Revisions...

In light of the feedback I've gotten through the Genesis contest, and other sources, I'm deep into revisions on Yesterday's Tomorrow. I'm also still way over my desired word count for this manuscript, so I'm hoping the pruning will help.
Here's what I've learned about myself through this process.

I'm too sensitive.
I take myself too seriously.
I don't like change.
I automatically connect criticism with rejection.

Ouch.

There's more, but that's painful enough.

I know I need to develop a thick skin to be a writer. I've been told this since day one, and it's been years.
What do they want - bullet proof armor? I'm all out. Anyone know where I can get another suit?

The thing I keep telling myself, over and over again, just 'cause I'm a little slow, is that this all for IMPROVEMENT.
I have a calling, and yes, I do believe that, or I wouldn't be doing it - and I need to be sure the work I'm putting out there is the best it can be.
If it isn't, I'm not going to make it.

The sad fact is, many, many writers never get published.
I'm determined not to be one of them.

So, if God wills, I continue, I prune, wince and shudder with each change made. Yet when it's done, I know it will all be worth it.

Yet another day in the life of a writer.
Pass the cappuccino.

Winners and Losers...

They announced the finalists today, in the 2007 Genesis contest, run by American Christian Fiction Writers .
My name was not on the list.
I checked twice. Okay, maybe three times.
Oh well.
I have to admit, I am disappointed. I know I shouldn't be, but I am.
The good news is that THREE of my citique partners ARE on the list! That's wonderful news and I couldn't be happier for them.

I really hesitated to enter this contest. I hate contests, competition of any kind. It makes me want to vomit.
I know - I'm in the wrong profession.
So honestly, without wanting to sound like a sore loser, I'm not sure I'd enter again.
I don't know what kind of feedback I will get on my manuscripts - I entered two. But I really hope it's
not all totally negative, because then I really will dig myself a hole and not come out for a very long time.

Skulking off to lick my wounds.
Remind me again why I write?

Interview Me!

Rebecca

over in the UK, got me interested in this.
She's sent me several questions, which I will attempt to answer.
If you'd like to be interviewed by me, leave me a note saying Interview Me! And I shall. (See below).
So, without further ado, here are the questions, and my answers.

1 .If you had to go out a very fine dinner would you argue or go in a good state. How much would you spend on an ourfit?

Aha! Two questions in one. Tricky! Actually this is easy. I LOVE going out to dinner. Anytime, just about any place...I would definitely go. If it means I don't have to cook and wash up, I'm there!! How much would I spend on an outfit - well, now that depends on where we're going, doesn't it? I would generally wear a dress, pantsuit or skirt and top, and probably spend no more that $200 on said outfit. Of course I am going to assume that does not include shoes...

2. If someone served you liver for dinner would you throw up or eat it. Would you say something to your host about their choice of menu?

What a horrible question! Um...I don't think I would throw up, but I would probably lie and say I was allergic. But it really depends on who is serving the liver and why in the world would anyone do that to another human being in the first place?! Horrors! Reminds me of my boarding school days, and no, I didn't eat it then, nor would I now. Would I say anything to my host? Well I'm a pretty non-confrontational type of person, so no, probably not.

3. What are your earliest memories of feelling that you did not belong?

Wow. Don't like this question. Well, I actually have a very vivid memory of the only day I ever spent in what I would call a 'daycare'. I must have been about two, maybe three...I think I wouldn't stop crying, so they put me in a high chair with a bottle, and the kids made fun of me. I can remember my father storming in to the room and picking me up out of that chair and into his arms...and all was well.
Later, I probably felt I did not belong from quite a young age in school - I was not one of the more popular girls, and I was quite shy.
Sometimes I feel that I don't belong in our church, but we won't go there...I'd be here all day!

