Token Writing Post

Despite the fact that this is supposed to be writing blog, chock-full of writing posts, liberally interspersed with reading posts and everyday-crazy posts, it seems that things aren’t quite working out that way. Even after last years BIG news, I’ve barely posted anything writing related.

I’d like to go on record here, saying that this is not because I haven’t been writing–because I have! In fact, just last week I finished up all the edits that my agent suggested I make before she starts submitting the manuscript to publishing houses. Well, I hope I’ve finished. Because there were quite a few of them–significant changes–and it took me awhile to deal with them. I do think these changes have made the story stronger, but I haven’t yet gotten her feedback, and I worry over how much more editing this story will require.

Since starting to write this book, I’ve done the following:

* Cut ~50 pages with the thought of tightening the storyline (suggested by an agent who then passed)

* Rewrote the story in first-person past tense, switching it from first-person present (suggested by a different agent who then passed)

* Added in ~70 pages of new material (suggested by recently landed agent!)

And this is not even counting all the edits and rewrites I did by myself and at the suggestion of others, including contest judges, friends, and a critique partner who seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth.

This book has been around the block.

And still, there is the possibility that there will be more agent-requested edits and, possibly, edits from a publisher, should there be interest.

Whew! That’s a lot to think about.

But for now, I’m trying not to worry about it. I’m taking this time in limbo to brainstorm ideas, character names, and storylines for other projects. So…if you’ve got any great hero/heroine names that you’re not using yourself, shoot ’em over here!

Posted in edits, writing on 01/14/2010 10:53 pm
 

6 Comments

  1. I'm sure there are a thousand random name generators that could come up with some good names. I like looking at the baby books sites myself.

    If you write fantasy…that's a whole different field, though. Heh.

  2. David Cranmer

    Writers write and it sounds like that's exactly what you're doing. So don't fret the blog thingy. I've always liked the name Victoria Grenwich. Kate Jackson used it in a old episode of SCARECROW AND MRS. KING when she talked of her idealized made-up heroine name. (Strange it stuck with me and my noggin' decided to dump it now.)

  3. Keri Mikulski

    Keri ? :)

    Yay, lots of writing! Good stuff.

  4. Green Girl in Wisconsin

    That is the horrible truth of writing isn't it? Revise, pray they like it, revise again, pray someone likes it, revise some more.
    I've got NO good names at the moment, but if I think of one I'll fire it your way.
    I'm about a month away from starting revisions…AGAIN. And so it goes!

  5. David Cranmer

    Alyssa,

    If you could drop me an e-mail here: paladin-1@hotmail.com

    Thanks.

  6. That sounds exhausting ! But I hope it feels good to take that time to look and what you have achieved.

    My friend just named her new baby Orla Rose Kavanagh. A good strong, kind, Irish name. But, being a Scot, I am biased with Celt names !

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