Surprise!

Well, I finished all my grading for the year, and although school isn't officially out until Thursday and I have to work until Friday... I just decided to go ahead and start writing The White Thread. Surprise! I had no plans of doing this until about midday today, but I'm really glad that I did. I won't say that I didn't spend a good deal of time staring blankly at my computer screen, because I did, but I also got a lot written for my first day out (4 pages) and I'm feeling really good about how it's flowing. Picking up the (figurative) pen and writing about Darcy, Sam, and Lewis again is like greeting old friends. Okay, I have to go because my husband and I have a movie to catch, but I just wanted to give that quick update!

One Week to Go

My last post was something of a downer, so I thought I should be more upbeat this time around. I'm excited to think about writing The White Thread this summer, and I only have one more week until I begin that process. I am also somewhat nervous, though. I have something of a "block" regarding certain aspects of this installment, and I'm also concerned about making ring composition fit for this story. Realistically, though, I'll probably do what I always do: take a deep breath, and start writing. Usually once I get going, the words just flow. I'm going to set myself this summer at 7 pages a day, but it's more likely that I'll write between 10 and 12... we'll see. The sooner I get the draft done, the sooner I can start the revisions and editing process, and the sooner I can get a final product out. We are not traveling anywhere this summer (thanks to the stupendous gas prices), so I won't have any major interruptions. All things considered, I think it's going to be a good summer to be an independent author!

Reflections on Rejection

The agency that was reviewing my manuscripts for the past couple months unfortunately decided to pass on pursuing a representative relationship with me. So, I'm left to reflect on being rejected, yet again. Here's the thing, though, the publishing industry is a very difficult industry, and I've often commented to people that getting an agent or an "official" publisher is rather like trying to get discovered in Hollywood. That being said, I'm not trying to bellyache, I just want to be honest about how I, an independent author, respond to this sort of experience, because perhaps it will help some of you out there who are just beginning your publishing journeys. I have been here before, but unfortunately this time is particularly discouraging. I had a very good referral to this agency, and it still wasn't good enough. Unfortunately, too, I happened to have a very bad day yesterday (having experienced something that I hope I will never have to experience again) and got home to open my e-mail and discover that the agent had finally e-mailed me back after having my manuscripts for almost three months. Now, obviously there is no way that he could have known the sort of day that I had had, but I had to shake my head at the extreme irony of the situation. Sometimes things just work out like that. Anyhow, he was very kind in "letting me down easy" and gave me a few recommendations for other agents to query, but I just don't know if I have the energy to start over from square one again (not right now, at least). Once upon a time I would have questioned my ability to write or tell a good story, but I don't do that anymore. My abilities as a storyteller and writer have already been confirmed by my readership (whom I love very, very dearly!), many of whom have contacted me spontaneously over the past two years to express their delight over my books. Some of my students are so enthusiastic about my stories that they pester me weekly to start writing book 3 already! I know that I write stories that teenagers want to read, so why is it that the professionals don't agree? I just don't know... it's rather puzzling to me. I can only conclude that this particular agency simply wasn't the right match for me. I do not thumb my nose at them or anything of that sort. I still have every respect for them as an agency. If all I ever become is a local "celebrity" (using that term VERY loosely), then that is good enough for me. It was a great joy for me to help some of my students write their outside reading reports on my books this month, and I will be happy to keep on doing that year after year. From here I will just keep plugging along. I will start writing book 3 in two weeks and will have the rough draft completed by the first week of August. I continue to sell a few books every week, and I hope to get a few more book signings set up over the summer, as well. I plan on unveiling the cover for book 3 in June, so keep on the lookout for that! You are going to love it.

In totally unrelated news, my brother the game designer, Dennis Hoyle, is unveiling his debut card game tonight! It's an award-winning card game called Drop Site and you can preorder it at http://www.bellwethergames.com.

A Little Business

The school year is running down and I am counting the days until I will begin official work on The White Thread. (20 days from today!) I'm going to start the process of reviewing and organizing my notes, especially those which I took over spring break. Once I start writing, I will try to have weekly updates on my process. Also, I'm considering converting my Gateway Chronicles group on facebook into a page so as to make it public rather than private. I think that this could help me market my books more effectively and gain a wider exposure. I will happily take any advice, however! Okay, that's all for now. I've been writing about Greek philosophers all night for school and I'm burned out. Night!

You Know You're a Writer When, Part 2

You know you're a writer when... With the imminent tornado threat heading our way in a couple hours, my husband and children and I are going to be heading for a safer location in a short while. As we knew that this weather was coming even early this morning, I began to think about what I wanted to bring with us from the house. And what do you suppose the first things I thought of were? My laptop, flash drives, and multiple writing journals containing all my notes for all my books. It wasn't until several hours later that I thought about packing an overnight bag with clothes and toothbrushes and food. Lol, I guess that says something about my priorities.

Encouraging Week

This week has been a little encouraging on the marketing end of things. After a slight lull for the past two-three weeks, my books sales are once again up somewhat on Amazon. I'm not selling oodles and oodles of books, but I am selling a small number at a constant rate. I'm confident that sales will continue in this manner for the rest of the year, and hopefully improve as I begin to chronicle the writing of The White Thread. In a little over a month, I break ground on book 3! It's hard to believe that in August I will be halfway through writing The Gateway Chronicles. I came up with another book idea this week, something that would be a stand-alone novel set in the future. I really like the idea, but I will have to shelve it for a couple years. I have to finish The Gateway Chronicles and then write the trilogy that I have planned after that before I go on to anything else. Ah, if only I had unlimited time to write... I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way!

I'm Writing!... Curriculum

Well, I can honestly say that I AM writing this week... but not fantasy fiction. I've had a bit of a period of silence here with my online "stuff" (blog, twitter, facebook, etc...), and not honestly because I needed a break or anything like that, or even that I've been overwhelmed with schoolwork, I simply didn't have anything new or unique to say for a week or so. I began to feel the itch once again to get back to my life as an author, but I realized that I still didn't exactly have anything author-related to blog about at the moment. The only writing that I'm doing right now is curriculum writing for school. I decided to add a new unit for my 8th grade classes, so I'm busy as a bee researching and writing lecture notes and worksheets. While this might not interest those of you who enjoy my fantasy fiction (and devestate those of you who are my 8th grade students), perhaps it at least shows you my versatility. I'm stretching to make this apply to my blog, I realize this. I will try to have something a bit more... engaging next time!