The answer is YES. I've been working all week on edits for my next release Veil of Pearls. Just when I thought I was done with the story, it shows up in my email once again!! You see there are two kinds of edits in the publishing business. A substantive edit and a line edit. The substantive edit reveals things that don't make sense, holes in the plot, characters that need some work, things like that. Usually, my edits on these are pretty light. This time. Not so much! In fact, I had to delete an entire chapter! Plus move several scenes around, introduce a new character, etc.. etc.. Of course once you do that, everything else in the story is affected. Sigh. But, I have until next Friday so I should be good. It's just HARD WORK. (Just in case there are any wanna be writers out there who think my life is easy!)
My problem this time? I think I was just too close to the whole story. And because I was rushed, I didn't take the time to ponder things. Pondering is a good thing for all you writers out there. I highly recommend it. All it requires is stepping away from the computer, talking a walk, thinking about what you just wrote and any upcoming scenes and working through the details, making sure everything makes sense. If you don't do that. If you get rushed, things can end up garbled. But Thank God for good Editors!!! Mine is Traci Depree.. a lovely lady and an author herself. She always catches my goofs. God love her!
Never fear, though, the story is going to be FABULOUS! I'm very excited about it.
So, other than that what have I been doing? Well, I hired some maids (very cheap ones) to clean my filthy house and they spent 3 hours getting it spotless! They even got the wood floors so clean, my hubby and my stepson and I are slipping on them. I even fell once! Not complaining, though. I just haven't had time lately to clean.
We went and saw Courageous last week. Check for the post on my review. Go see it!!! Bring the men in your life!!
My best friend is moving away.
I found out another good friend doesn't have cancer! Praise God!
I made an appointment to be tested for Sleep Apnea. Uggg. I don't think I have it, but I do wake up alot.
And my hubby and I are enjoying the new show, Person of Interest, with Jim Cavaziel. Hubba hubba. (The hubba hubba is for both my hubby and Jim)
What's new with you this week?
Fri Oct 7th,
ReplyDelete"Morning, MaryLu."
Looking forward to seeing the movie, "Courageous" when it arrives here. Sounds good.
Hope your revisions and edits are coming along okay, MaryLu. As much as I -- love and enjoy writing, and, "wanted" to be a writer ... I now believe I am just TOO tired and exhausted to even think about it !!! I'll leave it to you, MaryLu ... you are younger, have far more energy, and have a very creative mind. I never doubt that each new novel you write, will be a major hit !
New with me this week: well, I'm on brain-mental-emotional-physical overload (for me, anyway). Began a brand new, part-time job on Monday. "Thought" I'd be out "on the floor" ... servicing customers, and, putting the clothing away, etc. Instead, immediately placed on to cash-register ... which I have NEVER in my life worked on one !!! So new ! So much to remember and retain (already not my greatest strength) ! It's causing me to basically feel sick-to-my-stomach ... feeling so inadequate, nervous/anxious, scared, intimidated, frustrated ... you get the picture ! Ready to cry, I'm so tired and overwhelmed ! Yesterday (Thurs 6th), it was our Provincial Elections (for Ontario) ... and I worked a 13 1/2 hour day at them ... but actually it was peaceful, relaxing, and far less stressful (as there was only one polling station at the place where I was working).
Anyway ... that, is what is new with me. Today, I work from 4:15 to 9:15 (closing) .....
I was tested once for sleep-apnea ... as I am not a good sleeper already ... wake up often (very light sleeper). It's when I go into bouts of a really deep and sound sleep ... I end up on my back ... and, snoring ! Well, let us know how that goes for you.
Okay ... guess I've complained enough now (too negative today) ... sorry ! That is just 'how' I'm feeling.
Keep on, keeping on - writing ! You can do it !!!
Take care, and, God Bless,
In Him, Brenda Hurley
Brenda, I'm so sorry. It's okay to complain now and then! You haven't worked for a long time and it's all new to you. Plus learning these new cash registers must be nerve wracking. I worked one in the old days when you had to count money! Take a deep breath and call on God's strength and wisdom and you'll be a pro before you know it. I'll be praying for you!!!
ReplyDeleteMaryLu, I can see how getting too close to the story can cause problems. Your mind was probably racing with thoughts and ideas and when you put it in writing, things didn't quite add up. Well, I know that you will do a great job at the rewrites. I can't wait to read it. I, too, believe it will be fabulous! Try not to stress over it too much.
ReplyDelete*side note: Baby Cassie is doing great. I stayed with them last night, so that Jackie and Andy could catch up on some sleep. Of course Jackie could only sleep between feedings. Cassie did let her sleep for almost 5 hours straight once. Now I need to catch up on my sleep. LOL
Thanks Debbie! What a great Mom and grandma you are... I wish I'd had my Mom staying with me after my firstborn. He woke up every 2 hours for the first week. I was so tired! That's so great that Cassie already slept so long.. get some rest yourself and have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteSat Oct 8th,
ReplyDelete"Morning, MaryLu."
"Thank-you SO very much ... for your prayers" !!! They were most appreciated !!! Friday night at work, was MUCH better. It was a quieter time -- less busy and stressful ... I actually enjoyed being there.
I felt the prayers !!!
