Tag Archives: Novel

May 01 2012
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Writing

What is your book about?

Today, I showed up to work and was humbled by all of the interest that I received about my book.  For some reason, I forget that I broadcast pieces of my life on the internet, so it always throws me off when my real and cyber worlds collide.

The question that I received repeatedly, “What is your book about?”

Seems easy enough.  I just get so self-conscious about sharing my writing soul to real live people, (somehow internet people, even if they’re actually the same people, are less intimidating!).

My one sentence answer:  A couple that is frustrated with their jobs and life and decides to sell everything to travel separately.

Not the most poetic response, but truthful.

Even trickier, however, is putting my 59,089 words into a couple of meaningful and engaging paragraphs.  If you’ve already read my previous attempts, save yourself the time now, stop reading.  Tonight’s attempt is likely no better than before, and more likely than not, will drive me crazy with revisions.

However, if you’re new to my explanation of my book, read on!  As always, thoughtful input is welcomed:

Expecting Happiness

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Apr 29 2012
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Writing

59,089 words later…

Holy smokes.  I just finished editing my book after my second read and the momentary sense of completion is exhilarating.

59,089 words…  Six months of work after work… 144 pdf’ed pages… Approximately 240 actual book pages…

Phew.  Now it’s time to wait for my kind readers to give me their input so that I can make my final changes and submit to agents this summer!  I already have one request for my manuscript, which is a pretty cool feeling, (and a lot of pressure to make it perfect!).

I feel like it’s also time to manage my own expectations.  I was reading the blog of a published author this morning, where he shared that he has written four books, the first of which is still unpublished.  I know that this is pretty common for authors to write multiple books before they get published.

Still, I’m hopeful.

If nothing else, I’ve learned how to do it, so I can do it again, and again, and again, until it works.

Happy productive Sunday!

Done!  (For now…)

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Mar 13 2012
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Writing

The Never-Ending Pitch

Expecting Happiness (Yes, trying out different titles this week!)

Kristen and Jake were told that they could be anything they wanted when they grew up.  The problem is, beside each other, they can’t figure out what they want.  Like many couples in their late twenties, they’ve found themselves stuck in windowless cubes, trudging to meaningless jobs, grasping for purpose.  Most nights, they forget to even look at each other.  

Desperate for change, they’re willing to try anything.  They’ve already attempted multiple failed side businesses, ranging from operating a photography studio out of their extra bedroom to selling video game avatars online.  Well, that second part was just Jake.  Running out of ideas, they set their sights on parenthood as the missing key to their happiness.  

However, after a miscarriage jolts them back to reality, they instead decide to reclaim their childhood dreams of adventure.  They quit their jobs, sell their house, and set off on separate journeys.  While Jake heads across country by car, Kristen secretly chases an old flame to Europe.  Finding themselves on often parallel adventures, they are torn between the allure of seductive foreigners and their unrelenting longing for one another– until an ironic twist of fate ultimately forces them to decide whether they are better off together or apart.
——
Wish List:

1.  I want to make the last sentence about the twist of fate less clumsy/more exciting (not sure about the use of — either…)
2.  Looking for a spot to seamlessly integrate a brief physical description of each to paint a better picture
3.  It still feels book-reporty, I know…  I need to spice it up!

DISCLAIMER:  Some friends have already expressed concern that maybe my book is a reflection of my own life/relationship/desires/etc.  This is NOT the case!  While there are definitely tiny pieces of my life in this book, I chose to create conflict because the book is both fictional and more interesting this way! 😀

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Mar 13 2012
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Writing

Be brave.

Today took a lot of reminders for me to be brave.

I woke up early by spring break (and Daylight Savings!) standards to talk with the author of The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published, David Henry Sterry.  He and his wife make up an awesome team that scours the country for book pitches to help new writers get published.  As part of a promotion that they were running for their book, they invited surviving Nanowrimo participants (me!) to set up 20 minute phone consultations with proof of purchase.

Even though this made me nervous, I decided to do it anyway.  I was encouraged by their kind messages and honest/helpful input to other aspiring writers on their website.  As much as I hate to admit it, however, I more than once thought about backing out, (I’m telling you, the introvert is strong in me, I just force it away on a daily basis!).  There is something about sharing your creative ideas with others that feels very vulnerable.  As I waited for my time to call, I found myself scribbling the words “Be brave. Be yourself. Be strong,” on my notepad.

