Revisions

This is exactly where I am right now.  Actually I'm still on the first two steps. 

What Were We Talking About?

Absence of mind is catching.  Or rather it's swarming.  A hive of it has exploded and now the bits and pieces are looking for a new home.  Unlike bees they don't need a queen.  Each piece can find a mind and start a new home, multiplying it's forgetfulness until you can't even think of your own name or age (forgetting one's age isn't necessarily a bad thing, though it can prove embarrassing). 

I think I've been infected.

 

One Of Many

The other day in speaking with a friend I mentioned that I had been having computer problems, hadn’t been able to write and that it was driving me crazy.  Another friend who was present did the whole “you write?  What? What’s it about?”  routine.  She then proceeded to tell me all about the dozen people she knew who were writing novels. 

I’ve become fairly open with my friends because this is who I am.  It’s not a nasty disease or a character flaw to hide.  It’s a good thing!  But this conversation is one of the reasons I don’t like to tell people about my writing.  Hearing of all the people who are writing novels often makes me insecure.  I know I’ve put a lot of time into researching publishing and filling my writers toolbox but all of a sudden I feel as if I’ve lost my individuality.  As one of a crowd I have no voice, and we all know how important voice is.

This is something all writers must face.  How does one write and showcase their work in such a way that it stands above the masses?  How does one make it leap out of the slushpile and start a bidding war? 

I think the important thing is not allowing yourself to be swallowed up in the masses.  Remember who you are, remember that you and your story are individuals. 

So, go show them who you are!

On The Jellicoe Road

I’ve been wanting to do a book review on Melina Marchetta’s Jellicoe Road but have put it off several times.  Not because of lack of interest but because what can one say about such a book?  It was published first in Australia under the title On the Jellicoe Road, but when published in America the title was shortened.  For people who like to know genres it’s a contemporary YA.  There is some mention of adult relations and child abuse in the book so if that bothers you than be warned. 

It’s the story of 17 year old Taylor Markham who’s mother abandoned her at age 11 on the Jellicoe Road.  Now she attends a boarding school there.  She’s pulled into leadership of the territory war games they play each summer, but how can she take care of others when she can barely take care of herself?  And who is the man in the tree she dreams of each night? 

Unfortunately a little blurb fails to capture the true essence of the story.  It’s a fabulous book and I couldn’t put it down.  Marchetta’s writing was a subtle and sensitive combination of the lives that affect Taylor’s, both in the past and present. Since the story also revolves around the adults who influence Taylor’s life I think this book is much more than a YA.

 I highly recommend this book and hope you enjoy it.

Extra, Extra

Just some links for you today. 

Rachelle Gardner had a parade of blogs.  She picked a subject, this time it was how to market your book, and had all of her clients blog about it.  There's over 30 links so there is a wide variety of ideas and sugestions.  I'm sure everyone could find something that would  work for them.  Personally I thought it was a great idea.

Also Widdershins had ten commandments for reducing stress. 

Hope you're all having a great week. 

Are Your Stories Ripe?

It is peach season and I spent a little time bottling peaches this morning.  Tomorrow will be peach and blueberry pies. 

Don’t they look good? 

Looks can be deceiving.  These peaches are hard as rocks. 

Writing can be like that too.  Sometimes we have a story that looks ready.  We think it’s planned out enough to start drafting, or we think it’s edited enough to send out.  But when we bite into it we find it’s still green.  Just as unripe fruit can cause indigestion our unfinished stories can turn readers off. 

Before you take that big step, take the time to make sure the fruit of your labors is ripe and sweet and ready to be read.

Notice

Literary Lab is having their third annual writing contest and anthology.  It sounds like a fun theme plus in addition to being published in their anthology they are giving away cash prizes.  Go check it out.