Thursday, August 16, 2012

I'm Back! Updates on Writing, Querying and Colorado

I'm back from my blog break! I missed you guys. I've been really curious to know what everyone's up to. At any rate, I accomplished what I set out to do on my break: I finished writing the first draft of my middle grade fantasy, and I sent out a final round of queries for my second urban fantasy. And, I had a lovely trip to visit my bestie in Colorado (pics below!).

My first draft wrapped up nicely, and then I immediately thought of a better opening scene, so I messed with that even though I usually let my manuscript sit for a bit before starting to edit. It's been a few weeks now though, so I'm going to do my first read through this week and get started on edits. My query news is that there is no news. No bites for my urban fantasy, which I strongly suspect is because my MC is part vampire, and everyone seems over vamps right now. So, that's pretty disappointing because I think it's an awesome book. Yes, that sounds narcissistic. I am a writer, after all :) I put my first urban fantasy on the back burner because I knew that it needed to be stronger. I really feel this one is ready though. Alas. That's why you just keep writing - my disappointment is lessened since I have my third book done and ready for edits. Of course, I still have a number of queries out there, so I could still hear something better than the dreaded form rejection.

A couple other notes before I share my Colorado pics: first, I've decided to take a break from my urban fantasy newsletter. I really, really love putting it together, but it takes me a lot of hours each month, and I think I'm getting stretched a bit too thin. I'd rather put my time into chatting with you guys here and on Twitter. Maybe I'll start up again in the future - we'll see. Also, I've heard lots of news lately of a blogger that was sued for using photos that weren't hers on her blog, even with proper citations and whatnot. So, I took down all the pics that I'd found on the net for various posts, and wanted to spread the word to everyone I know so you can look into this for yourself.

Anyways, on that note, here are pics I took myself of my awesome trip to Colorado:


Oh, wait, Christina took this. I think I'm safe, though :) Me on the Millennium Bridge in Denver.


Also on the M Bridge... I thought this was super cute.


Me and Christina on an overlook in Rocky Mountain National Park.


Me. Notice my hand touching the rail. I am deathly afraid of heights and couldn't stand there without touching something solid. Totally illogical, I know.


A gorgeous river we hiked along on the Fern Lake trail at RMNP.


After many, many attempts to get a pic of these bastard chipmunks, who would run around my feet taunting me, hold the perfect pose until right when I snapped the pic, and generally do everything to make fun of my attempts, I finally got a good pic.


This was in the Roxborough National Park. I thought my camera didn't get a good pic of the dew drops and everything, so I was stoked when I uploaded it and saw that it did.


This was a very placid deer that let us take lots of nice pics of her, unlike the demonic chipmunks.


So, what's up with you? Tell me if I missed any big news!

17 comments:

  1. Welcome home! Beautiful pics! Yeah, I've started taking down some of the pictures I used on my blog too...better safe than sorry.

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  2. Welcome back. You've been missed. Fantastic post and great photos. Go you for getting so much work done plus, having fun.

    That's the good life.

    Cheers and boogie boogie.

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  3. Congrats on finishing a new book! Urban fantasy is definitely tough right now, but don't give up!

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  4. Alexia! Good to have you back. Sorry no takers on your manuscript. Finishing the first draft of the other one is good though. I'm starting to edit my third book now. Photos are great!

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  5. Sounds like you've been very productive!! Much luck with queries. Colorado sounds fun--never been there, despite being next-store my whole life. :)

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  6. You're trip looks so good, and glad to have you back:)

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  7. What fantastic pictures!

    Don't worry too much about no bites (appalling pun - sorry) for the vamp ms. The fact is you have a great novel and its time will come.

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  8. Looks like you had such a fun time! You're giving me such wanderlust. I hope the querying and revisions go well!

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  9. Congratulations on getting your self-assigned project done. I always feel good when a job has been accomplished!

    And I love the pictures, especially the livestock: the deer and the demonic chipmunk.

    Blessings and Bear hugs from Canada.

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  10. Hi Alexia, nice to meet you =) This is my first time to your blog. I popped over from. . .oh gosh, where did I click over from? I seem to have gotten lost. Anyway, I enjoyed your post and the pics you shared. I would definitely have to be touching that wall too. Heights make me crazy.

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  11. Welcome back, Alexia. Missed you lots. I loved your pictures, you look lovely.

    Aww..even my querying is going bad, I am planning to put this MS on hold after this month. Hang in there, you have just started querying, so its early days yet for you.

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  12. Hahaaa, demonic chipmunks. LOL

    Thanks for the fun pics, and I'm glad you had a great time! Good luck with your further query responses, and yay for you getting them out there as well as finishing your MG fantasy. Sounds like you're being very productive. I moved to CA over the summer and I didn't write at all, until a few days ago. Missed it lots!

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  13. Welcome back, Alexia. Good to hear from you again. I'm glad you had a great time, and have been productive with your writing. Newsletters are nice, but I'd love to see you around the networks more. It's so much fun to interact with others on more of a personal level. Best wishes as you decide courses of action, as well as with all of your WIP's.
    I, too, love the demonic chipmunks. If vamps are dead (*laughs*), perhaps the world is ready for demonic chipmunks!!

    -Jimmy

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  14. Yay! Welcome back, and congrats on finishing your first draft! Love your pics. Looks like a great trip.

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  15. Colorado looks beautiful. I can totally relate to better beginnings and revamped story lines. Good luck on the edits.

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  16. Welcome back. Thanks for sharing the fantastic pics. I'd love to visit Colorado one day.

    Good luck on the writing and querying.

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