Happy Weekend! A nice long weekend before I re-enter the corporate world. Time to catch up on some TV while I have the chance and try and read a couple of books. Enjoy everyone!
It’s the last Writer Wednesday in August and I have a confession to make. I’ve barely written anything the past month or so. Sure, I’ve written a few starting passages to ideas and jotted down character names and ideas in my notebook, but I haven’t written anything too substantial. I chalk it up to the impending change which will soon be starting next week. I’m returning to the corporate workforce.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend the last year plus polishing off my novel and taking care of my family. I was able to soak in all of the experiences which many stay at home parents soak up every day. It’s incredibly bittersweet to leave behind the job at home for a job back in an office, even if it’s cubicle free. I have loved being able to jump on my computer and flesh out ideas whenever they strike. Not to mention go grocery shopping in the middle of the afternoon crowd free. I know those opportunities will be few and far between as I focus on learning a new company and new projects.
Before I took a year off, my novel took about 2 years to write as it was a midnight to 2 AM kind of gig. I don’t think I can afford those office hours this go round, nor the length of time it took to produce my first novel. I feel a little more focused as a writer headed back to the work force. I know writing is in my blood and I’ll always need to share my crazy ideas after they’ve been crafted. But publishing is a beast, and right now, I can only afford to feed that beast a miniature dog bone. I don’t think it or myself will be very happy with the end result if I feed that bone to it.
So on this last Writer Wednesday of the month of August, I’ll kick back and laugh at silly shows and songs with my family, holding tight to the memories being created. I’ll keep my running bar tab of ideas going, I know I’ll have a huge creative debt to settle, but it’s been worth it. My writing vacation this past month is ending and it’s time to get busy. Somehow though, I know I’ll work a little harder under those deadlines and pressure. I’ll complain about it and moan and probably make a blog post about “what was I thinking” but it’s all worth it. I just have to find the right balance. Time to tackle new changes.
You may have noticed a couple of changes around here <points up to the header>. I’ve got a new logo! I am in love with this header and monogram. When I received it in my inbox it brought me the biggest smile and made me puff out my chest a little bit. I feel professional and ready to tackle this crazy publishing world.
When designing the logo, I was looking for something unique and simplistic in design. While I loved using the RockSalt font for my fun name signature, it’s somewhat close to my doctor-like scribble, I didn’t feel a connection with showcasing me.
I love how the S and the H intertwine. The two halves of the H join to form the S in perfect balance. In my novel, the connection made and shared between two souls are imprinted in intricate yet simple designs. This definitely falls right in line with what I pictures in my head.
Many thanks to Reid Stiegman for this incredible design. You can check out his work at his website: Reid Stiegman Design or on Facebook. Go give him a like!
My best friend and her spouse are incredible graphic designers. I’m lucky to have one of them engaged in making me a logo and header for this site, Facebook and other future goodies. I’m looking at mock-ups and I’m so excited. I can’t wait to start using them!
A little Hemingway today
I’ve finally made the decision to go with querying an agent first, rather than trying to submit straight for publication or going down the self-publication route. I am not an expert in publication so it’s best to leave this job to the experts, granted that’s if I can manage to land an agent. I have a positive outlook on the process, it’s something new to learn and experience and I’m sure it’ll teach me a lot. However, I also am bracing for the dreaded rejection letter. I thought this Peanuts cartoon summed up my outlook on the future.
If people ask what this is like, I would equate it to submitting your resume, as a kid straight out of college, for a big time job. You have to sell yourself, sum up your life experience, or in this case a synopsis of your book, and convince the person reading your letter you’re worthy of their time and consideration. So fingers crossed, let the querying begin.
I’ve missed a few blog updates this week, chalk it up to user error with WordPress. I’ve posted a couple of things on my Facebook author page, but they’re all coffee related. Coffee is definitely a staple in my life. I made the edits suggested by my critique partner earlier in the week and since then, I’ve been letting the book marinate. I’m surprisingly happy with the emotions and reaction I was able to provoke from my partner. Now it’s time to re-crack open the book concerning agents and figure out this querying process. Monday will kick off some serious searches. But first, time to curl up on the sofa and watch the end of the Olympics.
It’s a busy weekend, I’m not sure how much writing will get done, but, there will be writing. There always must be writing. Happy Weekend, all!
In speaking with my critique partner, or maybe it was more like grilling with questions, lol, I found out they wanted more about one of my secondary characters. Granted, this secondary character is crucial to the story and eventually, no matter how much I want to stuff the character in a box, they would eventually get their own book. I can’t say they’d ever get a happy ever after, it’s just not my style, but they would certainly get a fitting end. I asked my CP if they thought a novella explaining the character’s circumstanced might have helped them understand the character’s positioning in the book. My CP said yes and the secondary character lunged for their turn in the spotlight.
I went back through the book, to ensure I got the character’s details correct, and all of a sudden big new ideas started to form. I heard dialogue first and definitely had curiosity about what my character wanted me to know about them and hear in the scene. I could glimpse in the distance the cinematic feel to the opening. And then my character opened their mouth to confront someone and my whole perspective on the character changed. I’m excited to dive in and see what happens next.
SH Burgess 