Long Time, No Post!

I’ve been bad. At least, I’ve been bad at updating this site.

I spent every second I had this summer re-writing Empire. I’m extremely happy with it now. It’s not quite perfect, but it’s getting closer.

Part of the issue I’m having is structural. I have to introduce a lot at the beginning. Not because I love exposition– I actually am not a fan of novels that take a long time to get going– but out of necessity. I’m a bit stuck, because all of the pieces I have need to be there.

What I don’t want is a book where people say, “It gets amazing half way through.” And that’s where it is now.

It’s not that the beginning is bad. I still think it’s good. I think working on mixing character info with dialog will help (I got that one thanks to an astute reader), but there are some things I need fresh eyes on- from someone that will make it through the whole book to see why things are where they are.

That’s one of the big reasons why I want an editorial agent. I simply don’t have the extra funds right now to pay for editing. I don’t need line edits for grammar- I need structural plot notes.

I’ve gone ahead and queried a few agents. I actually got a full request from my first query ever… but also got a rejection based upon that full (the rejection was actually a great read- very complimentary. It’ll make me a better writer). I am pretty sure that agent didn’t get through the whole book– which isn’t her fault. It’s mine!

If people feel like the beginning of a novel is work, a lot will tune out.

That’s the rub with my manuscript, and it’s a problem I don’t quite know how to fix on my own.

I’m going to look for more critique partners and keep looking at things myself. I’m confident in everything from the middle to the end. But the opening chapters are the MOST important.

I hope to find someone who has the desire to help me get this novel up to where it could be. Because it could be absolutely amazing, not just pretty good.

I hate saying that. It sounds egotistical. But it’s true. I’m not an overly confident person. If anything, I’m more likely to think bad things about myself- but this novel is already more than I would have ever thought I’d be capable of producing.

Forging ahead, loving this writing experience!