What Next?

I have researched the agents I want to send my novel to and have started sending queries. With the time for agents to respond (if they do) being sometimes 12 weeks or more, I know that now it will just be a waiting game. So, what to do in this time? I know the best way to fill my writing void is to start writing something else, but it is hard to let go of my first little creation and start focusing on something different. It feels like I am subconsciously giving up on it or laying it to bed way too early. However, now that I have time (time that I will probably never have again) and now that I am in a bit of a writing routine, I know the best thing is to keep writing.

I want to go BIG this time. My first novel was easing me back into writing- a succinct 26,000 with impact. I want to try out some new things. Have a go at world-building or something like that, although I am not sure where to start. Does anyone use anything for their world-building to help them create it? Are there any useful writing tools available to help with constructing something a lot bigger? These are all just ideas at the moment, little thoughts, because I am still in the process of moving on from my last, but I do want to use this time well and keep on writing 😊.

I'm querying!

I have never had greater deliberation on pressing that “send” button than I had yesterday at 11:07 am. I am not sure why- I had been intending to send the email for weeks; had prepared my cover letter, synopsis and chapters; gone through it all with a fine-tooth comb, and had others double check everything for me, but still, that pause before pressing send was excruciating! I have done it- I have sent my first ever query to an agent- my dream agent- and I know the wait will be long and I know the chances of being noticed by the agent is slim, but I am proud that I am finally summoning the courage within me to do things I have always dreamed of but never dared.

I know not to put all my eggs in one basket. I will send to more agents. I know the general recommendation is to send to half a dozen to a dozen, but I just thought for now, for this momentous occasion, I would send to just one (the one I would love to work with the most) and then will start working more strategically through my list. I think I just needed to get over that hurdle of sending my first ever query, and hopefully I will be pressing that “send” button much more confidently for the rest.

Fingers crossed!

Getting Feedback On My Book

So, for the first time in my life I have let other people read what I have written. I have finally worked up enough courage to send my book to people and ask them to comment and provide feedback on what I have written. Why is sharing writing such a scary thing to do? Most of us are writing to be read, but then those initial first steps of actually sharing our creations is one that I never feel confident about. Yet, I want people to give me feedback, I want them to tell me what they liked and didn’t like, I want to know how my book might possibly be received, any plot holes I may have missed, I want to know how to make it better. It isn’t that I am scared of being criticised. That is something that has never really bothered me in any aspect of my life. I am reflective, I actually like learning how I could improve on things. I think it may more be an issue of self-doubt. I have written something that I think works, but what if I am completely delusional and another person reads it and doesn’t get it at all- or thinks it foolish or worse, uses it to make a judgment upon me. All irrational insecurities, I know. But now I have actually taken the leap and shared my writing, I am not sure what all that fear and insecurity was really about. Ok, I admit, I have mostly only sent it to family and friends- baby steps-and I know their feedback is going to be much more gentle than someone who doesn’t know me. But I have started to branch out a little and started sending it to the actual audience my book is intended for. It is a YA, and I had initially only sent it to adults. My original plan was that I was going to share it in the school I work at once I felt ready to, amongst my English classes and in the library (anonymously) so I could get some feedback from the YA readers who would be reading the YA book, however with the school closing, I was unable to follow through with the plan. I also haven’t felt that the sharing of what I have written would be appropriate (or anonymous) through our home-learning systems. Despite this, I have managed to find a couple of willing volunteers in the targeted age group who are not close family or friends and I am currently awaiting feedback from them.

It would be interesting to know what processes other writers go through in obtaining feedback for their books, so if anyone reading this has a particular way they work through their feedback process, I would love to know.

I've Finished Writing My Book!

I have done it! I have written a book- something I always dreamed about doing and, to be honest, if I never even do anything with my book following this, it still feels good to be able to say that I have always wanted to write a book and that I have done it. It is mine, the characters are my creation, the plots (hopefully somewhat original) are my ideas, and even if only a handful of people ever read it, I don’t really care, because I am just proud that I imagined something and spent the time and care to put it all on the page. It is amazing how quickly one can finish a novel under lockdown- albeit a relatively short YA one that I have been writing.

Now, the editing and proofreading stage is going to be a tricky one. I have tried, and have fixed a few bits, but it was difficult to be critical with myself having so recently written it all down. I figured I might need a bit of a break from it and then go back to see what I can improve and develop. It is hard to do that because I am fizzing with so much excitement and energy at just finishing my book-I feel like I want to do more with it, and I am missing the actual processing of writing itself. I don’t want to move onto anything new just yet (although I do have a few ideas) because it would feel like I am just abandoning my first creation and moving on, when it has so newly been completed, but I am just not sure what I want my next steps to be.

Even though it is massively unedited, I have decided to brave the stage of having others read it. First, testing the waters with family members, and then sending it out to a few close friends. I am wondering how much further I will feel confident branching out. My best friend was the first one to read it in full and she sent me the gift, pictured below. I have put it in my writing space. The support my family and friends are giving me is so lovely, especially when we aren’t even able to see each other.  I do realise family and friends are going to try and be nice about the book, and are more likely to praise then criticise, but I want them to feel they are able to give me some constructive criticism. I want to know what chapters they enjoyed, but also, I genuinely want to know what just doesn’t work. The way my book is structured is really flexible and I can delete and move around elements of the plots without much issue, so actually, any doubts they have when reading will be so helpful to me in this dreaded editing stage.

 If anyone has any suggestions on what they do when they have finished a book, I would love to know 😊

A Writer's Life For Me

I am one week and one day into writing full time and playing pretend at somewhat living the writer’s lifestyle I have always wanted. Obviously, we are going through a pandemic and I am still technically working my usual, full time job, but being at home means I can pretend I am a real writer, and I am loving that aspect of it.

As I revealed in my previous blogs, I have created my “at-home” writing space. I have kept it nice and tidy- a real productive working space- and have used it almost every day. I have bought myself a mug which suggests I’m an author, even though only my husband has read my work, but if the mug says I’m an author at least I can pretend to be as I drink my tea. I’ve even purchased a t-shirt to wear when I write that says “Eat. Sleep. Write a Book,” which is pretty much all I am doing at the moment, so really reads true.

As of today, of this moment, I have written 24,206 words in just over a week. I am proud. I am motivated. Even if my work ends up being rubbish, I’ve still accomplished something and I am really, really close to finishing it. It could happen tomorrow. Maybe even the next day. But I am really looking forward to finally being able to say “Look- I’ve done it! I’ve always wanted to write a novel and here it is!”

Of course, the editing part is going to be arduous, but that just part of the process- a writer’s life is certainly for me!