NaNoWriMo Results

On November 1, right here, I committed myself to my own NaNoWriMo challenge.  I'd never done this before, vowed to write 50,000 words in one month.  It was definitely a challenge.  I started the month slow.  By the end of the first week, I was way behind.  I could say I had at least written some everyday but nowhere near 1700 words.  I buckled down for the next three weeks and really made progress.

The results?  48,000 words by November 30.  Not quite as many as I was hoping for, but pretty damn close.

All in all, I found it to be a good experience.  It motivated me.  It gave me discipline and helped me get back into a good routine.  I recommend anyone reading this to try the same thing.  It doesn't have to be November.  Try December or January or February.  Any month will do.  Set a goal and stick to it.  You'll be proud of yourself!

Writing Challenge

It's November 1st which also signals the beginning of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for those of you wondering what that strange string of letters means on various blogs and writing sites).  There are contests and forums and online support groups for this.  Basically, you challenge yourself to write everyday for one month with the end result hopefully being a 50,000 word novel.  No focus on editing or re-writes.  Just write with abandon.

I've never tried this but I think I'm going to wander into the fray this time.  I've been a lazy writer in 2015.  Still producing written product, sort of, but at a really slow and disconnected pace.  This will be my own personal challenge to get myself back to the organized daily writing I so love.  I'll try to post my progress here on a semi-regular basis.  I would so love to hear from any readers as to how this is going for you too.

I have an idea for a contemporary YA, so now's the time.  Here I go!  Happy NaNoWriMo to you too!  Keep you posted.

-Jessica

What I've Been Reading

I read a lot in the summer.  I'm fortunate enough to have a job that allows me most of June and all of July off.  I typically cram the summer with reading and writing, among the many other activities I do with my kids.  This go around, I read several books by three main authors and I want to share some thoughts with you.

1.  Liane Moriarty:  I'm sure you already know about her.  Everybody does.  But for some reason, I was slow to read one of her books.  Maybe because they're never in at the library and I always forget to reserve something.  She is nothing less than amazing.  I love her writing.  She is fantastic at voice and character development.  I hope someday I get to that level of storytelling but I doubt it.  Again, amazing!

2.  Rachel Gibson:  I've read a lot of her stories over the years.  Every one of the Seattle Chinooks books!  My favorite of all hers, although not a Chinooks book, was Rescue Me.  This summer, I read two follow-ups to Vince and Sadie's story.  I love the characters.  The stories are fun and humorous and I have a hard time putting them down.  The romance is fabulous with a just right heat level!

3. Kristan Higgins:  Earlier this year, I fell in love with her Blue Heron series.  Nobody makes me laugh out loud more than this author.  Her female characters are honest to a fault, definitely not perfect and down-right hilarious.  Her love stories are believable.  She does an awesome job creating an interesting and fun small-town setting.  The colorful supporting characters pop up in every book.  I can't wait for the next one!

With the season now coming to a close, this is a sample of my summer reading.  If you haven't checked out these ladies before, do so now.  You won't be sorry!

Back to the Writing Grind

I took a tiny hiatus from the blog and somewhat from writing.  Just for the summer.  I work a job that allows me the summers off.  A great time to write, or so you would think.  Instead, I find myself struggling for a routine.  Struggling to organize my thoughts.  Struggling for time and privacy.  As I go back to work, it's as if my brain clicks.  The familiar routine brings on my writing.  That and possibly the need for escape.

I work in a mental health capacity with children of all ages.  Sometimes, it's hard to compartmentalize.  This is exactly why I started writing in the first place.  I needed an outlet.  Reading had always been that for me, but I needed more.  At night, I would often lie in bed, unable to sleep.  It was, still is, the best time to come up with stories and ideas.  I've been doing that since I was a little girl afraid of the dark.  Make up characters and stories to help me relax and fall asleep.  To distract me from monsters under the bed and the darkness.

The good news?  My summer hiatus brought forth lots of time to read, some new story ideas and a desire to submit my latest ms again.  I haven't submitted that much.  Not enough to stop at least.

