The Big 25!

Happy Thursday Everyone,

Whoo-hoo this blog has recorded 25 followers! I want to celebrate.

So...

I'm trying to come up with something good for a contest or a prize or whatever to mark the occasion.

While I'm working on that (and my manuscripts in the process of being written) perhaps you might share what you're working on that you're excited about?

Have A Thrilling Thursday!

Cross Your Fingers,Toes & Pray (Or, Time For Distractions...)

Happy Friday All,

While y'all are celebrating the end of another week, you can join me in celebrating me putting out a query letter for the first time. Thursday afternoon was when it happened, and I'll keep you updated on what's next. (In the meantime, please cross your fingers, toes, hair, whatever and if you're a prayer type person, send some up for me, please as I go through this process).

There's mixed feelings involved here. For instance:

On one hand I was nervous after pushing that "send" button, on the other hand, a sense of relief fell over me that my manuscript was finally ready and I had everything prepared.

Once the initial nerves are gone there's the whole "Okay, onto the other manuscripts." and "What other responsibilities do I have?"

Yesterday (late, around 8:30 or so p.m.) I made fudge. I had planned to, but the fact that I had gotten done what I had planned to in terms of getting that query out made me feel like I had more "room" in my head to do that.

Also, I started thinking about other manuscripts I have waiting on the sidelines. One that's outlined and just needs to move forward and another that's gotten started and needs to be completed. Plus I have one that I really like the idea, but I haven't gotten it to work, yet...so that's been hanging on the fringes of my mind, as well.

The main thing is (which others have also said) don't sit around thinking about the query you sent. Keep working on your other projects and things you have going on. Also, work in time for your family and friends. Read, read, read. We authors are supposed to keep up with the industry, right?

The good thing about this time of year is that there are things to keep one's mind off of one's sent query. Things like food, decorations, music, family, friends, books and other projects.

We authors are writers, but we're also people with lives outside of our writing.

So, what do you do while waiting for a reply on a query?

Have A Fantastical Friday!

More On Conference, Etc.,

Well, I'm all set for the Conference in October. I have my reservation for the Conference itself and a room (so that I can concentrate). Luckily, I'm going to be practically around the corner from my house so if family needs arise, I'll be nearby. Hopefully, though, I can just enjoy the conference and not worry about anything other than learning what I can there.

So far my newest novel is practically writing itself. I haven't had things fall into place so easily in a long time. And I'm really excited about this story! I'm grateful that I know some people who speak French fluently--otherwise double-checking some French words/phrases would be a little more complicated (although, not impossible). And those years of French camp from my childhood are actually coming in handy! Who knew I would use it for my writing? (Shout out to Sarah on this one--as well as my Mom for having me go to French camp when I was growing up. Also, Les. Although, I don't know how fluent Les is! And a huge shout out and thank you to Michelle for agreeing to be my writing buddy. I'm looking forward to us looking at each other's work).

My editor has my other manuscript and I trust her to have some good suggestions and lots of hints. (And I wouldn't blame her if she put: "What were you thinking here?" although, she assured me she wouldn't--I'll just ask myself that!) Gotta give said editor a shout out here and a hug--thanks, Debbie! Love you to pieces.

I'm learning a lot about publishing. I know I'm probably only scratching the surface; however, I want to make sure I can polish my manuscript, write a good query and be as professional as possible when the time comes to send off my work.

Final shout out to another friend of mine, Shane, for the encouragement with my writing this past week. Thanks.

Also, big hug to my husband for reading the first 2-3 chapters of the new novel and thinking it was good. (I know that if he thought it was off-the-wall he'd tell me--I want him to tell me!)

Keep smilin' everybody.