New Muse Board!

How is everyone tracking along? I hope better than me.
Uni has built back up (always do this time of year) and i will be heading off in a week for wagga for my pracs.... hope i can still get online though while im away.
Am working on the aaw story more now, as it is just a short story rather than a novel. The ideas come smoother this way.

Of to write, and essay that is, on lovely horse behaviour through evolution.

I have found a way to turn my writing into cash, if only i can find a pubishing mag for horse articles. My essays for uni can be polished to be a great article. I have been working on the latest one and this idea wont leave my head. hope all can be resolved.

That's excellent Timna! Wouldn't it be great to use your college assignemtns for good in the greater world. If you can apply them in that way and earn some moula doing what you love that would be perfect. How exciting.

I went to an academic Uni - not much in the way of practical writing in the English Department, it was mostly anlysis subjects. The only creative writing course was in first year and I loved it - my highest grades in my whole degree (apart from French - maybe I should write French literature - hmmm...)

Re: Project Muse - received acknowledgement that M&B received my partials - I never received any sort of acknowledgement when I sent of query letters a while ago so that's at least something.

I have a couple of books that would be classed historical and I know there are some things I will have to research to make sure certain modern conveniences don't appear before they actually existed. I know you mentioned research once, Louise. What sort of research have you done for your books?

Timna, I think that's a fabulous idea. Not only print published magazines, but if you do a little research on the internet, you might find ezines that pay for horse articles as well! And if they're in the US the exchange rate would certainly work in your favour!

Alyson, research is important in historicals, and there's a wealth of information on the internet about certain periods if you know where to look. Are you a member of RWA (Romance Writers' of Australia). I know in a recent newsletter they listed a heap of research sites on the net and some of them were historial. If you want I could try to look up the newsletter and pass them on to you. Just email me if you do. And if you're not a member and you're serious about cracking the category romance market, I suggest you think about joining. They have heaps of info and this year's annual conference is being held in Melbourne in August. There will be overseas editors coming to talk about what they want and lots of tutorials and workshops. Well worth attending if you can make it. I did a tute at last year's in Sydney and it was a lot of fun.

Re my own research, the sort I did for my trilogy was more generalised, more for the 'feel' of how things work like speaking to medieval sword fighting enthusiasts and handling their equipment, chatting to psychics about auras, although I did read up about castles and sieges. The language wasn't a problem, of course, because in fantasy you can do what you want.

The historical romance authors I know do a lot of research. Apparently readers are very miffed if you make any mistakes, let alone obvious ones, and each period is quite different. I guess it depends whether you love research or not as to whether historicals will appeal to you. I adore hands-on research - talking to people, like the time I met an oyster farmer for the Goddess and the Geek story - riding in his little boat, going out to look at the oyster lease. But sitting in a library looking through books and taking notes does not appeal to me at all. I need to touch and smell and taste my research!

My advice is to try not to get yourself locked into a program of work that doesn't appeal to you. Writing should be fun. But if you love sifting through libraries or looking things up on the net that could be fun too.

Thats the great thing about being a uni student, you have great resources to look though. I have books and research papers for everything. I hope things can actually work out.lol.

Thanks Louise! I actually joined the RWA in the last couple of weeks, when I heard the conference was in Melbourne I thought I should do it. The RWA newsletter was where I found the partials suggestion which differed from the M&B website as well so should help.

I love libraries. I love pouring through shelves and sehlves of musty old books. When I am rich and live in a big mansion I will have a massive library. Have you seen Bridget Jones' Diary? I love Daniel Cleaver's apartment, books everywhere - heaven. Anyway...I love researching in old books and taking notes and sitting in quiet corners pouring through obscure text. Sigh! I haven't done much in the way of touch and sight research as most of our scripts have been modern talkie tales. Our latest, "Vote For Eddy" should be out next year, we had to do a bit of research on State Elections and found people from school teachers through to Parliamentarians extremely giving of their time which was amazing!

Well I just installed a new modem and hope this one does not play up on me. The old one kept booting me off and refused to load the web pages. Hard to surf the web without a co-operative surf board!

How is everyones writing going???

How was the chat on sunday night?
I just didn't make it back from Brisbane on time to join in.

deb

We missed you Deb! It was not the same without you. We chatted writing and stuff as usual. Fun and games but not as funny and gamey without you.

