Had a pretty epic day at the keyboard today.
By koopharper
@koopharper (7477)
Canada
September 21, 2012 2:04pm CST
As my friends on the lot here already know I'm working on a submission for a novel I wrote due by the end of the month. I edited four entire chapters today besides readying the submission itself. I've never managed more than one in the past. Things are coming along. The publisher wants to see 3000 to 5000 words of what I think is the best parts of the book instead of the first two chapters and a synopsis. For anyone who thinks that's terrific: The second option is a lot easier. I have to include a bio and possibly a synopsis of the whole story. Once those are done I get to send it off, cross my fingers, pray and do anything else I think might help. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone here on myLot that has already traveled down this road.
2 people like this
9 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
21 Sep 12
Oh I'm sorry, for both of us, I was hoping someone had some tips for you because I am less than 20 pages from finishing my revision and will start looking for an agent real soon.
Yes, I am one who thought the option of 3000-5000 words of what I think is the best part of the book is was better than the first two chapters and a synopsis, but now that I think about it, I wonder if perhaps you are correct.
I really hope someone does reply here, because I need to learn as much as I can...
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
23 Sep 12
Thank you koopharper, I am only 10 pages away from finishing the revision, I am so excited....
I will continue to read through here and see if anyone had an answer for you...
I will continue to read through here and see if anyone had an answer for you...1 person likes this
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
23 Sep 12
Revised another chapter this evening myself. Over half way through this sweep through my manuscript. The hardest work is behind me. There was some rewriting in the beginning that had to get done and a chunk of backstory. The second half will be a lot easier. There is a section of the climax that I wanted to rework but that's about it. Just killing adverbs, fixing weak descriptions and hunting down repetitive sentence structure problems. My rough drafts from when I wrote it are prone to that stuff.
2 people like this
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
22 Sep 12
I'm still hoping someone with the know how we are both looking for stumbles across this discussion. Sounds like your revision work is coming along nicely. Hope you find a good agent and you get the opportunities you have been working for.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
21 Sep 12
Congratulations for achieving so much work and it sounds as if all will be well I have not had a book published but have had short stories and articles published in the past. For a number of years I had a column in a Sunday newspaper. But have not attempted a book. I wish you every success in this endeavour
2 people like this
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
21 Sep 12
Thanks. I only have one article published under my belt. That went into a national church newspaper. I had a letter published there as well. I've had a short story accepted for publication but it hasn't been actually published yet. This book would be an awesome achievement but it really would be just a beginning. I'd like to think I'm just getting started.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
22 Sep 12
I would love to do articles but right now my concentration is on this book. I have ideas for stories now and then and from the beginning I thought this was a good one. It really was a big day yesterday. Hoping to follow up with some decent work on it again this evening.
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
23 Sep 12
Took me almost a decade after concocting the plot to convince myself I actually could sit down and write it.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
22 Sep 12
I found that it was very difficult to find a publisher. The big publishers want you to go through and agent which I tried first. No go and trust me there are a lot of fakes as agents out there too.
Finally I published with two print on demand places (I published two books)
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
23 Sep 12
winterose, have you tried the "literary agent" book? What I read there are the agents are on the up and up and if there is any problems, (that is reasonable, not problems because an agent didn't like an author, but more like they are fake) they will remove them. I can't remember the name of it, but if you are interested, PM me and I will find it for you.
3 people like this
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
23 Sep 12
I would try searching "literary agent registry" or key words to that effect. Maybe it'll come up. I've never pursued an agent myself. My referral came from a writer friend.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
22 Sep 12
I've heard my share of fake or dishonest agent stories. Will see how this all goes. The publisher I'm working with right now published a friend of mine last year and she was a first time author. Her second book is due out September 28th. I'm mentioned in the credits. It's so cool. She will be sending me autographed copies in the mail.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
24 Sep 12
I am not a writer so I don't know much about it but I think it sounds like you had a very productive day and should be very proud of yourself. I got quite a bit done online as well. I always have more that I need to get done but my kids use my computer a lot so I don't have as much time.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
24 Sep 12
A productive day it was. I also understand not having enough time to get everything I want to do done. My daughter who also has aspirations to be a published author is patiently waiting for me to finish building her a proper bed. She knows how important this is to me.
@BigMoney25 (1286)
• Philippines
22 Sep 12
Work hard and continue in to what you believe in. Goodluck :)
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
22 Sep 12
Thanks. No real need to tell me though. I've developed as a writer so much over the last three years. I think if I don't make it to publication this time I'm only a few skills away from making anyway.
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
21 Sep 12
I'm such a novice that I was very satisfied to just complete my first manuscript. I think I've learned more about writing since then than I did in my entire life leading up to it. I knew nothing about evil adverbs, weak verbs, repetitive sentence structure or showing instead of telling. Editing is far more work than the writing of the original draft. I have great respect to all novelists who have gone before me. It isn't easy. It really is work. If I get published "satisfied" won't even begin to describe how I'll feel.
1 person likes this
@HomeBase (1153)
• United States
21 Sep 12
I have not traveled down this road, although I get told all the time that I need to write a book
.
Congrats on editing the 4 entire chapters, good for you. I would say to you to keep it up, take things one day at a time. Things are happening for you and this is a very exciting time, so enjoy it
. As you already know, you can totally do this.
.
Congrats on editing the 4 entire chapters, good for you. I would say to you to keep it up, take things one day at a time. Things are happening for you and this is a very exciting time, so enjoy it. As you already know, you can totally do this.1 person likes this
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
21 Sep 12
Yes I can do this. I'm glad it came a step at a time because honestly if I'd seen it all before starting I probably wouldn't have tried to tackle that mountain.
@soraya452 (127)
•
21 Sep 12
Good luck to you, I know the hard work that goes into writing a novel and it sounds like you are doing really well. Keep up the hard work it will pay off in the end.
1 person likes this
