Thank goodness for rejection

I'm almost finished the last of my edits before heading into query land.

I've been there before, but I've only visited for short periods of time. In total I think I had about ten to fifteen rejections. This time I'm planning on staying for a while.

When I read my earlier drafts of my book, all I can think is, thank goodness I was rejected, because I wouldn't have wanted that version to be my first book.

I've learned so much since I started writing this book. It has completely changed and this time I think it might have a chance. But even if it doesn't, I know I can write another book and it will be even better.

So thank goodness all of the agents I sent my first drafts to were smart enough to realize it wasn't ready.

How about you? Are you glad your first drafts weren't published?

2011 Debut Novel - Hereafter

Christina Lee had this great idea of reviewing 2011 debut YA authors and I was lucky to be in the right spot at the right time, so I was able to review a book for today.

Due to my bad habit of procrastination, the book I originally picked, was unavailable at my book store. Which turned out to be good, because  I came across Hereafter by Tara Hudson and decided to give it a try. I have to admit it is the first paranormal book I've read, so I didn't know what to expect, but this book didn't disappoint.

Here's a run down of what the book is about:

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she’s dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she’s trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.


So not only is it a paranormal, but it's also a romance, and I'm a sucker for a good romance. And between a ghost and a living boy. What a great concept. Her descriptions of the afterlife is eerie and haunting (not a place I'd like to go). Since I haven't read any other paranormal books, I'd say this was a great one to get me interested in the genre.


So here's my question: Have you read any great paranormal books lately?

Finding G and Hidden Valley Ranch

I am all kinds of tired. On Monday I canned more salsa, did a ton of errands, had piano lessons with my daughter, played volleyball and soccer (did I mention I joined a coed volleyball team).

Today I worked all day, got groceries and took kids to basketball practice.

My mind is fried. I have no words of wisdom. No clever analogies. No thoughts on writing.

Instead I leave you with two funny videos.

Have you seen either of them before? Which one did you like better? If you don't have time to watch them, which one do you think you'd like more?

The Phone Call

No, I 'm not talking about that one, but I wish.

Yesterday, I got a phone call that started like this.

"Hey, Patti, how's it going."

I had no clue who was on the phone and it took me a good minute to figure it out. (I guess I didn't want to be rude and ask).

When I call someone, who I don't normally talk to all the time on the phone, I usually say, "Hey, it's Patti." This way the person I'm talking to knows who it is and we can start our conversation right away, instead of her saying three minutes later "Oh, it's Patti". I do this because apparently I sound really young on the phone. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked if my mom was home. I have used this to my advantage since if I know it's a telemarketer, I say no.

How does this relate to writing?

Let's pretend the person who called me is the author and I'm the reader. It took me a while to get situated – to know who I was talking to. Even though I like books that open with some action, I also like it when the author is clear about what is going on, so I'm not scratching my head for four pages going, "What the heck..." If it's too hard to follow, I'm less inclined to keep reading.

How about you? Do you like knowing what's going on right away in a book? Or do you like to be left guessing for a little bit?

Best Laid Plans

To try and stop some of my misery, I actually made a very simple to do list for today. (see previous post)

Vacumm
Edit three chapters
Exercise

Totally doable – right?

Well I didn't do any of those things. Instead I visited with three ladies in my church, then went to my mom's and canned 18 jars of salsa. My mom called in the morning and told me she had everything ready for me to come over and can. My mom is kind of like that, so how could I say no.

Now I've decided to make my to do lists at the end of the day.

Made 18 jars of salsa - done
Made dinner - done
Soccer meeting - done
blog - done
shower - done
groceries for the salsa - done

Wow, I did a lot today.

How to feel Miserable

I found this on facebook and had to share. I think I'm underlining way too many of those.Today I will take try not to constantly compare myself to others.

How about you? Are there any you want to work on?

Osmosis

The informal definition: "Osmosis" is the process by which information or concepts come a person without conscious effort.

I can't tell you how many times I sat down at the computer last week and hoped this would happen. That all the words and stories that were inside of me would just flow out of my head and onto the computer screen, but unfortunately life doesn't work that way – at least not for me. I've come to accept that now.

I've had my crit partner's notes back for a week now and although I've looked at them, I haven't applied them to my book. I just keep looking at my documents sitting on my desk top, hoping that inspiration will spring, but I've come to the conclusion that inspiration doesn't spring unless your writing. It usually doesn't happen with the first sentence and maybe not even the second, but if I keep writing eventually I will get there.

Remember nothing happens by osmosis.

How about you? Do you find you have to be writing in order for inspiration to hit?