Two weeks ago, I took chapter 21 and what I had of chapter 22 to the Moxie meeting. Val wasn't there because she ditched us for a Warrior Writer's Workshop with Bob Meyer. Geez...the nerve of some peeps. Anyway, I came to the meeting not liking chapter 21--climax too long, wind down too long, but character arcs mostly complete--so I wrote a note at the bottom of the chapter asking for help on how to fix it. Chapter 22, scene 1, went on forever, and I didn't like it much, either.
Kathy's words: I overshot the ending. Chapter 22 is the 1st or 2nd scene of Book 2, chapter 1. End Book 1 with chapter 21. Problem with chapter 21 lies with MC's (main character's) inconsistencies, not in the tension or action of the scene.
SQUEE! I held off celebrating too much until I could receive confirmation from Val, which I received last weekend. She agreed with Kathy on chapter 21 being THE END, as well as the issues with MC. She also pointed out a tech (or logistics?) problem in chapter 21 that needs to be addressed in the 2nd draft. Chapter 22 is indeed scene 2 of chapter 1 of Book 2.
Val and Kathy also mentioned that I do duologies rather than trilogies. Book 1 & 2 of the series are for my current MCs. Book 3 & 4 would be with different MCs. And so on, for as long as I want to keep writing this franchise. I like the idea. The world is big enough to sustain several duologies, or even stand alones, once I get going.
Val and Kathy also suggested I take a few weeks off before I embark on a trip through Null and Void's editing hell. Time = distance = fresh eyes = better editing. However, I have promised to have the 2nd draft complete by the end of January. Once my Moxie group gets done bleeding on it with their red pens, I will do those edits and have it to my beta readers later in February, after which will commence more editing hell before I send it off to an agent. I'd like to have my 3rd draft complete by March/April.
Over the next few months, I need to research agents, and perhaps do some early queries sometime after the holidays. However, I need to have my manuscript as polished as possible before I send it anywhere, even for a query. If an agent accepts it, they will likely send me more edits before they represent it to a publisher/editor. This is a long process, folks; stick with me. :D
In the meantime, I have Book 2 to synopsis and plot, and a fairy tale to write.
I'm really excited about the fairy tale. I was going to write it as a short story for a contest with a Feb 1st deadline. However, my plot follows no recognizable existing fairy tale, and has way too much content to be limited to 20-25,000 words, which are the parameters of the contest. I could force it to fit, but then the plot isn't as compelling. Novella length--50,000-65,000 words--seems to be a better fit so teh plot can keep the twists and turns that make me happy. I just have to write the bloody thing, which shouldn't be a problem because it is screaming to get out.
It's a grey Friday outside. In here, the future is looking pretty dang bright. I promised my husband to take 2 weeks off writing so I don't burn out. I don't think I can make it. The words are burning, and the keyboard is calling.
- Mood:artistic
I give thanks for...
1-My family, both immediate and extended. Family means I am not alone unless I choose to be. Family means I have ready ears, absorbent shoulders, built in lunch and shopping partners, a steady stream of family gossip, and more birthday parties than I can shake a stick at. Oh...and a high cellphone bill. :D I love them all, and can't imagine my life without them being a part of the journey. God forbid I should ever have to. I thank them all for their contributions to my complexity.
2-My friends, both close and far, past and present. Having friends means I have yet more shopping and lunch partners, more ready ears, additional absorbent shoulders, and yet more gossip and birthday dates to remember. Oh...and a high cellphone bill. :D My life would be way-boring without them. My friends, both past and present, helped define who I was, who I am, and who I will be tomorrow. They are the family I choose.
3-The wolf-mutt, Vartha. AKA: white hurricane, miss nose, goober dog, fuzzy face. I thank her for giving me unconditional love, plenty of laughs, and a walking partner. She never complains when I wake her up and she is always overjoyed to see me, even when I’m in a bad mood. Watching her run and play and chase birds and squirrels never fails to lighten an otherwise dismal day.
4-My husband is employed with a good company. Which means I have money to pay bills, keep the roof over our heads, food on our table, and clothes on our backs, and have just a tiny bit left over to buy a few luxuries or give to those who have much less.
5-My encouragers, readers, critique-ers, and butt-kickers. My writing endeavors wouldn’t be the same without you, and I probably would be further behind the eight-ball in my writing career without the encouragement to keep going, and the steady stream of butt-kickings when the demons of self-doubt swarm the battlements. I am grateful for your many and varied contributions, whether I like them or not.
Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Holidays.
- Mood:
thoughtful
Tweaks and enhancements
- In order to improve site security, we've temporarily suspended the ability to change passwords for old email addresses that haven't been used for over six months. For further information and support, please visit our customer care page.
- We've launched a new mobile site with an enhanced UI at m.livejournal.com. View spotlights, post to your journal, read and post to friends pages, and more, no matter where you roam! Please let us know what you think, since this will eventually replace our existing mobile interface. You can update your mobile preferences on your account page.
- We've upgraded from Beacon to Facebook Connect to improve dual posting. If you've already signed up for Facebook Beacon, you're good to go. If you wish to update your Facebook Connect setting, visit Account Privacy settings and scroll down to the option labeled: "Send information about my updates to Facebook." You can choose Always or Ask each time. Remember to save (on the bottom left corner of the page). To learn more, check out FAQ 249. While we're on the subject, if you happen to be visiting that side of town, please join our Facebook fan page for a touch of home away from home.
