Skip to main content

An Early March Update

Hello, friends!
     I'm popping in to give you guys a quick update on my doings.

     Broken Clouds went to a stand-still when I suddenly realized my ending needed some adjustments.  Granted, I am no where near the ending...but the ending is something I write towards.  I drop hints as I go.  So I need to know where I'm going to end up.  Some cool ideas occured to me (to fix my ending) so I gave Broken Clouds a break while I let them simmer.  I will be starting it up again soon...probably this week.

     TCK is going underground...meaning I probably won't post much about it for a month or two.  Maybe some supporting pictures, but not much else.  Sometimes a story needs a little secrecy while it is being edited.
     However, if you are interested in reading it for me and giving me some feedback, leave a comment below.  I won't publish your comment, but it will help me get in touch with you.  I would love to have a few people read it and give me an honest critique (that's how we get better at writing, ladies and gentlemen). 

     Most of my reading has been non-fiction of late.  I am studying for my midwifery exams, delving into a political history of the Great Depression, and pouring over the Go Teen Writers book for editing and publishing your novel.  Nice little collection, no?  It certainly keeps me busy.

     The other thing -- much on my mind lately -- is the building of my brand.  Settling on a pen name that I plan to use forever.  Posts in various avenues that relate to being a writer (Facebook, Blogger, etc).  Pictures or symbols or trademarks that people identify with me.
     There is a certain level of privacy that I wish to maintain, regardless of how famous or not famous I might be.  Call me a recluse, but I really don't fancy the idea of people stopping me in the grocery store to talk about my book.  And while I understand that people connect to an author by knowing her as a real person...I still have hopes of a little bit of privacy.
     The other concern is that I may not be ready to be seen.  This is less of a concern than it was a year ago, but think about it.  If you are no good at writing, you don't need to plaster your name all over it and advertise it.  THAT's not what you want people to associate your name with.  While you cannot wait until you are perfect (perfection is not achieved without venturing out), you can wait until you have something decent to share.  Right?

      So, there you have it.  My early March update.  Take a minute to comment and let me know how you are doing (or leave a link to your blog if you would prefer me to read your blog update post).  And, separately, leave a comment with your contact info if you are willing to read TCK for me.  Thanks!

      See you later this week!

Comments

  1. Wow! Sounds like you've been busy!! That's so exciting that you're in the editing/starting the publishing process!! =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you, Emily!
    Publishing still seems a long way away.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

More Snippets from Snow White Rose Red

    One of the shadows moved.   “Were you just going to chuck it in there with no thought for the poor folks on the other side?”   Flip’s voice drawled out.   It was a deep voice and it made my heart skip a beat.      He moved away from the trees and came to stand in front of me.   “Some hard-working fellow is plowing his field and then – whop!   Out of nowhere, a poisoned apple flies out and hits him upside the head.”   He clucked his tongue reproachfully.

A Short Story Break

via Pinterest     It has been a while since I penned a short story.  Usually it takes something like a "short story contest" to inspire me.  But I have noticed my writing skills improve with each contest so there is something to be said for writing short stories.      I say all this to lead into the fact that I am going to try another short story.  There is no contest looming on the horizon, but it has been so long that I think I am due to write a short piece.  Life cannot be entirely devoted to novel-length plots...      I am rolling around different ideas in my head.  There is no one to give me the first three words or a picture to base my story on.  There are no restrictions, no props, and no judges.      Methinks I will try something that is both epic and ordinary...something I have seen before.  After all, personal experience, great things, and the expression of the ordinary are part of what makes a story. 

The Countdown: Eight Days

Eight days.  Do you know what that means?  Barely over a week.  Tomorrow will be one week from the announcement date. Are you excited? I am. So, today, I want to talk to those who wrote something for the contest, whether or not you entered it in the end. What made you start writing your story?  What was the first inkling of an idea that tickled your brain?  What was it that you liked about your premise?  As you wrote, did you have a favorite character or a favorite scene?  And are you glad you wrote it down?  Do you feel like you learned and grew in your ability as a writer as you tried out things for this contest? And, if your story isn't included in this year's Rooglewood anthology (either because you didn't submit it or because it didn't fit with the other four stories selected), what will you do with it?  Will you market it elsewhere?  Or will you lock it away in a drawer?