It turns out that I had nothing to be afraid of– David was great, honest, and full of tips that I look forward to applying to my pitch.  In fact, I realized that it is not input that I fear at all, just how it is delivered, which in this case was very kindly.  David definitely has a talent for coaching.  He even asked to see my manuscript, which is really exciting to me.  No matter what comes of it, it makes me think that someone may actually be interested in eventually publishing my book, once I get it all polished, of course.

He also suggested that I start an author’s Facebook page, forcing me again to remind myself to be brave.  Self-promotion can be intimidating, especially when my pitch and parts of my book still feel clumsy to me, but he shared that some publishers will not even look at your manuscript unless you already have an online platform.  So, I set up a page, and, to my disbelief, it already has more than 80 followers (including people I do not know)!

Being brave is making me feel very humble and grateful tonight.  I just want to say thank you to everyone that has already shown support.  And, for those of you that aren’t my friends on Facebook, I invite you to join my new “platform” by clicking like here, (I’d love to give faces to all of my mysterious Eastern European blog readers!  Yes, Google Analytics tells me you’re out there!).

Don’t forget, be brave too!

After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

If you’re writing a book, I highly recommend this guide, so much great advice!
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Feb 28 2012
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Writing

Expecting Happiness

If you know me, you know that I change my mind a lot.  Here is my new, and hopefully improved, pitch for my book.  I would love to hear whether you like this one or the old one better, (see Better? post for the old version).  So far, the feedback I’ve received is that the first one was better…  I really can’t decide!  I’ve changed the working title from Six Weeks to Expecting Happiness, I also welcome thoughts there, (kind of a play on the pregnancy/family theme).

Expecting Happiness

Desire for Escape.
Desire for Adventure.
Desire for Something More…

Kristen and Jake are much like many couples in their late twenties. They were told that they could be anything they wanted when they grew up. The problem is, beside each other, they cannot figure out what they want. Somehow, they have found themselves stuck in windowless cubes, trudging to meaningless jobs, grasping for purpose. Most nights, they forget to even look at each other. However, after the loss of a pregnancy forces them to reevaluate their priorities, they decide to reclaim their childhood dreams of adventure by embarking on separate journeys. While Jake sets off across country by car, Kristen secretly chases an old flame to Europe. Both searching for something different, they find themselves on surprisingly parallel adventures that may or may not lead them back together.

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Feb 11 2012
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Writing

Better?

As I wrote my book, I was pleased that the words poured out so easily.  Now, I feel frustrated that I cannot sum my book up into 200 words that I like!  It kind of reminds me of writing a personal statement for college.  I found that painstakingly difficult too.

Here is my most-current 200 word pitch.  As before, suggestions appreciated!

It began as just a drop.  One smooth drop of red blood running down her pale thigh.  She felt the moisture with her fingers and looked down to see the bright crimson stain emerging on the back edge of her linen skirt.  She felt an immediate wave of horror followed by, to her shock, relief.  

Losing the baby was symbolic of something greater, of letting go of a flailing dream of happiness, a jolt back to reality that something needed to change.  Instead of allowing their discontent to fester, Kristen and Jake decide to say “Fuck it all” to their meaningless jobs and sell their house to embark on individual journeys of self-discovery.  Both aware of the ambiguity of this mission, as well as the risks to their marriage, the late twenty-somethings find themselves experiencing parallel adventures.  While Jake heads off on a road trip across the country, Kristen departs for Europe, secretly intent on visiting an old flame.  Certain that there must be something better, they forsake the predictable for the unknown, escaping on journeys that may or may not bring them back together.
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Feb 09 2012
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Writing

200 Words to Sell Myself!

Oh how I love Nanowrimo… It really has changed my life, pushing me to write copiously and quickly. Today it pushed me into action with its newest challenge: pitch your book in 200 words or less. February is Pitchapolooza month and the winner gets hooked up with an intro to an agent. Now, I realize that my chances of “winning” are slim, but pitching needs to happen regardless, so this afternoon I set to work putting my book into 200 words.
I found this pretty tricky. I don’t know how much to reveal and how much to keep as vague hints about the contents of my book. The pitch that I ended up with below errs more on the vague side and I am curious of opinions. Better to give more actual details? Did I put you to sleep with not enough action and too many esoteric thoughts? Online advice was pretty slim and ranged across the board in suggestions, so I turn to you instead, my sweet little online audience. I welcome any thoughts, emailed, texted, commented, whatever. I’m not fishing for compliments, so real thoughts expressed kindly, please! Writing a pitch feels harder than writing a book! Help!

