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!