Last year I told you about my first time at The Philadelphia Writers’ Conference.  I told you all about my first pitch and how the agent requested the first three chapters of my book.  What I neglected to tell you, because I’m so into blogging consistently, is that I sent the chapters late.

This is what happened.  I wrote a manuscript 10+ years ago.  It took me 6 years to write, and yes, it’s complete.  At the time, the goal was to complete the project.  Needless to say, it’s high up on the “this sucks” pole.  But, what did I have to loose by pitching it at the conference.  In the very least, it would be good practice.  So, I pitched and she wanted to see the first three chapters.  On queue I went into panic mode and read the first three chapters and wailed in despair.  There was no way I could send her those chapters! 

I recruited my co-worker, who writes & edits, to help me whip the three chapters into sellable condition.  A month later, it was done and ready to go.  I sent the chapters with a note and waited.  And…waited.  And waited some more.  Finally, I emailed Jonathan Maberry, who is Philadelphia’s Stephen King, to ask about follow up etiquette.  He suggested I wait three more months and then follow up.  Last October I sent out another email to the agent to inquiry about the manuscript.  You know, something light and no pressure to say “hey I sent those chapters you requested.  did you get them?  did they suck so much that you temporarily lost you sight?”.  The response?  Nada.  Rien.  Nichts. Niente.  Nothing.  Does this mean she’s not interested?  I have no clue.

Well, I’m going to the conference again this year.  I haven’t worked on the manuscript since last year and had no plans to pick it up until he summer.  I haven’t worked on my craft, but I have been reading.  I plan to pitch the book again to a different agent (the first agent isn’t there this year).  Which means I need to finish writing the second draft of the completed manuscript.  I also need to practice my pitch so I’m clear and not all over the place this time.  What will be different is that I plan to shop the manuscript this year.  What do I have to loose right?  Right!

Any advice for a writer in training?

It’s November which can only mean one thing.  I’ve once again decided to torture myself by taking up the NaNoWriMo challenge.  What is said challenge you ask?  The challenge is to write a 50,000 novel in 30 days.  Sounds easy doesn’t it?  I can assure you my friend, it’s not. 

In order to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days, you have to write at least 1,667 words a day.  Every day.  No matter what else you have going on, you need to get those words down on paper.  As I type this, it does sound pretty easy to do.  I mean if you don’t factor in the stress of plotting the story, making sure your characters are believable, the story is interesting or completely losing track of where the story is going, it should be a breeze.  For me, it’s torture.  It’s a lot of pressure to complete this work of fiction in 30 days.  It takes me that long to edit 3 chapters of a completed manuscript!  Last year, I hit the wall at a little over 35,000 words.  I could go anymore.  I just couldn’t.

Once upon a time dear reader, I was a writer on the move.  I wrote all the time, anywhere, on anything.  The muse would follow me around feeding me grapes from the vine.  It was a wonderful and simple life.  Then I decided to open a business and my writing went from creative fiction to promos and content.  I mean, I tried to make it all light and fun but eventually, it all became technical.  Then no writing at all.  Can you imagine a writer who isn’t writing?  I couldn’t either, but there I was waving to my muse from 3 blocks down the street.

Fast forward to today and this insane challenge.  I am forcing myself to get back into the saddle and write.  Every friggin’ day!  Have I stuck to the self-appointed guidelines?  No, not really, not even a little bit.  However, I am going to complete this challenge this year and snag that coveted NaNoWriMo winner’s badge.  Want to help push me toward that finish line?  Cheer me on in the comments section!  Stand on the sidelines with a bottle of water and a power bar. 

You can track my progress from the Word War and NaNo Progress boxes in the right menu.  So far my word count is 13,267 (Yes, I know I should be at 20,004 by now.  I really didn’t need you throwing that in my face.) and we are about half way through.  I’ll keep you up-to-date on my progress and the how far along the insanity has progressed.

Writing has always been a passion of mine. When I was little I would use construction paper and yarn to make my own books. I would scribble write my own stories and do the illustrations. Thus, my love a fair with books and writing began. In junior high school I wrote a story (don’t remember what it was about) that caught the attention of my English teacher. She wanted to enter it into a contest, but needed me to finish it first. Finish it first… Finish it… Ok, I never finished it. Follow through has not been my friend. While procrastination stalks me to no end. Sometimes… you know, when it’s not “busy”.

High school wasn’t any different. I wrote all the time, or at least when I wasn’t playing my violin, running track, or working. My BFF Monique would tell my practically everyday since the ninth grade, “Stop playing around. You’re a writer. You need to write.” Granted, she could have been telling this as a way to make me put the violin down (she was 1st chair and knew how the violin was supposed to sound), but I knew she was right.

By the time I went to college I was writing all day, everyday. I was surrounded by artsy folks and they all did something creative. It was like second nature to write a few poems and recite them at a poetry slam the next week. Life was good, the words were flowing and I was having fun in my safe place. Then life happened and other creative pursuits took the place of writing.

So, last year I decided I was ready to reclaim my first love. I picked up Walter Mosley’s book This Year You Write Your Novel at the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference. I read it in one day. I was, after all, pumped up and motivated from 3 intense days of workshops. I was ready to make it happen! I found the manuscript I completed 6 years ago (I know, I know) and read it again. Half way through I realized one thing. It was horrible. It was incomplete. It was outdated. It was time to rework it and give it a new life.

First, I have to figure out the plot. Then I have to really get into the heads of my characters. Figure out what makes them tick. Now…I’m ready. I’m going to rewrite it chapter by chapter. Nurture it. Polish it. I’m ready! I’ll even do the rewrite long hand since I spend most of my time on the computer. It will give me a chance to write and edit. When the chapter is done, I’ll type up the changes. My write plan is Flaw-Less. Hmm…but, if I just write it with the laptop I won’t have to do it twice. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. I’m going to start over with a new document and piece old with new. That will work! Back flawless! Back to writing my first novel! Right after I play 1 more game of solitaire.