Welcome to my first What's Up Wednesday of 2014! It's a weekly meme run by Erin L Funk and Jaime Morrow and is a great way for readers and writers to catch up on what we've been up to.
What I'm reading
My first read of 2014 was Vicious by Victoria Schwab, and it was amazing! It's dark and twisted and makes you reconsider the definitions of terms like 'hero' and 'villain', as well as making the idea of developing superpowers almost scarily plausible! I'm writing up my review on this one. :)
What I'm writing
Back to making progress with the YA post-apoc/fantasy WIP. I really need to figure out the genre. :P But I'm around the halfway mark (I think) so things are definitely getting somewhere! Other than that, I'm working on something short, top-secret, and hopefully very exciting. ;)
What else I've been up to
I finally watched The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug! I loved it, especially Smaug, the barrel scene, and getting to see Legolas kick ass. My boyfriend and I also watched Frozen, which was amazing! I now have the soundtrack stuck in my head...
After that, getting back into a working routine after the holidays! I'm editing and proofreading some exciting manuscripts for CQ (I can't get over how awesome it is that I get to do this! :D). And I'm playing Final Fantasy X. Which...isn't work. But is very fun. :P
What inspires me right now
This fantastic, honest post by Jessica Spotswood about managing expectations as a writer. Every writer should read this!
It's also the first IWSG of 2014! The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the creation of Ninja Captain Alex, and is a great way for writers to share their worries, support and encouragement.
The timing of this is opportune, because I've just received my second editorial letter on the book I'm talking about with my publishers. This is a book I've revised extensively at least four times, and the last edit letter had me tearing my hair out. Even published, with a book under contract, there are moments which make me doubt myself as a writer - like finding that something I've rewritten 5 or 6 times STILL isn't working!
I can still remember the moment of despair after I received my first editorial notes - my first thought was, if there are so many things wrong with my writing, how did I get a contract in the first place? But that's what editors are for. By focusing on your weaknesses, they help you make the book the very best it can be, and it'll be worth it in the end! Now, as I tackle Edit #5, I just have to remember that...
Hi Emma, and welcome to What's up Wednesday. Hang in there with those editorial notes. I'm sure it's tough but you can get through it. That's what we writers do.
ReplyDeleteCant believe I haven't seen the Hobbit. I was such a massive fan of the trilogy. I mean, like way huge. Somehow, I just can't forgive the studio and Peter Jackson for turning this beloved children's book into a THREE-FILM ACTION EPIC. It really wrangles me.
I'm sure I'll see it soon, though. I think it's still around.
Hang in there. You'll have that manuscript in shape soon!
Ooo, thanks for reminding me about Vicious! I've been wanting to read that book!
ReplyDeleteAnd I know what you mean about those editing letters. I questioned their and my judgment at the same time. But edits are for making the book better, and that's what we want. :)
Good luck with everything!
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug AND Frozen are great! I'm so gonna watch them again once the blu-rays are out.
ReplyDeleteI was a hardcore gamer until a couple of years ago. When I decided to make writing more than a hobby, I quit. I miss it. I dream about playing my dear games lol But I won't go back. I like being hardcore ... playing only a few hours per week won't satisfy me, so I stay away. Which is good, because I get more writing done =P
I remember panicking after getting my 1st editorial letter too. I guess that's part of it ;)
Good luck with your edits! I saw The Hobbit yesterday, it really was good! I think I'm seeing it again at the weekend :)
ReplyDeleteI'm most of the way through round one of revisions on my WIP, and I'm still not 100% sure I can put it in one genre. I may end up calling it a historical, but the fact there's an alien in it, and the first part of the story is on an alien planet kind of leans it toward sci-fi. That may be one for any future agent/editor to settle. :)
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I want to go the traditional route with my publishing career (i.e., agent, editor, etc.), is both for the confidence boost of having at least one industry professional who believes in my ability, and for the encouragement of having such a person (or people) rooting for me when I feel incapable of stringing words together into coherent sentences.
All the best with edit #5, Emma. :)
I really enjoyed The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, too. I have a new expression: Like shooting dwarves in a barrel. Hahaha! Loved that part. I haven't read VICIOUS, but I have heard good things about it. I really should check out some of her books. Sounds like you're making great progress with your WIP. That's pretty exciting, I expect. Have a wonderful week, Emma!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your edits! It can be disheartening being reminded again that your story isn't quite there yet. But I think it's even scarier when all the edits are over and you can't fix anything ever again. Every pass you make over your words is another chance to make it exactly the story you want to tell. Best of luck to you in this and everything else the new year brings.
ReplyDeleteVicious! I seriously can't wait to read that one :) And I have yet to see The Desolation of Smaug, but I'm thinking the hubs and I will go this weekend which makes me very happy. I also love that post by Jessica Spotswood, very honest and real.
ReplyDeleteI just read that Jessica Spotswood post--man, this biz can be hard! Ah well, it can be very exciting too and that's what I am looking forward to in 2014.
ReplyDeleteI just read Vicious too! It was such a learning experience for me about writing villains.
ReplyDeleteThe barrel scene! Best part of the movie.
My daughter is listening to "Let it Go" (from Frozen) right now. :)
Vicious is on my To Be Bought list :D
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the WiP. Figuring out genres can be such a pain sometimes.
Vicious sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing that from some authors about their editorial note. It's too bad you are still having to go through all of that :( Hopefully it'll be your last time!
I loved that post by Jessica Spotswood, it was so honest. I need to read her books now.
ReplyDeleteI just loved Frozen, so much fun!
Good luck with your edits!
I loved that post by Jessica! Have an awesome week :)
ReplyDeleteOoo, a top secret writing project sounds like fun! Good luck with that! I haven't gotten around to seeing the latest Hobbit movie yet, but hopefully soon. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it! This is the second time today I've seen someone refer to Jessica Spotswood's post, so I really need to go check that out! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAs long as your editors still seem supportive, all is well.
ReplyDeleteI saw the latest Hobbit movie, and while I liked it, I was a little disappointed. There's a little too much silliness and slapstick for my taste. I wish the movie were more in the style of the Lord of the Rings movies. Part of my disappointment stems from watching the movie in HFR, which made even the outside scenes seem like they were on a stage.
I still haven't seen Desolation of Smaug. :( Good luck with the WIP!
ReplyDeleteSorry you have to revise yet again! I hope the editorial notes were really clear this time so it will be your last edit.
ReplyDeleteYikes for the revisions, but you can do it! Good luck and have a great week. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you're very brave and persistent to tackle a 5th rewrite of a novel! That's something greatly needed. Good luck with it and try not to think too much about how many times you've had to rewrite it. Some of the best stories were rewritten a hundred times before they were truly finished.
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to see "Frozen." I'm sorry your editorial letters are bugging you, but I'm sure at least the ms is improving every time. (I'm not worried about my editorial letters - because I'd actually have to write something in order to get one...)
ReplyDeleteSometimes it feels like we're in this to please everybody else. I sending you positive vibes to dive back into editing. Keep it up! XXOO
ReplyDeleteAs long as your vision is intact, the rewrites will only make your book better (stop pulling out your hair...you don't want to be bald on the inside cover photo). Good luck.
ReplyDeleteLeanne ( http://readfaced.wordpress.com )
It's a bit encouraging to hear that published writers go through the same anxiety over editorial letters as those of us do further back in the process. Just getting through the acquisition editor is tough. Hang in there. Thanks for sharing! Your anguish is actually helpful to hear (sorry). :)
ReplyDelete