Monday, December 14, 2009

The First Week After The Call

It was a busy first week. The title of my novella had to be changed before I could sign the contract, I had a new author package to read, and forms that needed to be filled out. Plus start in on the revisions.

I worked with my critique group and we brainstormed new titles and I sent them to my editor. Once we had the new title, I filled out the contract, signed it and mailed it off.

Then I read the new author package, filled out the forms I could fill out at the time, signed up for author loops and began looking at where I needed to make revisions.

During this time, I realized that while I was spending more time on my writing than ever, it also meant I'd not been spending the time on writing I could have been. Well, that was partially true. What I did was take a little bit of my normal evening down time where I sit back and relax for an hour or so, and worked on getting everything done.

At the end of the week I was a bit more tired than usual, but it wasn't too bad. The weekend I started the revisions in earnest, and while still keeping my eye on my time I started to learn about promoting myself as an author.

My editor and I stayed in contact, I gave her a date when the revisions would be to her. I filled out the last of the paperwork and sent it to her.

The revision had to be to her by the day I promised, as I was going on an almost 3 week vacation that had been planned since April.

I sent the revisions off to my editor by the promised date. Now I could go on vacation with a clean slate. Clean but not clear, I needed to start thinking about the next book and planning it out.

Everything my editor suggested that needed to be revised, strengthened not only the story, but strengthened me as a writer. I found words I used over and over and over again, I deleted them and used better words. I found different ways of saying the same thing, but the new evoked more emotion.

4 comments:

Cari Quinn said...

Hi Marie! We signed our contracts 10 days apart this August so I think we have a lot in common. :) I enjoyed going back and reading about your journey. I, too, have a book subbed at Harlequin, though mine's a full at Blaze. I love your cover and I can't wait to read In Plain Sight.

Oh, and once I get my blog roll set up again, I'll add you to my list. I think your posts are terrific! :)

Marie Tuhart said...

Thanks, Cari. In the back of In Plain Sight is a chapter of Full Disclosure and I can't want to read it. How neat that we signed contract just 10 days apart.

Yes, please let me know when you get your blog rolling and I'll add you to my links as well.

And stop by my website: www.marietuhart.com and enter my contest.

Cari Quinn said...

That's great that a chapter of Full Disclosure is in the back of your book. I hope you like it if/when you read it. :)

Oh, and my blog's up and running, I just change the look so much that I'm constantly having to redo my list of my favorite blogs. Here's the link: http://cariquinn.blogspot.com/

Thanks Marie!

Marie Tuhart said...

I've added you in on my blog, thanks for putting me on yours.