Ah! I found a great blog posting about editing. He calls it revising. Perhaps that's a better word for it. Take a look. http://wordswimmer.blogspot.com/
As for me, I just signed up for an intense three-day workshop on children's picture books. Now that I've done it, I sit back and wonder - how on earth can you spend three days on a two-hundred word book?!? Boggles my mind. I've revised and revised and revised the little thing. I can't think of a word that needs changing - but they'll tell me, won't they? *g*
I've got baboons cavorting. My daughter-in-law says that might be a bit much for a little one. I love to give my little one new, exciting words. She always asks what they mean. We have a delightful time cavorting and then she'll never forget the word. I think, though, that it's a good suggestion. I will bet you odds on the dollar that will be one thing the attendees at the workshop will suggest changing! *g*
Got to remember all four principles - especially - Don't Take It Personally.
There will be a publisher there for individual meetings. Not for pitching the book, but for sharing working in children's literature. I am looking forward to that - not expecting, though. I do hope to get a glimpse into someone who is in 'that' world and see what they say.
Life is interesting, even if revised.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Serious talk
Went to my writers' group and had a great discussion about 'When did I put myself last?'
Great question. As an author, I've got to remember that. I've got to remember to think of me as I do my kids. To think of my stories, as I do my kids. To think of my future as I do my kids. (They are the ones who have been FIRST forever.)
I truly think this is another way of thinking of one of the Four Agreements. #1... Be Impeccable With Your Word. Which means that anything I say about anybody is true and good. ESPECIALLY words that have to do with me. Only speak with truth about myself. And make sure it is TRUTH.
It is difficult to even consider the fact that I will be published. So many 'nay sayers' tell me differently. I'm pretty sure the same has happened to you.
I won't listen to them. I will put myself first. I will speak only positively about myself and my books and my hopes for publishing.
Go ahead - try it. And share that positiveness with others.
Life is positively interesting!
PS - please don't be concerned about my kids - they are grown and out of the house and happy!
Great question. As an author, I've got to remember that. I've got to remember to think of me as I do my kids. To think of my stories, as I do my kids. To think of my future as I do my kids. (They are the ones who have been FIRST forever.)
I truly think this is another way of thinking of one of the Four Agreements. #1... Be Impeccable With Your Word. Which means that anything I say about anybody is true and good. ESPECIALLY words that have to do with me. Only speak with truth about myself. And make sure it is TRUTH.
It is difficult to even consider the fact that I will be published. So many 'nay sayers' tell me differently. I'm pretty sure the same has happened to you.
I won't listen to them. I will put myself first. I will speak only positively about myself and my books and my hopes for publishing.
Go ahead - try it. And share that positiveness with others.
Life is positively interesting!
PS - please don't be concerned about my kids - they are grown and out of the house and happy!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Mumbling
I've been sitting here trying to figure out if I am too wordy.
I'll explain. I've written quite a bit on Blue the last few days... but the stuff doesn't ring true. I feel like I'm delving way too deep for my character. She/he has been through quite a bit - almost drowning twice, having a nose broke, turning into an otter - lots of action during the two days of the 'tryouts.'
Now - I've been writing a lot of dialogue that tells of the.. AH HA! Perhaps that is why it hasn't been 'ringing true.' I've been telling. Yup - that could be it. I'll go back and look.
BUT - the introspection seems to be a lot. I'm beginning to wonder if, when I'm not sure what to write next, the little mind grasps at 'trivialities' or 'fillers' to keep going until the Muse gets off her butt and lets me know what's going on.
Of course, with the editing process, I'm sure I'll cut a lot out. Ah, the wondrous editing process.
I think I'll just put the stuff I've written onto Word, forget about it for a bit, and then get back to it in a couple of days. To see what I've been mumbling about.
Life is interesting.
I'll explain. I've written quite a bit on Blue the last few days... but the stuff doesn't ring true. I feel like I'm delving way too deep for my character. She/he has been through quite a bit - almost drowning twice, having a nose broke, turning into an otter - lots of action during the two days of the 'tryouts.'
Now - I've been writing a lot of dialogue that tells of the.. AH HA! Perhaps that is why it hasn't been 'ringing true.' I've been telling. Yup - that could be it. I'll go back and look.
BUT - the introspection seems to be a lot. I'm beginning to wonder if, when I'm not sure what to write next, the little mind grasps at 'trivialities' or 'fillers' to keep going until the Muse gets off her butt and lets me know what's going on.
Of course, with the editing process, I'm sure I'll cut a lot out. Ah, the wondrous editing process.
I think I'll just put the stuff I've written onto Word, forget about it for a bit, and then get back to it in a couple of days. To see what I've been mumbling about.
Life is interesting.
Some Hope
Back to the old publishing thoughts....
Having a good relationship with your local librarian, I think, is a good thing. Also, though they are few and far between, local book store owners/buyers can be a wealth of information.
The age of mega bookstores has put a crimp in the information highway. It is difficult to network when the personnel change with such frequency as the one by me. Well, I say one, but there are two, at the moment. The one is going bust - which I do find sad.
Some would say it is because of the instant books I can buy from the internet. I wonder if it is greed. I wouldn't think it was authors' greed, however! I know there are some mega authors out there - but the one's I hang around with would be grateful to just have their book in hardback. Those were the days.
The point of all this meandering thought is this - a bookstore owner/buyer has helped me regain faith in my writing and the publishing industry. She told a legitimate source close to me that poetry in children's picture books is well accepted by the industry and she encouraged me to submit my little 'giraffe' story. What welcome news! She even invited me to a conference (though full, she promised to help me 'get in').
Life is full of goodness.
Having a good relationship with your local librarian, I think, is a good thing. Also, though they are few and far between, local book store owners/buyers can be a wealth of information.
The age of mega bookstores has put a crimp in the information highway. It is difficult to network when the personnel change with such frequency as the one by me. Well, I say one, but there are two, at the moment. The one is going bust - which I do find sad.
Some would say it is because of the instant books I can buy from the internet. I wonder if it is greed. I wouldn't think it was authors' greed, however! I know there are some mega authors out there - but the one's I hang around with would be grateful to just have their book in hardback. Those were the days.
The point of all this meandering thought is this - a bookstore owner/buyer has helped me regain faith in my writing and the publishing industry. She told a legitimate source close to me that poetry in children's picture books is well accepted by the industry and she encouraged me to submit my little 'giraffe' story. What welcome news! She even invited me to a conference (though full, she promised to help me 'get in').
Life is full of goodness.
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