Loving my edit process

So, it’s been a while longer than I usually let my blogging go, but you know what? Or should I say, you know why???

I’ve been frantically editing the book for the publisher! Yes, it’s the non-fiction that several others and I have been working together on, but it’s still writing and crafting and a book!

Alas, now it is in the hands of the publisher and we’re awaiting first round edits, so I am turning back to my fiction. Phyxe’s first chapter has been completely rewritten…many thanks to my writing peers and a few comments from editors to help make that change happen. (Sometimes we’re too close to our work/the story.) Apparently, the rewrite blew away my critique partner.

That’s a good thing.

It means I didn’t get back, oh this is good, but what about this…

I got back:

YES! Those changes definitely make the story start stronger. There is more conflict, and we don’t know what is going to happen to her and how she is going to survive this attack with her powers held in check. Her weakened state forces her to be helped by a human, whom she is attracted to. So you are already setting up the emotional conflict.

Now that’s how I want someone to respond to the opening scene!

I should be writing/editing but…

Instead I’m dealing with tech issues for websites and content and just all around…GRRR. I may not follow astrology, but whoever reminded me or told me mercury is in retrograde….

Thank you.

It explains EVERYTHING tonight.

Am I really working?

Some days, I have to remember that I’m working even when I’m staring off into space or allowing my mind to wander as I drift down to sleep. I forget I need these creative wanderings to allow my stories to grow and evolve, and sometimes take on a life of their own.

This morning, in those moments between being really awake and somewhat asleep, my brain took off on its own tangent, plotting out a story. Now, some of it was surreal as only dreams can get, but so much of it was completely real and woke me with my heart in my throat and my pulse racing. I was amped up and ready for fight or flight mode.

Not really the way you intend to wake up in the morning. But it did remind me that if I slow down and let my brain play with a story, it can come up with some amazing plot lines for me to put to use. For my writer friends, where else do your stories come from?

Rewrites are a bitch, or are they?

I’ve been learning a lot this past weekend…and thought I’d share. Those of you who have READ the drafts of the Goddess of Fire, will recognize some. But, I’m learning to go deeper into my characters. Here is my most recent adaptation, lead in. Yes, it will change. This series WILL be published.

I’ve had better days. Trust me, in the several millennia I’ve been alive, none can compare. This one?

Sucks.

And I’m tired of it all. So, tired I want to do something. Seriously, DO something.

I’ve been listening to Zhanne drone on for about an hour now. The Goddess of Energy might have a soothing and focused sense about her, but she sets my teeth on edge with a look. And yes, I still keep to Old Earth time. It makes the most sense. We spent a lot of time there. But this? This is the same old same old. I’ve been itching to do something. Anything, even if it means starting another war on one of my planets.

My sister Goddesses frown on that.

No, not Gaian. The Goddess of Earth loves my temper. She’s my hunting partner, right there beside my wrecking havoc and resurrecting souls every step of the way.

But the Goddesses of Air and Water? Well, Wystin and Glacial vibrate at a different frequency than I do. They hate my emotional outbursts. And I have a hard time understanding their softer ways.

Truth be told, they’re pretty successful with it. Just not my style.

Umm, let’s see. This book is NOT WRITTEN (currently) in first person. But, I’ve gone through and re-written the entire scene in 1st. And you know what? It’s turning out better and deeper than the original.

So….I’m re-writing, still.

The voices are talking again

I don’t know about my fellow writers, but when new stories start to reveal themselves to me, I get scenes, like a movie, flowing behind my eyes whenever I close them. Hell, sometimes I don’t even have to close them. They can get pretty real. (It’s then you start to wonder if you’re insane, or psychic. Perhaps both.)

Maybe it’s just from hanging out on Savvy Authors this week, teaching a class and reading up on others. I always get an amazing boost to my creativity the more I hang out with other creatives types. Yes, it does help to step away from my work now and then. Notice I didn’t say step away from the computer

The bonus from stepping away from my fiction writing this week? I can come back to it now having learned a few new tips and tricks and really work on fine tuning my writing even more. It’s a good thing I’m in edit mode and can put all these to use.

On the flip side, this new story in my head is starting to take over at the strangest times….

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