Happy First Wednesday of the Month! May was… an exhausting month. There were a couple weeks there where I wanted to scream into my pillow because I was so overloaded with everything. But I’m no longer sick, our home is repaired, my car is working fine, school is out, and the social engagements are checked off. Plus, I’m going on vacation soon–the first vacation in years. In fact, the first vacation in my kids’ life. We don’t get to travel, so I typically pack my kids’ life with the happenings of our local city (swimming pools, rollerblading, aquarium visits, etc). But my best friend’s lodging accommodations can fit a few more, and she graciously extended the offer to let us stay with her, so it is road trip time! I’m hoping to maybe gain a few words toward book 1 during my time off, but there’s no saying if I’ll have time.
Rewriting book 1 has not been progressing like I had hoped. I’m at 13K out of the original 168K. I had hoped to gain like maybe 40K a month, given that the book is literally already written and I’m just giving it a face lift. But it’s not looking like it’ll be that easy. Thankfully I have no deadlines, but I had hoped to maybe start putting chapters on Critique Circle in October, after book 2 finishes in the queues.
I’ve done a slew of character portraits over the past couple of months. You probably recognize my four POVs: MaTisha, Derek (ever smitten with his wife), Cameron, Reika (formerly known as LaTonya). But I branched out and did Jebaliah (Derek’s daughter), Naomi (Derek’s guardian), Jack (MaTisha’s guardian), and Satch (Cameron’s BFF).
I have a few more portraits planned, but I’m notorious for not finishing things, so I’m not promising any.
IWSG Question of the Month – In this constantly evolving industry, what kind of offering/service do you think the IWSG should consider offering to members?
I am one of those people who does everything themselves, so it’s hard for me to say what services would be useful. I am also unambitious, and don’t aspire to make a name for myself as a writer. However, based on what I’ve seen, most people struggle with marketing. So if I were to say something, I’d say marketing services?
Have you ever tried rewriting a whole book? How did it go for you? Do you get to travel often? What services would you like to see from IWSG?
About Insecure Writer’s Support Group
You can find the sign up for the IWSG here. We owe Alex J Cavanaugh a huge thank you for thinking this blog hop up.
I have not re-written, but have heavily edited. 168K is a lot of words to edit!
Marketing is a great idea. I had nothing. My brain was like, I dunno, so I’m happy to see other people had ideas!
Hooray on a real vacation. That will be marvelous. I’m finally back on track and reading. 😉 My goal is to be done by the end of the month.
Your kids won’t know what to do with themselves! You guys have a blast.
Happy IWSG Day! I hope you have a fantastic vacation, it sounds like it’s definitely well deserved! Marketing is always one of the toughest parts of the process. I agree marketing resources would be helpful.
May was crazy for me, too. Glad things are better for us both!
I’m at a place, now that I’m part time, where I’m not sure what to do first with all this free time. (Well, publish book 4, but then after that). My mind is swimming with all the things I’ve wanted to do for so long that I’m literally jumpy, eyes darting around at all the possibilities. LOL I switch between that and feeling overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the mountain of tasks. Ugh. I need an assistant, but I can’t yet afford one.
Anyhow, thanks for visiting my blog. Enjoy your vacation!
(Don’t get spider bit like I did and end up in the ER.)
I’ve heavily edited but not totally rewritten a manuscript. Even though you haven’t written as much as you would have liked, you’ve accomplished a lot last month. Have an awesome road trip. Just enjoy it and don’t worry about writing.
I’m not sure I’ve ever rewritten an entire manuscript. I have a couple that I think need it, but they’ve never made it off the back burner.
As always, I love your character portraits!
I hope you and your family enjoy your vacation!
I hope you have a great trip!
The closest I’ve come to re-writing was Ten Thousand Days. The original version was about 40K words and the revised edition was like 70K. The basic plot was the same, but ALOT of the details were different.
I have never started fresh from a blank document, though there’s a couple of times I probably should have.
Doing everything yourself . impressive, including the art work,
And the kids, and the road trips, and the total rewrite.. Working on a total rewrite is what I’ve been struggling with over the past few months, though the rewrite itself is complete., but not the editing, and the IT department’s exacting, ( need to bake him a really good df cake for his birthday this weekend) .
My first and only agent ( she died) enjoyed my ghost story, but it needed work, and somehow slipped out of sight. Do I believe in ghosts ? Some great scientists do… After the rewrite, my ambivalence has changed. What language is that, heard so often by one of the children ? What is the child ghost saying ? Child, definitely, and in the haunted house where we used to live, abused and neglected.
If anyone deserves a vacation, it’s you! Hope you all have a wonderful time! 🙂
Marketing is definitely one of the difficult tasks. I haven’t tried to do much, since I’m waiting to finish my trilogy first.
Have fun on your trip! I usually come back from a vacation feeling like I need another vacation to rest up from the vacation, lol.
I like your portraits. I recall seeing one of them on Instagram. Yes, I’ve rewritten an entire book. Actually, 3 of them. It’s a ridiculous amount of work, but for me, it was worth it. Those three books got traditionally published. Good luck with your project. And have fun on your vacation!
How you get any writing done with kids is a marvel. So what if perhaps you’re not getting as much done as you’d hoped? You are making progress. Have fun on your vacation. It’ll be good to get away for a bit.
Hi, Loni! Enjoy the road trip with your family! I’m in the midst of rewriting a full length book right now. Slow going, but worth it.
Marketing services – gosh, that would be so useful. Not sure it is possible though, not for free anyway.
As always, I love your art. Your portraits are gorgeous, each one with his/hers own quirks and moods.
Yeah, well, this reader thinks you could make it big if you wanted to. Still reading; still loving it.
Anna from elements of emaginette
My May had too many events.
I hope your whole family has a wonderful first vacation.
Re-writing? OMG. Now you do deserve that vacation. Enjoy.
How exciting to be going on your first family vacation! I hope you have a great time. And that you get writing done *if* it serves the time and doesn’t make you miss out on anything else. But don’t feel guilty if you don’t write.
Stop! Do not go into that vacation time planning to write. Leave that ms at home. Enjoy your kids and time away. You have no idea how quickly those kids grow up and leave the nest. Just play with them now. You can write when they’re gone. Those character portraits are outstanding–so imaginative. And ohhhh those eyes. Have a fun time!!!
Wow, Loni! Your artwork is spectacular! I am so envious. And about that other thing: listen to an old lady. Don’t take your work on vacation. For so many reasons. Best one, your kids need your special time. Happy Holidays.
I’m glad life is slowing for you. Enjoy that vacation! My May and beginning of June was also off the rails. It even absorbed my reading time, so I hope you don’t think my slowness is beta reading has anything to do with your story. Things have been so crazy, but the rest of the summer is going to be slower. I insist in it!!!
I love your character portraits… you are so talented!
Hope you enjoyed the vacation!
Definitely agree with the need for marketing support!
I hope your vacation was wonderful and life continues to calm down for you.