manuscript in courier 12 point is around 250 words per paper. I had around 840 pages...I need 440-500... That's half my book!!! Then you multiply the page number by 250 and get your word count - it's only an estimation really. Mine is the size of two books. And no, that doesn't mean I can cut it in half and be done with it. I just have to step back and really look at what I need in my first book. Some things could always wait for the second. Right?

I tell myself it will be worth it.

I really want it to be.

But the book is my child and the pages are limbs and - you get the idea.

Anyway, I have the agents picked, the query letter ready....the word count will be fixed. Soon. That's all that's holding me back. Really. *sigh*

An Update

Check out the blogs I've added to the side.

A Year of Blogging

A year of blogging and I'm a lot farther behind in my book's progress than I wanted to be. Well, on a positive note I found time during winter break for writing and I was able to edit a few more things on my first book. I enjoyed family time and relaxation and even snow! Although, right now you'd never know that a few days ago we had snow. It's sixty-four degrees, windy, with the promise of rain. Very odd January weather. I look forward to the slow time the rest of the month - it's been so nice for a change. I should have a lot of free time until March or April. As long as I stay motivated I should be able to accomplish a lot. Wish me luck!