Galley Arrived!!

I know; I'm like a proud parent. Edits are finished; my galley just arrived in my inbox, minus the color cover. But I'm happy with it:)

Two months of hagglling back and forth over swear words, buzz words, commas, elipses vs dashes...all worth it. Because, it's mine.

My first-about-to-be-released-electronic-format-BOOK! (Okay...novella....)

Now I still have to dive into the thing and pick an excerpt, one that when I post to loops and on my blog, the internet will jam up with people flocking to my site.

Okay; maybe not so drastic a response, but I can dream, can't I?

(Hugs self) I'm still having a tiny problem believing this is finally happening!

Happy Easter...I'm going to be published!

Blogging Interest??

I've noticed a dwindling interest in fellow bloggers lately.

When I first came on the blogging scene, I was encouraged to post daily, and my alter-ego took care of that. But now, even the readers seem to be gravitating toward the 'sensational' posts; the controversial ones.

I miss the interviews; the book reviews; the comraderie of daily comments.

Is it the fact that we've moved on to FaceBook? Twitter?

I've even noticed a decline in the chat rooms I frequent.

Or is it that we're all so busy writing we don't have time to chat, post, or whatever?

I know from my sitemeter that my readers are out there; I just wish more of them would pop in with a 'hi' every now and then.

I love the 'blogs I'm following' feature; it lets me know when one of my friends has posted, so I'm not wasting time clicking on links where the posts are a week or two old. I know I'm bad about updating this site, but as Molly runs off at the fingers every day, she doesn't leave me anything to say:)

Update on MS:
I'm on the final chapter edits! I sent the first two/last two final chapter edits; now it's time to revisit chs 3-5. Fun, fun. And I've recently discovered I've been correcting the wrong versions. Sorry Chuck...but I'm glad we finally agreed on the ending!

And yes, I try to run a clean blog, but every once in a while a 'wtf'' moment slips out. Sometimes, there's just no other word...but I refuse to get too controversial!

Slacker Reporting In...

Okay; I do have a legitimate excuse for not blogging...I've been editing every single day now.

We've been through each chapter twice, with the exception of #5 and the Epilogue. Ch 5 has some issues; I sent it off to a trusted blogmate for her opinion on what to add to it. And now Chuck sends me a note...

"I know you have a zestier ending in you once the cold abates!" Thanks, Chuck...Don't like my ending? YOU write it! (Just kidding...)

Seriously, my creativity has been slowed down by two factors:

a) I have a cold, and while at first I thought I was about to cough up a lung, now I simply want to cut my head off from the nose up.

b) I've fallen prey to the bane of all writers, which is the simple fact I LIKE what I've written and don't want to change it! Pardon me while I throw a mini-tantrum...No! Don't wanna change it! It's brilliant! Can't you see that?

Sigh...but since I can't go prima donna on my editor, I'll have to suck it up and change it. After all, I can live with the other changes; what's two more?

It just goes back to the fact I have a slight tendancy to fall in love with each and every word I write. I proved in jr high, high school, and college I'm perfectly capable of creating a first-draft 'B' paper. Since I wasn't an over-achiever, I was perfectly happy with my 'C+', 'B' or even 'B+' papers and didn't try for the 'A'.

But when you're being published, you have to aim for the brass ring and go for that 'A'. Otherwise, reviewers will tear you to shreds, your editor will refuse to work with you, and hey...word will get out you're 'difficult'. Since I don't want that reputation, I guess I'll get back to work. I DO want people to read this, after all, and buy more of my work!

Slinking back into my cave...or should that be well? (See 'Men are From Mars')

Edits are here:)

I know...you think I've gone off the deep end.

But from what I've seen, just from the first page, everything he's pointed out is valid, and this should be a breeze when I start editing.

But Barb brought up a good point last night: Should I keep the track changes on when I revise, or should I simply change the original document, and let him know which changes I made via cover letter?

I think I'll email him and ask him which method he prefers, since I've never used track changes before, other than to print out the doc with the comments and use it as a guide!

Any advice?

Nostalgia

I had a strange dream the other night. I don't remember the specifics, but one of my favorite Survivor songs ran through it the entire time. Since my tapes are all in storage, I found it on YouTube last night.

I can see you standing in every hallway
I can see your headlights around the bend
And hiding in my shadow, you're with me always
Out in the street, in every glance
I see your reflection, I'm caught in a trance
Can't you see what I've become
I see you in everyone...

This is my favorite song from the Vital Signs album, even topping 'I Can't Hold Back'. For whatever reason, this song resonates with me whenever I'm missing a loved one.

Except I have no idea who or what the dream was about.

So maybe I just need to go dig out my tapes and drive around in the car, singing Survivor at the top of my lungs? Or make everyone leave the house, so I can crank up the volume on the computer while I rock the house?

Hmmm...either one is a good idea!

I Have An Editor!

He's enjoyed reading my work and likes the way I set up the book with the prologue:)

First edits should be arriving in a week to ten days:)

I had to correct him about the name, though. He addressed his letter to my spouse, who has trouble sending email, let alone writing anything not associated with automotives, woodworking, camping, or home improvements!

I know...I'm nuts to be excited about edits. But come on, 'fess up: Weren't you just a teensy bit excited the day your very first edits arrived?

Woo Hoo!

Feeling pretty darn good right now...I finished another manuscript:) Going to let it sit for a week before I start editing the heck out of it!

The weather is improving; it is supposed to hit 60 degrees today. I'm hoping to get over to storage and retrieve my rollie cart...I have a signing next Friday and I need to make sure everything is still in it.

Plus, this week I need to order some bookmarks and find a tame excerpt to showcase the new book!

Taxes will be done tomorrow, and then I can think about ordering more promo from Vista. Especially if I get the new website up and running like I want...good thing those business cards were free last summer. I'll have to order new everything!