Currently I have two manuscripts that I'm working on with a goal to finish both of them (rough draft) by the end of December. Well, I MIGHT enter the Romantic Suspense one in RWA's Golden Heart, but I need to get the darn thing finished AND polished by the hard deadline of December 2. So we'll see what happens when I hit the November 16th financial deadline for the GH.
The manuscripts are: my second middle grade novel titled, THE FAST AND THE FAERIEOUS (hitherto abbreviated FF), and a romantic suspense titled, but subject to change, ROSEWOOD MANOR (abbreviated RM).
And I was stuck on both of them, but for different reasons.
I'll start with RM. This is my second attempt at the beginning of this story. I have a synopsis and I had the first fifteen pages written. I entered it in a contest over a year ago and stopped writing on it. And, believe it or not, I actually finaled in the contest! But I had stopped writing on it, which is why I don't intend to enter any contests unless I'm finished with a particular manuscript. Anyhoo, it had a flashback scene that no one wanted--including me. So I let my subconscious mull this story over for about a year while I switched writing gears--during this time I wrote numerous easy readers and MOGG (MISSING: One Garden Gnome), so it wasn't like I was just twiddling my thumbs.
In July, I started writing it again. It's the same story with a different beginning. It was also written in a first person POV for the heroine and third person POV for the hero and others. I had written fifty-six pages, but stopped. I suspected that I was in the wrong POV. And I think I'm right, but where did I need to start this new POV? Well, I had started the POV change too late story. I need to ditch about fifteen written pages and start in the hero's POV.
FIXED!
When I stopped writing on RM, I started writing FF. This is the second in the potential middle grade series. Don't laugh! True, I might never sell MOGG and then FF will be the first in the series! :-) Anyhoo, I had the next couple scenes figured out, but something was wrong. I sent out an SOS on facebook, but only two of my nieces actually popped in with comments--I think Lizzie hit the nail on the head when she described her elementary gym teacher. This guy was scarier than my muscle-bound goblin. Think Richard Simmons sans hair with a pot belly. Yeah, I liked it. What could possibly be creepier than an out of shape goblin that has his students playing dodgeball with a Bocce ball? Oh, I'm sure I'll think of something far more warped, but for now it will do.
Plug the hole and move on. FIXED!
So I have two stories to write on, the next question will be, which one??
Plus we have family coming in nine days for my niece's wedding--I need to get the house ready, buy clothes for the wedding and rehearsal dinner, AND feed everyone--so I need to get my butt in gear and seriously boost my word count in the next few days!
Write on!
I started a new book last week and need to get into a routine. I listened to a Nora Roberts' workshop from National 2008, and that motivated me. She accepts no excuses!
ReplyDeleteYep, you have to admire Nora's work ethic, Edie! But I'm glad I took some time to figure what was wrong with my MS's. Now, it's 'balls to the walls' time, as I borrow Karin's phrase, 'cause I have family coming to stay next week.
ReplyDeleteI do great with the "starts", but I always seem to get stuck. Maybe it's because I don't know my characters well enough, or the POV is wrong, or maybe I haven't planned my story to end. Hmm...sounds like I need to do some plotting today.
ReplyDeleteI usually have a few bullet points on my road map, Cyndi. I don't 'plot' per se, but I usually do know where I'm going.
ReplyDeleteI don't know my characters when I first start writing them, I learn about them as I go along, but they need to know where to go!
Good luck!
Every time I hear about somebody having to have guests and feed them, I am even more grateful I am single and NEVER have family or guests to entertain. For whatever reason, the mere thought horrifies me.
ReplyDeleteNormally, I would totally agree with you, Jody, but I happen to actually LIKE this crew of visitors. :-) So I don't see it as a hardship having them stay.
ReplyDeleteSeems you are always having people over, Margaret. I don't like people that much. LOL Er, I do, just not at my house. :P
ReplyDeleteSounds like you got a plan going on your WIP's. Sometimes all it takes is a little down time away from the story to figure out what's wrong with it. :)
I need to get some serious wordage out myself. Tomorrow...I...will...write!!!
I had a good writing day today, Kira. So I'm pretty happy. I've discovered Random.org and I generate a random numerical goal for the day. Hey! Who cares how I do it as long as I get some words written, right?
ReplyDelete