Thursday, June 13, 2013

State of the Becky

Heyyyy, all! I hope everyone is doing well, and I hope the USians among you are staying safe amid this swath of summer storms.

Sorry it has been so quiet around here lately! I am still around, lurking and reading all your posts, but I have not had much to post lately. It seems I have finally reached the point in my publishing journey where it's better if I just keep my mouth shut about the specifics until I have something concrete to say - which is not a natural impulse for me, having blogged so heavily about my querying process, but I'm getting used to it! So all I'll say is: all is well, my soul remains uncrushed by this business, and perhaps someday in the future I will be running all over the blogosphere screaming news from the rooftops.

In the meantime, I have hammered out my writing schedule for the foreseeable future, and I am really excited about it. There was a significant period of time last year where I had a lot of half-formed ideas but wasn't truly excited about any of them, but now I'm really happy with my line-up and I can't wait to get to work. And, of course, this allows for the prospect of a new idea coming in and sweeping me off my feet, which is always fun.

Here's what I've got on tap, and the order in which I'll tackle them:

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Project #1: Revisionland! Once again. =P I would have thought that revising a single manuscript so many times would be a tad bit disheartening, but it's actually really fun. There's something really fascinating about working on something you know inside and out -just when you think you're done renovating, you find a whole new floor of the house you haven't even touched yet. Working on this one has really been a crash course in how to be a better writer. I'm just waiting on some notes, and then off I go again.

Project #2: Drafting overhaul. I generally don't do this, but Project #2 is a special case - the drafting process got pretty broken up amidst all my trips to Revisionland, and though I had 60k under my belt in the first draft, I realized I was going into Act Three without any of my usual momentum. And since this is probably one of the most heavily structured stories I've done, I need that momentum!

So once those Project #1 revisions are done, I'm going back to the beginning with Project #2. I won't be starting from scratch, but I can change the things I need to change, and keep the rest consistent. And that'll free me up to plow full speed ahead into the as-yet-unwritten denouement!

Project #3: Drafting! FINALLY. Project #3 has gone through two or three false starts since I came up with the idea a couple years ago, and it's finally ready to go. And I couldn't be happier. It'll take me back in a more surreal, fantastical direction (Project #2 is straight gothic horror), it takes place in one of my favorite cities in the world, and if I do it right, it will give people nightmares. So let's hope I do it right.


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So that's what I'm up to, loves. What are you working on this summer?

10 comments:

  1. Good luck with your projects! I've been kind of unfocused lately with writing (so many other things going on) and that is so WEIRD for me! I don't know how to be not-writing.

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    1. I know how that is - and it really is so frustrating, especially after a long period of full speed ahead. I hope you fall into your rhythm again sometime soon!

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  2. Good luck with revisions. * waves pom poms*

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  3. I am a big blabber, so I know what it's like to have to sit on my hands to keep from typing all the latest. But, yes, discretion is best.

    LOVE that you're working on multiple projects in multiple stages. Me too!

    Yes, I've got the one that I've revised so many times I've practically got it memorized. Then there's the one that's seen a couple of revisions, been put aside for months, and now needs a big overhaul. And finally, there's the one that's only a plan in my head.

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    1. Hahaha, it is oh so very contrary to my nature! But I have a great support group, so somehow I will find a way to power through. This process is definitely an interesting one, though...

      Good luck on all your projects!! THE CAGED GRAVES is totally at the top of my reading list right now. Summer is the perfect time to stock up on creepy reads! (I mean, not that I need a specific time of year to indulge in the creepy... but summer is particularly good for it!)

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  4. Just making lists like this helps me so much! I should do one, too. I had vague goals for summer, but so far I'm pretty far from fulfilling them. Writing them down will make them real again. It sounds like you have a very full docket and a positive attitude! Woot! Go Becky Go!

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    1. Thank you, Katrina!! And yes... lists are pretty much the best. Crossing things off lists is even nicer!

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  5. Good luck with all of your writing projects! It sounds like you're going to have a super busy summer but, if you're anything like me, you wouldn't have it any other way! ; )

    I'm between writing projects right now - I have two projects to do revisions on, but I also have several shiny new ideas I really want to work on next. And I have a feeling one of those shiny new ideas will win!

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    1. Thank you Samara! And yes, I certainly wouldn't have it any other way. I love it when my writing docket is full!

      Ooooh, it's always fun when those shiny ideas are battling it out. May the best one win!

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