Category editing

Oct 12 2014

Sometimes so long!

It’s been a bad, bad couple of weeks for me. I don’t know what I did, but I hurt my back. This made me entirely not able to function as a person. I went to work, I did the bare essentials around the home. Fed and cleaned at least most things including myself daily. I got my crits in on scrib’d was a bit late with a few other things, but I tried.

Things are getting a little easier. I’m not quite taking the pain killers that I was. And it’s not constantly burning or hurting. I’m also sleeping better, so that is a good thing.

I have to say that I am upset about the lack of excersise or will power when it has come to food. It’s been my kind of coping mechanism in the opposite sense, I’ve made myself eat real food each day. Not over the top rubbish, as I’ve never done that. But I’ve still managed to put back on about 6lbs, it’s not an impossible amount to shift. And could just take a few weeks, but I’m still recovering and won’t want to push it, just yet.

We’re also coming up to Nanowrimo. And that is an exciting time of year for me, usually I take part and write soemthing totally new, but I’m actually thinking on a total hit on TSK book 2. It’s had three/four great people read almost 2/3rds (they’ll finish just before the end of the month) and I don’t think I can put it aside to work on the next one, while this is still fresh in my head.

So torn over what to do.

I’ve spent the day doing Military Research. And organising things. But, ugghhh I’m so daunted by where I need to go and how much I need to do.

I forget when starting TSK Book 1 actually how rough it was. And how much hard work and slog I did put into it to get it to the polished stage it is in now. Looking to do that over again well it kinda sucks. It’s exciting totally. We’ve got some amazing things on the go for our animated short film.

I should grin and bare it. I must grin and bare it.

Onwards!!!!

Sep 21 2014

Copy Edit – done :)

For those who follow me and know about my novel TSK- Lethao it’s been a whilr-wind of a few months, from beta to finalising a draft, to finding someone who I could work with and trust to do a good copy edit.

Well today I got my copy edit back. I am thrilled. (even though I know nothing about punctuation and grammar) I am totally sure it will make all the difference to those that do. I could not be more proud of where this book has come. I’m sure people will still hate it, but that just comes with writing in general…

So my plan now, is to work through all these edits, the odd comment and things, to send it back for formatting and then to query.

I’ve been working on a pitch and query while waiting to get the MS back, and I have to admit it is the hardest thing to write EVER! I mean I’ve never had problems with loglines, with writing letters, but this. It is defeating me.

I’m researching all the possible people I can send out an email too but all I’m getting back from the crit sites, Scrib and Agent Query connect is conflicting advice and comments, I know that it doesn’t matter so much in 100k and everyone will have an opinion. But in less than 300 words it’s driving me insane.

My next few weeks are planned, between keeping my commitments going and in achieving my goal of having a pitch perfect query. Anyone with any other tidbits of advice, please drop me a line.

Thanks 🙂

Apr 27 2014

The beta reading results

I wanted to chat a bit more today about this last few months. Those that know and follow me, know TSK has been in a beta read. This was really enlightening, but also hard work.

These are some of the comments coming through, I thought I’d share some, and then let you in on how I’m looking at the editing process, especially in regards to some of the bigger issues pointed out.

Wow! you start right in the action. I am really invested in the storyline and the you’ve done a great job with the characters of Kendro and Mika. I’m having a hard time seeing them because you don’t really have much physical description of anyone. They are clearly not human, but are they supposed to be roughly human?

This was a comment that a couple out of my readers flagged. I wasn’t including enough ‘physical’ description. So, to combat this I spent a day working through each characters introduction and how they look as well as their specific birthmarks and colours.

Name confusion, I think you need to stick with DOCTOR BRIE or DOCTOR KATYA and never call her the other except maybe in intimate or angry moments with their significant others. When you have whole sections where they’re called one thing, and then break to another name, it can make the reader stop reading for a moment, trying to figure out what’s going on. The same thing applies to Octav, Hadi, and many other characters.

 

This one is a little more difficult. But with the help of S & R  I can use highlight to help point out discrepancies, and go chapter by chapter. It’s just time consuming, but so I don’t confuse anyone, it’s very important.

 

I think the story has a lot of loose ends by its completion. What happened to Dalamaar? What happened to the Lady? What happened to the pendant Emmi had?(I think that was her name) What happened with Doctor Brie’s second chance at having a baby.