This time I heard back from M&B about a week ago to say they got my synopses (not partial but synopses) and then today I received another letter. Very scared about opening it but braved it and one of my synopses they were very kindly not interested in but the other... they asked for a partial and one page outline of the rest of the story! Isn't that cool. They liked my plot!!!

But of course as we all know I already sent the partials when I found on another website they accept those. Hmmm... I'm going to fax to the lady and let her know so she doesn't think I tried to slip in the one they didn't want with the one they did. How I get myself onto these meeses I don't know! Life is never easy is it. It has to throw up these complications to keep us on our toes.

MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS ALYSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's such great news, Alyson! I'm so thrilled for you. And don't think you've messed it up. If you fax the person who wrote to you, as you'd thought to, it will be fine. And if she likes the partial she requested, she may look at the other one with a much keener eye. Nothing better than getting lifted off the slush-pile and onto an editors desk. Just remember to address all correspondance to the person who requested the partial, and if she wants anything else (like the rest of the manuscript - yipee!) you mark on the front of it REQUESTED MATERIAL so it doesn't end up on the slush pile with the unsolicited manuscripts.

So happy for you Alyson. I know people say you shouldn't get your hopes up etc, etc, but I LOVE getting my hopes up, for me and for other people. There's nothing like that positive energy pumping out. Having an editor request material from you is a big step up the ladder to publication.

Where's Helen with a purple cream celebration pie when you need one!

Thanks for the heads up 'REQUESTED MATERIAL' wise, Louise. It's these little things you don't know that make all the difference. I'll let you know what happens but I'm sure I won't hear anymore for at least another month. I'm certainly enjoying it now anyway!!!

And I know that some of my more recent stories are much better so I can't wait to send them off! I have no patience. I'm one of these people who keeps clicking the mouse trying to make the computer go faster when you're only supposed to click once. A bad habit to break - wanting it all and now!

I remember that feeling so well, Alyson, that I had to smile. One of the wonderful things about being published is that a lot of that anxiety to 'get there' just drifts away. But then there are contract deadlines and other stresses that can eat up your sense of calm just as easily if you'll let them.

I meditate for half an hour each day now, and I find that helps quieten my mind a lot. Far from eating into my day as I'd feared, it seems to make me more productive.

Impatience can really spoil things and should be right up there with the other major vices like 'greed' and 'gluttony' in my opinion. It's what makes you post things away when you know you should proof-read them one more time, and also stops you enjoying that quiet moment of satisfaction when you've just written something scathingly brilliant and should take the time to acknowledge that and feel good about yourself. Instead, impatience whispers, "So it's good, that's no reason to stop. Just get on with it."

The trouble with impatience, is that he's never satisfied, no matter how fast you go! I find him creeping up and whispering in my ear from time to time but I'm really working hard at not letting him wind me up. Because once that anxious "you'll never meet your deadline" feeling starts swirling in the pit of my stomach, my productivity really nosedives.

Is grappling with the impatience monster universal, or is there anyone out there who's got him whipped?

You have inspired me to pull my finger out once this trip to uni is over with.... thank you Alyson and good luck! I can imagine your feelings at getting lifted at Lou says, to the editors desk rather than on the slush pile. I look at the M&B books each month, as i normally help in books each month when the new ones come in and the old ones get thrown out (yes, they end up in the bin, well the cardboard compactor for recycling) but so many sell! I can believe it!
I have decided to take a step down from my writing and just concerntrate on practising first. Thats why the aww comp is good, but i think i should start with a horse story for practise...and see if i can get that published. My Four Winds idea hasnt gone yet! Its all written down in summary form. But i think the big thing is to practise. as they say, practise makes perfect. so a shorter story would be an ideal spot to start instead of jumping into a trilogy.
A topic i would really like to dicuss more is about agents and how to go about getting them..... perhaps we can bring that up in Chat Muse tomorrow....?
off to hit the other messages.

Yay for you Alyson!!!!!!
I am so happy for you I cannot tell you in mere words.
Keep us posted on your progress.

Impatience is my middle name, Louise.
In fact I might use it as my name when I get published - Deborah Impatience. At least I will be at eye level on the book shops shelves.

deb

I am half and half. Whilst my hubby got all excited about my letter I had to explain that it was step one and that I wanted time to absorb as that's half the fun.

