In my last post I was 'darn-near' close to finishing my manuscript (ms) and sending it off. I did finish (hip hip hooray!) and I want to share the next step.
1. Second Round of Edits Completed!
Yes, you read right. A couple weeks ago I finished the second round of edits on my ms. And yes, I celebrated. Maybe not as I thought (no booze...rats), but internally something grew. First and foremost, I consider that a success. I think when we consistently ignore those "nudges", we die a little inside. But it's too hard. I can't do that. We tell ourselves. Pretty soon negative thinking becomes a habit. Yet, when we do something challenging and scary, and then finish, so much of us grow. And that, my friends, is awesome!
I mean, I wouldn't perceive myself as an editor - I am after all a writer - but there were glaring mistakes that stood out to me and needed to be fixed before I'd let anyone beside my critique group see. And thanks to them, I've received constructive suggestions and was able to fix them chapter by chapter! It's a great feeling knowing I'm satisfied with my entire ms; however, do note that I'm not sure I'll ever be 100 percent satisfied until I get representation. And maybe what I think is complete is just the beginning for an editor/agent/publisher once they get a hold of it...if they get a hold of it. Everyone keeps reminding me this is a long journey. I try to remind myself this.
2. My husband will finish reading my entire ms tonight
Drum roll please. Yes, Karl will finish Wanted: Groom for my $100k Wedding tonight. The reading began last Monday. I'd print copies and bring them home and he'd read three chapters at a time. I'd fix dinner or put away dishes as he read in another room. I'd listen closely for laughter or sounds of "mmmming" and "ahhhing". Nothing. Pure focus is what I got and I appreciate it more than he'll know. Of course there were giggles, mainly when he spotted a ridiculous grammatical error or pointed out my awkward sentences, but for the most part he'd flip to the last chapter, stand up and say, "Dang, I want to read more!" To me, that was a good sign. And thanks to Stephen King and his book "On Writing" he taught me it's okay to have someone, like a lover, read/critique your stuff. King's go-to reader was his wife. No, Karl isn't an English major or a writer/editor, but he reads more books than anyone I've ever met, and he's brilliant and funny and the love of my life. I wanted to include him in on my dream, and journey. After all, he's the reason I finished the book. He believes in me and that's the coolest feeling ever!
3. My manuscript is now in the hands of a a screenwriter.
This sounds like a big deal, but my friend "the screenwriter" is critiquing my ms out of the goodness of his heart and I can't thank him enough. As you roll your eyes, I know, I know...it's not like once he touches it, it'll turn to gold. But I get his input, which feels like gold! Ha! He's in the business and will know if my story is a hit or a total miss, and can at least guide me on the right path if I ventured the wrong way. I hope it's a hit - I think it is - but again, I like vegetables and bright colors, not everyone else does. Luke is the guy who helped me complete a ten page synopsis back in June so I could use it as my guide while I wrote. He said, "If you follow this, you'll be fine. I don't want to see anything until your ms is completed."
And here it is...December...and I'm done!!!!!!! I'm finally comfortable enough to send it off to him for review. He just completed filming his first movie "The Day" and is going on Christmas break. He has enough time in his insane schedule to review my ms. My ms! God, that feels awesome to say and write.
So, here I sit, nibbling off every last nail. My heart beats through my chest and my stomach churns. What if he tells me my writing needs help? What if he says, "It's a great story, but the writing could be better." What if he snorts and tosses it to the side after chapter one? What if...what if...what if....
I guess this is the story of life, isn't it? Do we ever really know what the outcome is going to be? I can sit here and tell you what I want it to be, but is that enough? No. But at least I tried:)
Stay tuned!
"There is no failure except in no longer trying."
- Elbert Hubbard
1. Second Round of Edits Completed!
Yes, you read right. A couple weeks ago I finished the second round of edits on my ms. And yes, I celebrated. Maybe not as I thought (no booze...rats), but internally something grew. First and foremost, I consider that a success. I think when we consistently ignore those "nudges", we die a little inside. But it's too hard. I can't do that. We tell ourselves. Pretty soon negative thinking becomes a habit. Yet, when we do something challenging and scary, and then finish, so much of us grow. And that, my friends, is awesome!
I mean, I wouldn't perceive myself as an editor - I am after all a writer - but there were glaring mistakes that stood out to me and needed to be fixed before I'd let anyone beside my critique group see. And thanks to them, I've received constructive suggestions and was able to fix them chapter by chapter! It's a great feeling knowing I'm satisfied with my entire ms; however, do note that I'm not sure I'll ever be 100 percent satisfied until I get representation. And maybe what I think is complete is just the beginning for an editor/agent/publisher once they get a hold of it...if they get a hold of it. Everyone keeps reminding me this is a long journey. I try to remind myself this.
2. My husband will finish reading my entire ms tonight
Drum roll please. Yes, Karl will finish Wanted: Groom for my $100k Wedding tonight. The reading began last Monday. I'd print copies and bring them home and he'd read three chapters at a time. I'd fix dinner or put away dishes as he read in another room. I'd listen closely for laughter or sounds of "mmmming" and "ahhhing". Nothing. Pure focus is what I got and I appreciate it more than he'll know. Of course there were giggles, mainly when he spotted a ridiculous grammatical error or pointed out my awkward sentences, but for the most part he'd flip to the last chapter, stand up and say, "Dang, I want to read more!" To me, that was a good sign. And thanks to Stephen King and his book "On Writing" he taught me it's okay to have someone, like a lover, read/critique your stuff. King's go-to reader was his wife. No, Karl isn't an English major or a writer/editor, but he reads more books than anyone I've ever met, and he's brilliant and funny and the love of my life. I wanted to include him in on my dream, and journey. After all, he's the reason I finished the book. He believes in me and that's the coolest feeling ever!
3. My manuscript is now in the hands of a a screenwriter.
This sounds like a big deal, but my friend "the screenwriter" is critiquing my ms out of the goodness of his heart and I can't thank him enough. As you roll your eyes, I know, I know...it's not like once he touches it, it'll turn to gold. But I get his input, which feels like gold! Ha! He's in the business and will know if my story is a hit or a total miss, and can at least guide me on the right path if I ventured the wrong way. I hope it's a hit - I think it is - but again, I like vegetables and bright colors, not everyone else does. Luke is the guy who helped me complete a ten page synopsis back in June so I could use it as my guide while I wrote. He said, "If you follow this, you'll be fine. I don't want to see anything until your ms is completed."
And here it is...December...and I'm done!!!!!!! I'm finally comfortable enough to send it off to him for review. He just completed filming his first movie "The Day" and is going on Christmas break. He has enough time in his insane schedule to review my ms. My ms! God, that feels awesome to say and write.
So, here I sit, nibbling off every last nail. My heart beats through my chest and my stomach churns. What if he tells me my writing needs help? What if he says, "It's a great story, but the writing could be better." What if he snorts and tosses it to the side after chapter one? What if...what if...what if....
I guess this is the story of life, isn't it? Do we ever really know what the outcome is going to be? I can sit here and tell you what I want it to be, but is that enough? No. But at least I tried:)
Stay tuned!
"There is no failure except in no longer trying."
- Elbert Hubbard
