Planning - it's so worth it.

I have just received a really valuable critique for my current WIP. It is three pages worth of awesome suggestions for how to change, rearrange and rewrite my story to make it so much better.

Well - I've just done it. I've just spent the last three hours trying to re-work my first three chapters so I can send them off for the Chapter One Promotions competition... and now my unsure self wants yet another critique.

I don't know how everybody else feels, but I find it really hard to re-work material. I think my problem with this manuscript is that I started writing with gusto and then realized my planning was total crap. I am now having to work backwards to try and give this story punch and it's really hard!

So - what is the point of this particular blog. It is an encouragement to all you over enthusiastic writers like me to slow down, take your time and really plan out your story.

My goal over this month is to really nut out what I want in this WIP. I'm sure it will save me hours of frustration later on down the track. I am waving goodbye to my feeble two pages of bullet point notes and starting afresh with new, meaty planning that will keep my story on track.

In the meantime I will make my deadline by sending off my three first chapters and hoping with crossed fingers, toes and other appendages that I will get a look in :)

Foolish Notions

I like to think of myself as a humble person, but I am quickly learning that I have been foolishly arrogant when it comes to my writing.

I'm not going to deny that I think I do have a natural bent towards fiction. My brain is constantly buzzing with new story ideas and I can vividly see each scene play out in my head. I have the ability to see a manuscript through to completion and my skin is tough enough to handle some very honest critiquing.

Why then, did I honestly think I could get away with not reading one scrap of information on how to become a better writer. I never said it aloud, but in the back of my mind I was thinking, "I know how to write a book." Yeah, sure... but do I know how to write a really good book?

Thankfully I have been won over and am now working my way through some great books on how to make my fiction awesome. I just hope I can execute my new knowledge in a way that makes my work so good the publishers are scrambling to get their hands on it ;o)

The book I'm reading at the moment - recommended to me on Jerry B. Jenkins blog is by Thomas B. Sawyer entitled, "Fiction Writing Demystified. Techniques that Will Make You A More Successful Writer." It's so good!

Also - Scott Eagan is about to start a series of blogs on how to take the new techniques we've learned and use them to our best advantage. Might be worth checking out :)

Staying in touch

I'm sure you all do this already, but I'm going to write about it anyway.

Time only allows me to follow so many blogs, but I have found five that I try to check most days and I am learning so much about writing and the business. There is a wealth of knowledge out there from people who know what they're talking about. It is totally worth making the time to read what they have to say.

Not only am I refining my craft and storing away useful tidbits of information, I am also getting to know these agents and discovering their style. It helps with querying. When I'm choosing who to query next, I take the time to read through their blog. It tells me exactly the kind of query letters they like, the genres they have the best contacts for. It also gives me a really great idea about the kind of person they are and whether they would be a suitable agent.

I know it's tempting to rush onto another agent when you receive that rejection letter, but I think it's worth taking the time to research an agent thoroughly before asking if they want to represent your work.

To the bloggers I regularly follow - thank you. I so appreciate the time you take to write your blogs and give us writers a chance to improve.

The rejection

I've been sending out queries for a couple of months now. I had five query rejections before I got that magic e-mail that asked for more. Man - that was super exciting. I stopped sending queries and began the waiting game. Well the waiting game is over and I'm back at the beginning. I have to admit that I was disappointed. I didn't want to touch the keyboard for a couple of days, which surprised me. I thought I was tougher than that. It has now been five days since hearing word and I am now ready to dust myself off and try again.

Self-doubt badgered me all morning, but I have managed to ignore its ugly voice and sent out three more queries. I feel really good now. I know I will probably get more rejections, but every rejection teaches me something new. If all the agents start saying the same thing, then I've got some work to do, and I'll do it.

I want to be a great writer and the only way to become that is to put myself out there and learn whatever I can... even if it is through a rejection letter.