Baby on the Market: Submitting Queries to Publishers

I've busted my tail during the past few weeks to write a decent query and synopsis for the third MS. I have had great input from my CPs in NoVA and I truly appreciate their help.

Now I am ready to, *gulp*, query again.

People have read my work, and they say I have a good voice for BLAZE. So once again, I am querying that house first in HQN. I hope I get in past the cracked door, but I know it's a long shot. 

I spent most of the morning editing my query for BLAZE--of course they require two pages single spaced and I have, 4.5 double spaced pages. Edit... edit... edit... but I think I have a passable one now. I'm pleased with my query letter-- happy to mail it. 

After finalizing what I wanted to send to BLAZE, I checked out the websites for my next print publishers and e-publishers. I printed out their guidelines for submission and stacked them in order of query. Now I have 8 houses to query. Whew.

Next I work on getting each submission ready to mail out. And I am creating a spreadsheet for the task. My baby's ready to fly out the door. In the days ahead I will revise and polish the rest of my MS. I will also ignore the GH scores sure to dampen my day when they arrive at my door. I am filing them in the BOX and will refrain from looking at them until Sept. 09.

After I send off my submissions, I am targeting a few contests I feel will generate interest in my book. 

Woohoo--Kiss Scene Attacked

Well I've been tackling a myriad of issues with the story this past week--a little in the AM and a little in the PM. AM I work on the MS and PM the query and/or synopsis. Given my health and all the doctor visits, I feel pretty pleased about my progress.

The kiss scene is addressed and changed. Not perfect. But my hero is not a sleaze anymore (at least not to me). I went through the first chapter with a great judge edit and then I hit it today with my own spin. Worked out well--I had distanced myself from it so it was easier to tackle.

I woke up with a lot rolling in my head re: this book and a tag line for the 4th book's query. Figure I may as well start laying down the groundwork for the next pitch/query now. Any rate, have an idea for a scene at the end so I jotted that down in scrivener. And then I wrote down and saved the tag. Then I worked on the kiss scene--yeah to sexual tension, not actual action. 

All and all a productive week for me. Whew.

Wow! My Query is Shaping Up

I have learned something very new about myself when it comes to query letter writing. A little bit a day makes the pain go away. That and an amazing set of CPs!!! I have been plunking down stuff for a week now, editing, revising, adding, subtracting, and generally mulling. I learned that queries, if mulled in the shower, also reveal themselves to me in moments of brilliance in the shower. 

Hmmm? What is it about me and the showers? Whatever it is, it works.

I sent off my first attempt at anything reasonable to my CP and a new writing accountability partner. And I got good feedback. That is the second thing that is important about this whole process for me. I need the feedback. What is working? I have the idea. But that's my strength. My weakness is in execution. I can come up with the framework, but I need a bit of tinkering. 

Did I mention I love my CP?

I'm happy I have something to work with and can use to send out to publishers. 

The Dreaded Synopsis *gulp & gasp*

The morning stunk. Period. 2 hours at the doctor, blood work drawn, unreasonable weight gain in a month (argh and double argh), and general distraction of follow up phone calls about all the above. Bottom line: I am being tested for everything that can cause my immune system to drop lower than the deepest well and cause me to bloat up like a beached whale. Seriously, I think the only thing I wasn't tested for was ingrown toe nails. Sheesh.

So, no chapters completed this morning. 

And after a brief battle with myself, and a few nudges by an accountability partner, I edged into the synopsis. Yuck and yuck and yuck.

First, the synopsis I sent out with the GH reflects a completely different ending -- one based on another dear CP's influence of losing it all (love my romantic suspense friends LOL). Second, I incorporated something new and it is not in the synopsis (I really don't want the scores now that I am at this point--again). Third, I realized I have bits of wonderfulness in it, but after reviewing my craft corner notes from a wonderful author in my writing chapter, I need to redo a lot. 

BLECH.

Sigh. Gasp. Grunt. And Groan.

But I did a bit of cutting and pasting--tossing and revising--hunting for index cards--review of the facts, just the facts madam--and now I know I need to go back in with the lessons I've learned and revise again to my heart's content. 

The good that came out of all this is that I like my new version a lot better so it'll be easier to write the synopsis. Plus, I am in revise mode in the mornings so the story is fresh in my mind and that will help me write the synopsis. And finally, I managed to clean up all my files on the computer for this story so it will be easier to revise and write the query/synopsis for the novel.

Sigh. Gasp. Grunt. And Groan.

Tomorrow I am praying I have a good writing day. I want to have zero interruptions in the AM so I can work diligently on my revision. I am not picking up the phone, even if it is the lab reports, until after 12PM. I can call back for that info. And In the PM, I will continue tweaking my query and my synopsis. 

Baby steps. Baby steps.

Oh, how I wish I could leap instead of crawl to the finish line.

As soon as my health is up to par, I am celebrating with a full day of writing!

