Jaysus! I just am NOT getting this whole blog thing.... both my blogs languish, unused for months on end. Um, and you say you want to be a writer???? Hmmmmmm....
Well, quick update..... sort of
Sent out a barrage of query letters at the beginning of Jan. I focused mainly on email ones, so most went to the US. 17 to be precise.... and have heard back from 10. Two, although rejections have been favourites...
The first favourite (that was then demoted when 9 arrived) was rejection no 6. It said, "Although intrigued by your query, I didn't feel sufficient enough enthusiasm to ask for me at this stage." To be honest, I couldn't get past the 'intrigued' part because that meant I was on the right track! When I do get published, I'll send her a copy so that she finds out the end. I liked her response.... it was nice. And it was from a real person.
My favourite, favourite so far was Rejection no 9 (great number too... that was the one that got Stephenie Meyer a book deal!)... she said "Your passion for writing shines through, both in your query letter and your writing sample. Your prose is smart, snappy, and fun to read. However... " and that's when the rejection part came about it being too similar to a chicklit novel! There's that dirty, dirty word that still seems to sell and people still love to read.... but is dead, dead, dead! For rejection 9, I will always hold a special place in my heart! She even went to say that if I write something that is more firmly entrenched in the 'women's fiction' genre, she'd be happy to have a look. The problem with that is I love to write about lives I'll probably never lead... sparkly, dramatic, OTT and crazy.... do I hear CHICKLIT in that!
Two weeks ago, I posted another 5 (1 to US, 4 to UK) and emailed 5 more agents in UK. I've already had 2 rejections (one from a killer agent too...boo hoo) but I haven't heard from the one agent I'd really, really want... I'm waiting for your call - you know who you are!
So, that's where I am at.... still on the 2nd edit.... I think that I'm the only writer that gets a thrill from seeing the count go DOWN.... sitting on 127,000.... would really, really like it to be around 120,000... getting good at culling too!
So, that's where we are at with that.... really trying to keep the faith!
And what have I read???
It's really strange how my reading 'lusts' have changed. I blame that pesky 'panic attack' stage I went through (cue shudder at lack of life control) a few years back. I just don't get much joy out of reading, or watching, gut wrenching stuff anymore. I was never really a fan of dramas anyhow, even though I can list some of my favourite movies as being firmly in that genre, but I get so wrapped up in it and it becomes so real to me that I can't treat it as 'just' a story! Weird....especially since that's what I loved most about reading... becoming embroiled in other's journeys. It may also be that subconsciously, I took it on wholeheartedly when my osteopath said that I shouldn't be doing that anymore.... only happy, happy, happy stuff. (That subconscious habit of mine scares me shitless and happens a lot more than I like to admit.)
But... all that means I've discovered a new genre that I love - fantasy! That's probably due to the Twilight Saga (jealous, jealous, so very jealous at that little gem) and some of Meyer's other book suggestions but I'm so enjoying! I suppose in hindsight it's weird that I moved away from that since I loved the pretend so much when I was growing up (ah, Enid Blyton - I love you) but I just wanted to be grown up so badly I suppose. And chicklit, well, that gave me a taste of a world I would never be part of - the jet set! Oooohhhh, Jilly Cooper too! Drama, scandal, lust and love.... BRING IT ON!
Ok, I'm waffling... lets begin with what I've read:
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Wow! Kim sure knows how to write.... but I only got as far as pg 149.... I just wasn't coping with how David's decision - doing what he thought was the right thing to do - would damage so many people's lives and that there was just no way that he could take it back. It made me sad... so I stopped reading. For those of you without these 'silly' issues, do read it! Everyone that I've borrowed it to has LOVED it and I'm sure you will too. I might even finish it at some stage.
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Loved, loved, loved this book! I don't care what ANYONE says, Meyer can weave a story like nobody's business. I was wary of it at first, having read that it's a slow starter, blah, blah, blah... wasn't sure about the concept... blah, blah, blah.... but eventually I couldn't resist and got myself a copy. Thank goodness I did.... it was fab and I inhaled it! I was genuinely sad to leave their world - albeit a strange and restricted one - but so happy with the way it panned out. Especially since, for most of the book, I had no idea which way she was going to go.
The Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox
Hmmmm, not sure about this one. It was one that Meyer suggested (and loved) but I was more excited that Knox was a kiwi (The Vitner's Luck has just been made into a movie.... looks GREAT) and so couldn't resist. The premise is extraordinary, and the writing good, but it didn't enthrall me the way other books have. Not that I didn't finish it.... I had to find out where she was going with it all, and have already started The Dream Quake (the 2nd book) which has been the same..... just ok.... but I'm still reading.... so I suppose that's a good thing. If only to find out where it all ends up.
How to Famous by Alison Bond
Its the 2nd time I've read this book and really loved it. I like her writing, its good. And just to the sort of thing I love to read about - a life I'll never live or be part of. I'm waiting for her Ruby Valentine book to arrive....will keep you posted on my thoughts on that.
one fifth avenue by Candace Bushnell
Hmmmm.... its another one of those. I absolutely adore Sex and the City but when I tried to read the books, not so much. (In Bushnell's defense, I tried back in the 90's - the same time I tried to read Bridget Jones' Diary and hated. I returned to that later and loved... so maybe it would be the same with SATC). But, it was the same with this one, I didn't 'inhale', I just read it and tried to pick up some good tips for my own writing. It was ok but that was about it.
Home Truths by Freya North
I've been dying to get my hands on one of her books because she struggled to get published and has a pretty gutsy story on just how she did. But alas, as much as I love the person, the book - not so much. I couldn't even finish it! Sorry, Freya! Maybe it was just this one???
Deception Point by Dan Brown
Loved it! Like all his stuff, it grabs you by the balls and locks you in for the ride. But, I must say that he got slippery hands in the end and was sort of only holding onto one ball. But still a bloody good story, Mr Brown... looking forward to reading the next one that is currently out.
And what I'm currently reading:
The Dream Quake by Elizabeth Knox
Refer above.
The Partisan's Daughter by Louis de Bernieres
Confession first - I had to look up what partisan meant (blush)... so simple once you know. I adored Captain Corelli's Mandolin, like LOVED, LOVED. So I'm hoping this one is the same and a bit of a slow starter. I'm on pg 59 and I'm limping along with this one. de Bernieres's writing is great.... but I think it's the story I'm just not getting in to. But, I HATE not finishing a book and often force myself to go the distance even when I don't want to.... so we will see. I have been wanting to read it... jury is still out.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling
I'm just resting.... had too much HP in one go I think. Will get back to it eventually.
And on the non-fiction front...
Creative Journal Writing by Stephanie Dowrick
Really enjoying... only on pg 70 so I think that we are still laying down foundations and getting to the meaty stuff, but I like what she's trying to do. I'm a occasional journal writer and have been writing in the same book since 2004 (I did say occasional!) but this book is inspiring me to write more. And I also found out a few home truths when I paged back... and that I was harping on about the same shit! So that was an eye opener.... she recommends reading it from cover to cover and then going back again... which is what I'm doing. But, I can see the value I'm going to get from this. And since I love the whole pen, paper, writing thing... I'm just going to love it anyway.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creative Visualization by Shari L Just and Carolyn Flynn
I took this one out from the library... and am finding it super interesting. I'm a MASSIVE believer in the whole 'law of attraction' and 'thoughts become things' camp but still feel like I'm missing some vital piece of information that's holding me back from truely getting to grips with the concept. So, I'll just carry on reading, practising and giving it a damned good shot, and maybe I'll just 'create' that missing piece. Other books that I read over and over again are Louise Hay's 'You can heal your life' and 'The Power is within you'. Cool stuff in those too... but it's that whole 'what am I not getting here' that I haven't overcome. But I believe I will and that's enough as far as these babies are concerned.
Oh, and movies...
Avatar... ROCKED! Truely amazing!
Percy and the Lightening thief... save it for DVD night
Sherlock Holmes ... a must see, loved it!
It's Complicated.... very cute, especially if you're divorced (I'm not) & over 50 (I'm not) but still good. DVD might be the way to go though.
Have yet to see The Lovely Bones... and missed TT Wife! Bugger....
Ok, enough... I need to get back to my writing and my dreams!
Bxx
