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Drive-by Blogging…The Second Pass

This is going to be a quickie (let the sly comments begin) due to my overabundance of work at my day job and my free-time being consumed by my WIP.

I’m not a big proponent of posting when there’s not much to say. Time is precious and why put a burden on yourself to conform to a strict schedule? But it works for some of you, maybe even necessary to maintain a sense of structure and forward motion. I’ve realized there’s another benefit to posting more frequently, and it’s one that lurks in your blind spot until you’ve been away for a while. Dialogue. Contact with other writers. Even when I’ve gone several days between posts, I’m always reading and commenting on your blogs. But it’s one way communication, me speaking to you. I usually only hear from you when I post a new blog, so if I don’t post…there’s only silence. So the purpose behind this totally selfish post today is interaction. I find myself craving your comments.

To legitimize this post and give it at least the appearance of being substantive, I guess I can tell you where I stand with my writing endeavors. My mystery/suspense novel Fallen Knight is complete and in the hands of several beta-readers and critiquers. So far the feedback I’ve received has been glowing, but not without mistakes that need correcting. I even have a query letter that I can hold in my hands without having to fight the urge to rip it into tiny pieces. I am very close to taking the plunge into the querying waters.

I also a have romantic short story entitled Itinerary that I’ve submitted to several on-line magazines and contests. If any of you would be interested in taking that one out for a test drive, I’d be grateful for the input.

That’s it. Short and sweet. Comments are wide-open and I would really like to hear from you. Especially those lurkers out there. That’s right…you! :)

40 comments

  1. OOOH! Exciting!
    I wish i was close to taking the query plunge. I cannot wait to get to that step (also becasue i will need to make tables and charts and that's fun. Right? RIGHT?!)

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  2. I understant totally how you feel - I think it's what makes this blogging community great - the need and desire to stay connected to others going through the same process. Crap - did that even make sense?

    Anyway - congrats on being so close to start the querying process. I'm excited for you! Keep us informed. (And if I wasn't trying to get my own act together and find more time, I'd definitely take a read. I'm sure you'll get many offers, but if needed, drop me a line)

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  3. One more round of revisions (sparked by the comments by your betas) and you will let FN fly the coop! Exciting! Are you biting your nails?

    Wishing you every success!

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  4. Sounds like you've been busy! Good luck with your future querying.

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  5. I'm not really a lurker, but I'll comment anyway :) Good job on getting so far with your WIP. I always change my mind so much I wonder if I'll ever get into the query wars. :(

    And it's sad that you don't feel interaction when you comment on others' blogs. I've been thinking about replying by email to my comments, rather than in the posts itself, but I wonder how many people have their email enabled? Does it work well for you?

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  6. D.L.--I didn't post last week, because I was busy with two projects...But I read and commented. I do like it when people respond through email (embedded). Lots of people don't have that option enabled though.

    Great job on getting your WIP to your Beta Readers. :)

    You can send your romantic story to me if you'd like. I'll be brutally honest. :)

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  7. Hi DL! I think it's acceptable to say "Love me! I'm lonely and needy!" :-)

    But I'm very excited for you to see your progress and will be here on the sidelines with my pom-poms when you start the query wars. But don't expect any gymnastics. I can't even touch my toes, 'kay?

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  8. Wonderful that you are about to dive into Query Infested Waters! I do look forward to when mine is near that stage, though it still intimidates me. Perhaps by the time my WIP is ready I won't need floaties to get in the water...

    Blogging really does allow great communication that we, as writers, seek out. Since writing is such a personal and unique process for each of us I think that when we do get to discuss our techniques, WIPs, or just randomness it helps to push away some of the solitary.

    Visit My Kingdom Anytime

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  9. Wow; congrats on all your projects!!

    Your blog is quite inspiring! I'm officially motivated to get started on my WIP today.

    Hurray for you keeping up with multiple projects!

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  10. I'm not big on posting when there's nothing to say either and I can also relate to the need for two-way communication. So here I am, communicating.

    That's fantastic that your novel is in the hands of betas. I'm rooting for you and look forward to reading it when it gets to the shelves.

    Good luck with the query.

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  11. Oh me!!!!!! I write romance, I would LOVE to see the short story!!!!

    ~JD

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  12. I'm a lurker and it's good to see you back ;-)

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  13. I'd like to read your short story! IF you want another reader! sciens(dot)mulier(at)gmail(dot)com.

    Good luck with the querying/submitting. I also submitted a short story (but just to one place, so far, because I wasn't so sure, and lately I've been dwelling on it)!

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  14. I'm so excited you're so close to querying! OMG, that has to feel A-friggin-mazing! I'm totally down with your selfish reason for posting. ;) I get it. I'm needy, too. I think most writers are. It's a creative mind thing.

    As for your romance story...

    Over here! *jumps up and down waving arms wildly overhead* I'm OPEN, I'm OPEN! lol I'm not so good with the technical stuff, but I'm pretty damn good at evaluating the relationship between characters. After all, reading and writing romance is my LIFE! If it was a religion I'd actually go to church. *lol* Later Tater!

