Rewritten

I'm done rewriting the query letter for The First Romantic Suspense. I was less motivated to do it before, but now that it's finished I feel much better. I'm waiting until November 31st to hear back from two agents I currently have active on my submission report to respond and then I am going to send out the new letter to another ten agents. We'll see how it goes. A few workshops I've gone through recommend finding a book for each agent I submit to that is similar to my own. It's a lot of work, but I think it will actually help in the long run. So to add to my goals I am going to start my research to find another story similar.
Now that I've finished my goal for this week I'm spending some extra time on revising The First Romantic Suspense. Yeah, I know, I thought it was done too, but remember when I said most people who've read it (actually all people) didn't like the ending? Well that's going to change. I'm even adding an additional character who will also be in the sequel. Plus there are always little things I miss. This week my used-to-be-completed manuscript is going in a three-ringed binder and I'm going to be carrying it around until I'm done with it. Seems a shame since I spent $25.00 making it all pretty and bound. But that's just what I've got to do.

Breakthroughs

While on vacation I have come up with some great breakthroughs in my writing. First, I'm letting myself rewrite the ending to The First Romantic Suspense. It will connect more to the second book and end more happily-ish. Second, is just that. The new ending of book one gave me more ideas for The Second Romantic Suspense. I'm still trying to make the chapters play nicely together, but these new ideas are a great addition since I have been in somewhat of a writer's block.

Updates

I haven't posted in a while and thought I would share some updates as well as post this great quote of Ms. Evanovich's from her "Questions About Writing" on her site.

Q. What if I send my book to a lot of agents and none of them wants to represent me?


JANET: If being a writer is important to you, keep at it, keep improving, and don't give up. I wrote three books that were never published. I sent the first one out to everybody. I went through every agent and publisher in New York, twice. The only positive letter that I got back was from an agent, but it was written in purple crayon on a bar napkin, so I didn't follow up on it. Then, presto, ten years later I was a published author.

First, I haven't entered into the RWA Golden Heart contest. I didn't realize in order to enter you had to be a member of RWA. I am more than willing to become a member of this prestiges group, but lack the money to do so. Some day it will happen.

Second, I haven't been writing AT ALL. It's bad, I know. Good news? I'm still planning out my second novel in my head. I've even fixed a few chapters up there, but haven't written them yet. As for my first novel, I don't know what to do with it. For the people who've read it, the end is a bummer. It doesn't really end as a happy story, and they think I need to rewrite. Some days I agree, but am not sure how it will work out with the sequel.

Third, I am rethinking my titles. Any thoughts (if you've read the book)? If you haven't any titles that you think would be suited for a romantic/suspensful novel? And if you want to read it, just ask.

And last, I have decided to go back to school, but in a different program. I feel good about a my writing and would like to get the credentials to help me out. Currently, I'm trying to get program information about UVU's English department and we'll see where it takes me. Wish me luck :)

Trouble in the Field

I'm having a hard time staying motivated on a lot of things lately. I've sent my Novel #1 query letter out to 10 agents. So far, 6 have replied with no interest. Rejection is always hard, but it's just mostly annoying. I've read that I should send out 10 at a time and if they all come back with rejections, rewrite and send out to another 10. My problem is I spent almost 3 months perfecting my query letter for this novel and can't see myself spending MORE time on it in a rewrite. But I guess I don't have a choice. I will wait for the other 4 agents to respond by Oct 31st. If by then I haven't heard anything, then it's time to start over.
I've also considered something else that could happen. There are some authors out there who are published, but some of their manuscripts never made it that far. I'm not sure if my first novel could be one of them. I almost want to just keep moving forward with the second novel and leave the first behind.

Musical Motivation

Do it now
You know who you are
You feel it in your heart
And you're burning and wishing

At first, wait, won't get it on a plate
You're gonna work for it harder and harder
And I know 'cause I've been there before
Knocking on the doors with rejection (rejection)
And you'll see 'cause if it's meant to be
Nothing can compare to deserving your dream

[Chorus:]
It's amazing, it's amazing all that you can do
It's amazing, it makes my heart sing
Now it's up to you

Patience, now, frustration's in the air
And people who don't care
Well it's gonna get you down
And you'll fall (fall)
Yes you will hit a wall
But get back on your feet
And you'll be stronger and smarter

And I know 'cause I've been there before
Knockin' down the doors, won't take "No" for an answer
And you'll see 'cause if it's meant to be
Nothing can compare to deserving your dream

- Jem - It's Amazing

4 More

I've sent my query letter out to another 4 agents this week, hoping one of them will request more information.

I've also been spending a lot of time on The Second Romantic Suspense. It seems small, but I have about 5 chapters done. I'm just touching them up before I move on. I'm still not entirely sure where this storyline is going, but have a lot of ideas of what to put in it. I know how the book ends, it's just getting there that counts. The First Romantic Suspense took me about 6 months to write and about 6 more months to edit and make perfect. If I can even get that close with The Second Romantic Suspense I'll be lucky. I have a feeling it's not going to work that way though.

As you can also see the covers for my two novels are different again. Remember they are just for fun. I made them because I was bored and am not very creative when it comes to Photoshop.

RWA Golden Heart Contest

Romance Writer's of America has their Golden Heart writing contest every year. This is possibly the largest contest in romance writing in America and I plan to enter. Entry starts September 21st this year. Luckily, I have everything ready for it. The manuscript is formatted from the last contest and the synopsis is done. All I need is my entry form and fee. I'll keep you updated.

And Away We Go.

It's off. My 1 page synopsis and query letter are off to a prospective agent. I'm sending it snail mail, which will give me about 2 months to hear from the Gival Press contest I entered into. Takes a long time, but I wanted to make sure to do everything right. If this one doesn't work out I have an entire list of agents that I've researched to fit my book. :)

Guess What? It's Finished.

Yes, the synopsis for Novel #1 is finally done. Hopefully I can keep it that way. I have an annoying habit of rewriting and rewriting and rewriting even when it's fine. I have purchased the book above to help me submit my manuscript and shop it around to agents. Ugh, the drama. Wish me luck :)

Oh For The Love...

Is this finished yet? Technically, yes, but I feel like I will never be done with the synopsis. No wonder Carolyn Jewel calls it "dreaded". I thought this would be the easy part. I wrote a 351 page novel in one year without worry, but this sucker is a beast of it's own. I do, however, have more than one sentence done now. I have approximately 9 paragraphs. The only problem is making them play together nicely. I've probably rewritten each paragraph about 5 times already and I'm close! I'll keep you updated :)