4. How did you fall in love for the first time. Was it the real time or did you have to wait for something special?

Okay, you asked for it. I was fifteen, on a Young Life trip in Saranac, New York. One of our day trips was climbling some mountain - I think they believed in torturing you to Jesus - however, I did make the climb and the view from the top was spectacular. However, as we all know, what goes up must come down...therein lies the problem. I am quite a klutz, and getting down that mountain was proving a rather difficult task. After falling a couple of times, a young Canadian boy by the name of Stephen, offered me his arm. I remember feeling a bit like an idiot, but when I looked into the most gorgeous pair of blue eyes I had ever seen, I didn't care any more.
The rest folks, as they say, is history. I get to look into those baby blues every day, and have been doing so going on twenty-one years June 21st. God is good.

5. Hve you ever longed to run away...if so, where would you go and with who??!! And tell me why the running??????

Well, now. Sometimes, yes. When the laundry is piled up a mile high, dishes in the sink and dust bunnies waging war on the furniture, and all I want to do is write one more chapter....I would run anywhere, with nobody but my laptop...
But generally speaking, I live a life of contentment. I love my husband, I love my kids. No, I don't want to run away.
Maybe they do sometimes...

Okay, so who is going to play next?
Here are the rules:
1. Leave me a comment saying "Interview me."

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Looking forward to interviewing YOU!

Follow Your Dreams...

We've all heard the saying. I'd like to put it up a notch.
ACHIEVE your dreams!
Last week, I finished the book I've been writing since October. It felt wonderful to wrap it up, even though
I know I still have some work to do on it. But it is DONE. I have accomplished what I set out to do!
Amazingly enough, in various discussions where people congratulate me, they also make the comment
that very few aspiring writers never finish a manuscript.
If this is true, I don't understand it.
Maybe this where the difference between having a dream and having a calling comes in.
Is writing your dream, or is it something you know you've been called to do by God?
When I first started writing novels, ages ago now, it was definitely a dream. I longed to hold that
first book in my hand and say, "Wow, look what I did!"
Praise God, I've changed.
If by His grace, I do get that opportunity, it will be, "Wow, look what HE did!"
He has called me to this. I know that. If I didn't, I would have given it up long ago.
Sitting at the computer for hours on end, suffering with joint and back pain as a result, is not something I'd recommend.
I do it because I can't NOT do it. I love it. And yes, publication is a dream. Of course it is.
But I believe God shares that dream. If He didn't, I don't think the doors would be opening.
Recently I shared some thoughts on what if - what if I let God have total control over my writing...over all I do...
Well, 'what if', takes practice. Patience. Perseverence and trust.
But I sit here today saying, "Yes, Lord. Your way, not mine."
And the 'what if' is SO worth it.

Happy Mother's Day to all the MOMS out there!
Be Blessed!

Eight Random Things About Me...

Deb Raney tagged me on this one...thanks, Deb! You mean I actually have to use my brain today??
Hmmm...let me think...

1. I've had three eye operations at age, 3, 5 and 7. None of which were terribly successful.
2. I have an aversion to hospitals. Go figure.
3. I live on an island but I don't like sand.
4. I love contemporary worship music.
5. I used to rock myself to sleep. Not telling you when I stopped.
6. I fear rejection - all kinds.
7. I met my sister for the first time four years ago.
8. I have traveled to many countries, but I hate to fly, and probably always will.

Just eight? I was just getting started...
Okay, whose next?

Been Gone...

I've been hanging out at Shoutlife. It's difficult to manage two blogs, so I haven't been posting here too much.
An update: things are good. Writing is going well. Suffering through rejection, but it's a learning process. I'm excited about my new book and I look forward to completeing it and getting it ready for submission.
The house is still on hold and we need major prayer for this situation.
Other than that, we're into final exams for Sarah, and then high school is done. Not sure how ready I am to say goodbye
to my daughter as she heads off to college...
Anyway, life is good, can't complain. I may be dismatling this blog as I really don't have time for so many...but I haven't made a decision yet.
Say hi if you're around.