Wind Refills the Sails

Yesterday I had to go back to the doctor to deal with the stupid belly button wound. I was nervous, but after taking a mega pain pill, I enlisted my DH to drive me to and from said dreaded appointment. Apparently, pain medication just makes me not care that it hurts like hell to get my belly tortured with gauze and pressure. But the good news is that I no longer have to endure the pain. I just have to heal.

First breath of air returns to the sails of my writing. Being in pain and throwing Personal Pity Parties does dampen the enthusiasm and motivation. Now those doldrums are banished.

Second breath of air in my sails meant meeting another writer and connecting over coffee. We didn't really write, but we talked about our goals and made plans to meet again. At last! Someone who I can connect with in person. How novel.

Third gust of air in my sails was receiving the critique from my fabulous and generous CP. Once I managed to get the document to open in MAC's version of Word, I was able to see her comments and edits. Voila! Print, read, digest and ready to input into the Scrivener program!!

While today is not a day I usually write MS, I've decided to implement the one hour a day rule at minimum. That way, I will get moving forward. In addition, I must spend at least one hour a day during the week (M-F) working on my query and synopsis for the third MS. By the end of the month, I had better have something to show for this commitment.

Ah, finally, I am feeling like my old self again. But let it be said, rejection and losing contests are easier to overcome than health problems. A lesson learned: take care of oneself especially when one is *gasp* over forty!

Derailed by Health Issues

Well on Monday I had stupid sebaceous cyst removed and it hurt like the dickens. Now the medication and the general discomfort, plus the knowledge that I am getting the dressing changed and it will hurt again today is weighing me down. I am not accomplishing anything except reading about writing, slight revisions, and learning to use Scrivener. Yesterday I didn't even do scrivener. Today I plan to do it a bit in the afternoon, but I am frustrated by the fact that the stupid printer won't allow me to print from the front tray due to the computer change. And I have read the manual on line, managed to figure it out twice, but haven't figured out how to make that default setting. So it is a huge pain. And then my CP has graciously sent me more pages with comments but for some reason all the comments are at the back of the story instead of woven throughout the story. ARGH.

I've got the third MS inputed. I know I need to work on a query and a synopsis as well. But I can't seem to wrap my brain around it. I think I will use a craft corner lesson on the bloody thing to get me started next Monday. I'll revise in the AM, do synopsis and query in the PM. Some of the places I am targeting don't require the first three chapters so I will send to them first. Meanwhile, hi ho hi ho... it's off to the doctor I go for my torture time.

Back in the Saddle

Well smiles and waves to all the Golden Heart Finalists!! I am so proud of all of you and I know how hard you worked. And kudos to all who entered, including myself, because we set a goal and we accomplished it and how many people say they will write a book and never do? We did. And we can all be happy for each other. The National Conference will be more exciting for me because I know two of my Southern Magic Chapter members are in the finalist circle and that is AWESOME. I have someone to cheer on and root for at this event. Wow!

And now I am back in the saddle. I've printed out the MS, and I've got my old character profiles dusted off for my workshop lessons about characters, and I've got my critique buddy's comments and judged contest comments to pour through. I'll work on the lessons today and I will read through the contest comments quickly before I read through the MS again tomorrow. Then it's TIME TO POLISH IT UP.

I'm giving myself two weeks to polish it and ready it for querying. Then I am querying it and putting it aside until I hear yeahs or nahs. And I am very excited about the fourth book and can't wait to start digging into it and revising it for contests.

Oh, and speaking of contests, I am entering the revised 3rd MS into the Maggies and the GH again this year as well as TOM, LHAoE to see if I can get a better result. And I am going to the Moonlight and Magnolias Retreat in GA as well. Why not? I think it will be a smash.

Back in the saddle and back to work I go.

Juggling and Jostling

Today is a lazy day for me. I know we have to get ready for the trip and there is a good chance my DH and I will get the plague. And that will mess up all of next week if that happens.

So today we will make our packing lists and start planning our trip. I will organize the cat stuff and give that to a neighbor on Monday. Next week I will go get my first root canal and my hair done. Then there is packing. And probably coping with absence idiocy at the school. But comeheck or high water, we will be on the road next Friday. And I am pulling out my DD from school no matter what.

I haven't gotten any writing done. I have done a lot of reading, mostly online, about selling my writing and pitching my writing and I am overwhelmed by the information. But I think once I get back from the trip and hit the writing again full throttle, I'll be able to take the new knowledge and apply it to marketing my writing.

One day, maybe this year, my ship will come in. But this is just another big step up the writing rung and I have a lot more rungs to go!

Another Sick Day

Well we're on day two of illness here and I am forgetting about getting any meaningful writing done between now and the end of our vacation to Disney. I have to get so much done for the trip, and I can't do that with a sick kid at home. Plus, there's a strong possibility I'll get it, too. Not sure it was food poisoning as my DD developed a fever four hours after her last episode of vomiting. God I don't want this right now.

