Hey, I've solved my prologue problem by calling it chapter one. Very clever Carolyn. (It's still a prologue, but I defy anyone to prove it.) On the other hand, I thought I couldn't do funny, but maybe I can. Now I'm writing a proposal on it because I am in the market for a new agent now and have started querying and someone got back to me much sooner than I expected (like, in 3 days, for gosh sake.) That's the trouble with email.
posted by Carolyn @ 7/31/2003 11:09:00 PM Permalink
On Monday, I wrote 9 pages; Chapter 1 and a portion of chapter 2. And, of course, my h/h are already feeling different from my concept. The list isn't his but hers. Now I'm wondering if perhaps my h/h have a passing acquaintance of some years ago which would gasp! require a prologue. I'm laughing maniacally at this notion because I've been telling everyone who would listen (or read) that prologues are bad. Arghh! But I'm going to draft one at my son's soccer practice this afternoon. That way, nine months from now when I delete it, I can keep my record of 100% of prologues deleted. (bwa-hah-hah-hah!)
posted by Carolyn @ 7/30/2003 05:15:00 PM Permalink
The List is plotting right along. I've got most of the backstory worked out. Due to an experience with being suspected of having counterfeit bills (they weren't) I've added a subplot of counterfeiting bad guys. My thanks, in an ironic manner, to the Rohnert Park Police Dept, because it's a fabulous plot line. No thanks to the movie theater employees who were really rude to me. As it turns out, during the Regency there were lots of people forging Bank notes. Yay! I've been mostly notebooking the plot. My approach this time is to work hard on the non-romance plot elements, in this case, the counterfeiting plot line such that I have a skeleton around which to form the romance story. This feels right because until I start writing my characters and seeing how they develop and interact, I won't really know what romance elements need to happen when. So, we'll see!
posted by Carolyn @ 7/26/2003 12:57:00 PM Permalink
Ah. Home sweet home. The conference was great. Tiring, but great. I do feel far more anxious about my writing career though. So much I should know and do and did not. Not sure how much work I will get done today, but I have some interesting thoughts bumping around in my head. So, off to find caffeine and then work.
posted by Carolyn @ 7/21/2003 09:36:00 AM Permalink
Tomorrow, I head home. This has been a great experience but the teeny voice that's been whispering to me that I don't really belong here keeps getting louder and louder. Today, I feel like a total fraud. Writer? Don't think so. And there you have it.
posted by Carolyn @ 7/19/2003 01:56:00 PM Permalink
Well, here I am in NYC at the RWA convention. Yikes! So much to do. So many people to meet. Met Kate Seaver who says she'll be editing The Spare in August. Saw it sitting on her desk. Two things immediately occurred to me: first that I have 2-4 weeks to worry she'll hate it and second, that I have 2-4 weeks to do some additional reading and editing. Heh heh. Don't know if I should or will. Anyway, The Spare is slated for Feb 2004, which is what I'd calculated. Someone at Dorchester said authors should be putting out books every 6 months. Easy for them to say! Who the heck writes that fast? I calculate I'd have to write 33K words per month and have 3 months to edit. To be honest, the money's not good enough to allow me that much writing time. So, that ain't gonna happen. Kate described the cover for TS, which sounds really nice. Arrghhh. I wish everyone would just tell me they love me and my work.
posted by Carolyn @ 7/18/2003 09:12:00 AM Permalink
Am flying to NY tomorrow am for RWA conference. Laptop doa so it's staying at home. I am unhappy about that, I'll tell you. Last couple of days I changed the heroine's name, then her last name too. And one of the kids. Added a chicken, too. I'm actually almost ready to start drafting, I think, but to be honest, more paper plotting is in order. See you in NYC!
posted by Carolyn @ 7/15/2003 08:34:00 PM Permalink
Not writing chapters for The List yet, but I have a pretty complete outline, a significant change in the beginning orientation, and name changes. Also, I have added a pirate treasure theme. I'd really like to make this a humorous book. I think I can do it.
posted by Carolyn @ 7/12/2003 04:57:00 PM Permalink
Well, The Spare went off to Leisure on June 30. And, I've decided that my next project will be The List. I will continue working on Emily and Devon, but the project I want to do next is The List because I can't get it out of my head. I've started my character backgrounds, chronologies etc. Been working on the website today. Lots of revisions and additional material.
posted by Carolyn @ 7/04/2003 04:20:00 PM Permalink
Liz Maverick
Jennifer Ashley
Sandy Schawb
Patti O'Shea
Marjorie M. Liu
Megan Frampton
Kristin Nelson
Miss Snark
Dystel & Goderich
The Rejecter
Evil Editor