So, back to work and back to the grind.

Most recent reading:  The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty (phenomenal!)
Song of inspiration:  "Unsteady" by X Ambassadors

Must-See Site for Writers

If you have not already discovered it, you have to check this out.  Agents and editors have been posting their wish lists on Twitter for some time with #MSWL.  The site above takes you to those archived wish lists.  I'm not sure when I discovered it.  Maybe about a year ago.  But it is fantastic!  I'm completely addicted.  I check the site every day to see who may be searching for my particular genre.  If the agent listed is someone I don't recognize, I begin my additional searching through usual trusted sites to see what kind of rep this agent might have.

I'll admit, it seems kind of stalkerish, but the best thing we can do as writers who want to be published someday is make ourselves informed.  #MSWL works for agents and editors too.  What better way to find exactly what they're looking for.  A writer can query that day and mention #MSWL in the subject line.  I'm thinking you might just vault ahead of some other would-be queriers.  Just a thought.  The site also helps to show current trends.

Anyway, if you haven't already, check it out.  What a resource!

WIP: sequel to my finished MS
Book I'm reading:  Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Song I currently love to write to:  "Photograph" by Ed Sheeran

Re-Writes!

So, it's been a while since I blogged.  Why?  I've had a lot on my plate, including re-writing my WIP.  I did a major edit the last couple of months.  I'll admit it.  Re-writes are not my favorite.  In the past, I'd finish a manuscript.  Edit it.  Send it out on submission and, after a few rejections, table it for the next.  I never thought about re-working the structure of the novels because I really had no idea where to start.  After some good advice and feedback on this most recent one, I realized what I needed to do.

The structure needed simplifying a bit.  It had too much going on.  Too many POVs.  I did a new outline.  Cut the chapters of any additional POVs and got to work.  It was hard at first.  Hard to cut some of those characters' insights.  Hard to know where to start on the new sections.  Finally, it began to take shape.  It is much better.  It took a couple of months of nose to the grindstone but was really worth it.  It also gave the novel series potential.  I saved all the cut chapters and will decide on what characters to focus on next for book two.

I'd been considering this a while but just needed a nudge in the right direction.  I wrote about rejections being a good thing at times.  Now, I'm ready to see if it'll lead me down the path to publication.  Fingers crossed.

I'd love to hear from others.  Have you ever undergone a major re-write on a novel?  If so, what were the results?

Novel I just finished:  Heroes are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Favorite song to write to:  "Explosions" by Ellie Goulding

The Best Things Can Come From Rejection

This week, I got a rejection…and it was awesome!

I really mean it.  I sent out a query, which led to a partial, which led to a full request, which led to a nice rejection.  I should be sad you say?  Disappointed?  Ready to forget about this terrible manuscript?  I feel none of these things and here's why.

The agent gave me advice.  Now, for those of you who've been at this for a while, you know that's not always easy to come by.  Usually, I send out a query only to receive a nice form rejection.  Nice but without any insight as to why.  So, when you actually get a personalized rejection, consider yourself lucky.

This happened to me once before early in my writing.  Just one sentence among a typical form rejection.  Work on showing versus telling.  A no-brainer now but not when I first started.  Back then, I was still figuring this whole thing out.  Who am I kidding?  I'm still figuring it out.  Still, I researched, researched and researched some more.  I practiced, wrote and practiced some more.  Finally, I began to realize the difference between showing and telling.  Check out Janice Hardy's blog.  She has great advice on this topic.

This new rejection made me realize a few things.  First, there was no mention of problems with my writing style or voice.  Check!  Second, she actually liked my story idea and the two main characters.  Check again!  Finally, what she didn't like about it was actually something I had been thinking might be a problem.  What does this all mean to me?  I'm on the right track.  I'm getting there.  Closer than I've ever been!  Yay!!!

Time to revise and submit again.  A lengthy process but one I'm excited to tackle.  All because of this wonderful rejection.  Who'd a thunk it?

Song I'm listening to while writing these days:  "Unbreakable" by Jamie Scott
Book I'm reading:  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (long overdue reading on my part)