Learning the craft of writing

I acquired an editor to help me polish my novel, as of late I am deep into revisions, rewriting and I am learning many things from my editor the first thing that I learned was understanding my characters,and plot by completing a GMC which is the acronym for Goal Motivation and conflicts. I realized that when I queried it was way too early because my characters were one dimensional and the plot had gigantic holes.

My editor does a lot such as copy editing, correcting my grammar, and the biggest suspect for me is the punctuation, but she does more than that for me, presently I have revised the first chapter and hoping that I am close to the hook, the middle of the novel is okay and I am pleased that the way I ended the novel will offer my potential reader a cliff hanger but its still satisying.

Another major suspect for me is showing vs telling I am so happy when my editor points this out but I have to buckle down and catch this for myself my editor suggested me be watchful of typical words I use such as begin and started.

Other words not to use are: heard, saw, noticed, smelled, thought, etc. For example, instead of saying Elizabeth saw Stephen kissing Kayla and she wanted to scream I would revise this, Stephen kissed Kayla, Elizabeth eyes filled with tears, she wished Stephen was the one kissing her, Kayla is not right for him, but Elizabeth is holding back her feelings for Stephen so she has no choice but to accept Kayla and Stephen are together.

Dialogue: Writing for the YA market my dialogue has to sound authentic in addition, it has to make sense not just two or more people talking for the sake of talking it has to be one to improve the momentum of the plot and dialogue should not put the reader to sleep.

Scenes: My editor has helped me by highlighting in a lovely blue colour the scenes that have to be rewritten or most of the time deleted because it does nothing for the plot but taking up space which is not the goal of scenes.

I think my characters are three dimensional but they improved again after I completed my GMC, I don't focus too much on physical descriptions just the basic and if I do again there has to be a reason that will further the plot or give the reader insights.

I loathe reading books in which the characters are flawless every character should have something about them that they have to work through. I have made a long term goal to continue to learn about the craft of writing by writing a lot reading an eclectic array of books in various genres.

Writers need to understand the goal of their writing and if the goal is towards getting a manuscript published then you have to seek out knowledge and starting at the basic.

Critique Partner

The journey towards publication/seeking representation is also gaining an critiue partner or Beta Reader, as of late I have lost two CP at first I blamed myself with numerous reasons the main one I struggled with is self pity thinking they just didn't like me. But it didn't take me long to come to my senses, that nothing I can do can sway a person's decision if they choose not to partner up with me for a CP or BR, and I realize that aspiring to be a writer rejection comes in many ways yeah it feels bad but I am hopeful that I will gain a CP/BR along with an awesome agent and one day a wonderful publisher.

The focus for me is to work hard with my amazing editor and polish my manuscript and work also on my three WIP that I am excited about.

Life always changes and part of maturing as a person in various capacities or circumstances is positive thinking and trusting in myself that nothing will last forever and hard work towards my goal of publication will happen eventually.

Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne’er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of Victory

As he defeated – dying –
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear !

Emily Dickinson | Classic Poems

Writing Resolutions

A year and a half ago I made the decision to finally pursue my writing aspiration, another year is approaching and as usual I come up with my resolutions so these are personal goals and writing goals.

*Polishing my manuscript. (I have retained an amazing editor so I am on the right path.)
* Finishing two WIP (rough draft)
*Tone my body (long term goal since I was fifteen years old)
*Writing for me and don't think about anything else relating to publishing biz
*decreasing my stress (this is a hard goal cuz I freak out a lot)
*Write for two hours everyday as per my writing calender

That's all I can think of right now it's 10.09 p.m.I tomorrow is my last day and I am off for two weeks the amount of writing I will do is making me so giddy, but I have to balance can't forget about my family/extended family during the holidays. This post will continue it'll be interesting in a few months when I revisit the above goals if I attained any.

Not following trends

I have always been fascinated by supernatural/paranormal characters in YA/Adult novels and now that I am pursuing my publishing dream and writing about vampires as of late I feel like my novel will never get the view of a agent because vampire/and other supernatural novels is inundated in the young adult market. But I asked myself one question that solidified my decision to keep writing. I never wrote Ecliptic dreams because vampires are trending right now trends are not started instantly books take average two years to get published so what was popular then may not be popular later so the focus should always be write what you love and to offer a unique spin on what is in the market and that's my focus however long it takes for my dream to be executed I will continue to learn the craft of writing, reading and learning from authors I admire.

Writing is like an eclipse

I have always had an appreciation for nature, and that adoration is included in my novels I am having a great time playing around with working titles for my novel, and I am finally happy with the titles I chose. (Even though I have no say if my book gets published.) Nature is also reflected in the scenery I create. I love meadows, forest, and in a perfect world I will be in a forest sitting by a lake writing, and hearing the glorious sounds of nature to me that's the best inspiration.

Since my title is called writing is like an eclipse, I will refer to that. Writing changes the obvious is rounds and rounds of revisions, which is necessary and important. I enjoy revisions , It enables me to get better because ideas that I never even considered jumps out at me, which makes me so giddy. On the flip side querying is hard, the anticipation of hearing back from an agent, the unexpected things that occur, which could be positive or negative. Sometimes I convince myself I am a glutton for punishment pursuing my dream of getting an agent/published and then I endure my own eclipse just when everything appears dark and I feel I cannot endure another rejection the light shines bright and I know writing is the only thing I want to do.

Not backing down.

As of late I don't have my awesome literary agent, I have had a few requests for partials and couple for the full, but they fizzled with a polite no thank you and this is the moment that defines my tenacity should I stop and say to myself that is too hard I can't go on? Therefore, I have chosen not to back down I know that my aspiration of getting published will be the most grueling experience I have ever pursued, but it's sort of magical taking the risk... hmm or probably I am a gluttony for punishment, at any rate, I have to make a go of my dream. I am still holding onto the possibility my yes will come.