But I still can get frustrated and impatient at times. Mostly waiting in lines and on the hold on the phone. I'm one of these people who always has a foot tapping, it annoys everybody (hee!) - too much unexpelled energy I think.

But not really in my writing. I don't know if it's because of the psychic I went to who said I would not reach success in th field until my early thirties but I'm really calm about my writing. It relaxes me.

Alyson, I find I'm just the same. I can become frustrated about a whole range of things, but when it comes to writing and being published, or books/stories coming out I find I am endlessly patient, even when my friends and family are chaffing at the bit.

Speaking of which, I'm so tied up in book three I haven't thought of any pre-publicity for book two, so will give that some serious thought and see what I can post on the Daughter of The Dark thread. Soon, I promise.

Now we have had a few days off from school and the pressure dwindles, I feel the ol' creative juices begin to flow again.
I can hear my characters in my novel calling out to me and I can feel the excitment within rise. I will not only open my laptop today, but bang away on the keyboard...

deb

How'd it go Deb? I have been editing my Wishin' & Hopin' manuscript to send off to M&B and my head is spinning. I don't know if its nerves but I'm actually finding it hard to concentrate. Louise's advice to let it sit and get it as good as I can took a huge load off my shoulders which I did not even know there was there. I felt I should send it off instantly even though it's only first draft and needs some fixin' to be sure!

I finished my first edit last night and am not going to look at the work for at least a week as I know I can't see the wood for the trees at the moment. So that's where I am at right now. I may take a couple of days off from any word files as well just to recharge a bit too. Have three days off this weekend so will get back to it then. What do ya reckon?

See, there you go, Alyson, the Impatience Monster was about to stuff up the great chance you have been blessed with.
It was destiny on your behalf that you received the advice you did in the Sunday chat about letting your story lie for a while to make it fresh in your eyes. You would have hand the stamp licked and the manuscript posted before really making it sing.

Sometimes you have nerves and stress riding on your shoulders and you don't even realise it's there until it disapears. It happens to me all the time. Having Louise point out the obvious made you aware of it so you could face it head on and do the right thing in order to make your writing career take off.

Yes I think it is a good idea to have a couple of 'word file' free days, just to gather your thoughts and allow your creative juices to begin to simmer again.

deb

Alyson, so pleased that I could relieve a little stress there. And I would guess that there must still be some stress involved if you're not concentrating properly. A few days off is a great idea, and try to remember when you go back to it, that the whole rest of your writing career doesn't rest on this one submission. You will do the best you can and send it away, then they will tell you if you are good enough yet. If yes, YAHOO! You get paid straight away. If not, you keep writing and have to wait a while until you start getting paid. But that shouldn't interfere with your love of what you do.

Also bear in mind that M&B don't want a one-book-wonder. They invest a lost of money in promoting new authors and they need to know that you can produce at least two books a year, if not more. So if you do the best you can and this book isn't what they want, that's okay. Maybe the next one, or the one after that will be. But in the meantime you're showing them that you can be productive, and that's SO important.

Just relax and enjoy the editing. Remember, you're really good at that too!

Thanks guys! You are all so wonderful and helpful. I do know that it will not be the end of the world if they decide that this manuscript is not what they're after, but I still want to make a good impression. I know I can be extrememly prolific in this genre so to me this is such a good foot in the door to get my name known to this sub-editor.

I plan to send off a couple more synopses when I hear back about my partial, so they know that I am full of wonderful romantic story ideas. That's not impatience - it's excited planning ahead! (Are you convinced?)

I really have not thought that much about getting paid. I really love my current day job (I work as a 2IC for a Sussan shop down here) - doesn't take much brain work but the girls are fabulous and it is such a wonderful compnay to work for. I think if I was restless in my job I would not be so happy in my writing. Since everything is working so well in my life I am finding my writing easy and relaxing and prolific. I truly believe it's not that hard to be happy if you just decide to be that way! Works for me.

I am happy your life is one good thing upon another, Alyson...makes you so relaxed that the ideas just flood the mind. I should be so lucky....HEEE!

