I mentioned on Saturday that I officially entered first draft writing mode on Friday! Whoo hoo! Like I said before, that essentially means I'm back to writing one chapter a day (aka very little brain activity left for other things). But don't worry, I still intend on blogging! Unlike the last time where I took a couple weeks off.
So let me give you a rundown on where I am on everything:
ELEMENTAL:
I'm working on my query letter at this point and have it out with my beta and a very trusted fellow writer some of you may know--Matthew Rush. If you haven't visited (and started following) his blog, The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment, I suggest you do so today. He's been showing all of us his query writing journey as well as examples of some absolutely stellar queries from other authors that got those much anticipated and hoped for requests.
I've also purchased Elana Johnson's From the Query to the Call and have rewritten my query based on her amazing advice.
So, as you can see, my query is in good hands at the moment.
HANSEL AND GRETEL:
Officially started! I toyed around with it when I first completed my first draft on ELEMENTAL, but with edits coming to a close on that work, HANSEL AND GRETEL has now jumped up to the top of my writing list.
After working on it for two days (I always take Sundays off), I'm already well into chapter three. At this rate, I'm hoping to be done with it in no more than six weeks.
Wish me luck!
Fairy Tale Blogfest/Contest:
One week away! That's right! Next Monday is the BIG DAY! Are you ready? Don't worry. I plan on reminding you every. single. day.
In fact, if you haven't even signed up, you can do so here. There are some awesome prizes you just don't want to miss out on.
My beta--Victoria Caswell (aka aspiring_x):
She is having the coolest blogging week ever!
Today she's talking about music and writing, tomorrow is all about character theme songs, Wednesday is soundtracking your novel, Thursday is all about Not Without Grace (her go-to-writing-music band), AND Friday she will be interviewing Chris Franzen from that very band!!! Amazing!
So how are you guys doing with your WIPs? Still plugging forward? Any requests out there?
~Emily White
You're awesome Emily! Thanks for the shout out and the linkage. I don't pretend to be an expert, but I HAVE learned a TON since writing my first horrible queries (almost a year and a half ago now, see my blog archives for examples). Good thing it's easier to critique others queries than it is to perfect your own!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your new WIP.
Hooray for brain-frying-super-fast-drafting EMILY!!! (is that your super power?)
ReplyDeleteWay to go on the progress!!!
:) :) :) :) :) :)
(thanks for the shout-out :) ) and oh man- blogfest... i keep coming up blank on ideas... and time- ugh! i'm trying! :)
Thanks, Matthew! I haven't perfected critiquing queries OR writing them. They are truly my least favorite thing about writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vic! Brain-frying is a perfect description!
I'm sure you'll come up with a great story! Remember, you always have the option of writing a micro story! :D
Lydia--It sounds like you've got a lot going on! Good luck!
I'm right there with you...trying to polish up my query letter so I can send it out into the world. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteStill in the middle of bunches of stuff. I am working on a blog fest piece, but the story really, really, really wants to be 5,000 words long instead of 1,000...
ReplyDeleteGood to hear your updates! I'm still slowly getting to the end of the first draft of my WIP, and then excited to go back and do some revisions/edits based on what my beta has suggested. It's going well!
ReplyDeleteDL--Seriously. The query letter is the bane of my existence.
ReplyDeletej.leigh.bailey--LOL! LOTS of people are exactly like that! It's hard to write a flash fiction. Very hard. Good luck with it, though! I can't wait to read it! :D
Kathryn--Would it surprise you that editing is my favorite part? I find it so restful after ripping through the first draft. I know. I'm crazy. Good luck with your WIP!
I'm plugging away at the wip. I'm back on reading fiction and attempting to rewrite a fairy tale. Who knows if it's going to be any good. :P
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your WIP and with the querying!
ReplyDeleteI'm still plugging away on my main WIP right now, in the final leg of it...its doing a slow crawl to the finishing line. ;)
querying is so intimidating! I did it too early, before my book was really done, cause I hasty. Now I'm taking a step back. Maybe a big leap back. I'm soooo not looking forward to returning to querying. I hope your experience is quick and smooth!
ReplyDelete