Thursday, December 30, 2010

A fun challenge for the New Year

Something for the New Year:

It's a big one. If I can get 1,000 followers (using the combine totals like before) by February/March, I'll hold a vote to decide the possible title of the sequel-fun, right?!  Spread the good word!

I should mention that if you follow this blog page anonymously, it does not count toward the total-sorry!  I, unfortunately, can't see how many anonymous (private) followers there are.  If you're one of those, thanks for supporting me!  Good news is if you decide to publicly follow this blog, I don't list my followers on the page for your privacy.  If you want to be counted toward the total but still wish to remain anonymous on the follower list, feel free to send me an email at the address to the right.  =)


Thanks for your support and Happy New Year!  I have a feeling 2011 is going to be fabulous...

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Another Hint in time for the Holidays!

So excited, 10 more followers means another hint for my readers!

-Its in public-

You know the drill-10 more fans to the next hint (if you don't know what this is about, please see my post titled "Bucket List" to fill you in on the fun). 

I appreciate the support so much, especially as I approach what I hope to be the final step before the finish line (which is getting a publishing deal).  Thank you to everyone whose been spreading the word and to my new readers, welcome!  I hope you enjoy what I have to say.

Thanks again and please keep spreading the word.  The more followers, the better!  ;-) 

Happy Holidays everyone!  =)

Friday, December 17, 2010

Another Hint...

Its time for a another hint!

-It involves training.-

10 more followers to the next one.  Remember, I'm using the combine totals from this blog, facebook and twitter so be sure to spread the word-I can use all the support I can get! 

If I don't post again before the holidays, I hope everyone has a safe and joyous holiday season.  =)

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Bucket list

Per my update last night I’ve completed this round of work on my manuscript.  This is huge for me and I couldn’t be happier.  I’m thrilled with how the tweaks and rewrites came out.  Hopefully I’ll be sending queries soon.

I’m behind on my 10 week deadline but surprisingly I’m okay with it.  I took the time needed to work instead of rushing through it and in the end that helped me craft a better novel.  With any luck I’ll make up that lost time somewhere else.

With the last obstacle I spoke of, I chose to condense 8 pages in to 5 while tweaking some paragraph placement.  Cutting all 8 pages would have taken out some dialogue I felt was relevant and by condensing I still gave a character their chance to show us a different side of him.  Cutting all 8 wouldn't have allowed that.

As for the word diet-I cut just over 12,000 words total.  I didn’t hit the 20,000 I’d hoped for, but as I said in one of my previous posts it’s not so much about the number of words as it is about how they tell the story. 

So now that I’ve sent my manuscript in for critiquing you may be wondering “what next?”, so I’ll tell you.  While I wait for my manuscript critique, I’ll begin work on the first draft of the sequel.  I have one of the major plot twists already set and it’s the kind of twist no one will see coming-my favorite kind.  I’m looking forward to writing it out.

I’m excited and nervous.  When I get this way I start thinking about all the things I’ve always wanted to do.  So I got a crazy idea and made myself a bet…

If I land a publishing deal at the end of this rollercoaster ride, I’m setting myself up for a “bucket list” type challenge.  What is it?  I’m not going to reveal it just yet but trust me, it’s BIG.  My heart pounds thinking about it.  Only two people know what it is and they’re both sworn to secrecy.        
   
A hint:  It’s something I came close to accomplishing in my previous career path before I retired. 

I’m thinking that for every 10 fans that “follow” or “like” me on this blog, Facebook and Twitter (I’ll use the combine totals), I’ll reveal another hint.  Once I reach say, 60 fans, I’ll post what it is.  If you think you’ve figure it out before the big reveal, email me first to confirm it.  If you’re right I’ll give you kudos on the blog.

If I reach the 60, I’ll do another “fan me” item.  Maybe a character bio, maybe a page of the story, who knows…

I only got about an hour’s worth of sleep last night (bringing this week’s total hours of sleep to 8) so I’m taking the rest of today off-I feel I’ve earned it.  

Just an update...

Its finally done!  I'll be posting a new blog tomorrow.  I may even post something crazy to motivate my readers.  ;-) 

Very, very excited!