Weekend Writing

Hello! Feeling a bit inspired today. I am ready to keep writing and the task is not an easy one, as I must separate my manuscript into chapters.

I have been wondering at how I tend to write. Words I repeat. This happens to many who write. We tend to have word/s that we constantly use in our manuscript. I better do a good re-read and find which are the ones I tend to repeat.

Today’s inspiration will be fueled by coffee. Tea is too mild to keep me writing. 

Although, I wish I could just lounge around home, taking a breather. Being a Saturday and all. But writing is a hard taskmaster. Better get to it.

By the way, do you dear reader, have words that you find while watching movies, or listening to other people talk, which you say to yourself “I like that word, will write it down and use it for my book”?

I tend to do lists on my phone’s notepad of each and every word I fall in love with. I also better do a check on all those lists and do some file cleaning…too many! *sigh*

Until I write again,

M.G.

“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.”
― Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics

You wrote that novel, now what?

Hello! Another “lovely” day of putting myself in order. By this I mean, now that I have finally been able to push myself to finish my children’s book, I can go ahead and sort out all of those stories, finished and unfinished that are lurking in my writing folder. It is something that must be done. I groan at the thought of going through the editing again, but I need to do it. I promised myself I will not find excuses. I will not shop online..(although I am running out of my favorite shampoo which is not sold anywhere outside of Amazon) and! I will not look up names of actors I liked in that black and white movie I saw last night.

I still feel a bit dizzy at all the steps one must take before the manuscript is in good shape to start sending out to prospective agents. I cannot be the only one, that has felt this is a monumental task!

Ah! the process of editing! There are not enough things I can’t say about it. Not here in this forum anyway… So how to start the process right? I know it is hard to sort yourself out, and make sense of where to start and where to stop.

One day I was trying to get ideas on how to go about edit my work. Somewhere I read, that you MUST read, proofread, edit, and rewrite and read again, and! It goes on, and one and on! Until you decidedly start to sort of hate your story. You have to do that to get your first, second, third and maybe fourth draft. Depending on how long and/or intense your story is.

Then when you have your third draft, it can be passed along to family and friends. So that they can help you and point out where it needs work, or edit, or fix grammatical errors etc.

Then another draft its done and you can take a breather (again). Away from the manuscript. Once you have done all the drafting you think necessary. Separate yourself from your “baby” (i.e. your manuscript) and do something “normal” for a change.  You know, reply to emails, fold your laundry properly (instead of just shoving all into drawers). Text your friends, let them know you are still alive. Get a manicure, cut the lawn..Whatever has been put on hold when the muse strikes and nothing else matters.

Now, if you wish to, (but advisable) it is time to have it edited by a professional. There are many that can do a professional edit. Do an online search. Get information through writers websites. Like my favorite character says: “Enfin!” (Poirot, Agatha Christie) do your research!

Another thing I learned along my sort of uncertain journey into the writing process, is that you cannot actually fall in love with your story…Beware of this! (but lets face it, don’t we all love what we write?) I understand, that in avoiding such pitfall, helps one to be objective. And not cry like a baby when the person editing your story tells you to lose some of the story line. I know, I know! What we write is from the heart. You cannot just take certain parts of the story.. Is like taking out a piece of you, etc, etc.

But needs must! I am not saying you need to follow such advice to a T.  But a conversation has to take place and a mutual understanding on where is best to tweak the story. This will (hopefully)  make everyone feel better at the end… or not.

Once you have done all you can and have to, for your manuscript it is time! Yes! its time to send out to prospective literary agents. Or if you are going Indy, then sort yourself out as to how you want to self-publish. Look for the best options for yourself. I am talking prices. Self-publishing is not cheap. But! the alternative is eBook publishing. That is, if this is something you wish to do. Or you can do both. Paper and digital.

There are also established publishing houses, that sometimes, allow for manuscripts to be sent. But again, do a good research. Most of the publishing houses do not allow this. Read their websites, contact information and if necessary call an actual person over their customer service line and ask before you do send out your manuscript.

The process of having your manuscript ready is not hard. But it needs perseverance, patience, and follow thru. I know, most of us tend to put aside that which is unpalatable, or boring, or whatever. We might find a good book we must finish. Or that lovely movie  that is now playing. Or the socks from the laundry need to be paired up… But if we really want to make our dream a solid reality, we must. do. the work.

I am attaching a few links that might help you along the way.

fiverr 

The above has lots of freelance services. Excellent prices. From the ubiquitous $5 to above depending on the service you are looking for.

smashwords

This one, is for digital self-publishing. Easy to use website. If you are interested in their services, download their Smashwords style guide. Its free and it really guides you every step of the way.

WritersDigest

This is one of the oldest publications to help writers make their dream come true. I am sure you have heard of them. Their printed edition is one of the most recognized in the market. Their website contains loads of info. Some really good articles, which helps the new writer. Paid services for editing, query letters. Workshops! etc.

Poets & Writers

A non-profit organization which has been around since 1970. You can sign up to their newsletter. Enter contests, read some insightful information to help along with your writing. This is not just for poets, but for anyone with a creative streak for writing.

 

I hope I was able to leave some “nuggets of wisdom.” Or at the least, with enough information to get your lovely self, moving in the right direction.

Remember…Keep writing!

Until I write again,

M.G.

 

“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
― Madeleine L’Engle

 

 

 

 

Page by Page

Dear reader:

I have been diligently working on getting my book together and very excited to have the cover for my children’s book completed.

The artist for my book’s illustration is an emerging artist. She is an Art major and she is currently working on her degree. She is an amazing artist, with a natural gift, and whom I was lucky enough to meet through one of my sons.

At the moment she does not have her own website, but she is presently working on that. As soon as she does, I will add the link to her site.

We  have worked together and exchanged ideas about how best bring life into each of the characters. How each will look and give them as well their own personality traits. That is a lot of information to go into a drawing, but this artist is amazing. Capturing my ideas and bringing them to life. Each of the characters. One at a time.

Preliminary drawings are done. So that I can have a visual of what the character might look like, but it is not the actual drawing that will go in the book.

The main illustration for the cover, that I will leave as a surprise. Once the book is all together and for sale, I will add a link here at this website so that you can go and have a look at the finished product.

Until I write again,

M.G.

 

The Beginning

Dear reader:

(Back in June, 2017)

Welcome to this first newsletter on this forum. At this moment I have already had my short story proofread and edited. It took me several edits with the help of friends as well as myself, until I was tired of the process and started not to like the story so much. But I knew this is part of the process.

I found someone professional to do the last edit and the story is sitting pretty, while I await the artist chosen for the cover of the book.

From there, we still have work to do on the illustrations inside of the book.

It feels a bit surreal to be on the brink of getting my work ready for printing and for e-book release. I have been writing for many years. Dreaming of the day I was finally putting my dream in motion.

It also feels as if I finally busted out of the dream bubble and now things are happening rather fast. Excitement for my project fills my head. I walk around with images of how things will go.  Everyday is the same. I make a conscious effort to keep doing my every day chores, work, etc. I do not want to read the story again, until the illustration is ready. Then I will have a read with that in place, just to get a feel of the book like that and then I will put aside again, to wait for the inner illustrations.

I know, it is early days. There is still working to be done. In the meantime the muse calls me! To the pen and paper I go!

Until I write again

M.G.