I got so involved in writing (or rather, re-writing) last night, that I forgot to post here. Oops. Oh well. I’m proud to say that after 12 weeks, I’ve managed to make my writing time a priority that it never was before. It’s part of the routine, now, and I’m finding it easier to pick up where I left of the night before.
I’m now through six chapters of Malek. I’ve gotten bogged down a few times, wondering if I’d ever get a particular passage right, but I’m very happy with it so far. I’m hoping to start soliciting agents for it by the end of summer. That might be a bit too soon, but you never know. I do want it to be right first, though. So, I’m back to it now!
After a very exciting week 10, this week seemed slow. I managed to write 6 out of 7 days, even though Mom and Dad were here, so I thank them for indulging me. I also wish to thank everyone who’s read and commented on my Webmomz article. I’m flattered by how many of you read it! And I deeply appreciate your kind words!!
I’m still plugging away on Malek and expect to be for some time to come. I find I get excited about the story and end up just reading instead of trying to improve it. That’s good, I suppose, but it doesn’t get me very far.
I hope to get through chapter five of the novel this week. There's a section in there that needs a major overhaul, however, and I'm not sure I can get through it all. That's my goal this week, though. Wish me luck!
What a week! My article, Saving My Sanity, was published on Webmomz this week:
http://www.webmomz.com/Business-Articles/why-i-write.shtml
Also, I’ve submitted Song of Life, though not exactly to a publisher. I came upon an international short fiction contest with a deadline of March 31. I really wanted to enter, but I all had ready was Song. Still, if it places, it’ll be published, and if it doesn’t place, I can send it on to publishers this summer.
I even worked this week. A lot! Mostly on my novel, Malek. I’ve gotten through the first three chapters, and I’m pretty excited about it. This coming week may be tough for writing since my parents are coming out for a visit, but I’m going to try my best to write at least five days.
I wrote only five days this week, but they were good days. It was hard for me to get started, since I’ve been stumped on what to do next. I gave Wilson’s Garage a good rewrite, and now I’m waiting on some readers’ opinions before I go on with that. Since going through my files and files of stories last week, I’ve decided that I need a “publishing system,” as I’ve chosen to call it. Upon review, I’m certain that my novels are much better than my short stories. I prefer writing lengthy works, and I’m better at it. But the chances of publishing short fiction are so much better. So, I’ve decided to keep three things in progress at any one time. Those of you who know me (and my style of creation) know that working on only three pieces at a time will not be easy for me, but I think it’s best. So, Song of Life will be my “submitted” piece for this year (or until it’s accepted or at least rejected by every market I can fit it to). Wilson’s Garage will be my short piece in progress, and my main focus will be on the novel, Malek. Many of you have read all or parts of my first draft of Malek, and I think it’ll be an easier work to revise than The Serpent of Fire (too long) or Winging (too short). So, I’ll be looking for more readers. If anyone wants to critique a chapter or two (or the short stories, for that matter), email me. (debra_manchester@hotmail.com) My gungeralv host has informed me that no one can post a comment to me here. Sorry about that, but I check my email as often as I can.