Anyway, that means my whole week is a bust as of yesterday. And I have a root canal on Tuesday, so that day is a bust. And we're supposed to leave on Friday for the trip. ARGH.

I am reading a lot about writing. Mostly online info for the PRO loop about agents/editors and how to get past the slush pile and into publication. It feels like an uphill battle. And so many of the authors trying to get published on the PRO loop seem way more ahead of me with their blogs, their websites, email signatures, and more. I can't wrap my head around it at all. I am still in major writing mode.

I did go through the RWA Report and I saw a lot of possibilities with smaller presses. I guess the question I have to ask myself if do I want to settle for less just to get published or do I want to hold out for more and keep banging on the big company doors? I don't know. The point is to get my name out there. If I can sell, even for a little, then I am able to write this off on taxes. I am able to eventually promote myself in other ways. And I am officially published. Just not in a big house like HQN--everyone's dream.

Perhaps if I just throw it all out there, the right answer will come. Eventually. I think I need to quit worrying about the future of my publication chances when the real goal is to make it happen. All in good time. I guess. And it is totally a numbers game. I know that.

Well, off to hydrate me, and the dear sick daughter. And they off to the doctor for a confirmation of an illness and to get a bloody note for the state of AL and their dumb rules.

BLAH. Due to the irresponsible backward behavior of some parents, I must go get a note like I am an errant child to prove my daughter's illness. Ridiculous!!

Writing Takes a Back Seat

Well it's official: life is hijacking me. Actually it needs to. We have a trip to plan and we're leaving in 9 days. The house is still a mess--not cluttered but needs cleaning. And my DD needs me to drive her all over the place. Between the lists for the trip and the after school activities, I barely have time to breath. Of course, I would have done this last week.... but.... oh well.

I have been reading about PRO and agents and publishing and editors' letters to authors and it is all sooooo disheartening. I feel like such a novice even though I've got 4 books written, tons of good contest results, and a sense of my writing voice. But when I see people with blogs and websites and published novels in their signatures, I feel soooo inadequate. This has got to be my year to break through--I keep telling myself it is, but what if I really do stink? What if my stories never resonate with anyone in the publishing business? I keep getting stories, but will they ever be good enough to make it through the slush pile? And will I ever have the perfect query, the perfect letter, the perfect synopsis, the perfect first three chapters?????

God this is a frustrating business. I am glad I procrastinated on getting the PRO pin. Which, by the way, hasn't arrived! ARGH.

My original plans for this time were to revise the third book a bit more. But instead, I find that I have so little time to commit to it, that I need to just kick back, print out what I have from a critique buddy, read about the business and start thinking about querying when I get back. I need to get my PRO stuff organized and my plan for attacking the publishers and agents and editors worked on before I go forward. When I get back, I will finish the stupid billionth revision (it is NEVER done), and then I will query it.

I just wish I could final in the Golden Heart. It would make me feel like I had accomplished SOMETHING that would get me closer to getting published. But I don't hold out much hope for it after reading the LHAoE contest judges' comments about the infamous KISS scene and the editors' letters about how they decide to accept or reject.

Blah....

PRO Pangst

Well now that I am a PRO I am learning all about the industry. First big lesson: if no one wants your book after you query them... then shelve it and move on to the next book and query it.

Hmmmm

But I think I also need to query the other books again because I am not a great query writer.

Hmmmm

This industry is soooooooooo subjective that I thin the key is to query query query them all and then the key is to KEEP MOVING FORWARD and KEEP WRITING THEM THAR BOOKS....

And now back to playing....

Collages and Brainstorming

Yesterday I went online and found a whole lot of pictures for my book's collage. This is a BIAW assignment. I also went to the grocery store and bought some rag mags, and poster board, for the collage. I didn't make it yesterday, but I got about 10 - 15 post-its hanging in front of me regarding setting, character stats, ideas for the character's houses, and a cool idea for a place they will visit. I also know that they'll both be from the NoVA area, and that they moved South as adults. This allows me to have them head north for a trip, away from prying eyes and nosy parkers. And this allows me to utilize old research regarding a winery and bed & breakfast scene. My first book is crap, but I've farmed it twice for research!! Haha. At least it is worth something more than hanging out in a box underneath the bed.

Today's assignment is to write out fears/imagery. I'm sure that will spark some thoughts about the book. I also have more time today to fiddle with the scene cards because my darling daughter has dance and rehearsal after school. I do have to go to the school to pick up her science fair board, but that's a 20 minute distraction.

Feeling good about the story. Wish I could say the same about queries. I need to brush up on them. Big time!

Getting the Itch to Do More

This week I plan to hit a lot of points with the writing goals:

1) continue building scenes for BIAW
2) continue building characters for BIAW
3) find forms I created for computer docs and start filling in for the big week
4) enter contests
5) enter Pot of Gold and promise to finish two books by December 09
6) continue blogging
7) continue learning about my craft
8) read my RWA Report
9) get hotel room squared away for conference
10) query 3 publishers with 3rd book

That's a lot to do and I am going to do it.