It has been awhile since I've written on here, but I have been thinking of writing most every day. I've attended my writers group, on a Thursday, where we learned about self publishing. (not something I'm really interested in, but it was very informative) It was hosted at a small independent bookstore here in Tooele "the Purple Cow" I bought Fablehaven 5, showed it to my husband that night, told him I wanted to read it, but I should work on my own writing, and he said, "You should do some more research reading to see how it's done." So I did. Finished it in a day and a half.

Then on Saturday, I went to a book signing by an author. I bought her book that day, and read it within 8 hours. (more than 300 pages too) Loved it (called the Hourglass Door, by Lisa Mangum.) Some day I'm going to write a book that just can't be put down.

I've written 16 pages in the last week. Much better than the weeks before that. I had been doing some editing, and reading work by others in my critique group. The story is often in my mind, but real life does interfere with my imaginary ones.

On a personal note, I lost my dear mother-in-law the first of this month. Attending her funeral the day before mothers day was heart breaking, but still such a spiritual and refreshing experience to know how much she was loved and how much she influenced and touched the lives of those who knew her. I hope I can live my life to be respected and loved as much as she was.

Tell those you love how much you love them. Take time in your life for the most important things. Go give someone a hug right now. :)

Can't say enough about the critique group

I finished my book and thought it was fabulous. Having my family and some friends read it gave me some feedback, but it was mostly its nice, I like it, sign me a book when it's published. But none of the agents wanted anything to do with it. Then I joined a critique group and have gotten such good advice on how to improve it that I can't believe I thought it was good when I first finished it. I believe it was a good idea to let it sit and simmer for awhile and then come at it again with a new look and new advice.

I'm getting excited to see how to make it improve with each time I read through it.

1/2 way through the big edit.

I'm more than half way through the thorough edit of my manuscript. Have been really enjoying it and making some minor, and some major changes.

However, I'm fighting the urge to go write something else. Work on another project that I started a few months ago and then put away because I was in the mood to work on this one. I've told myself once I make all the corrections I need to on my first project, I'll do another round of sending it out and work on my next idea while I wait to hear back. I'm still hearing back from agents that I queried back in mid January.

Feeling like it's mostly positive.

So enough rambling. Back to work I go.

I've been at it for a year now.

I've been getting some great feedback from my critique group. It has been unbelievably helpful to get insights from other writers. LOVE IT!

I have been spending a lot of my time reading other people's work, and seeing how they do it. Getting to work on mine and improving as I go. I am 1/3 of the way through a more in depth revision and edit. I know it is helping it to be a much better book.

I have now been working on being a writer for a full year now. It has been a wonderful learning experience, and I can't wait to see what this next year brings.

Lots of fun stuff out there, I'm sure.

A bump in the road.

I've hit a snag. I was going so great. Got 3 chapters done with no problem, the fourth was a little harder, and now I'm stuck. Don't know if that means I've gone the wrong way and need to do a detour or what. I know where I want to be at the end of the road, the journey is what is hard. Gotta make it entertaining and exciting stops along the way before we reach the end, but it's beginning to get boring.

Maybe I should take a break and work on my other one.

Read the types of books you want to write.

I have been told from many different sources to read the types of books you are wanting to write. Get a feel for what is out there. See how other writers did it. Learn how to do it by seeing how it was done.

There are many books out there I've read, just because I happened to come across them in the Young adult section of the library.

Other books have been suggested to me by others who have read them.

Many times a best seller was enjoyable to me, but I have loved others that weren't nearly so popular. I do think having others recommend a book is a good thing, but I can't tell you how many times I've been disappointed by something because it didn't meet the expectations I had from the glowing praise given it. Kind of like movies that same way I guess.

I also know the kinds of books I have loved and told others to read, haven't met their expectations. There are so many opinions on books. Good thing there are so many books out there. At least each one should be loved by at least one person.

But I must say I really love the "research" part of this writing business. I can't wait to open another book to read while I "research" how that author crafted their story.

Critique groups ROCK!

I participated in my first critique group last night. It was so nice to get input and suggestions from other writers.

I love having other people who know what I am going through as a writer "get" what I'm talking about when I say that certain things were hard or easy for me to write.

And its great to get input from others on what they notice about my work that needs help because I'm so close to my story I don't see it as individual words any more.

So I must say again. Having a critique group is wonderful. So many different viewpoints really helps.