Took the day off from blogging yesterday and actually ended up getting quite a lot done. I’ve finished Writing the Breakout Novel, and I’m so pleased not to have put off reading it any longer. The book definitely gave me a lot to think about in my current manuscript–I’m already envisioning changes, additions, and deletions–but it also gave me a great starting point for planning the next book.

Besides that, I’ve been reading a great ‘Query Letter Series’ on Agent Kristin’s blog and taking copious mental notes. My problem with query letters, pitches, synopses and all of it is that I don’t think my voice comes through. I have it entrenched in my subconscious that these are formal documents or summaries of my book. But the ones that are getting requests (and representation) from Agent Kristin are quirky, funny, oddball, and interesting. They don’t come across as stilted or formal at all. So, for occasional breaks from my manuscript, I’ve been working on a query letter and pitch, and will probably move on to a backcover blurb when I’m finished with those. I’m finding that it’s really helping me to get that overall picture in my head and to figure out how to best describe my book to someone else.

With help from Donald Maass and Kristin Nelson, I really think I’m getting my manuscript whipped right into shape.

Today’s Project:
My RWA chapter is hosting an Author/Bookseller Appreciation Reception in September and collecting promotional items from its published authors for inclusion in the goodie bags. I think I’m the only author(probably because I’m the only self-published one) who is giving a book to each of them. I figure it’s a great promotional opportunity. If all goes according to plan, they’ll love my debut, recommend it to customers, get excited when contacted about my next release, order many copies, handsell them, and start all over again. A girl can certainly dream…

Rather than providing bookmarks, which I’ve heard from a variety of sources are really cumbersome for booksellers, I’m trying to create these custom business cards with my bookcover and contact info on the front and some review excerpts on the back. I got the idea from Bookseller Chick, who indicated that this sort of thing is perfect to slip into a Rolodex for easy reference. Right now I’m up against printing/aligning issues.

My four year old is obsessed with Star Wars. Particularly Star Wars Lego sets and Star Wars Lego people, but really anything. Yesterday I was asked to draw Darth Vader, Bobba Fett, and a Grievous Guard (you have to see the movie). I had to have the little guy go fetch the action figures so I’d be able to make any sort of attempt. Still they were gruesome. We talk about Star Wars constantly, and lately our greatest obsession is trying to track down those little Lego people. Why on earth do they only sell those in the Lego kits??? I’ve only bought one Star Wars lego kit so far, but I’m sure my son would have talked me into buying multiple sets of people–they’re just so darn cute! He sits on my lap and we cruise ebay for these little guys–very pricey!

If you need a little break from writing, check this out, and know that they are way cuter in real life.

I’m also currently in a position of needing to fashion some sort of Mace Windu Halloween costume (lego guy on the right)…in a size four toddler. Complete with cape and boots…

Well, I’ve started reading about Writing a Breakout Novel. Actually I’m already almost halfway through the book due to today being the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! and the fact that my little one wanted to play on the computer this morning. Anyway, I’m pretty disappointed that I didn’t stumble onto this book about two years ago when I started messing with inital ideas for the current work-in-progress. (This book has been a long time coming too as I put it on hold to promote and market my debut novel). This book is like an entirely new way of thinking, and already I’m wondering if my manuscript includes enough oomph to carry it through–to find an agent, a publisher, a market, a niche, whatever.

There are so many good ideas in there. Questions to ask yourself in hopes that you have the right answer (or can find it). A big one I’m kind of troubled with is “What does your protagonist want?” and follow-up, “What happens if she’s not successful?” You’d think I’d have the first one, right? Well, I think I actually just need to tighten my focus just a little and made sure I make the answer clear in the manuscript–unless I go with the premise that she doesn’t know the answer herself. The answer to the second is “nothing too dramatic”.

But wait…I’m sitting here thinking about this, and things are gelling in my mind. Before I write anymore, I’m going to go write a few short paragraphs with the answers to some of Maass’ questions. Writing a query letter a couple of weeks ago helped me crystallize the overview. Now I need to dig a little deeper.

This writing stuff is hard and very high maintenance.