Friday, July 13, 2012

Finding My Voice

 I think it was three years ago I had a cool dream and decided I should write a book about it.  I didn't think about how I should say things, or what the readers would think, I just wrote it.  I ended up re-writing the entire story at least four times.  I changed the ending significantly, I decided I had written it in the wrong point of view, and I thought the first draft was just kind of dumb.  I made huge mistakes in querying and ended up trashing the entire project. 

After that, I joined a writing club, started going to seminars and classes, and began to perfect my craft.  I talked to people about my stories, got opinions, and changed my writing for the better - or so I thought. 

I know friends and family are biased and therefore don't usually have objective opinions, but my mom said something significant to me a few days ago.  She said she liked the first book better.  That the characters were more real, that she could identify with them.  Though I think the story is underdeveloped- the difference is- it is true to my voice.  I didn't write it to please anyone but me. 

Now I know with my current WIP to stay true to me, and write for me.  Hopefully other people will like it, but if they don't, it doesn't matter.  I do this for me. 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

A Nice Rejection? Could Be Worse.

Dear Andrea,

Thank you for querying me about your manuscript, HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT. I've read your sample pages and I'm sorry to say that the project just isn't a perfect fit with my current needs. This has less to do with your strengths as a writer and more to do with my goals as an agent and the trends of the current literary marketplace.

I wish you the best of luck in your search for the right agent and publisher. Keep writing!

Kindest Regards,

Monday, July 2, 2012

A Time To Mourn

By now, everyone has heard about 6 year old Sierra Newbold from West Jordan UT.  She was kidnapped from her room in the middle of the night, raped, and thrown in the canal.  There is nothing I can say that will make a difference, but I have to say a few things. 

I am so sorry for that little girl.  For the things she must have suffered  - the terror she must have experienced before she died.  My heart goes out to her parents.  For the things they have suffered and for the time they will continue to suffer. 

I hope they catch they horrible, discuting, dispicable "human being" that did this to her.  There is no forgiveness for someone like that.