- You'll now receive the Writer's Block Question of the Day in the body of email notifications. To sign up for Writer's Block notifications, visit
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writersblock and choose the Watch Community option. Next, update your Writer's Block notification settings by checking the box to the right of "Someone posts a new entry to writersblock." - Paid and permanent users can now view, add, and edit Notes of commenters. Notes will appear beside the username of comment posters (instead of stars) on S1-themed comment pages.
Send some lovin' thanks to your friends with our holiday vgifts!
Photos of the week
We're so delighted with the immense talent of our growing, global lj_photophile community that we've decided to introduce a poll. Each week, we'll choose a half-dozen photos (based on user comments and staff feedback) and ask you to select a photo of the week. The winning photo will be announced in the next newsletter. If possible, please limit photo size to 350x350 to ensure that images display properly on friends pages. We want to thank you again (and again!) for sharing your passion.
Check out this week's photo poll and more fantastic user content after the jump!
( Read more... )
Curtains
Thanks for joining us. To our American friends, have a fantastic Thanksgiving. To all of our international neighbors, we'll eat a little extra for you!
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
65redrosesEva is a vibrant young woman with Cystic Fibrosis who survived a double lung transplant. Read about her difficult recovery and personal triumphs over pain, isolation, and fear. Back in school, Eva now works part-time in a children's center and enjoys running and cross-country skiing. A documentary on her story, entitled 65 Red Roses, won three awards at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
meet_other_momsA warm and welcoming "Add me" community for moms of all ages and backgrounds from around the world. If you're a mom, just post a little about yourself and start connecting with other mothers based on similar hobbies, musical interests, book/TV/movie preferences, or taste in humor! A great way for busy moms to socialize online.
kitchenfaqWant to share a fabulous home recipe for coconut bread? Suddenly run out of confectioner's sugar with company on the way and need to find out a quick in-house substitute? Searching for tips on what to charge for a custom-designed wedding cake? Whether you're a professional chef, an aspiring culinary wizard, or a happy home-baker, you'll get delicious guidance from fellow and sister foodies.
Twenty-two years, and it seems like yesterday
Still, that night haunts me, and I see
I see each moment with perfect clarity
Like snapshots in a macabre album
The memories come forth, unbidden
Forcing me to look, to remember
To bear witness to destruction
Wreaked by my own hand
There is none to blame but myself
Again, tonight, I hold vigil
Alone, for none can soothe the pain
That burns in my soul, a memorial
For all that was lost
Mistakes made
Lives destroyed
I'm sorry...
- Mood:sad
naturesbeautyAlways on the lookout for compelling images, we were delighted to discover this flourishing community of artists who share a love of nature. Honoring the subject with photographs, paintings, sketches, prose, poetry, and
other creative works, you'll be simultaneously riveted to your monitor and inspired to run helter skelter towards the nearest wooded dale.
Postcard winners!
We wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude for sending so much joy our way. Frank is still blushing with excitement over the love notes, proposals, propositions, and occasional intimate photos sent from his admirers around the world (China, Norway, Japan, and Poland just this week)! At his request, we blindfolded Justin, one of Frank's BFFs, spun him around in five dozen counterclockwise circles, and asked him to point to ten random postcards/envelopes pasted to the wall. After a brief trip to the bathroom, he chose the following lucky winners, to whom we will give a six-month paid account token (for paid, basic, and plus users) or, for our permanent account holders, a $15 voucher for the LiveJournal gift shop.
So, without further ado, the winners are:
- seraphene
- fotog
- boykitten
- seshat_6
- anti_aol
- lisalees
- katrinkacat
- mistyboston
- _woody_lein
- another_slender
Bugs, Tweaks, and Enhancements
- We fixed a bug from the last release that was causing screened comments to become unscreened if they were edited
- If you happen to be gaming around the corner, check us out on Facebook and be sure to spread the word!
- We've added new vgifts to celebrate Thanksgiving! Check out our feathered friend, below!
Give more with charitable vgifts
In honor of national adoption month, we're offering a charitable vgift (priced at $2.99) to support Love Without Boundaries, an organization that provides healthcare and adoption to orphans suffering from life-threatening diseases. LiveJournal will donate 100% of gross proceeds from the sale (we'll cover the cost of credit card transaction fees). To learn more about Love Without Boundaries, please visit lj_cares. You can purchase your Love Without Boundaries vgifts in the Virtual Gift shop. We'll keep you posted on how much we raise!
Photos of the week
We're delighted to showcase yet more incredible photos from some of our brilliant LiveJournal photographers around the world. Keep posting (and tagging). And be sure to show some love by commenting on the awesome view at lj_photophile.
Check out this week's photos and more amazing user content after the jump!
( Read more... )Curtains
Thanks, again, for joining us. See you next week!
Profile
- stefwithnf
- Stefanie Hobbs
Page Summary
- scascot : Chirp [+1]
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news :: theljstaff : LiveJournal Major Notes: Security, Mobile, Facebook, Writer's Block, and Notes [+159] - scascot : KTVB News - Headline Goes Here [+1]
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- news :: theljstaff : LiveJournal Major Notes: Postcard winners, Tweaks, LJ_Cares [+140]
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