My Son, my mom and I had to go out of town today for Son's doctor appointment so I had a chance to read and write a little bit. I didn't have anything in particular I wanted to work on. It's hard to concentrate on something specific when Son's chattering in the background and my mother's listening to country music. So I just started writing with no goal or project in mind.
What I got was an excerpt written in a guy's POV. His name is Red and he was the love interest in Sherbet Skies. I don't know if I'll ever do anything with it, but it was fun to write.
Here's an excerpt. | |
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I finished the second, or third...I don't know which one I'm on now...revision of Sherbet Skies. Yeah!
I cut 8500 words, a total of about 35 pages and added in countless more. The final word count is approx. 54,000. It was 57,000 when I started, but I don't think it's missing anything in the new version. I think it's much better. I feel better about it.
And the ending...I've reread it three times already and every time I do, I get this weak, exhilarated feeling in my chest. I LOVE BRINN AND REDD! I don't want to leave them. I hope someone likes this enough to buy it. I've worked so hard on it!
I just hope it makes sense on the final read through. I changed a lot of things about Brinn's attitude and behavior. I hope it all comes together well. I'll have to do another read through before I send it out again.
But it's done! Woohoo! | |
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My entry hasn't shown up yet on the Crapometer. One minute I'm like, It can't be as bad as some of them on there, and then I'm like, Miss Snark is going to tear you up.
Maybe I should make someone else go over there and read it for me. Then if it's bad, I won't look. At least for a while.
I thought I was done with the Sherbet Skies Revision, but once I read it I hated the climax. So I took two days to think about it, figuring, maybe I just had the book blues. But then last night, while trying to fall asleep, I kept thinking about it and came up with a whole new idea which would take the book in a slightly different direction. So I got out of bed, made some notes and started on the new revision first thing this morning. I'm over halfway done and a lot has changed so far. I'm excited, I just hope it works.
Off to see if I can finish this thing tonight. | |
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SHERBET SKIES REVISION IS DONE!!!
I'm surprised I got anything done lately, what with New Moon arriving on my doorstep Monday afternoon. I didn't actually do anything yesterday, I read the whole thing.
Today I buckled down on SS though, because I wanted to get it done and as soon as I sat down, I was pulled back into the story and the characters.
Now I need to do a full read through. I'm sure I missed a few sentences here and there that mention things I've since deleted. I might have to add one or two scenes as well, since I added a new plotline, but I'm not sure yet if the book even needs it, so I'm going to see how it reads.
And dang, I love the new Evan. I'm almost sad that he's alone in the end. Maybe he's a character I'll recycle. I'm a total recycling freak.
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I officially started the Sherbet Skies revision.
I've been thinking about it for a while (a few weeks I guess) and took notes as I brainstormed, so I had a good idea of what exactly needed to be changed.
I absolutely love the way it's going. One of the most detailed letters I received on SS pointed out that Brinn's crush choice was a poor choice, since it was clear right from the start that he was crappy boyfriend material.
To fix that, I changed Evan a lot and made him (hopefully) just as likable as Redd.
Also, in the same letter, it was mentioned that Brinn's motivations were shallow and they were. I deleted her desires to be popular and instead made it about her and a crush. Any girl can relate to the crush scenario. Especially when the guy is as nice as Evan is turning out to be.
Who cares if he's popular and good looking, he saw Brinn as an equal long before she lost the weight and that's what makes him such a crush-worthy guy in her eyes sans fifty pounds. Her motivations aren't about popularity now, they're about Evan.
Following Michelle's letter and her advice to go with either serious, literary, or light and funny, I picked the latter since I like funny parts in a serious book. I won't cut the serious tone, since it's supposed to be serious, but I've deleted some of the heavier stuff.
I can't wait for this baby to be done. I'm itching to send out a few more queries. I just wish I'd done this revision a long time ago.
So far:
I've added 1,000 words
Completely rewrote the beginning
Cut several things
And, here's where I'm at with actual pages:
Wohooo! | |
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I haven't posted on anything writing related lately and I'm trying to pass the time while Mr. Jen makes his own onion rings. So, writing.
My email inbox has been quiet for a while now.
But, Sherbet Skies is still out there.
Jenny Bent is still considering. Yeah!
Megan Atwood has a partial.
And I sent three chapters and a query to a new agent about a month ago.
Michelle Andelman requested a revision on Sherbet Skies. I've spent a lot of time thinking about it and I think I'm going to do it. I liked her right from the start. It can't hurt doing the revision and resubmitting to her. I think the revisions should only take me two weeks or so. There are a few major changes I need to make, but for the most part, the plot stays the same. From what I've heard from agents, my characters work and I think characters are the most important part.
And the thought of giving up on Brinn and Redd just makes me sad. I want teens to read about them. I want people to love them as much as I do. So, I can't put Sherbet Skies away just yet.
Now, off to work! | |
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You all know I've complained lately about a lack of anything going on in my writing inbox.
Still no word from BIG AGENT who has had Sherbet Skies for 13 weeks now.
BUT...
I got an email today from Megan Atwood at Firebrand asking for a partial. I had assumed since she was so new and just opened to queries that I'd hear right away if it was a yes. So when I didn't hear I crossed her off.
I like those surprising requests!
Now I'm debating on whether or not I should change Sherbet Skies to third person. I've been debating this for several weeks now because I think with my future in mind I'm going to stick to third person from now on.
I don't know...it wouldn't hurt to change the first three chapters (what Megan requested) and test the new version out on her. I might do that. But then if she requests more...I'll have to redo the whole book. Might be worth it though. | |
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