And, for about two hours yesterday afternoon (before I went in to work) ... I vegged out on a rocking chair, the sun was shining down on me, I actually managed to quiet and still myself (brain) down ... just closed my eyes, and kept saying my favourite verse: "Be still, and KNOW that I AM (HE is) God." (Psalm 46:10)
It is SO extremely difficult for me to -- still my entire self down, and be quiet. Kept asking for God's strength, not my own.
By the time I went in to work for 4:15 ... I felt more peaceful, relaxed, and 'prepared'. Plus, the girl I was working with, is actually a teacher (she supply-teaches when able) ... and she is very patient, calm, and explains things to me.
Anyway ... "thank-you", MaryLu !!!
And to Debbie ... "Congratulations" to you Grandma ... on the birth of baby Cassie !!! I must have been away when the great event took place ... because I didn't know your granddaughter had arrived yet.
Off and running now ....
Have a great weekend everyone. It is a beautiful Thanksgiving weekend here ... weather and all.
Take care, and, God Bless,
In Him, Brenda Hurley
I'm so happy, Brenda!! God is so good. And He loves you so much!! I'm so glad you were able to quiet your spirit now a little and that God provided a patient teacher for you at work. :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed weekend! And Happy Thanksgiving!
I am excited for your new book, and your new trilogy (as I said on FB, hehe) I started The Red Siren today. I work for Mollen Immunization Clinics, and it provides me with a lot of down time, so I am able to read a lot. Today I was at a different clinic and it was much more busy, so I only was able to read a few chapters.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to read about the process of writing a book. I had no idea of what actually went into it. Thanks for sharing bits and pieces of the process with us! I hope you have a blessed Lord’s day, MaryLu!! =D
Hey MaryLu,
ReplyDeleteBeing writer never sounded easy. I would get board and want to get out and do something. lol
Sorry you fell on your floor--wish my house was so clean I fell down. It'd be the most exciting thing that goes on here.
Sounds like a good movie, but our favorite theatre here isn't playingit. =( Lame...
Sorry your best friend is moving away. My best friend moved at the same time I moved but we see each other a couple times a year and talk on the phone and e-mail. Unfortunately we can't just decide to go shopping, go to the movies or hang out like we used to. It was so depressing...I have friends here now, but they don't compare. I hope they never know that.
No cancer=thank God. So many people seem to be getting cancer! There's a woman at my aunt's church with little children and she has cancer. So depressing.
I'm just hanging out for the weekend, doing my work during the week, trying to find a balance. Never been good at that. Really missing my home, but oh well. At least I'm in America....
I'll thank God anyway because He is good.
~Rebekah xD
Thanks Emma. I hope you like The Red Siren! I had so much fun writing a Lady pirate. :-)
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, before I became an author, I had no idea what went into writing a book either, or getting it published, or marketing it!
Rebekah,
Yes, I've got to be very disciplined cause I could just go to the beach if I wanted! But it's those deadlines that keep me glued to my desk. LOL
I'm sorry your best friend moved away too. I know I'm going to have moments when I pick up the phone to call her to go out for a coffee and she won't be there. :-( For me, I usually only make a few close friends my entire life. You know.. the ones that just click.. and understand you.
It's so hard to be away from home... when do you get to visit? Thanksgiving?
Emma...it's a great series! Have you read Legacy of the King's Pirates yet? LOVE that one! ;-)
ReplyDeleteMaryLu...How do you keep it all straight?! I think I would almost have to have each story line & character written & pinned on a cork board & them move them around from there. lol. I think I'll be taking lots of walks as I begin this writing adventure. :) From the bottom of my heart, thank you for sharing your life, writing tips & for being so accessible to us all. You are lovely and a blessing! I am so encouraged by you. I know this journey of writing will be a HUGE challenge; often doubting myself but knowing God knows what He's doing so here we go!
My husband & I get to leave on Friday for an 8 day vacation to AZ~WITHOUT kids!!! I'm bringing my Bible, a good book, and my computer. I'll be reading & writing & soaking up the sun. Ahhh...
I, too, only keep a few close friends & treasure those moments we can dive into deep conversations (even after not talking for weeks on end). I am so thankful for technology & phones! It would be so sad, in the days of your books, when a good friend would move away and you wouldn't hear from them for months or years! What great plans God must have for your friend! I pray He floods that void with joy and love.
ReplyDelete~Joleen
Joleen, yes, writing is much harder than most people think! Especially if you have lots of characters and each of them has a specific character arc that you need to tie in with all the others! A person could go mad thinking of it all! I do have a cork board with my characters lined up on it.. complete with pictures and their qualities.. it helps. But I still get confused!! LOL.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words. And for your sweet thoughts for my friend who's leaving. I know this is a good move for her. It's just hard to see her go. But we do have phones and computers and cars.. so not so bad.
Have a great vacation!
Thank you, MaryLu! I will have a wonderful, refreshing time.
ReplyDeleteI love how developed & real your characters are! I'll have to try that cork board idea! The picture idea is a great one too. I may have to people watch & take some shots while in AZ.
Hi MaryLu! Thanks for your post, and God bless you! Editing is a gruelling task, but so worth it in the end. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Gwendolyn. Sounds like you're familiar with editing yourself!! LOL. And yes, it is worth it... a much better book emerges. :-)
ReplyDelete