I must be one of those tortured artists that have to go through a midden to touch the depths of darkness in order to appreciate the light. GEEES! Now that was morbid!
I try to look at it this way, everything is set in your path for a reason, we cannot hope to comprehend the ways of the Universe, so just accept it and go with the flow...something good always comes of it in the end.

OH to answer the question... definitely soul mate for me. They are there for eternity, not a day, a week, a season, a year, but forever. You cannot beat that.

Answered the "What if" thread on here by accident...oh well, the answer still stands.

Now onto Project Muse.
My novel is flowing great again. It is up to 36,000 words now. I was so in the flow today, that when I had to stop writing to go and pick up mu husband and then cook tea, bath the kids etc, I was actually feeling sick. I had such nervous energy still thrilling through me. How about that? The flow was so strong it was still burning inside and had no outlet except to make feel ill!!!
Wonderful to have it on the boil again.

deb

You can tell you are on such a high Deb! Your messages are so vibrant I can feel the energy buzzing off the monitor (maybe I shouldn't sit so close!) I don't think I could do the whole tortured artist bit. I've always been quite melodramatic so if things start going wrong, I wallow brilliantly! Sarah Bernhardt watch out. So I have discovered it's much safer for me to be happy happy happy. And it works for me creatively too. When down I have no willpower and find TV and chocolate to be my best friends. So smile and the writing smiles with me!

If I "wallow" too deeply, Alyson, while eating chocolate and sittng in front of the TV I would be the size of a hippopotamus...at least they look they look good whilst wallowing!

Don't worry, Alyson. Most of the time I maintain a happy, happy, happy outlook too. But sometimes things just keep get thrown at me and it makes it hard.
That's what I meant about go with the flow...there is usually a reason for it.
Wrote a poem about that once...
Here I found it and added it onto this post.

A Dagger Wrought of Darkness

Darkness slips between
Waking reality
Like a dagger of indecision
Its icy blade honed by rigid thought
Its scabbard one of lonely haunting wishes
Tendrils of shadowed fear
Twist the blade
And hope is severed from all reason
While shedding waxen light
On the Key to inner strength
Face the pain
Though it bleeds away all peace
For the Key is what truly matters
Its simple form
Though wrought from despair and hope
Is tempered with God’s wisdom
Only he knows the door
To which it fits
So do not question
It is not for mortal mind
To comprehend Destiny
Only to follow the way set before them
Though often painful
There is always a Key to another
Door
To a new beginning.

Debbie
09~05~01


My novel is now 38000 words now. That was 2000 words yesterday! I'm dancing, I'm dancing! HEEEEE!

Read over my post about 'touching the depths of darkness' and thought I didn't write it clear at all. Pretty darned poor for someone who professes they want to be a writer!

I don't actually live like some tortured artist...you know, cutting off body parts and wailing at the moon about all the pain I am gifted with!!!!
I meant the Universe keeps throwing me curve balls and I just keep having to get a bigger baseball bat in order to keep in the game!!!!
Sorry about the analogy! Can't help it I am so bubbling at the moment.
I even wrote another 160 words on my novel this morning whilst getting the kids breakfast and having my first coffee of the day! Can't help but thank the Universe for all this blessed enthousiasm!

deb

So pleased that your novel is sizzling around inside you again, Deb. There's no better feeling, even if you do get distracted by 'life'. You know you can always get back to it.

Alyson, I'm not surprised to hear that you're a happy, happy, happy girl. You seemed happy that day I met you at the Qld Writer's Centre. It's such a good way to be if you're trying to be productive. Having said that, I've written some pretty profound stuff while I've been in the depths of despair as well. So I guess there's a place for every emotion in writing. But if you're writing romantic comedy, happy is best!

Well I've had an interrupted week due to the school holidays up here, but I'm up to about 65,000 and still going strong. I'm off to a Hilton dinner tonight (la-de-da) to meet David Zindell who is a US sci-fi/fantasy author over here for Swancon. I'm quite looking forward to it. Most of the Brisbane sf authors will be there so it's a great opportunity to catch up and see what everyone else is doing.

Next week when I have my cherubs back at school I imagine heaps more writing will be done. But I must admit I'm enjoying spending time with my guys and doing holiday stuff like playing Monopoly (I always win) and Scrabble (Rachel always wins - and how is that when I'm the author!)

