Naked Ambition

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he falls while daring greatly.  So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory no defeat.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

Here’s what I’ve been up to in my writing life:

Naked Eye

I’ve never worked this hard on a query. Never worked this hard on a manuscript.

Never had a manuscript make it this far in ABNA (though it was cut for quarterfinals).

Since then, I’ve had 1 more writer look at the query. Had 4 more writers look at the manuscript.  It hasn’t been polished—it’s been scoured. 

Now I’m querying the editor and agent who requested partials, along with the other editors and agents who attended the conference. 5 out so far. More to follow.

Project X

I completed the rough draft 2 weeks ago at 60k.  Revisions began yesterday.  Soon enough I’ll be looking for readers. 

The query + 9 pages were critiqued at the NE-SCBWI conference in April.  The editor thought the manuscript had a good voice, and there was a market for it.  She gave me some direction, which I incorporated. Best of all, she thought the query was solid.  This is crazy 1 person looked at it besides me, and I didn’t revise it that many times.  Could it be I’ve finally figured out how to write a decent query? 

Time will tell.

100RPM


Aubrie Dionne                                      
 
is hosting me on her blog today to tell about 100RPM.  
For details, PLEASE VISIT! 

Writers, where are you in your writing life? 

Wherever you are, I hope you’re victorious.

P.S. My friend Brigid 

has a wonderful piece in a contest. 

Please read her  ENTRY. 

If you like it…  VOTE!