Another Reason To Celebrate!

Today I received a belated birthday present. My agent sent over my contract for my third book, Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage, with HarperImpulse.

It's all very exciting, and still very surreal, but it does mean the third book that I've written will be published. Which means it gets shared with readers (who I hope will love and not hate).  That always feels good.

It has been just over 3 years now since my first book was published with HarperImpulse. I have always worried that the story ideas may run out. However, I have another two contemporary romance books brewing... plus a fantasy one... and maybe one day I'll get back to writing my vampire story... And then there are a list of silly plot bunnies in my OneNote file too, so I maybe okay for a while.

The Boss says I should start writing the online dating novel I have floating around in my head, as long as he doesn't feature in it. Ha ha!

I worry about the day I may have to return back to work full time. Will I get time to keep on writing? Will all these ideas get written, and published?

I've got a couple of years before I need to worry about it all yet, so maybe, tonight I should just open a bottle of bubbly and celebrate the beginnings of another book and that I am able to do something I thoroughly enjoy - writing.

Cheers!

And Relax.... Sort Of.

Tuesday evening, I slogged away and managed to send my third manuscript/novel off to my agent - whoo hooo! (Although it's the first book I've sent to my agent). So the past couple of days, I've not been writing as I've taken a break. I am hoping to have a few days, maybe a week or two respite. So, what have I done the past couple of days?

I have caught up with housework. I have cleaned.

Not shopping, or catching up with friends for coffee, lunch... no, I've cleaned. (I did have a massage and my hair cut but they were already in the diary - after Tuesday evening being hunched over my keyboard, the massage was needed).

Today, I gave my lounge a good dust down, and then I cleaned the tops of my kitchen cupboards.... and washed everything that sits on there. I haven't done that in four years (January) I've lived in this house. :-O Today I've tackled some of the bigger jobs I've had to put off because I needed to write.

I wanted to get the book off my desk (so to speak) before next week as I knew I wouldn't get to work on it.

Because...

Next week is my birthday week, so I doubt very much I'll be doing anything, including housework. I have my mum visiting, too.

Maybe, next week, I should start every day with a glass of champagne...

Now there's a thought...

The Fun Of Being A Writer

Last night I looked at Publishers. Today I flicked through the Writers and Artist Year Book 2012 (which I'd highlighted previously) for suitable agents. Tonight I'll check out their websites and see what their submission requirements are too.

In all of this, that feeling of dread, cold and icky in my stomach, came over me.

I know I will have to face rejections, but I keep thinking, 'What if I'm not good enough yet?'

Or ever!

Do I need an agent?

I've heard that the 'big houses' are really hard to get into, so thought I'd aim lower, where the likes of Katie Price, Dawn French and any other celebrity thinking of writing a book will not be in the slush pile. The smaller publishing houses, the 'indies' don't necessary need or want agency submissions. But should I see if I can get an agent first anyway?

The Wedding Favour is a completed manuscript. It's had at least two edits, I'm going through it again with my Beta's though, for a final polish. The first three and the last chapter are practically ready. I have written a synopsis, which again, probably needs going through again. I next need to write a blurb and a bio. (I've sort of done the bio and put it on my website which is a work in progress, so may use that).

How far do I edit? I don't want to remove my 'voice', and someone (who has been published years ago) in my writers group (my physical one that I meet up locally, not a virtual, internet one) said don't edit to death, the editors will want to do that!

So I'm thinking, as long as I'm showing how I want my story to go, and I've presented it professionally, and sharpened my craft to the best of my ability, showing my voice, that (hopefully) should be enough. Right?

But again, my fear comes in... Have I worked on it enough? Should I have someone 'professional' look at it, is the story too simple and unoriginal... and all those other nigglely things that go through your head. 

Then I worry... What if I do (eventually) find a publisher for The Wedding Favour... but will they like the rest of my story ideas, what if I can't write anything better than it again?


Grrr... The worries fun of being a writer. 

The title of my blog should be The Worrying Woman...