God, I suck at Scrabble! The biggest words I can find are usually things like cat and tin! How come the one who always gets stuck with the X, J, three A's and a Z??? I spose I can write ZAANXA.

My goodness you are flying on your novel, Louise! Good on you! I am so envious about your foray to the Hilton ~LA de DA~ indeed! And meeting a US scifi author too!
WooHoo!
Let us know how it went ok???

deb

ZAANXA - a small town in south east Latvia. A quiet people, the Zaanxaians are avid gardners. The most watched TV program in Zaanxa is Happy Days reruns, and they own the highest number of Olivia Newton John albums per capita of any town in Latvia. Their staple crop is the lima bean and their mayor is in the Guiness Book of Records for winning the most number of Scrabble games in a row.

Have fun at the Hilton, Louise! I am sitting at home by myself eating an omlette for dinner. Hmmm, the glamorous life I do lead.

I have a couple of days off so plan to have my partial ready to post off. Yay! Then I am going to have a go at the AWW story.

Now I know there is really a town known as Zaanxa albeit in Latvia I know where to book for my next holidays.
Gee how I love lima beans, and to eat them while watching re-runs of Happy Days! My goodness. Utopia doesn't have a patch on this town. They even love gardening so the scenery must be a treat!
And they are even in the Guiness Book of Records too! What can I say, I'm booking my plane trip first thing tomorrow.

Seriously though, I think I might use the name Zaanxa as a city in my world. It has a great sound to it. I might spell it Zàanxà by putting little thingees on the A's.

deb

You must Deb! It just sprouted onto the screen for reason! How exciting.

Still slogging away at my novel when I get the chance. Am up to 39,000 words now and still pushing forward. I tell you resisting the NEED to edit as I go is hard. The characters are developing as we go which is great! It's like making friends!

deb

Well, got the guys back to school yesterday and had a great time at the Hilton (note about it in the Diary section of my website) last Friday. Am thoroughly enjoying book three still, albiet trying not to be distracted from it by the preparations for the release of book two! At least I don't have to stop and edit book two any more - that was confusing when I'm writing so far ahead in the story.

As mentioned on another thread, I've decided not to enter the AWW. I just won't have time to do it justice and won't send off something scrappy - that reflects badly on your professionalism. I guess if I hadn't enjoyed the school holidays so much I could have, but my priorities are set more to my children this year, so anything I'm not committed or contracted to do, can be set aside in the interests of fun!

Great news that you're nearly at the 40,000 word mark, Deb. Keep slogging away. I know it's hard to get over that editing urge but having kicked that habit myself, I can assure you that it's just repetition of ignoring the niggly voice that finally quietens it. Keep thinking, "only the story" at the draft stage. Sooner or later the little editor on your shoulder will shut up.

Now I understand the Zaanxa we were talking about on Sunday! Lovely description, Alyson. Isn't it funny how things just pop into your head. I can see why you like writing comedy. You have a flair for it.

Well, better keep moving. I'm off to 'meet the teachers' this morning as one of my cherubs has switched classes. But by 10am I'll be back in my lovely lime green study with my new jasmine candle burning, Grieg on the CD player and the muse flowing.

Hope all went well with 'meet the teachers' Louise! i bought a copy of 'Self-Editing for Fiction Writers' today. Had a search on the internet, found it cheaper to order from Amazon in US dollars than to order online from an Aussie bookstore. Then located one at Borders (is there one in Qld - massive three storied, American owned bookstore with cafe and CD shop all in one - fabulous!!!) and it cost ~ $30. The woman at the counter thought I was high I was so excited when I went in to pick it up. She said she had never seen anyone so happy to buy a book! Isn't that sad? What a dull day she must have!

I can't wait to read it - such good reviews on the net...

So pleased that you bought it, Alyson. I'm sure it will be really helpful. I've been to that Borders in Melbourne (assuming there's only one) for the Aurealis awards last year. It was lovely and big.

I hear there are plans for a Borders to be built in the city up here by the end of the year, so will suss that out when it comes. The only thing I worry about is that small specialist sf bookstores like Pulp Fiction up here and Slow Glass in Melb will be run out of business. They can't compete for price and it would be a pity to lose such a valuable resource as they really get behind the genre and really, really know their books!

