Whilst perusing my fellow bloggers' sites this weekend I came across a cool template, which led me to ShabbyBlogs where they have all this amazing free stuff! I love vintagey themed things, and they have it galore over there. So, I chose a Christmas background for this month and I'm already trying to decide what I'll change it to in January. They also have cool blinky buttons, which you'll see I've sprinkled liberally through my sidebar... the one at the top is actually a set of quotes I have up in my bedroom, so I was stoked to see it available for my blogging home.
Anyways, editing updates: I sort of finished my major rewrite last night. By sort of I mean that I got all the way through to the end, connecting all of the new scenes I wrote so that everything is integrated with no gaping hole plots. But one thing I realized I had to do was remove a lot of pages from the end - I had about a 45 page wrap up after the final climatic scene, and that just won't work. So, I slashed ruthlessly down to 20 pages, which is still sort of a lot, but it works. Now, I just want to go back and plump a little here and there earlier in the book to bring my word count back up.
Speaking of makeovers, I've also decided I want to change the name of my novel, because I don't think it's snazzy enough. I spent some time last night making a list of keywords for my book and some possible new titles. I also wrote a brand new query letter in like five minutes, which is amazing for me (usually I agonize about it for several hours). So, I guess I kind of did a total novel makeover, with lots of juicy new scenes, a new name and a new query. I'm going to wait until after the holidays, and then it's round three of querying!
So, writer friends, how are your projects going? Are you writing? Editing? Querying? Waiting for your book to be published? What are your writing resolutions for the new year?
Yay for novel makeovers! Sounds like your book is getting more and more fabulous.
ReplyDeleteVery nice to read your post and see all that you are up to. I'm digging the new template, as well.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're working hard on that novel, and that's fantastic. Wonderful to hear the new query went so smoothly.
Have a great day and I hope you ate something yummy, today.
Oh my goodness, slashing pages is HARD. I'm right there with you. *offers moral support*
ReplyDeleteI just CUT my wrap-up ending (which wasn't that long), but I killed about 30 pages from my beginning and close to 8K words by just cleaning up phrases--line-by-freaking-line.
I'm hoping to be done with this rewrite tomorrow! I'm doing my second-final (that's a HORRIBLE descriptor! second-final? maybe penultimate? that's a lot better)--ahem, penultimate revisions right now. I'm sending out to betas on Thursday (eep! So close!), and I've got a February 1st query launch deadline. Cheers and tears!
Good luck with your revisions!
What name did you decide on? Congrats on your big overhaul! And this new layout is lovely! I like it!
ReplyDeleteI actually never make new years resolutions because I feel like it's setting myself up for failure. Instead I have goals that I stick to regardless of the time or what year it is and I keep on trucking. That works better for me personally because I'm always motivated.
ReplyDeleteI like all your ideas for vamping things up. I had no idea about ShabbyBlogs so thanks for letting me know about that!
And that's amazing that you cut your ending down to 20 pages. You must have been ruthless! I know how that feels.
Jai
Sounds like you're doing great at the makeover! Good for you for being brave enough to slash for the sake of the overall novel.
ReplyDeleteI'm querying, waiting on an agent for a full, blogging, and trying to write on my WIP. Working through some plot stuff. For 2011, I plan to keep on writing!
i LOVE the new blog look!
ReplyDeletealso, congrats on finishing the re-write. i am tackling a re-write right now and starting to doubt the whole thing...
x
Yay for little changes! Congrats on finishing your re-write and it sounds like you are pretty confident so thats a good thing! Can't wait for more updates! Cute layout too- I'll have to go check those out.
ReplyDeleteLoved the new look of your blog, Alexia. Congrats on completing your rewrites. I too should be through before this month/year ends. Hope to query next year.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your query!
I love the snazzy new blog decor. It's gorgeous. =o)
ReplyDeleteI'm still working on my NaNo novel. Now that November is over, it's slow going, but I'll get it finished eventually. Meanwhile, I'm trying to query amidst the holiday hoopla.
Oh, and if you need someone to read anything for you... :raises hand: Pick me, pick me.
Oh, it sounds like everything is coming together nicely for you. Lovely blog! Perfect for the season. I look forward to seeing what you have in store for January. Congrats on finishing the rewrite as well! You are so close now! You must be very excited!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Go you! It sounds like your book is becoming more awesome by the minute. I hate writing query letters - I hope your new one is *the* one!
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with ya. New novels are in various stages of progress, but I'm querying again without even waiting until the end of the year. I'm on vacation now, so let's get 'em done now while I have the time. Great post. Good luck with your writing and with your agent search.
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