CAUTION: Before you read the revelation of my book soul, please know that the characters and experiences therein are fictional!

Attempt Numero Uno at a Pitch (And, a transforming work in progress!):
Six Weeks

At first it began as just a drop. One smooth drop of red blood running down her pale thigh. She felt the moisture with her fingers and looked down to see the bright crimson stain emerging on the back edge of her linen skirt. She felt an immediate wave of horror followed by, to her shock, relief.  

Losing the baby was symbolic of something greater, of letting go of a flailing dream of happiness, a jolt back to reality that something needed to change. Instead of allowing their discontent to fester, Kristen and Jake decide to say “Fuck it all” to their meaningless jobs and sell their house to embark on individual journeys of self-discovery. Both aware of the ambiguity of this mission, as well as the risks to their marriage, the late twenty-somethings find themselves in Europe, experiencing parallel adventures that may or may not bring them back together. Intent that there must be something better, they forsake the predictable for the unknown, trusting in themselves to manifest their own destinies on the other side of the world.
***

For some reason, that still feels off to me. Like maybe I need to give more actual pieces of what happens in the book? Or, better yet, maybe I should re-read it when I have not just spent ten hours at school!
Welcome to my brain.
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Jan 03 2012
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Writing

I wrote a book! A book, I tell you!

I just finished the first draft of my first book!  Those firsts are important, I have a lot of editing, revising, and augmenting to do, but it’s still a pretty darn cool feeling to have a complete story at my finger tips!  Calling it my first book is also key, because regardless of what happens to this one, I’m determined that it will not be my last attempt.

So, blog world, here is my new goal:  An edited, revised, and slightly longer version ready for marketing by summer 2012!

Btw, do you know any book agents?

Just thought I’d ask.  😉

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Dec 27 2011
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Writing

40,082 Words!

I met my goal for the new year!  Well, my revised goal… Tonight I surpassed 40,000 words!  I’m going to do this– I’m going to finish a book!  Whether or not it is any good, that’s a whole other issue, but, not my current concern!

Only 10,000 to 20,000 more words to go!

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Dec 20 2011
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Writing

31,128 words…

I just hit 31,128 words, which means that I’m more than half way through my book!  Realistically, I expect my finished product to be somewhere around 60,000 words or 200-240 pages.  The more I write, the more I am becoming fascinated with how writing changes the way that I see the world around me.  
Lately, sitting in crowded rooms has left me quietly observing, listening, thinking of how I would describe the scene and people around me with words.  Reading books and watching movies has left me taking notes about how story tellers cut scenes and purposely leave things out.  Looking at pictures and listening to songs have in turn given me unexpected inspiration, helping me to fill in dead ends and set the tone.  It is funny how ideas surround us if we stop to look and listen.
It’s fun to find our passions, I think that I’ve found one of mine, (regardless of how it works out).
On a less-related note, here are three pictures that I want to share of my December so far:
Reluctant Friends

Modern Solitude

Candy Land!
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Nov 30 2011
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Writing

22,222 words

I hit 22,222 words this evening.  Not bad for a month where I still worked pretty darn hard doing my day job.  My goal is now a whole book by 1/1/12, (or at least a whole draft).  Maybe I’ll actually get to cross something cool off of my New Year’s resolutions for 2011!

At some point in my life, it is now my goal to be a full-time writer, (and not one that writes economic reports…been there, done that!).  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

It’s fun to dream and even more fun to take real steps toward achieving that dream.

Thank you for the inspiration nanowrimo.

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Nov 05 2011
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Writing

5,827 words…

Wow.  I wish I had more time to write.  This week has forced out more writing than my six weeks of summer vacation.  I really think that the difference is writing without looking back instead of losing my energy worrying about word choice and reviewing each small piece over and over.  Maybe the writing is better that way, but it does not matter if it keeps me from ever finishing.  I’m excited that I’m actually making slow but steady progress forward.

Since I know that you’re enthralled by my progress, you can track me here:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/todaybestlife

If nothing else, holding myself publicly accountable is just one more step toward finishing a whole book.  I may not make it to 50,000 words in a month, but if I make it to 30,000 words, I’ll be more than pleased!

Happy Saturday!

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