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  15. Well, here I am from the A to Z challenge and posting everyday. But I don't ever like to think I have nothing to say, because I think I can always think of something. This is what I was trying to prove with the A to Z challenge-- and from what many participants it has worked for them.

    Not that I've ever been one, but I am of the newspaper writer meet the daily deadline school of thought-- write because it has to get done and in the process you hone your craft.

    The give and take of commenting among participants of the challenge and those who just drop in to check it out has been phenomenal. I think there is a lot to be said for regular posting. It doesn't have to be epic or anything--just an acknowledgment that you're there and accessible.

    Lee
    A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post

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  16. That does sound exciting DL, thanks for sharing.

    And I completely agree with you about blogging. It takes up way more time than it should, but I do find myself craving the interaction. I'm too shy to meet other writers in real life but since I began blogging I've made several "friendships", even with some published authors!

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  17. That's great news about your WIP feedback. I'm excited for you. I know what you mean about craving the communication and feedback our blogs provide. It's a wonderful feeling to hear from so many "friends" each day. Good luck with work and your WIP! :-)

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  18. Query time! Ooooooooooh, that's the best. Please let us know what you are hearing, or not hearing. This is the most exciting part of the journey, in my opinion!

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  19. I know the feeling! I too have had writing priorities lately and have been missing the blogs!

    Yay for drive-by blogging!

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  20. Fallen Knight... I like that title. Congrats on finishing DL!!

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  21. Congrats on how well everything is going! I think you're doing fine on the blog interaction front too. I always see your cheery comments on dozens of other blogs I frequent :) Staying connected is good!

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  22. Wow how exciting!!! I would love to be that close the query waters, though I would be a bundle of nerves as well!!!

    As of right now I'm just getting my feet wet on the revision/rewriting front. That's a lot harder than I had originally anticipated, but hey who said the things you loved were easy!!! It all takes work doesn't it... doesn't it?

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  23. Congrats on getting so far on Fallen Knight! I'm wading into deeper first draft waters, but first draft all the same.

    I'd love to take a look at your short story, if you want some feedback! Email me any time :)

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  24. Congrats! Can't wait to hear some more good news from you. BTW, if I have no time to actually write sometimes I'll just throw a pic up on my blog ;)

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  25. I agree - I never blog to say I have nothing to say or I'm too busy to blog :)

    I have missed my online buddies for the past few weeks - my laptop is still out for repair - hopefully back soon - it's hard to keep up on an iPod touch!

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  26. Doesn't it feel good once your book is in the hands of betas? Its a sense of accomplishment. Lame comment I know... but hey, I had to say hi since you wanted some communication :)

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  27. I understand what you're saying. Interacting on the internet is a writers way of having office friends. And I do miss them when I haven't heard from them for a while.
    Great blog! Hope you hear some good news on your short story.

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  28. I'm a lurker haha I won't lie. Sometimes I just read blogs and don't always respond if I don't feel like I have to add anything. But that is so cool that you have a couple things going at once! How are the editing services working out? Worth the money?

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  29. I am at the query stage; have one I'm pretty pleased with - complete with workable synopsis - but I'm too chicken to send it out. Every day I tell myself I'm going to start researching agents to send it to, then get on the blogs and get lost.

    Oh, the fear of failure is such a rascally demon . .

    I'm so glad you're starting the query journey. Loads of luck.

    BTW: now I know I can leave my comments for you even when the post is a couple days old.

    ......dhole

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  30. Hi there! Thanks for stopping by my blog :) why don't you attach a link of your short story to you blog?

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  31. Lurker here, giving you a wave...

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  32. You could have taken the easy way out and opted for Wordless Wednesday – my absolutely favorite. I have just started writing my second manuscript, so finding interesting material to fill a new blog post feels extremely difficult these days.
    I’m a new Lurker. Good luck with the beta-readers.
    Stop by my Wordless Wednesday
    -Buffi
    My Wonderfully Dysfunctional Blog

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  33. Very amusing post. I've seen you on several other blogs I follow so I thought I stop by and say hello.

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  34. LOL, I see you're craving comments so I will comment away.

    Congratulations on your finished novel!! That's so exciting! Now comes the fun part...and by fun part, I mean the part that I hate with the power of a thousand suns. Yay!

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  35. Congrats on finishing both a novel and a short story!! I mean, those are both things that many people don't manage to do. :)

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  36. Sounds like you're on the verge of being published! I'm wishing you all the best with your novel.

    I wouldn't mind having a look at your "Itinerary"!

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  37. This is such exciting news!!! I love the title of your novel, btw! Good luck with the rest of your publication journey. It sounds like you're very close to taking the editor/agent leap. Keep us all posted. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! :)

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  38. Very exciting!!! So close, keep at it, let us know how this all develops!

    Funny, I ended my blog today, with
    short n' sweet!

    I get the quiet; comments keep us connect to the web we weave. I love feedback, a friendly visit~

    Good luck~

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  39. Congrats on getting good feedback and getting ready to start queryng - how exciting! Keep us posted. Have a great weekend.

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  40. I know all about work taking away writing time. It suh-diddly-ucks. I hope you're able to find a balance soon.

    And congrats on getting your WIP into your betas' hands. Good luck!

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