Timna is right, Big W is cheaper, but I still try to buy my sf books from Pulp Fiction - just to keep them going! Of course, for anything else you'll see me at the bargain bin like everyone else.

Well, I hit the 40,000 word mark today. 40,500 to be closer to the mark! I'm dancing! I'm dancing!
I can remember when I was excited about almost reaching 10,000 words. Now I have quadrupled that one! It is all panning out so well. The characters are so real now.
I read a chapter today that I had left up in the air, (because I'd wanted to do a different one)so I knew where I had left off. And I got goosebumps and almost cried I thought it was that good. (Not boasting, just I couldn't believe I'd actually written it).

Such fun this writing business.

I am SO pleased for you Deb. It's often not until you get to the 40 or 50k mark that you start feeling like you know your characters really well and it just starts 'happening'. And please don't apologise for thinking your work is great. I think there's nothing better than that deliriously happy moment when you reread something you've written and think you're "The king of the world!" Well, maybe not stephen king yet but workin' on it.

If you want you can set yourself rewards. At 50,000 words I always treat myself to an afternoon tea with my children to celebrate because the first third of a book is always the hardest for me. Then at 100,000 words I let myself write my acknowledgements page. Followed by the obligatory dinner out when I've typed THE END.

It's great to have these little traditions. Makes it special for your family as well.

I'm just over the 70,000 word mark and flying along (on the days I'm writing - just having a few days missed for other things) but really feeling as if I'm in control of the story. Well, the characters are actually doing what they want to do, but I'm getting it all down clearly, if you know what I mean.

How are you going, Alyson? And what are you working on currently?

Rewards sound good! I'll think of something that will reflect the moment.
Yes, Alyson, what are you writing at the moment? Horror, romance, fantasy, mystery!!!! HE HE! You are a versatile one you are!

deb

Spent last couple of days reading "Self-Editing" book. Only had time in my lunch break - nights have been filled with football, and bumping into old friends accidentally which can be forgiven. I am loving the book - so simple and clever and too much to take in at once! But I know it will be very very helpful.

I plan to send off a couple more synopses of stories I've finished partials to M&B soon. Strike whilst the iron is hot so to speak.

Sounds great, Alyson. And there's nothing better than reading a good how-to book to make you feel as if you really are writing when you simply can't.

I've slowed down a little lately on the word count but am telling myself that it's OKAY and not to stress. Funny how sometimes your life is uncluttered and you can just lope along, then all of a sudden all this 'stuff' turns up and you only get to write in bits and pieces and even then you're distracted by the 'stuff'. But the 'stuff' should be finished by the end of this week and I'll be hoping to get back into lope mode after that.

If I'm not careful my foot will start tapping too!

Sent my partial off today. Very nerve racking but glad its done. Now I need an M&B break or my head will explode. I have four days off next weekend and will go through some more M&B stuff and maybe send off a couple more synopses to the same sub-editor. What do you guys think? Too soon or grab her attention while my name is fresh on her mind?

Glad that is out of the way, Alyson. It's off in the post now and there is no use worrying about it.

About your sending off more things to that sub-editor, I don't know the rules on that. Do you send to them only when they ask for something or do you strike while the irons hot and they know you you are? I am sure Louise will know if it is the right thing to do or not.

Louise, I think it is great that even though your word count has slowed, you are relaxed with your flow. Everyone ebbs and flows, at least you haven't blocked up totally!!! Now that would be cause for worry.

If you ever stumble across the book, The Artist's Way I think you should get it, Louise. There is something in it for everyone, even non-creative people can learn about themselves in it.
When you have time, everyone, have a quick read of the post on the book. It may help someone....it is certainly helping me.

I havent written anything in the last few days. I think I must be digesting the book I am reading. Obviously I can't do two things with my brain at the same time!

deb

Deb, I will try and get my hands on the Artists Way. I'm reading some Buddist stuff at the moment - no idea why, I just interested me all of a sudden. So I've got the Tibetan Book of the Dead on my side table and am thoroughly enjoying that. Fascinating stuff. I'm also reading "The Broken God" by David Zindell (fantasy/sci-fi) who I met in Brisbane recently and it's really good. No wonder he's highly praised.

