Friday, June 15, 2012

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!

54 comments:

  1. Congrats on your hard work- I hope it provides a lush harvest soon!

    I'm not really a writer beyond my blog posts, but I do enjoy that.

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    1. Shelly, thank you. I think you do a wonderful job writing your blog posts.

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  2. well done on all your writing projects, I'm gearing up to start a new novel, which involves a lot of 'thinking':)

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    1. Words A Day, good luck with the "thinking" part of the process. I've stopped to think a lot when writing the last 2 manuscripts.

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  3. How awesome Theresa. It sounds like you're really making progress. So exciting. I'm about 45 pages into a new project. I'm finding that writing the first draft is a bit of slow torture. I like revising better.

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    1. Natalie, good luck with your new project. Revising is easier for me too. During the rough draft stage, I always wonder if I'll ever think of all the words to complete the manuscript.

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  4. It seems you are on the right track. Keep it up. I'm working on a few things, which is why I took some time off from blogging.

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    1. Miranda, I'm glad you got time to work on a few things. Welcome back!

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  5. Good luck with Naked Eye! I know you've worked so hard. You deserve some fantastic news!!

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    1. SA Larsen, thank you. So many of us work hard. It's a hard business!

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  6. If you've figured out the query you're halfway there! Good luck.

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  7. Solid steady and ever so upwardly amazing writerly progress!! Good for you! Yay! Take care
    x

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  8. Wow, congrats on making it that far through ABNA, Theresa! That's an accomplishment to be proud of :) So happy that the manuscript has been scoured and sent out to people who asked for partials!! I am crossing all of my appendages for you!

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  9. Some queries just write themselves!
    Others don't ...

    Good luck with all your projects. I am facing my first draft WIP and seeing a great big mess. I think I need to take a break while my subconscious works it all out.

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  10. Theresa, it is so fantastically cool that you have achieved so much, really. Pat yourself in the back please. I'm wishing you all the luck in the world for Naked Eye and Project X. Querying is though, but I think the more we do it, the more we master it. : )

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  11. It's always great to hear when your query is solid! Good luck!

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  12. Theresa, I may have some writing news soon, I hope. Then again, it could evaporate into thin air, but I stay hopeful.
    Good luck to you and your writing.
    I am smiling reading Niamh's comment. She is v. modest as well as being v. talented. Have you seen her news today? G

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  13. I'm quite sure your query is as solid as a rock! You are going to get an agent soon, girl. Believe it!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  14. Theresa, I wish you so much luck in the query process. I know it's so hard to wait, too.
    I am working on revisions and edits on a completed YA ms and hoping to finish another wip of another YA sometime this summer or by early autumn.

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  15. Sounds like lots of good stuff is happening for you. Can't wait for that good news post! Sounds like it will be coming soon.

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  16. Congrats on your progress; you are inspiring me! I'm working to regain my footing after some family commitments. Getting there. :)

    Have a great weekend!

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  17. Yay! Sounds like things are going well! I've got my fingers crossed for you!

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  18. Sounds like things are going well - that's fabulous! I'm struggling with a query myself - it's a slog! Hope all that hard work pays off for you soon!

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  19. Practice makes better (never perfect), so of course you're getting better at writing queries. And your ABNA results are amazing. You're getting there.

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  20. What's ABNA?

    (Love the title of your post.)

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  21. Thanks for the Roosevelt quote, Theresa - after about three weeks of query rejections, it takes the edge off. A little. :-)
    Some Dark Romantic

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  22. Congratulations on all of your hard work, Theresa. It sounds like you are ready to start sending out queries....I'm crossing everything for you.

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  23. Congratulations! I belong to a fairly large writing group and I've seen so many people just give up after a few rejections or harsh critiques of their work. Being a writer requires a certain amount of faith in ourselves because even the best writers are rejected. I guess what I'm trying to say is that completing something is a triumph in itself and putting it out there in someone else's hands is even braver.
    I hope you get good news soon!

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  24. Congrats! with the draft and good luck with the revisions! I love the whole writing process. The critique partners are vital and I hope you find some great ones.

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  25. Thanks for the inspiring quote by Teddy Roosevelt - it's just what I needed, Theresa. You should be proud of yourself - it sounds like your writing is really in a groove. Congratulations!

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  26. What a wonderful quote.

    You've been busy - and in the midst of your move, too! Best of luck for the coming querying, and for your new project, too.

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  27. "whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again"

    That sure sounds like writing!

    Me: I had a successful pitch last fall. But then I started to question if novel is truly in best shape. Am stuck on a couple of things. I want to be sure because I think once the agent ball starts rolling it's hard to turn back.
    Last year I thought differently. Just wanted to "get published."

    Good luck with your queries! Sounds like you are ready.

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  28. Hi Theresa,

    Congratulations on teh draft done and good luck with the queries!

    All the bes my friend!

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  29. Well done on your progress and with your queries... I still struggle with them, but practice makes perfect.

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  30. WOW, I love that quote and congrats on all your incredible progress with your writing! I can never stop editing, which prevents me from ever completing a project, so it's wonderful that you know your manuscript has been checked over thoroughly. Good luck!!

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  31. It's super cool to hear about your projects. Best of luck with your queries :)

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  32. Good going on your query. My current one is not getting the job done so far, so I keep tinkering.

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  33. I think you are super talented and should stop questioning whether or not you are good enough to land an agent. Agents just don't realize what a hot bed of talent they have in you. Poo on them.

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  34. Ooh good luck! I'm in the middle of writing something really different for me, so it's been fun stretching the old writing muscles. :)

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  35. Sounds like you are getting somewhere. Keep working!

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  36. You did well, Theresa!
    All the best.

    Riya.

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  37. Naked Eye sounds very promising. Keep us updated, please!

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  38. It's a tough job and so often a lonely one. Glad you're sharing the experience with your readers. We are in the same boat a lot of the time.

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  39. You sound like you've been working your butt off. Good for you! It's hard work and is totally inspiring to me that you're that dedicated :)

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  40. Oh, that's fantastic, Theresa! All the best of luck w/Naked Eye! Can't wait to read your success story~ :o) <3

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  41. Okay, you're writing my next query. :D

    Awesome job with the request. Good luck with them.

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  42. Beautiful quote. I'm still busy scouring my WiP, but am thinking about writing something today.

    Fingers crossed that you get the agent of your dreams. :-)

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  43. That all sounds like good news on your projects. Love the quote by Roosevelt. Writers need to post that over their monitors.

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  44. I'm waiting on feedback on a short story collection and outlining something else.

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  45. Love the Roosevelt quote. It explains why I try to approach criticism from the standpoint of being the one being critiqued.

    It sounds like you are making progress.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  46. Sounds like you have been quite a busy lady! My revisions are going very slowly. Best of luck with all of yours. I'm just submerging myself back into the blogging community, it's hard after I took so many months away. Have a truly wonderful weekend!

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  47. It seems like I'm late in voting. :(

    Good luck with both projects and querying. There seems to be good energy and feedback with these.

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  48. Great quote! Phew you've been busy well done some great news here. Good luck, you'll get there I know it!

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