I’m guessing that these questions are all answered in a Book 2 of this story. If so, I still think each of the loose ends must somehow be mentioned in the last chapter. That way we know to hold on and come back for more.

 

 

Already been working on this one and it’s added an extra dimension to the ending. 🙂 I kind of think I’ve outdone myself with this, but that’s bragging. I don’t usually do that at all.

One of the biggest things I did learn was to stick to my gut with my characters. Although I’ve got some work still left to do, it was comments like this which made me smile and know I’m onto a winner.

UGH. The End are two of my least favourite words when I’m reading a book I’m enjoying. And rest assured, I ENJOYED TSK. Fucking nicely done. I have total plot prowess envy.

I have some wrap-up comments but I’m going to take the night to sleep on them and will return with my last post in the morning with (hopefully) a nice, hot cup of coffee.

 

And…

OMG!!! I CAN’T BELIEVE ITS OVER! Can you please write the second one now? I want to know what happens! Gaaaaaah!

Alrighty, let’s go through it. I won’t comment on dialogue as I never really felt anything was out of place in the way they spoke.

 

So, I’m continuing onwards. Polishing, tweaking and editing. I just wanted to share some of the great comments that you can get when on a beta read. And some of the things people can pick up. Overall, I’m very happy with it, and would do it again. Although I wouldn’t ask the readers to re-read after the edits, that’s up to me to fix everything I think needs working on. Big decisions ahead, and some work. It’s all worth it though.

🙂

Jun 1 2013

Weeks holiday : )

I’ve had a wonderful weeks holiday. Only been around the house and pottering about. Had lots of time to spend with Bobby. And lots of time to write.

Bobby is coming along in leaps and bounds, he’s had first blood. But, I’m actually really getting him used to me. He’s no longer scared. He’s eating well and I’m so happy for him. First vet visit on wed for him. Want to check out how his wings are and his feather condition. 🙂

 

Here’s a pic for you….

a runner bean

with a runner bean

 

I had booked extra time with EJ, which was very beneficial. I learned loads this week. And I’ve finalised my first two chapters. In regards to their pacing and style. Maybe some people still won’t like it, or think there is too much stuff to come before it. But I’m happy with it. I think it’s ‘near’ there. 🙂 You can never say perfect. As writers we’re always tweaking something or another. lol

The weather has been pretty hit and miss, it’s left the garden growing well. Because of the rain and the sunshine. And it’s left my main pond green and warm 🙂

My fish are even thinking of spawning today. So it just shows how much its changed in a week. 🙂

I am very happy to say there are no problems with them, where as there was for the most part of last year. No changes and fingers crossed that it’s a nice summer.

Last day off on my hols tomorrow, and I’m glad I’ve had the rest. I’m not overly looking forward to re-joining the rat race. But I’ll be happy to get back into things.

Mum flies to spain with Frank on Friday for a week, so we’re looking after their cat for a week, he’ll just want some food and cuddles in the evening. He’s a cute cat, so I don’t mind. I’ll just have to slot him in where the rest of my pets don’t demand attention.

So, onwards to tomorrow and hopefully I’ll speak to you soon.

Apr 22 2013

A quick one…

 

Hi there,

Only a quick update today. Been a long one as I didn’t sleep much last night.

The weekend was good, caught up on some outside jobs with the ponds. I haven’t touched anything in a week, so I had to get out there and see how everyone was really doing. Nice and sunny so it was amazing to be outside for a change.

Sunday as a little bit of a washout.

But —

 

— we’re getting a new friend… a Blue Indian Parrot. A friend of ours bought him last year and has since gotten an African Grey, so can’t keep both. I’ve never had a bird before with keeping a cat. It’s a friendly, young bird. So we should be able to get it to talk quite soon. It needs a mirror and lots of time. 🙂 I can do that, it can sit with me watching me type. lol

 

 

Writing.

I’ve had a good few crits through on ‘scribophile’ along with my coaching, so I’ve let my head settle on where I want to move and change things. I finally felt like I was ready to tackle a re-write. It might take me a while. But I am more confident now about it 🙂

Work.

I went back to work today. A bit tough, it was harder to drive than I first thought. With some pain killers in the morning though I made it just the four hours before I needed more. Eeek. At least my customers were all happy to have me back. 🙂 I was happy over that.

 

So, long day, heading to bed. Hope you are all great.

 

Dawn x x