Alyson, I'm not sure whether you should send more synopses or not. If it was me, I'd wait to hear back from the first one, but I can imagine your poor foot tapping through the floor if you had to wait that long. Perhaps give her a month? A couple of weeks?

Have you finished the novel that you've sent the partial of? It would be good to have that completed in case they ask for it. Also, re the Emma Darcy competition (which you could enter it in also), the website for RWA is at a different URL. They're at www.romanceaustralia.com now. I've changed the link on my website. I really think you should enter the Emma Darcy comp if you can, Alyson. It's a great way to get feedback on your work and hopefully catch an editor's eye.

And do have a relax over the weekend. Give that poor little foot a rest

I'm still sorting out book two issues. We're looking like getting a map of Ennae now. Either for the front of book two, or to put on my website. So that might help people orient themselves.

Today I'm off to a lunch with Kim Wilkins, Kate Moreton and Richard Harland (others of Selwa's authors) in town and really looking forward to that. Will pop into Pulp Fiction while I'm there and say hello to Ron. Anyone who's in Brisbane, please do pop in there too. Ron loves to meet Fantasy readers and he and Ian really know a lot about sf and crime books.

Tomorrow I'll be back into book three!

You have such a hard life Lou! Heres me trying to find time to sit down and write the ending for Dream Hunters and I have assignments looming over me! Must learn to prioritise! or however you spell it!
Looking forward to seeing the map, either in book two or online! I want to know how well I have pictured your world!!!!!!:)

I have finished my "Wishin' & Hopin" manuscript (the one I sent as a partial) and told them so. Though it is first draft and was hellish to edit before sending off first three chapters. I think I was a little premature in sending off the synopsis (the partial is much better now) but felt that I had to give it a go to at least know that I would give it a go. Not impatience, more taking a leap. And now I received a positive inital response on my first try I am so glad I did it.

I will wait before sending off more synopses. Have to control that foot tapping, impatience monster! That "Self-Editing" book you recommended was a great help and will continue to be.

So my lesson through this so far has been: before I send off my next synopsis I want the story to be at a crisper, leaner, more polished product.

Here endeth the lesson

Found the new RWA website as well - thanks heaps for that one! Will definitely apply for the Emma DArcy Award (November 22 2002 cut off date for anyone who is interested). The RWA conference is in Melbourne this year and I contacted the executive to offer my time as a volunteer and they have said 'yes please'. Will hear more closer to the time.

I have always done well out of volunteering - ended up Secretary of the Australian Cinematographers Society for 2 years in Brissy and met all sorts of top filmmakers. Met Louise volunteering at Qld Writers Centre and now here I am! Hopefully I can do the same with RWA...

Volunteering is so important to non-profit organisations, and because you're new to RWA, it will also be a great way to meet the other members, Alyson. It's such a fabulous, tiring, exciting weekend. (I still think the Brisbane conferences were the best but don't quote me on that. They used to hire a pair of gorgeous male models for the awards dinner and deck them out in tuxedos so they could escort the winners to the stage. The girls all loved it, but for some reason they don't do it at the southern conferences. Pity)

And I'm glad that you're feeling so confident about your partial. You didn't mention whether you were going to hone the rest of it while you're waiting, or move on to another book. I'm a strong believer that you write the whole book, even if you only send a partial. I'm quite sure publishers can tell from the first couple of chapters whether the story has been completed or not, because once you get to the end you inevitably know your characters so much better and can go back to the start give them more depth etc - which of course then shows up in the partial you send. People who only write partials (because that's all they're ever asked for) seem to take a lot longer to get published, if at all, and I'm pretty sure that's why. It might seem like a waste of time to write something that hasn't been asked for, but if you love what you do it's just time, not hard work Besides, I know quite a few authors who have become published and then have been asked what else they've written. At that point they've dredged out all the old manuscripts, touched them up and sent them off and bingo! - more sales. It happens. And I do so hope it happens for you.

Had a great lunch yesterday and am back into book three today. Have seen a rough of the cover of book two and just loved it - will be seeing the proper art work at the end of next week.

Looks like the map will be going onto the website but will let you know that for sure when I know.

Hope everyone else is thinking writing - I know Deb is really enjoying the Artists Way - even if they're not having the opportunity to work on their 'book in a year' just at the moment.