Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Once the Book is Written...

Every time one of my friends asks how the book is going and I say I'm closing in on a complete draft, they inevitably say, "Oooh! When will I be able to buy it?" (sigh) And I have to explain to them that it doesn't work that way. But for some reason, their eyes glazed over after I explain the differences in macro and micro edits. How long it can take to find an agent, writing loglines, queries, synopses, etc. All on the top of producing a complete and polished final (if there is such a thing) draft...And so it goes. I'm still at the tiniest of first steps--I'm nearly done with a rough draft.


There are other writers who have explained that so well and one of them is my fellow WFWA member, Kerry Ann Morgan. Check out her latest blog post--I've Entered the Fight...er...Submission Club. She tells the truth with such comedic flair!

Also check out this announcement. The Bookshelf Muse has moved to Writers Helping Writers and celebrating with a great give away.

FRIENDLY FIRE Update:
Part 1--Dreams is now in complete rough draft stage. Currently it's being read by some fabulous writers and non-writers to see if it makes sense to anyone else but me. ;-) John has read 3 chapters and only stumbled on one sentence. Guess what? He was right, it needed moved. (Have I reminded you lately that I love that man?)

And I have a potential logline or one sentence that sets up the story's beginning.
When a retired, childless widow meets a troubled foster child and steps into the breach, she realizes abuse is rampant in her home town—and she’s at ground zero.
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13 comments:

  1. J.L. MurpheyOctober 15, 2013 at 7:03 AM

    Yes, writing the final "the end" is just the beginning of the publishing game. Still I've read so many excerpts of the story since you began this journey, I'm looking forward to the published version.

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    1. Zan MarieOctober 15, 2013 at 8:24 AM

      Thanks, Jo! I am, too, but I know how long it's really going to be.

      Delete
  2. Bev C.October 15, 2013 at 10:39 AM

    Good job on the logline. I enjoy following your journey as it is similar to my daughter's. I am on the sidelines cheering on all of you writers in the forum and elsewhere. Totally get "the glazed over look." I see that all the time when explaining the progress Sara is making. :-)

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    1. Zan MarieOctober 15, 2013 at 11:00 AM

      Yep, you get it, Bev! Thanks for the cheers. ;-)

      Delete
  3. S.P. BowersOctober 15, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    I have to say, you've been over these scenes so many times they really aren't rough drafts anymore. Just because you haven't completed the whole thing doesn't mean it's still rough draft form. When you do get it all put together you'll already be on your third or fourth draft! At least. But yes, the whole process does take a long time and many people just aren't familiar with it.

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    1. Zan MarieOctober 15, 2013 at 11:45 AM

      Oh, thank you, Sara! Bless you for saying that. I needed it today when I'm staring Part 2 in the eyes and shaking in my boots at what a mess it is. ;-)

      Delete
  4. UnknownOctober 15, 2013 at 11:39 PM

    I agree with Sara--you've already revised and edited way past the first draft stage. I think you'll be surprised at how quickly things move once you piece it all together. :)

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    1. Zan MarieOctober 16, 2013 at 8:59 AM

      Well, y'all haven't looked over my shoulder at part 2. I'm back to raw words in it. In fact, I'm having to write from scratch for some of it. On I go! ;-)

      Delete
  5. UnknownOctober 17, 2013 at 11:20 PM

    If part 2 comes together as well as part 1, I'd say you're in good shape! :) I've been following the log line thread on the forum, even though after reading everything, I always run out of time to comment, and I think you've done an excellent job with yours! Every day I learn something new!

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    1. Zan MarieOctober 18, 2013 at 9:26 AM

      Thanks, Jane! (blushing) Believe me, part 2 is not behaving. I'm going to have to rewrite a ton. Oh, well--two steps forward, one step back.

      Delete
  6. J ByrdOctober 21, 2013 at 1:38 PM

    Nice blog, Zan Marie, I always enjoy them. The link to Kerry's page was a welcome addition. Keep up the good work.

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    1. Zan MarieOctober 21, 2013 at 4:06 PM

      Thank, J Byrd. Hope all is well with you and your writing.

      Delete
  7. Deniz BevanOctober 22, 2013 at 8:35 AM

    Ooh, seeing the logline out in public, as it were, makes it all so much more real suddenly. It's getting closer! It's a book!

    ReplyDelete

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