I got my goal done!! During October, I continued writing out scenes for an intense subplot, weaving it into the existing storyline in a believable (and suspenseful!) way. Once that was complete, I listed the chapters again, with notes regarding an aspect of my main character. I needed to iron some things out, making her Read More …
Whelp, I did not meet the goal I set for myself by the end of September: delete (boring sections), move up timeline, and add more suspenseful content to fill boring sections. I got a bad cold. 😬 And… The process became a lot more complicated than I thought it would. (I’m learning every step of Read More …
She held her breath, willing herself to stay hidden, to not be seen. The door to the water heater room creaked open and the lightbulb blinked on. She could see their shadows on the opposite wall. A grumble; then the light flickered back off, the door closed, and footsteps faded. She let her breath out Read More …
After three key opportunities: (Which you can read about in my previous writing journey post, Critique and Pitch Appointments!) Getting to meet one-on-one with an editor from Tyndale House Publishers and receiving her very positive critique on my first ten pages, Meeting one-on-one with Donald Maass and having that go better than I ever imagined, Attending continuing Read More …
She couldn’t help herself. Her curiosity always took her to places or situations where she didn’t belong, even in her twenties. This time she was lying at the top of a ridge, in the dark. An occasional star twinkled through the forest branches above. It was the flickering light below and the sound of voices Read More …
Two days before my one-on-one critique appointment with the editor from Tyndale House Publishers, I received her initial comments on my first ten pages. Here were some of her good comments: Very gripping beginning! Overall good showing and not telling I don’t have a lot of critiques on your writing techniques. I think you write thriller Read More …
Her toes curled as the particles of glass embedded deeper with each step. She was barefoot and bloody, trying to move quietly through the trees. Sucking in a quick breath, she bit her lip. The pain. A slight twig snapped underfoot and her hair stood on end. Any noise could be lethal. She dropped into Read More …
This past month I signed up for Query Tracker, per multiple recommendations from other writers. Query Tracker helps writers find agents, based on different criteria, and tracks the process. Familiarizing myself with this tool and looking closer at agents’ submission requirements is making me realize the submission process really is detailed, complex, and drawn out. Read More …
Despite the warmth of the summer sun, her blood ran cold when she spotted the long, crisp envelop in her mailbox. She pulled it out with her fingertips and turned it over. Only her name on the back, typed. She glanced around frantically, walking briskly back into her house. Bolting the lock, she slid to Read More …
A few exciting things this past month that make this whole trying-to-get-published thing feel more real 😊 The other month I signed up to attend the Realm Makers annual writers conference and paid for a couple “extras,” a one-on-one critique appointment and a one-on-one pitch appointment. But those of us who signed up for one-on-ones Read More …